Buyers Guide

Where should I start with choosing the right model?

Most of our customers have a general idea of what they want the building to look like, and that really starts with the roof shape. Tuff Shed offers buildings in barn-style, ranch-style, and lean-to-style roofs, and we separate our buildings into a good-better-best assortment of the Garden Series®, Premier Series®, and Premier PRO Series(TM). From there you can start to focus on the features that are important to you, such as wall height, door placement, roof and siding material, and warranty length. Check out the handy comparison feature on the products page of this website, or visit one of our sales teams to learn more.

Is there any visual guidance on available products?

Yes! Check out our products page on this site, or the PDF here which compares elements like roof shape and pitch, door openings and placement, eave types, and warranty lengths.

What size can I get?

Most of our buildings can be configured in a variety of sizes, and are designed so that sizing is a sliding scale in 2-foot increments as it relates to width and length. Start with our online configurator to see size availability by model, and consult your Tuff Shed rep if you have additional questions.

How do I choose the best size?

Consider what space you have for the building on your site, what kind of limitations your building department or HOA may have, plus what you plan to keep inside the building. For many customers, their only regret is that they didn’t get a larger size building. Think about a room in your house or space in an existing garage. It seems much larger when there is nothing in that space. But when you start adding large items like mowers, bikes, tools, boxes, furniture, etc. the space feels much smaller. Remember too that you’ll want to be able to easily move things in and out of your building without other items blocking the way.

Is there a difference in the products sold at Tuff Shed Factory-Direct Retail locations vs. the ones at The Home Depot?

Yes. Our different building models and series feature different specifications, sizes, available upgrades, and warranties. Our Good-Better-Best assortment of sheds and garages is available only at Tuff Shed factory-direct retail locations with the Garden Series®, Premier Series®, and Premier PRO Series(TM). All Tuff Shed buildings are designed for quality, including warranty coverage, and come with installation included in the price.

Do you sell kits?

Our building prices include professional installation by Authorized Tuff Shed installers. Our pre-fabricated building components require some specific skills, training, and tools to assemble, and are not designed to be installed by the average homeowner. Additionally, there is no warranty on workmanship or materials on buildings installed by anyone other than Authorized Tuff Shed Installers.

What do base prices include?

Base prices on this website include the basic building, including installation. There is NO additional assembly cost on installed models.  All construction costs are included in the base price, except for concrete slabs or footings, any required permits, any required engineering fees, and work done outside the normal installation process such as hauling away an existing structure or debris, site leveling, etc. For delivery addresses located in High Wind Zones or other jurisdictions with known special building requirements, mandated items will be added to your order, thus increasing the building price. The specifications of the base building may vary according to the building code requirements of the jurisdiction where the job site is located. Required variations from our base building plans may increase building price. Building accessories may be added to most models, but at an additional cost to the customer. Prices are subject to change at any time without notice. Please refer to Tuff Shed® building configurator at www.tuffshed.com and enter delivery zip code to see available products and current prices.

Is there a charge for delivery?

The standard delivery fee of $99 on sheds and $375 on garages will be added to orders at the time of the transaction. Fees for delivery by crane begin at $1,000.

Do I have to pay extra for installation?

No. Professional installation by an Authorized Tuff Shed install crew is included in the price.

Are there any additional costs?

We try to identify all of the costs upfront and our online configurator does a good job of identifying the line item costs of the base building, any required and customer-selected upgrades, delivery fees as well as permit and engineering fees. Sometimes, however, there can be some additional costs that have to be added to the project based on the local building requirements or the condition of the installation site. Common additional costs can include fees for site leveling more than 4″, for generator rental when the job site has no electricity available, for inaccessible installation sites that require carrying of materials long distances, and for installations that don’t have at least 18″ clearance around the structure. We ask the customer to inform us of any of these circumstances at the point of purchase. Fees relating to engineered drawings, permits, and delivery also may apply. Any such additional costs are clearly detailed for customers by their Tuff Shed sales consultant upon final review of an order.

Do you offer discounts to various groups like veterans or teachers?

We do not offer a specific discount to Vets or any other group. However, Tuff Shed proudly supports The Home Depot Foundation which focuses to improve the homes and lives of U.S. Veterans, trained skilled tradespeople, and support communities impacted by natural disasters.

What types of upgrades and accessories are available?

