Shed Buying Guide: Our Process
Secure Your Building Permit
Before starting our shed buying guide, it is crucial to secure a building permit first if your township or city requires it. Here’s information on how to get a building permit in your area.
Select Your Building
Prepare Your site
Schedule Your Delivery
1. Select Your Building
Select a building from our stock inventory, select a semi-customizable building from one of our Collections, or design a fully-customized building using our online configurator.
Stock buildings: We have pre-built sheds, garages, chicken coops, and dog kennels available for sale. You can see them in person at a display lot in South Dakota and Minnesota, or you can browse our entire inventory online. When you’re shopping online and see a building that you like, click on the image or select “Quick Shop” to view the details. If it’s the one you want, click the “Reserve” button. When you’re ready to purchase, you can begin the checkout process online or call our sales team at 888.832.6889.
Semi-customizable buildings: Our Shed Collection and Garage Collection offer a range of versatile and expertly designed sheds. Choose from our Specialty Sheds, Standard Sheds, or Utility Sheds then use our online 3D configurator to explore customizable options that include size, siding, roof style, and colors. You can save as many variations as you’d like and get a quote for each. When you’re ready, you can purchase by checking out online or call our sales team at 888.832.6889.
Custom buildings: Customize your storage building from top to bottom, inside to outside. Choose size, roofline, siding, and all the add-ons you want. Think about how you plan to use your storage building then consider the amount of space you will need inside, how many windows you want for natural light, the type of doors that will provide the easiest access, and more. Our user-friendly online 3D configurator will lead you through the selection process step-by-step, and at the end, you will be able to see what your building looks like inside and out. When you’re ready to purchase your fully customized shed, you can securely check out online or call our sales team at 888.832.6889.
Once you’ve decided to purchase a building, you’ll sign the Sales & Installation Agreement. This is a standard agreement between you, the customer, and us, Dakota Storage Buildings. The agreement must be signed, and a deposit must be made before production can start or delivery is scheduled.
Can I get shingle, paint, or siding samples?
Yes. If you are unsure of a color you see in our catalog or website, please call at 888.832.6889, and we will mail a sample to you, free of charge.
Do your buildings come with a warranty?
Because we value your business, we will take responsibility for any manufacturing-related deficiencies. Your satisfaction is our guarantee.
All buildings manufactured by Dakota Storage Buildings, LLC come with a top to bottom limited warranty certificate. Warranties are non-transferable and apply only to the original purchaser and location. Relocating products by any party automatically invalidates these warranties.
These warranties do not apply to any Dakota Storage Buildings, LLC product or part which has been damaged by adverse weather conditions, earthquake, hail, wind, fire, water, flood, earth movement, accidents, theft, vandalism, an act of God, or any instance customarily covered by homeowners insurance.
When used appropriately and maintained properly, Dakota Storage Buildings, LLC guarantees that products will remain structurally sound. Normal wear and tear, fading of exterior surfaces, and general aging, which is characteristic of any outdoor product that is exposed to natural elements, is not covered under the warranties.
As with any building which is located on top of the ground, settling may occur. Buildings need periodic cleaning, painting, and caulking, and vegetation should not be planted around the edges of the structure, which could lead to restricted ventilation.
STANDARD & SPECIALTY SERIES
10-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
UTILITY SERIES
3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
COOPS & KENNELS
5-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
How can I place my order?
Stock Buildings
Shop our online store for a list of in-stock, pre-built sheds for sale in South Dakota and Minnesota. When you see a shed that you like, click on the image or select “Quick Shop” to view the details. If it’s the one you want, click the “Reserve” button. When you’re ready to purchase, you can begin the checkout process online or by calling our sales team at 888.832.6889.
Collections
Click on the shed or garage series that most interests you then customize your choice through our online configurator, saving as many variations as you’d like and getting a quote for each. When you’re ready, you can purchase, check out online, or call our sales team at 888.832.6889.
- Speciality Shed Series
- Standard Shed Series
- Utility Shed Series
- Specialty Garage Series
- Standard Garage Series
Custom Buildings
To design a custom shed or garage, use our online configuration tool. Design your building from top to bottom, save as many variations as you’d like, and get a quote for each. When you’re ready to purchase your fully customized shed, you can check out securely online or call our sales team at 888.832.6889.
Display Lots
Explore our buildings in person at any of our South Dakota or Minnesota display locations. At each display lot, we have an information shed that’s stocked with catalogs and product brochures. It also has contact information and instructions for placing an order. If you’d prefer, you can reserve the shed you want to purchase through our online store and check out online or call our sales team at 888.832.6889.
How do I make my deposit?
A deposit is required for every building, and the balance is due on delivery. The total cost, required deposit, and remaining balance varies based on the building’s specs.
You can pay a deposit by phone 888.832.6889, mail (Dakota Storage Buildings, 47809 155th Street, Milbank, SD 57252), or online if you use our configurator. Preferred payment methods include checks, money orders, and major credit cards.
2. Prepare Your Site
After securing a building permit, lay a solid foundation by framing the perimeter, filling it with a base material, leveling it, and then compacting it until its firm.
