10 Tips to Keep Bugs and Critters Out of Your Shed

Storage Sheds have become a great investment for many homeowners. It helps to declutter garages and carports and adds value to the resell of a home. Storage sheds come in many types and designs but the 3 most common are wood, vinyl or metal. An important aspect in having a storage shed is maintaining a storage shed for years of use. If a storage shed is not maintained it can become infested with insects and rodents.

Some of the insects and rodents that have been found in storage sheds are ants, roaches, termites, mice, rats, mosquitoes, bees, flies, spiders and fleas. So how do you keep your storage shed bug free?

The first step is to prepare your storage shed ahead of time. Here are things you can do.

1. Paint - If you have a wood storage shed or a shed with a wood base then paint it. Paint will act as a cover for the wood shed and the paint will help prevent wood rot for many years.

2. Seal Cracks - Check your shed inside and out for openings and cracks. Even the slightest opening will invite bugs.

3. Ventilation - Proper ventilation will prevent moisture in the storage shed. Mold and mildew has been known to attract bugs.

4. Natural Deterrents - Certain herb plants can be planted around your shed for protection. Catnip is said to repel ants, lavender repels moths, sage repels slugs, Flies hate the smell of basil and mint can repel mice.

If you have a storage shed that has been around a while you may ask how to get rid of bugs that are already in the shed? Here are some tips.

5. Rotten Wood - Fix or replace any rotten wood that your shed may have.

6. Clean - Sweep out or vacuum your shed. This should be done one to three times a month.

7. Garbage - Do not store garbage cans inside the shed. It attracts many insects.

8. Insecticides - Use bait, bug traps or insecticides to get rid of any bugs that are in your storage shed.

9. Shed Perimeter - Spray or spread insecticide around the outside perimeter of your storage shed.

10. Moth Balls - Place moth balls around the shed and under it to keep snakes and spiders away.

As you can see, keeping a storage shed bug free is not difficult and keeping your storage shed in good condition will be beneficial to the investment of your home.

The Best Way to Add Resale Value to Your Home

Веfоrе уоu mаkе а major structural change tо уоur property, іt іs іmроrtаnt tо consider hоw thіs will affect уоur resale vаluе. 

Whіlе thеrе аrе mаnу steps thаt уоu саn tаkе tо improve уоur property, thе addition оf а detached garage mау bе the most beneficial tо уоu. It also mау drastically improve уоur resale price whеn уоu аrе ready tо sell.

Adding Square Footage tо Yоur Home: As а property owner, уоu mау bе well aware thаt оnе оf thе mоst common ways thе vаluе оf уоur property іs determined іs bу thе market rate fоr price реr square foot оf homes іn thе area. Whіlе factors suсh аs age оf thе property, condition оf thе property аnd amenities іn thе neighborhood mау affect whеthеr уоur property’s price реr square foot іs аbоvе оr bеlоw market average, thе size оf thе improvements hаs а direct impact оn property vаluе. Adding а detached garage adds square footage tо thе property, аnd а real estate agent саn help уоu tо determine thе true financial gain уоu mау experience thrоugh thіs addition.

Increasing Appeal tо Potential Buyers: Properties thаt аrе mоrе appealing tо potential buyers mау sell fоr а higher price. Whеn уоu add а detached garage tо уоur property, уоu mау bе adding style аnd function tо thе property bу adding а place tо park vehicles аnd tо store items lіkе seasonal items аnd lawn equipment. Yоu саn аlsо create а detached garage wіth а workshop оr аnоthеr functional area fоr аddеd appeal.

Transforming Existing Space: Some hоmе additions will add а detached garage tо а property bесаusе а garage wаs nеvеr constructed оn thе property, but оthеrs will bе аddеd bесаusе thе homeowner wаnts tо transform thе existing garage attached tо thе hоmе іntо а mоrе functional area. Fоr example, а nеw hоmе addition, mау turn thе existing garage іntо а living room, а bedroom оr аnоthеr functional area. Wіth thе addition оf а detached garage, thе property owner саn retain thе benefits оf hаvіng а garage whіlе аlsо improving thе functional usе оf thе main area оf thе hоmе.

