July 2, 2006
We did not do any work on the shed yesterday. I was also unable to cut any collar ties or rafters. Too much rain!! Instead, I did a lot of yard clean-up after all the rain we had for the past week and a half. Some of the plywood sheathing I left on top of the ceiling joists became warped.
June 17, 2006
We have 75% of the rafters installed and created templates for the collar ties and the remaining rafters. My goal is to make 13 rafters and 13 collar ties before the next work day with my carpenter. We plan to meet on Saturday July 1st to complete the framing.
I forgot to mention that before we start work I always spray mosquito repellent in our work area and on my clothing.
4' x 8' sheathing was laid over the 2" x 8" ceiling joists to prepare a work area to build an upper wall for more windows.
The upper wall is completed and the next set of rafters are installed.
A view of both sets of rafters from below.
June 12, 2006
I order one French Double Door and one window. It will take 8 weeks, but they will be delivered to my house. 50% of the material cost is consumed with these two items since we had to pay retail.
June 10, 2006 
The rafters on the other hand were the most difficult to build. We had to compensate for the additional wall height plus the angles, which were not quite to the drawing specifications. We used trial and error to make the first rafter template. First we install tie plates on all four walls. Second we setup a temporary brace to support the ridge board and then attach the rafters to the ridge board. Walls and rafters are 16 inches on center. 50% of the rafters are installed, but the other 50% will prove to be more difficult to install.
May 13, 2006
We build the first wall.
The walls go up easily. These are 8 foot interior walls, not the 7 foot standard you find in most sheds.
It was a long day but all four walls are built. Temporary cross-bracing is applied for additional support.
May 6, 2006
I attend the auction and obtain five windows for a very good price. Unfortunately I was not able to get the French Door. The other bidders priced it too high to make it worth the additional burden of getting it home. My van can fit the windows but not the door.
May 5, 2006
We attended the auction preview and found windows and French doors in the right color (Terratone). The color matches our house.
May 3, 2006
Our supplies from the lumber yard were delivered for free since we made the $1,000 minimum. My carpenter was unable to meet the delivery so my wife painstakingly verifies each piece of the order. My wife and I move all this lumber into the garage.
We still need windows and doors and decide to use a building materials auction to obtain them.
April 29, 2006
The carpenter and I prepare a bulk order for the materials with a local lumber yard. The shed plans provide a very good supply list as a basis.
April 24, 2006
The inspector looks it over and gives us the green-light to proceed.
April 20, 2006
We were finally able to get all the bottom plates (comprised of pressure treated lumber) installed.
We achieved a milestone today by obtaining a building permit. I provided the additional roof framing drawing along with extensive explanation because I have a different reviewer.
I chose not to get the electrical permit at this time but I realize it will be needed before the approval process.
An inspection was scheduled for the following week to ensure that we were on track before any walls go up.
April 19, 2006
My builder reviews the drawings and determines what is needed for the county reviewer. He must deal with the county inspectors a lot because he had the drawing completed in 20 minutes.
April 15, 2006
I forgot to mention earlier that I decided experienced help was needed. I hired a handyman that knows carpentry. Our first day of work involved planning and installing the bottom plate to the slab. Our carpenter delivered the pressure treated lumber for the bottom plates.
We were only able to install two of the plates because some of the anchor bolts were either too short or mis-aligned with the other bolts. We adjusted for the discrepancies in the bolts by appropriate hole placement and countersinking the holes in the bottom plate. Additional anchor bolts were also installed.
April 13, 2006
A building permit is required by my county due to the square footage and height of the structure. In addition, because the property has a septic system, a health permit was required to ensure the shed does not interfere with the septic field. On my first attempt to obtain permits, I was able to get the health permit but was rejected for the building permit at the drawing review. Although I have two pages of full-size architectural drawings with numerous views depicted, it's missing a roof framing plan. (This is a view looking down at the roof showing how the roof is supported.) I am at a loss because I have no contact information on the drawing. I spend 2 1/2 hours going through the county permit maze.
Later on that day I call my builder that worked on my 2003 house renovation for a solution. He said he would come by my house next week and draw the view for me. It sounds simple.
April 1, 2006
We started with a 12 foot by 16 foot concrete slab which was poured in Spring of 2003 during renovation of the house (not shown). Electricity (20 amp circuit) and network (Cat 5e) cabling were also installed underground up to the slab. We wanted a contemporary design to match our house. This was a problem because plans of this type are hard to find. Most sheds have the standard A-frame roof. Fortunately we found a contemporary shed design on EBay for very little cost. It would be three years before anything was done with the slab other than sweeping off leaves.
The next step is to get county approval to build. I begin to review the approval process through a county government web site.
