Site Preparation

How to prepare your site for your shed or playhouse.

Correct site preparation is very important to the longevity of your new building. We've laid out a few suggestions to help make sure your cottage kit is done properly and prepared for the years of wear and weather ahead of it.

Step 1

Mark the area, giving yourself an additional 12" on each side of your building

Step 2

Excavate the marked off area

Step 3

Compact the excavated area

Step 4

Make sure the area is level

Step 5

Fill site with desired foundation material (crushed stone shown)

Step 6

Level the foundation material

Foundation material

Crushed stone

We recommend using crushed stone approximately 4-5" deep. We also advise that you have 12" of stone around the perimeter of the outbuilding to control weeds and keep moisture away from the building. Before installing the stone, you can either dig out 4" of soil and simply make the stone ground level, or you can make the frame with 4x4s or landscape timbers and then fill flush to the top with stone.

Concrete pad

Another option would be to have a concrete pad installed. If you are going to have a concrete pad installed, remember to keep the pad as close to ground level as possible. We recommend that you make the pad 12" wider on each side of the building. Using crushed stone or a concrete pad will increase the longevity of your building/playhouse. Having the proper site allows needed airflow, which will keep your building/playhouse looking great for years to come!

Permits

If it is necessary to obtain a building permit or cross a neighboring property, it is the buyer's responsibility to obtain a neighbor's permission or to purchase the necessary permits prior to delivery.