A) We categorize our structures into Small, Medium/Large, and Extra Large. It is best to know how/what you want to use the shed for and calculate your furniture size and layout. Our design consultants will help you figure this out.

A) Our design consultants work with you to tailor your Modern Shed to fit your needs. They help you choose all the various options available. We offer such options as, but not limited to:

• Various siding types and colors
• Various trim treatments to make the look unique to you
• Various interior wall covering and ceiling liners
• Several window and door manufacturers, colors, styles, materials
• Specific footprint to fit exact measurements of your available space
• Porch/roof extension off either end of the structure to cover a porch or deck, or extended eave overhangs
• Taller walls to accommodate workout equipment or even a loft area (lofts may require fire sprinkler system). For San Francisco customers we offer a specific design with a lower overall height which removes the under-roof transom glass.

We always stay true to the Modern Shed look and the panel fabrication process. This means there are some limitations on door and window placement and overall size and restrictions dictated by engineering. Modern Sheds are standalone structures not intended to be "additions" and we don't fabricate structures outside of the typical Modern Shed design envelope.
We do NOT manufacture or provide:

• 2 story units
• Units on top of garages or high rises
• "L" shaped units (we recommend 2 units placed near each other)
• "Flat roof" units
• The "butterfly" roof design has been discontinued.
• Units more than 16' in projection (low back wall to high front wall)
• Units attached to any existing structure
• Pergolas or other open-air structures such as carports etc.

A) We use only the highest quality products at an affordable price available. We build our structures to base IBC (international building code) or better due to the nature of prefabricated panelization. Our unique floor system and premium exterior finishing options ensure your Modern Shed space will last as long as you own your home.

All walls are a minimum of 16" on center stud placement. The roof framing is 15" on center and the floor systems are 12" on center. We offer R13, R15 and R21 wall insulation as well as R21 standard floor insulation which can be upgraded. The roof system insulation is a standard R38 and can be upgraded with larger rafters. We offer James Hardie, cedar and NuRay metal siding, and NuRay snap-loc metal roofing with optional water and ice shield underlayment to name a few. Ask your design consultant for further details. Our floor systems are designed for ground contact with all pressure-treated components. If you select our optional painting package(s), we use high-quality Benjamin Moore paint in a factory paint environment.

A) Not in the traditional sense. Our floor systems are designed for ground contact with all pressure-treated components, with R21 standard floor insulation which can be upgraded. The typical installation is on oversized pier blocks; the quantity depends on the size of the shed and ground conditions connecting to our unique floor panel system.

Modern-Sheds ordered without our unique floor system can be placed on a poured slab or by using our unique (can be pre-insulated), panelized floor system can be installed with minimal groundwork. We have developed several systems that meet local building code and adapt to uneven grade with minimal site work required.

A) Yes, depending on size.

It is a much simpler process if this is known at the onset. To make it easier and less messy, a few design elements need to be addressed in the design phase: The unit should use our Open Joint rain screen siding or metal corrugated siding or a combination of these as these are much easier to un-install because they use screws instead of nails. The interior wall finish should use a detachable panel such as our pre-finished birch-faced plywood. The floor covering should be carpet or other easily removable material. An electrical sub-panel should be installed outside, on the shed.

A) Modern Shed is green in many ways. All products used are sustainable, meaning they last a very long time without the need for replacement for 30 years or more, or are recyclable. This includes cedar, James Hardie siding, metal siding, metal roofing. The method of panelization and pre-fabrication is also green as all fabrication is done indoors with very little waste.

The Modern Shed business methodology is also green. All our administration and sales staff work from home and have been doing so since 2011, thereby minimizing carbon emissions with zero commuting! We also use almost zero paper as all documents etc. are digital/electronic.

A) All jurisdictions are different for every city and county and state, and you will need to find out if a building permit is required based on the location and size of the shed you want. Most jurisdictions require building permits for structures larger than "X". The nationwide general rule is 120 square feet, but there are exceptions. Electrical permits are typically easy to obtain and fall outside the scope of a typical building permit described below. If you live in Portland OR, you are lucky enough to be able to build a backyard "detached bedroom" with an abbreviated permit! Also, if you're interested in a bathroom or kitchenette, there are some functionalities we can help design that would not include a plumbing permit (composting toilets and portable washstands, for example), however traditional fixtures will require planning and permitting.

Places offering to pull permits in 60 days is misleading as it doesn't tell the entire story: Most structures over 120sf require a permit, however, there are exceptions such as in Portland, OR, and some rural counties where the maximum size is larger. Therefore, the very first thing to do before starting the process is to determine if you need a building permit. Our design consultants can assist you on where/how to find out this information, but typically can be found on your area's (city, county, etc..) building department website. Customers are 100% responsible for the decision to acquire a building permit or not and any repercussions from choosing not to. If you live in an area with an HOA, also review your covenants. Modern Shed does NOT offer the services of pulling permits. However, we can provide permit plan sets and engineering required for most building permits at an additional charge. You can also use your own architect and structural engineer. There are some exceptions to the need for full-engineered plans depending on the location and jurisdiction.
See more details under Process & Timeline for Permitted ADU-DADU Structures.

A) Ask your Modern-Shed representative about options to connect your Modern-Shed with utilities. We pre-drill all our wall framing to accommodate electrical wires. Final electrical work is completed by installers on site. Electrical permits are typically easy to obtain and can fall outside the scope of a typical building permit.

Modern Shed recommended installers are often able to arrange electrical work as well, however, your Design Professional will confirm your location and let you know if you will need to work with a separate electrician at the time of installation. We are happy to support you in finding the right contractor for your area.

A) Traditional plumbing requires additional planning, permitting, groundwork, and of course: time and budget. Modern Shed can design the openings in the floor system as needed, or we can make suggestions for non-plumbing options to minimize cost and speed up your delivery depending on your priorities.

Permits and groundwork for plumbing (incoming water and outgoing sewage), as well as inspections for above, must be completed prior to scheduling the delivery and installation of your Modern Shed structure. Getting water to your building is easy. It is getting the waste water out of the building that requires planning and possible permitting and is where the expense lies.