shed
I know there is already a similar question but focused on plastic sheds
My question is, I'm thinking of investing in a shed for my garden, but do I need to do any preparation or can I literally just start setting it up? I have an area in my garden that is most grass/mud and is a flat area, do I need to lay any foundations?
I think:
No, it is not a good idea. You can expect all the difficulties of renovation, new construction, and building relocation, combined. Perhaps also conflicts with land use regulations as well. Without tying the roof to the adjacent structure, expect water damage to both the shed and the home.
Support for the shed should be suitable for the soil and drainage conditions local to the site. A proper foundation would be the preferred solution. Whatever is constructed should be in accord with current building codes and meet the requirements for wind and seismic forces.
A concrete slab might provide better long term performance.
See answer 3.
Sloping the soil would never be a bad idea, but more important is supporting the perimeter with a proper foundation. Why do you need a slab at all? Assuming you have a reason for using a slab I would normally recommend a "floating slab" setup, but that is probably not feasible because you are placing a pre-built structure there. A floating slab would require the perimeter foundation to extend above grade in order for your floor to be level with grade. Not possible because your walls and floor are already built. An alternative would be one like shown below (dimensions shown could be reduced appropriate to your structure size). It is critical that the soil and gravel below be compacted.
Best Answer
I'd use a foundation.
It doesn't have to be very deep - it could just be a set of paving stones covering an area slightly larger than the shed itself.
If nothing else it will keep the wood away from the ground and reduce the damp and moisture that will attack the shed, thus prolonging it's life.
It will also help keep the shed level.