Before you order your building, research what zoning codes apply to your area. Rural areas are usually more lax, but those living in a city, town, or subdivision may have restrictions on size, color, foundation type, and sometimes style.
Next, consider how much you’re willing to spend on the base. Many choose Class 5 gravel or concrete as their preferred base material. While a gravel foundation is usually sufficient, some feel that a concrete foundation — although more expensive — is better suited if small tractors, boats, snowmobiles, ATVs, or vehicles will be stored in the shed.
Finally, after securing the proper building permit and determining what type of base material is best, place your order and lay your foundation.
Follow these steps to create a level foundation.
- Choose the area where you want your storage building placed, measure the space, and remove vegetation. Make sure the foundation’s perimeter is slightly larger than the building itself and that the depth extends past the frost line.
- Construct a temporary frame around the foundation’s perimeter. We suggest using 2’x4’ lumber to build a three-sided frame. Fasten the frame to wooden or steel stakes from the outside to ensure easy removal of the frame after the base is complete.
- Fill the frame with at least 3 to 4 inches of your base material.
- Slide a straight board back and forth over the top of the temporary frame to level the base material.
- While this step is not essential, using a plate compactor to finish your new foundation will help minimize the building’s settling over time.
- Remove the temporary frame after the shed is placed.
We cannot stress enough how important it is for your site to be perfectly level. An unlevel foundation will cause the building’s frame to twist and make opening doors and windows difficult.
If you plan to hire someone to build your foundation, you may want to print these instructions and share it with them to ensure the site is properly prepared and leveled.
Build a Frame
Construct a temporary frame. Level all sides of the frame before filling with base material.
Add Base Material
Fill the frame with at least 3-4 inches of your preferred base material.
Level the Base
Slide a straight board back and forth over the top of the frame to level the base material.
Compact the Base
Use a plate compactor to help compress the material, creating a stable subsurface.
Do I need a building permit for my building?
Always check to see what zoning codes apply to your area. Rural areas are usually more lax, but especially for people who live in cities, towns, or subdivisions, there may be restrictions on size, color, and sometimes even style that have to be approved by a council or business official before ordering. In many places, any building bigger than a small garden shed will require a permit, so it’s necessary to check with the local government or your subdivision board.
We understand that pulling permits and checking into zoning is something that you would normally never have to do unless you are a contractor or builder. We’ve pulled this information to help you with the process and make it less complicated.
How do I prepare the foundation for my storage building?
After securing the proper building permit, the next step is to lay a level foundation. This can be done in a four-step process.
- Build Frame
- Fill with Base Material
- Level Base
- Compact Base Material
How much gravel does my foundation need?
The most important thing about a foundation site for a shed or garage is that it’s perfectly level. If the base is unlevel, the building frame can twist, and opening doors and windows can be difficult. We recommend compacting several inches of Class 5 (road gravel) or granite fines.
3. Schedule Your Delivery
When your building is ready, we’ll contact you to schedule a delivery time. On delivery day, we’ll use a Mule to move your building from the trailer to your desired location.
Building delivery and placement: The Mule shed mover provides a hassle-free delivery service, thanks to a few key features. The Mule has a tight turning radius, which is perfect for maneuvering sheds through challenging spaces. Because the machine is small, the Mule operator has clear visibility of where they are driving and placing the shed. It’s simple controls allow the operator to lift and move one end of the shed then remove the dolly wheels once the shed is in place.
Once we arrive at your home, we’ll walk the property with you to see exactly where you want your storage building to be placed. Then we unload the building from the trailer and use the Mule to transport the building through your yard. Once the desired location has been reached, we double-check to make sure that we’re placing the storage building exactly where and how you want it. Once the building is placed, we’ll make sure that everything is lined up properly and that all of the windows and doors open and close as expected.
It’s our goal to make this process as easy and hassle-free as possible for you. If you have any questions leading up to your building’s delivery day, we encourage you to contact our team.
How far will you deliver & how much does it cost?
We are proud to serve North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, western Wisconsin, northeast Nebraska, and north-central Iowa.
We charge a minimal delivery fee based on distance, and escort fees may apply for 14′ and 16′ wide buildings.
Delivery of stock buildings within the first 25 miles of the display location is free. After that, the delivery fee is per mile.
Contact our sales team at 888.832.6889 or sales@dakotastorage.com if you have any questions.
How long will it take to get my building?
Anywhere from 2-10 weeks, depending on the time of year. In spring, summer, and fall the production-to-delivery time is typically 6-10 weeks, while in winter it might take approximately 2 weeks or less.
How does my building get delivered?
Once it’s built and ready to go, our delivery team will call you to set up a delivery time that works with both your schedule and the driver in charge of delivery.
Once we arrive at your home, we walk with you around the property so that we can see exactly where you want your new storage building to be placed. Then we unload the building from the trailer and use the Mule to transport the building through your yard.
Will I be notified before my building is delivered?
Absolutely. Once it’s built and ready to go, our delivery team will call you to set up a delivery time that works with both your schedule and the driver in charge of delivery. In winter, you will typically receive a call from us approximately 1-4 days after the building is completed. In summer, this will often take several days longer.
Curious about how we deliver your building and place it?
To Learn More Visit Our Frequently Asked Questions
