How to Move a 24-by-12 Shed

You can move sheds without taking them apart.

On occasion, it's necessary to move a shed from one place to another on the property. You can disassemble a metal shed and reassemble it at the new location. You could disassemble and move a wood-framed shed, but most often you'll end up rebuilding it and patching the roof or sections of siding. You can move a 24-by-12 shed with the help of some assistants and heavy plastic pipe as rollers. Before you start it's necessary to disconnect any electrical circuits, remove the doors and take down any shelves or wall cabinets.

Things You'll Need

• Circular saw with wood cutting blade
• 2-by-4-inch utility lumber
• Hammer
• 16-penny framing nails
• Adjustable wrench
• 6-foot pry bars
• Wood wedges
• Electric reciprocating saw with metal cutting blade
• 3-inch diameter ABS pipe
• Hacksaw
• 1/2-inch drill bit
• 1/2-inch concrete drill bit
• 1/2-inch expanding anchor bolts with nuts

Instructions

1. Cut four pieces of 2-by-4-inch utility lumber as braces that span the 12-foot width of the shed. Space the braces equally inside the shed from one end to the other.

2. Attach the braces to the lower portion of corresponding studs on each side of the shed with the 16-penny framing nails. The braces should be 12 inches above the floor of the shed.

3. Cut four additional lengths of utility lumber as diagonal braces to stabilize the walls of the shed across the 24-foot span. Nail two of the braces near the top of a 12-foot wide wall, extend them to the lower portion of the opposite wall and nail each end to a stud. Nail the remaining two braces opposite the first to form "X" bracing inside the shed.

4. Remove the nuts from the foundation bolts at the bottom of the shed walls. Lift sections the bottom of the shed with a 6-foot pry bar enough to expose the lower portion of the anchor bolts.

5. Drive wood wedges under the shed walls near each anchor bolt to keep the walls elevated off the foundation. Cut the anchor bolts flush with the top of the foundation with an electric reciprocating saw and metal cutting blade.

6. Cut six pieces of 3-inch diameter ABS pipe 14 feet long with a hacksaw to use as rollers. Lay the first roller on the ground next to a 12-foot wall of the shed. Lay the remaining rollers on the ground, parallel to the first at 3-foot intervals in the direction the shed will be moved.

7. Have assistants use the pry bars to slide the shed off the foundation and onto the rollers. Continue to move the shed across the rollers. Move the last roller ahead as you go to maintain a continuous rolling platform. Move the shed to the new location.

8. Use the pry bars to elevate the shed 3 inches above the new foundation. Place a roller across the foundation and push the shed onto the roller. Reposition the rollers on the foundation as you go until the shed is in place. Lift the shed with the pry bars enough to extract the rollers and place the shed on the foundation.

9. Drill the bottom plates of the shed at 6-foot intervals for 1/2-inch diameter expanding anchor bolts. Use a 1/2-inch concrete bit and continue drilling the holes into the foundation. Install 1/2-inch expanding anchor bolts in the holes and tighten the nuts. Remove the braces from the inside of the shed.

References

• Hammer Zone: Moving a Utility Shed Across the Yard
• Pipestock: ABS Specifications