Shed Construction - Do I want a slab/electricity?

Having a patio built and they will be pouring a concrete slab. I figured while they are at it I may as well pour a small slab for a shed. Here in Clearwater I wouldn't need a permit if the shed is smaller than 10x10, not on a slab and didn't have electrical.

I have a 2 car garage which will hose the power tools/tool boxes. The shed will primarily be lawn equipment (40v trimmer, plug in edger, reel mower), 4 bikes, camping gear, boat gear, grill gear. Mostly non electrical stuff and mostly storage. I don't think I'll be doing much tinkering in there as I would rather outfit the shed for that. So I think I can get away with solar powered lights only. The concrete slab would be nice but if I can avoid pulling a permit maybe that's worth it? What do you think?

Disclaimer: New homeowner/never pulled permits before so I don't know how inconvenient it really is.

Depending where you are pulling a permit could be either super easy or a massive pain in the daddy bags.

If it were me I would try for the permit before doing it without a slab At least

Cost/benefit analysis...build as much and as large as you can, in a few years you will want more than you have. If you can't afford it now, at least plan for upgrades and install any access for features you will eventually want. So, yes you want a concrete floor and at least install conduit so you can run power in the future. Also, check into putting all the "wants" on the permit. Many locations will give you 15-20 years to complete construction once you pull the permit, so if you don't close it out you can continue to "upgrade" and finish it a few years in the future without pulling another permit...

Usually having electric means wired into a breaker box. Which somewhat understandably calls for a permit.

It typically does not mean wired up with lights, but plugged into an outlet via extension cord. For a small shed, this is likely what I would do.

I wouldn't bother with a slab for what you have described. Concrete only matters if it's on the ground. A shed like that could be elevated on piers so your stuff is on a wood floor. So really it comes down to size. If 10x10 is enough sf I'd skip the permit. If the shed approach turns out to be inadequate those inadequacies will help you decide what you really need for the permitted structure down the road with minimal expense and rework.

Just pour the slab and put a piece of conduit up thru the edge of it with a 4 gang outdoor box. A month later set a shed on it across a couple 4x4 treated "logs" and poke a hole under it to run the extension cord. Now it's just a portable shed on logs next to the outlet in your yard

Whatever you believe you need is now, double it.. then build that.

Fueled by Caffeine wrote: Whatever you believe you need is now, double it.. then build that.

Then in six months wish you went bigger.

Enyar wrote: Here in Clearwater I wouldn't need a permit if the shed is smaller than 10x10, not on a slab and didn't have electrical.

We have the same kind of restrictions here. Fairly typical in a lot of places.

I built this one 20 years ago.

Since the restriction was 100 sq/ft, I ended up making it 8'x12' rather than a square 10x10. Advantage was the ability to use 4x8 sheets of plywood with out much cutting. Also I put a shelf/bench on the left side of the door that runs the full depth of the shed for the wife to use as a potting bench. I also put a window over the bench. There are a couple solar lanterns on the front and one that I disassembled and put the light inside so that we can use it after dark.