There are numerous upgrades available for each Garden Series, Premier Series, and Premier Pro Series building model. For more information, download our upgrades catalog, visit our online building configurator or consult your local Tuff Shed sales and design consultant. Download catalog here

Can I buy a separate handle and/or hinges?

We are very proud of the patented hardware that is included on the one-of-a-kind Tuff Shed door. We will sell replacement hinges and handles to an existing customer, but these items are not otherwise for sale on an ala carte basis.

What are my financing options?

Tuff Shed has some great third-party monthly payment options. RTO National offers installment loans up to $20,000 with approved credit and a No-Credit-Check Rent-to-Own option on select shed models and sizes. Special Offers

Is there a credit check?

The installment loan program through RTO requires a credit check. The Rent-to-Own program has no credit check.

What are the monthly payments?

Several factors affect a customer’s monthly payments on a financed building, including the financed amount, the A.P.R. that the customer qualifies for, and the term (length) of the loan.

What buildings are available?

All Tuff Shed factory-direct retail buildings are eligible for the installment loan program through RTO National. Not all sizes and styles of buildings are available through the RTO’s Rent-to-Own program.

How can I get a building quote?

The easiest way is to use our online building configurator on this website. You’ll be able to select from different models, and sizes and see prices and other details based on your installation zip code. You can also work directly with one of our sales and design consultants for personal guidance through the design and quoting process.

How long is a quote good for?

Prices quoted are valid through the expiration date of the promotion, but in no case shall be valid longer than seven days. Once an order has been placed, pricing is guaranteed for up to 6 months. If the installation is not completed within 6 months for any reason, Tuff Shed has the right to modify the order pricing. You will be notified regarding any price adjustment prior to installation or incurring any additional charges.

Will I need to pour concrete for my building?

No, in most cases. While garages do require a concrete slab, our shed floor joist systems have more than adequate strength and moisture-resistant qualities to provide a sturdy foundation on most ground surfaces. There are some exceptions, including when local building departments require concrete, or when the shed is to be located in an area that is below the grade of the rest of your yard. Concrete is also highly recommended for two-story buildings and when the customer’s intended use for the building requires a concrete floor due to the weight or type of materials to be stored inside. In these cases, a concrete pad may be ordered from a professional contractor. Call 1-800-BUY-TUFF (1-800-289-8833) to discuss site specifications with one of our expert sales consultants.

If I do want or need concrete, how will this affect my building?

We need to know in advance if you plan to have concrete poured. Any required plans and permits MUST be obtained before that concrete is poured. Additionally, you will need to share the precise measurements of the concrete with Tuff Shed prior to the installation. See more detail in the “Pre-Installation” section of this page, or consult a Tuff Shed sales representative for more information.

Does this need anchors/can it be anchored?

This largely depends on local building rules. Check with your local municipality if it requires a shed to be anchored to the ground. If so, anchors can be added to your Tuff Shed building order for a small fee.

What size should the slab be?

This can be a tricky question. If the shed is going to be installed with no joists or wood floor decking, then the concrete needs to be the exact size of the building, since the siding will overhang the concrete by 1.5″. For instance, on a 10’x12′ building, the concrete pad would need to measure exactly 10’x12′. If floor joists are being used, these joists are set on top of the concrete slab, so the slab can be larger than the building dimension. In either case, the customer should measure the concrete pad, and send those measurements to Tuff Shed prior to building installation. See Concrete Measurement Form.

Do I need a permit?

This varies by building type, size, and the municipality where the installation site is located. Permits can range from simple and inexpensive to complex and expensive. The customer is responsible for paying for any required permits. Garages and larger buildings almost always require a building permit. Smaller storage sheds and sheds installed on rural building sites are less likely to require permits, but permit regulations vary according to location, and the customer should consult with the local governing body in the area where the building is to be constructed. Consult a Tuff Shed representative to determine if your project will require a permit.

Will my project be affected by my HOA rules?

There may be covenants or HOA rules in your neighborhood or regarding acceptable building size, style, height, location, etc. The customer should consult with their HOA or other neighborhood association to understand rules that may affect what types of structures are allowed.

Do you build on-site?

More like assembled on site. The building components for a job (walls, doors, rafters) are fabricated at the factory, then kitted together. An Authorized Installer crew will then pick up the kitted building, transport it to the customer site and complete the final assembly there. In some cases (for Miami, FL customers or when a building was previously used as a display), a fully assembled building is transported to the site and offloaded from a tilt-bed trailer or a crane.

Is the building delivered whole?

