How to Move a Shed Safely? Step-by-Step Guide

Moving a shed is no child’s play. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do it at all. You’ll need some special tools and helping hands – perhaps even experts – but with good prep, you’ll have no issue taking your big baby to your new home.

Read on for a detailed walkthrough for moving your shed.

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Things to Know Before Moving Your Shed

Check Whether You Need a Building Permit

Town laws or approvals may be required based on the size and style of the shed you’re moving. While not every shed requires permission, you must observe some requirements, or you will be required to obtain clearance before work can begin. If you’re unclear, reach out to your local city council to determine the restrictions in your region.

Some of the Conditions for Installing a Shed Without a Planning Permit

Raising a shed without authorization may result in penalties, the structure’s dismantling, and the imposition of a charge on your land. Usually, you’ll require permission if your shed’s area is 100-120 sq ft, although the numbers vary depending on the region. A construction permit is required for any sized structure with plumbing. It’s crucial to remember that the regulations for when to seek consent to construct a shed differ by region. However, you can’t build a shed in a conservation area in almost all regions. A permit may be required regardless of shed dimensions due to considerations such as the type of foundation and services such as electricity.

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Why Move a Shed?

Because of the Weather

If the gorgeous new shed got placed wrongly in a dip that collects rainwater, it could cause structural damage to the shed. Rainwater could invade your place and destroy your belongings. Before enough damage is done, it is best to pack up the baby and relocate it.

Because of Your Neighbors

If you’ve recently relocated to a new location and you see another shed nearby, it could be worthwhile to consider relocating yours.

Most local governments have rules concerning how near your shed may be to your property. You must avoid intruding on someone else’s space. If your shed breaches these guidelines, your neighbors can file a complaint against you.

You Want to Optimize Space in Your Yard

The present shed’s location may prevent you from accessing a specific lawn area or isn’t used to its full potential. You can increase the functionality of your yard by optimizing your back area.

To get more backyard space, moving a shed can be an excellent way to go about it.

Efficiency and Convenience

If you want to use sunlight to provide heat and light to the inside of your shed, you’ll require complete accessibility to the sun.

Relocating your shed may transform it from a dull storage area to a pleasant location to spend quality time. At the same time, if your property is densely forested, lighting up the body of your shed might be difficult.

Making your shed pop out and be spotted in your area is challenging. You’ll want it soaked in the sunshine whenever necessary to get the optimum natural lighting.

How to Move Your Shed?

Step 1: Check if Your Shed is Movable and Structurally Sound

Not all sheds are appropriate for relocation. Factors such as their dimensions and weight determine whether you can move them or not. Calculating how simple or challenging it will be is an excellent place to begin.

It is best first to measure the size of your structure. If you bought it pre-installed, you must access its dimensions on the seller’s website. You can also go through the instruction manual.

Moveable in a Truck Bed

Compact sheds may fit onto truck beds approximately 6 feet in length. Small shed structures are also lightweight and perfect for a team of people to carry without needing extra equipment.

Moveable in a Trailer

Using a trailer is a reliable technique to transport a shed, especially if you need to relocate it outside your garden. You’ll also need a large and robust trailer to transport the structure.

You need to employ four jacks to raise the entire structure. The trailer may then be moved below. It might be achieved by slowly pumping up all four corners, switching at each edge, and periodically installing support underneath to raise the structure gradually.

Moveable with a Forklift

A small forklift is a piece of excellent equipment for moving half-tonne lawn structures. One disadvantage of this strategy is the expertise required to maneuver and run a forklift efficiently. If you are unfamiliar with a forklift, getting assistance from a professional forklift driver may be worthwhile.

If you are planning to lift a larger shed, grab straps and wrap them around the structure before attaching the slings to the vehicle. It keeps it from wandering about excessively and slipping off the hooks. It is also critical to fortify doors and window frames before relocating.

Not Moveable at All

Several sheds are mounted on the skids. Structures on the skids are movable and transportable from one area to the next. Some sheds do not have a base at all. Again, these can be readily transported because nothing prevents them from moving.

However, some are linked to a base and cannot permanently be relocated. Moving a shed that has been fixed into the foundation is not a choice at all. In this event, you’ll have no alternative but to abandon your barn and get a brand-new one in your new location.

Your Shed Needs Disassembly Before Moving

Sometimes a shed requires it to be dismantled before moving. In this scenario, it is best to disassemble it using tools such as:

a crowbar;
a screwdriver;
nails/screws;
wooden planks;
a hammer;
protective sheets;
protective gloves.

How to Dismantle a Shed?

Clear the shed of all goods kept within to reduce weight and give you more area to work.
Wear protective gloves.
Take out the windows. Begin by removing the glass and wrapping them in protective covering. Then, using a crowbar, pull the window panels out from the structure.
Remove the door from the structure by unscrewing the fasteners.
Screw the wooden boards into an X form on the sidewalls. It will aid in preserving the shed walls and flooring during relocation. However, you can only do this if the flooring is wooden or plastic.
Put wooden boards on all entrances, using the X form once more. Thereby, you will strengthen the structure of your shed and reduce the danger of harm during the relocation.
Raise and remove the flooring. Look for damage or fatigue on your floor. If there is any deterioration, it may be necessary to replace the base before reinstalling the structure. If you have a rigid base, you will need to make or buy a new one once you relocate.
Next, pack the moving vehicle with all of the shed materials.

Step 2: Empty the Shed

When emptying your shed, it’s a good idea to declutter the stuff you were storing in it. Check if there are any items you can donate or sell.