Contact us to learn how you can benefit from extra storage space. 

Prefab Garages vs Stick Built Garages

There are many factors to consider when adding a garage to your home and it's not just about what it will look 

like. Perhaps the most important question of all is how much it is going to cost. That really does depend on whether you are considering prefab garages or traditionally built garages. Although they both will do a good job of protecting your vehicle and prized possessions, there's a huge difference in price.

First of all, let's talk about how much value is building a garage going to add to your home? According to Remodeling magazine, roughly 69% of the investment will be recouped. In other words, if you spend $20,000 on construction, it will add $13,800 in overall value to your home if you decide to sell. Add to that the convenience and security that a garage offers and it's clear that it is an excellent home improvement.

There are a couple of options to choose from for the construction of a garage. First is the traditional, stick built structures that everyone is familiar with. And, over the last several years, prefab garages have been more and more prevalent. Either type of construction will serve the purpose it's intended to, but when cost is taken into consideration, there is one clear front-runner.

On average, one-car garages built with traditional materials are going to start out somewhere around $10,000 and go up from there. To construct and a two-car can nearly double the price tag. In addition to the actual construction costs, there are also going to be permits, inspections and other costs to factor in. Plus, just like any other construction project, it takes time and schedules can easily be altered due to weather or crew issues. The longer it takes, the more expensive the build gets.

Keep in mind that the bigger the garage, the more square footage you'll have to use after construction for both kinds of garages. Also keep in mind that the larger the garage, the more materials and labor will be required. How big should you build? That will depend on how many vehicles you want to use it for and whether or not you need extra storage space. It's always nice to have a little extra floor space for gardening equipment, bicycles and tools, but adding just ten square feet (5' x 2') you add roughly $400 to the cost of construction.

Prefab garages, on the other hand range in price from $4,000 on up. The construction time is significantly reduced since the basic construction is done off-site. The manufacturer builds the frame, loads it up on a truck and hauls it out to your site where the pieces are fully assembled. The benefit is that it requires a minimal amount of time, compared to standard construction. Within short order, they will put it all together and all you have to do is park the car inside.

So, you know that adding a garage adds value to your home, expands your storage space and keeps your vehicle safe and out of the weather. You don't have to spend the kids college tuition or cash in your retirement savings. There is one simple way to save money while still getting a garage that suits your needs. Contact us for more information about how prefab garages offer the same stability, durability and functionality of stick-built garages, but cost less and go up much quicker.

What Permits and Permission Are Required for Detached Garages?

Adding a detached garage to your property is a wonderful way to protect a vehicle, store farm and gardening equipment, or provide protected storage for household items. Detached garages come in both single and double car sizes. And, depending on your needs, your garage can be electrified. 

But before you place your order, you'll want to do a little homework. Depending on where you live, you may need a building permit, permission from your housing association, or permission from your neighbors. 

Permits

Generally speaking, you need a building permit for permanent structures, like garages. However rules do vary from state to state and county to county. The best approach is to contact your local government and find out what’s required. An online search for "permit + detached garage + YOUR LOCATION" should turn up the information you need to move forward.  If you do need a permit, be friendly and helpful with everyone you deal with. The more engaged you are, the more likely it is that you’ll get your permit without any trouble. As you go through the process, you may be asked to present documents, such as:

Site Plan -- You may need to provide a drawing of your property that shows property lines, existing buildings and where the new garage will be sited. 

Building Plans -- You may need to provide garage plans. If you are purchasing a prefab garage, the manufacturer will be able to provide these. 

Other Information – You may be asked to provide other information, such as proof of insurance for the contractor.

Permissions

If you live in a housing development or belong to a neighborhood association, find out what rules apply to detached garages. You may need to present your plans to the board, before moving ahead with the project. Zoning laws may also require that you get permission from neighbors, if the garage is within a certain distance of the property line. 

Keep in mind that it's the homeowner’s responsibility to find out what the requirements are for permits and permissions. To avoid fines and other penalties, be sure to follow your local guidelines. 

To learn more, please contact us. We also have a resource for getting your permits. Check it out.