Posting in the Make: forums, multiverse asks:
I have a small shed that couldn’t be more than 5 years old…
I need to move it about 100 feet to a new location. I just bought this house a year ago, and this building was reassembled with nails. So I know I can tear the nails out, but I would like to avoid tearing the thing apart.
The ground I have to traverse is moist but firm. It’s not muddy, but I have to take it over a bed of wood particles left over from a stump grinding. I have access to a bunch of teenagers for lifting and moving. Someone suggested a materials hoist, but I am unclear on how to deal with it. I can provide photos if anyone is interested. I’d also be willing to post a video at Youtube of the event.
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8 thoughts on “From the Make: forums: How do I move my shed?”
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I used to drive a roll-back tow truck, part of my job was going out to rural areas and relocating sheds usually larger than that. I used a big nylon strap to wrap around the bottom of the shed then it could be dragged with a winch a short distance or pulled onto my bed.
Wally Wallington
Get a bunch of 2x4s, and slide them underneath the shed. Each helper can grab an end, and on the count of 3 hoist the shed and move it to its new location.
I helped my stepfather do this with a garden shed many years ago. We used a hoist (also known as a “come-along”) like this:
http://bit.ly/2lftCB
They’re available in different sizes – if in doubt, go bigger. They’re cheap. Also pick up a couple of good lengths of stout chain or towing straps, and maybe some extra steel cable to extend the hoist’s reach. Chain the hoist to a tree or other solid support beyond where you want the shed to go, attach the other end of the cable to the shed with another chain or towing strap, and start cranking. And cranking. And cranking.
You can put logs or something under the shed to act as rollers, but they probably won’t be necessary. The hoist can apply plenty of force for dragging.
Finally, never, ever use plain nylon rope for a job like this. It stretches, so if it or some other piece of the rig breaks under tension, you could suddenly find yourself at the wrong end of a very powerful slingshot.