Without anything inside, your playhouse can still weigh a great deal. It may not appear as hefty, but moving it will be difficult without getting rid of the stuff inside. To make the structure lightweight, you will have to empty it. Getting some hands to work on relocating can also be of great help. Make sure you put the stuff as far away as possible, so it doesn’t get in the way of moving the structure.

Step 3: Gather Necessary Equipment

If you want to employ the roll-over-pipes approach, you must have a few UVC or other types of compact pipes ready. It’s also a good idea to keep your toolbox on standby in case of any trouble.

If you possess a standard-size shed and believe us, you will require a forklift or a hefty jack to move it, go to a nearby rental facility and seek expert assistance. Getting helping hands will also make your work easier.

Step 4: Find and Prepare New Location

Preparing your new space before installing your shed there is best. A clean passage is essential for the shipping of your shed. It will prevent you from tripping over anything that comes in the way. Rake the space and cut the grass to provide a smooth moving operation.

Set the surface straight if it isn’t already. Whether you want to use concrete or not, create a base place; if you don’t want to make a cement base for your shed, you should remove stones, dig a little, and flatten down the spot where you plan to put it.

After cleaning up trash, your shed is ready to be installed. Uninstall the windows/doors to prevent them from being distorted and bent into unusual positions during shipment. Set them away and transport them carefully.

Step 5: Dig the Shed Out

You’ll need to get your cabin out using a shovel if it is tied to the earth. It is best to make gripping spots at regular intervals around the shed by delving below to make small holes, ideally a half foot in depth, where you can grip the soil or a jack to obtain a grasp on the structure from under it. You must do this at each end of the structure.

Pull out the shed using a shovel. If your structure is in an irregular area, take steps and use caution to keep it from rolling.

Step 6: Load the Shed on the Moving Vehicle

With a Jack

Raise the shed with jacks so that the pipes may fit below.
Put the shed and begin carefully moving it forward. The shed will start rolling over the pipelines.
Use a pipe that falls out the bottom and place it facing the front of the shed.
Continue to press and place the pipes beneath the shed.
Push the shed to the trailer, keeping an eye out for trees, electrical wires, and other potential hazards.

Use a Forklift or Tractor with Forks

To load a shed using a forklift, you need to find a professional operator with sufficient training and extensive expertise with the unit. There must be adequate room beneath the structure for the forklift claws to be placed, and the prongs should be set apart to help the frame stay upright. You may use the lifter to transport the shed to the vehicle and hoist it onto the truck.

After you’ve placed the shed in the trailer, ensure that it’s in the center and well-fastened with sturdy ropes. Drive gently and with caution. To unload the shed, simply repeat the steps mentioned above.

Use a Trailer and Ramp

If you’re transporting your shed more than a few yards, you’ll need to tie it in a car trailer. Jack the shed up and move it onto the trailer. Alternatively, you’ll have to utilize the ramp and precise tugging and hauling to move the shed into position.

Check that the shed is in the middle of the vehicle and firmly fastened with firm, tight straps.

Wrap any ceiling panels with a sturdy cover; severe winds might tear them off.

Step 7: Transport and Move the Shed

Move Your Shed to a Trailer

A trailer is an efficient method to transport a shed, especially if you need to relocate it outside your garden. If you can move the whole trailer beneath, you’ve completed your task beyond simply fastening the shed to the vehicle body. Note that if you’re hauling a shed, you’ll have to create a flat ground for it to slide on.

Move Your Shed by Hand

You may move the shed around your lawn by rolling it on a production line of robust pipes. Put one set underneath the pipes and structure and one set ahead of that, like railway lines. It is vital to underline the need to properly plan and manage your movements and not underestimate the shed’s entire load.

When you get to your site, you can just push it off. Use your jacks and props to move the shed into position, mainly if it is bigger or not particularly solid.

Step 8: Place the Shed

When you arrive at the location, carefully unstrap all the hooks and fasteners. To unload the shed, you’ll require the same tools you used to load it. Make sure to take out all the shed parts and equipment along.

Step 9: Reassemble the Shed

If you’ve disabled the shed before loading, you’ll have to reassemble it when it reaches its new home. Before reassembling the structure, check for any damage to the flooring or windows. You’ll most likely require new flooring if the old one is made up of concrete or any other strong material.

Avoiding Mistakes and Dangers

Never Move a Loaded Shed
Shifting a fully loaded shed is a recipe for disaster! Heavy shed loads and unprotected swinging material inside can pose a serious danger to anyone involved in the moving process.
Make Sure Your Path Is Clear
Make sure there are no overhanging tree limbs in the path. Take specific care of any power lines in the way, regardless of how big your shed is.
Is Disassembly Required?
Don’t try too hard to move a shed without disassembling it. If you cannot move a structure without disassembly and you try to move it, there’s a severe threat of damage to both the structure and human lives.

Hire a Professional

Although relocating a structure just a few yards in your backyard can be tricky, taking the big baby to a new neighborhood can be beyond your capabilities. For moving such long distances, it is best to get professionals involved.

The pricing of shed moving service depends on the distance, the shed size and the removal options. Moving a standard-sized shed a few blocks away will cost you less than moving a big one to a new locality.

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Common Storage Shed Manufacturers We Move:

We are a US-based hauling firm transporting storage sheds for over a decade. We offer trustworthy transportation services to our clients. If you need a pair of professional helping hands to move your shed a few blocks away or (even a hundred km), give us a call anytime! Here is a list of a few shed manufacturers we’ve moved.