Is It Cheaper to Build a Lean-To Shed?

If you’re wondering whether it’s cheaper to build a lean-to shed or buy a preconfigured one, the answer depends on a few key factors—especially the size, materials, and level of customization you're looking for. In this post, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each route and explain why building your own lean-to using Bjorn Woodworks Lean-To Shelter Brackets is often the most cost-effective and versatile option.

Buying a Preconfigured Lean-To Shed Kit

For smaller applications—typically 100 square feet or less—buying a lean-to shed kit from big box retailers like Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Menards might seem like the easiest and most affordable route.

These kits are usually:

• Constructed from injection-molded plastic or thin galvanized panels

• Pre-sized with no customization options

• Designed for basic storage, not heavy use

Pros:

• Lower up-front cost for small sheds

• Convenient, with all materials included

• No major construction skills required

Cons:

• Limited durability, especially under heavy use or harsh climates

• No customization for layout, size, or features

• Often hundreds of small steps during assembly, which can be time-consuming

These kits work fine for storing garden tools or outdoor toys, but they fall short when it comes to creating a functional workshop, protected carport, or long-term solution.

Building a Lean-To Shed Yourself: More Affordable for Larger Projects

When you go beyond 100 sq. ft.—especially for outdoor workspaces, storage areas, or carports—building it yourself becomes the cheaper and more flexible option.

This is where Bjorn Woodworks Lean-To Shelter Kits come in.

Our modular bracket kits give you the ability to:

• Customize your lean-to’s footprint to any size

• Add walls, supporting rafters, or even built-in workbenches

• Design around your home, garage, or backyard layout

• Choose your own lumber and finishes to match your needs and style

The brackets eliminate the guesswork by locking in your roof pitch and joining timbers securely with clean, powder-coated sleeves—no need for complex angle cuts or advanced carpentry skills.

Is It Too Hard to Build One Yourself?

A common concern with building a lean-to is whether or not you can actually do it.

And the answer is: yes, you can.

While preconfigured kits might look easy on paper, they often come with dozens—or even hundreds—of individual parts, instructions, and predrilled fittings that can take just as long to assemble as building one from scratch.

With Bjorn Woodworks Lean-To Shelter Brackets, you get:

• A streamlined assembly process

• Solid structural connections

• A design that looks professional

• The freedom to build it your way, with your dimensions

Final Thoughts: Is Building a Lean-To Shed Cheaper?

In most cases—especially for larger or customized projects—building your own lean-to shed is the more affordable option in the long run.

If you're looking to build a carport, a backyard workshop, or a weather-resistant storage area that will last for years, Bjorn Woodworks Lean-To Kits are the perfect solution. You’ll save money, gain flexibility, and end up with a structure that’s tailored to your space and your needs.

Check out Bjorn’s Lean-To Shelter Brackets here to get started.