In some circumstances, Tuff Shed buildings can be delivered fully assembled. When a customer purchases a display building, the display will be picked up from the store and delivered to the customer site already assembled and in “as is” condition. Additionally, in some Florida markets like Miami Dade and Broward Counties, buildings are manufactured and built at the Tuff Shed factory and then the brand new building is delivered to the customer site either on a flatbed tilt trailer or via crane. In cases requiring a crane delivery, an extra fee is charged.

Do you remove old buildings?

We call this rip and haul. Our Authorized Installers don’t generally perform this service, but some of our locations can provide this service. Contact your local Tuff Shed factory-direct store to inquire.

What is the lead time?

Many factors can affect lead time, including the time of year, the type of building, any custom upgrades, the local permitting process, required engineered drawings, and the distance from the Tuff Shed factory. We know that customers are excited to get our buildings installed, and we’ll work hard to get our buildings fabricated, delivered, and installed correctly and in a timely manner. Extreme circumstances, such as the Covid-19 pandemic or natural disasters can increase lead times. Consult your local Tuff Shed store for lead times on your potential project.

What kind of roof will I get on my building?

Our proven construction materials and methods are the same ones used in most homes. The rafters are precut 2x4s positioned over the wall studs and joined at the center with 2″x4″ steel truss plates on both sides. This assures maximum load capacity and weight distribution. Garden Series buildings include 7/16 OSB roof decking, while Premier and Premier PRO Series buildings get upgraded 7/16 LP ProStruct Roof Decking with SilverTech Radiant Barrier technology. All three Series of Tuff Shed factory-direct buildings include roofing underlayment as a moisture barrier and a baked enamel formed steel drip edge around the perimeter of the roof decking to protect the edge of the decking from weather and to support the shingle’s edges from breakage. Garden and Premier Series include 25-Year GAF Royal Sovereign 3-tab shingles. Premier PRO Series buildings get upgraded GAF Timberline HDZ Dimensional Shingles with a Manufacturer’s Limited Lifetime Warranty. GAF Roof Warranty Information

Which wall is the width and which is the length?

The width is usually the first number shown. A 10’x12′ building, for example, is 10′ wide by 12′ in length. The width side is always the endwall, which features the point where the roof sections come together at the peak.

What type of siding do you use?

Tuff Shed uses LP® SmartSide® siding and trim as standard on our buildings. For Tuff Shed Premier Series® and Premier PRO Series(TM) buildings, we upgrade the siding to LP® SmartSide Siding with SilverTech® Radiant Barrier Technology. LP® Prorated 50-Year Limited Warranty

How tall are the different models?

Overall building heights vary by model, the width of the building, and if the customer has selected any upgrades that impact height, such as roof pitch upgrade and wall height adder. You can find standard overall heights for common widths in the specifications/sizes and prices section for each model.

How much weight can a loft hold?

A loft with 24″ On Center Joists can hold 30 lbs per square foot of typical storage. Consult your Tuff Shed rep at the design phase to increase a loft’s weight capacity for other specific use.

How much weight can the floor joists hold?

Our shed floors, with 24″ OC joists and single layer tongue and groove floor decking, are designed to support 75 pounds per square foot when the joists are placed directly onto concrete or some other firm, uniform surface; and 50 lbs psf when the joists are placed on concrete leveling blocks. Weight capacity can be increased by adding more floor joists.

What is the spacing of the wall framing?

Standard wall framing is 16″ On Center on all products except the Keystone Series® and Garden Series® buildings, which have 24″ on center wall framing.

What type of framing do you use?

Our standard wall framing and rafters are typically 2×4 dimensional lumber. The species can vary depending on the region. On larger buildings and those with an overhead loft, larger dimensional lumber (i.e. 2×6, 2×8, 2×12, etc.) can be substituted as needed. Customers can also elect to upgrade their wall framing from 2×4 to 2×6 to accommodate the insulation that they plan to add after the building installation.

What’s the spacing of the floor joists and roof trusses

Standard spacing on floor joists and trusses is 24″ on center. When required, the weight load of the roof and/or floor can be increased with additional trusses and joists.

What are the interior dimensions?

Interior dimensions (measured from the inside edge of wall framing of one wall to the inside edge of wall framing on the opposite wall) are roughly 7 inches smaller than the shed size when using a standard 2×4 wall framing. A 10’x12′ shed, for instance, has a floor area that measures approximately 9’5″ x 11’5″.