Buyers Guide

What should I do regarding permits before the delivery?

Research and be able to provide compliance to any and all neighborhood covenants and obtain the required permits. Then determine where your property lines are, and select an appropriate building site. You are responsible to select a location for your Tuff Shed building that is within your property lines and in conformity with any applicable set back rules or regulations.

What should I do to level the area?

Refer to our video that shows how to determine if your site is level, and suggests ways that the customer can have the area leveled prior to installation day.

What do I need to do to clean up the site prior to installation day?

Prepare a "clean and level" build site. This step is the most important and lasting impact that you can have on your building project. It is best if the site is located in a high spot of the yard to provide drainage away from your shed. If you

What is the correct base for the building to be installed on?

The two different types of Tuff Shed floor joists are designed to be able to be placed directly on dirt, gravel, grass, concrete or other firm, dry and level surfaces. We always recommend that customers check with their municipality to see if there are any different local requirements for the building foundation.

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 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. When building on a concrete pad, it's important that this pad is square and level. Concrete can be used as a shed foundation in two different ways. 1) The shed can be installed as normal, with floor joists and floor decking placed directly on top of the concrete pad, leaving a 5-1/2" between the top of the concrete and the bottom of the floor decking. In this scenario, it's possible, but not always required to anchor the shed joists to the concrete slab. 2) The "no floor" option can be selected, which removes the typical shed floor joists and the floor decking. In this instance, the wall framing -- specifically the bottom plate -- must be secured to the concrete pad with fasteners. Precise concrete measurements in this scenario is even more important, as the exterior wall siding must overhang the concrete pad. See additional concrete pad measuement guidelines below.

How do I measure a concrete pad to ensure that it is square?

1) Measure the length of the pad on each edge, down the middle and several spots in between

2) Measure the width of the pad on each edge, down the middle and several spots in between

3) diagonally from corner to corner

How do I check a concrete pad to ensure it is level

Use an accurate leveling device (i.e. carpenter's level 40" or longer) and take readings on the pad all along the perimeter.

What is a concrete curb?

In relation to a concrete pad, a "curb" is a raised concrete area generally around the perimeter of the pad where the bottom plate of the building wall sits upon and is anchored. Some garage customers prefer this option. Consult concrete contractor to determine if this is a good option for you.

What other considerations are created by having a concrete slab with a curb?

Overhead and entry door locations need to be clearly defined in advance of the having the concrete poured. It is vital that the concrete plans match those of the Tuff Shed building plans so the concrete contractor can make curb openings in the locations corresponding with doors.

What is a level site?

Installation surface with entire area that building sits upon within 4 inches of level. Think about the slope of the ground where the building will be installed…and the difference from one corner to another.

Does Tuff Shed level the site?

Tuff Shed does NOT build up, dig into the dirt or otherwise alter the ground surface that the shed is installed on. However, Tuff Shed can add concrete blocks and wooden shims underneath the floor joists to level the floor joists up to 12". We level at the corners & under the floor joists as needed. There is a small leveling fee required for buildings more than 4" out of level. It's important to note that any significant leveling with the use of concrete blocks will raise the building off the ground, leaving a gap between the bottom of the floor joists and the top of the ground, which creates an aesthetic that some customers don't appreciate.

Where should I place blocks for levelling?

Generally, the installers will place concrete blocks and wooden shims for leveling underneath the floor joists. These are placed at the four corners of the building and spaced as needed beneath other joist locations (not around the entire perimeter of the floor). The customer wouldn't need to handle this task.

Do I need to be home?

Somebody over the age of 18 should be home to receive the installers. The customer doesn't need to be onsite during the entire installation, but we do need someone home before we begin in order to confirm where the building will be placed, which way the door should to face & where the installers can plug in to electricity on the site. Once this interaction is complete, the installers can proceed without further assistance. We do also suggest that somebody is home at the end to completion for a final walk through of the shed with the installers to ensure everything is to your satisfaction.

When will the installers arrive?

Our local scheduling team will book either a morning or afternoon arrival time. On the day of the scheduled installation, the customer will be alerted when the installer is on their way to the job site.

How long does installation take?

The installation can vary by the size, model, surface of install (leveling) and other factors. Most installations can be completed in a single day. Larger buildings, inclement weather, certain inspections, and unforeseen challenges with the site or custom materials can push the time it takes to complete installation out to multiple days. Once your building is ready to be scheduled for install, your Scheduling Coordinator can provide you with a better estimate.

What if the crew doesn't finish the installation within a single day?

Not to worry. Some projects are planned for multi-day installations. Occasionally an install crew may run into an unforeseen challenge that stretches the installation out to multiple days. In a case such as this, contact your local Tuff Shed scheduling team to understand the plan for returning to the jobsite.

Do I need to supply anything?

We will need a few things:

1. The installers need to be able to park their truck within 200 feet of the build site.

2. They will need a 3' wide, cleared path to carry all of their material & tools in.

3. We will need power within 100 feet of the build site to plug in our generator for our tools.

Does my building need a permit?

This depends on the size, model & your local jurisdiction. Your Tuff Shed sales rep can help you find out if a permit is needed for your project.

How do I get a permit?

Tuff Shed can obtain permits for the customer for a fee or customers can coordinate the permit process with their local building department themselves if they choose.

How much does a permit cost?

This varies by municipality, the installation site and the building specifications.

Will the Tuff Shed team help with a permit?

We can help the customer with this process for a small fee. Check out our permit video here for more information.

Can I make changes to my order?

Yes, you can make changes to your order until the day before it goes into production. Once the order is in fabrication, any change orders can result in restocking fees and/or re-scheduling fees.

Who do I contact to make changes?

Contact your Scheduling Coordinator to see what stage your building is in at factory, and to make any changes. Change orders requiring additional payment will need to be paid for at the time of the change.

Will the price of my building change with modifications?

It could. If you add or remove items this can result in refunds or additional charges. A change such as door handle placement, or shingle color will not result in a charge.