12x30 Shed Material List
Quick Answer
A 12x30 gable shed with 8 ft walls, 16 inch on center framing, 4/12 roof pitch, pressure treated floor framing, OSB or plywood sheathing, a basic double door, and gravel foundation is a very long, large structure often used as a full workshop, garage overflow, small vehicle storage, or multi-purpose hobby building. While the 12 ft width is manageable, the 30 ft length dramatically increases material quantities and structural demands.
See all shed material lists by size
You will need:
- Heavy pressure treated lumber for the floor system
- 2x4 wall framing
- 2x6 roof framing
- Extensive floor, wall, and roof sheathing
- Panel or lap siding
- Asphalt shingles and underlayment
- Reinforced double door framing
- Large quantities of fasteners and hardware
In 2026 pricing, expect a realistic total material cost of: $7,500 to $11,500
This assumes a gravel base and basic exterior finishes only.
Need a smaller option? See our 12x28 shed material list. Want more space? See our 20x20 shed material list.
Full Material List
Quantities assume 8 ft wall height, 16 inch on center spacing, and a standard double door on one gable end.
Floor Framing
A 12 ft span is moderate, but the 30 ft length requires many joists and careful alignment.
Gravel Base
- 9 to 12 cubic yards of compacted 3/4 inch crushed gravel
Floor Frame (Pressure Treated)
Perimeter
- 2x10x30 PT – 2 (long rim joists)
- 2x10x12 PT – 2 (end band joists)
If 30 ft boards are unavailable, splice sections over blocking.
Floor Joists (16 inch OC across 12 ft span)
- 2x10x12 PT – 22 to 24
Floor Sheathing
- 3/4 inch tongue and groove plywood or OSB – 12 sheets
Fasteners
- Exterior-rated screws or galvanized framing nails
- Heavy-duty joist hangers recommended
Wall Framing
Framed 16 inch on center.
- 2x4x8 studs
- 185 to 210 total
- Includes perimeter walls
- Additional studs for corners and door framing
- Waste allowance
Plates
- 2x4x30 – 6 (long walls, double top plates + bottom plates)
- 2x4x12 – 6 (end walls)
Splicing shorter boards is common for very long walls.
Double Door Framing
Typical opening: 60 to 72 inches wide.
- 2x10x8 – 2 (header material)
- 1/2 inch plywood spacer
- Jack and king studs included in stud count
Roof Framing
A 12 ft span uses moderate rafters across a very long ridge.
Rafters (4/12 pitch, 16 inch OC)
- 2x6x16 – 44 to 48
Approximately 22 to 24 rafter pairs.
Ridge Board
- 2x10x30 – 1
Collar Ties or Ceiling Joists
- 2x4x12 – 22 to 24
Sheathing
Very long walls consume a large number of panels.
Wall Sheathing
- 7/16 inch OSB or plywood – 30 to 34 sheets
Panel siding may eliminate separate sheathing.
Roof Sheathing
- 7/16 inch OSB or plywood – 18 to 20 sheets
Siding
Panel siding is most common for structures of this size.
T1-11 or LP SmartSide Panels
- 30 to 34 sheets
Vinyl or lap siding systems require additional trim, backing, and accessories.
Roofing
Underlayment
- 2 to 3 rolls synthetic underlayment
Drip Edge
- 14 to 16 pieces (10 ft lengths)
Shingles
- Approximately 4 squares
- 13 to 17 bundles depending on waste
Roofing Nails
- 12 to 15 lb box
Hardware and Fasteners
- 16d framing nails or structural screws
- 8d nails for sheathing
- Exterior construction screws
- Construction adhesive (6 to 8 tubes)
- Hurricane ties recommended
- Heavy-duty hinges (3 per door)
- Exterior double-door latch or lockset
- Padlock hardware
- Flashing for door header
Estimated Cost Breakdown
Typical 2026 pricing ranges.
- Gravel Base: $450 to $900
- Pressure Treated Floor Framing: $1,500 to $2,500
- Wall Framing Lumber: $1,200 to $2,000
- Roof Framing Lumber: $900 to $1,500
- Sheathing (walls and roof): $1,900 to $3,000
- Siding: T1-11: $1,300 to $2,000; LP SmartSide: $2,300 to $3,600; Vinyl system: $3,100 to $4,900
- Roofing: $900 to $1,500
- Hardware and Fasteners: $350 to $650
Total Estimated Range
With basic panel siding: $7,500 to $9,700
With upgraded siding: $9,700 to $11,500
Costs increase primarily due to:
- Very long 30 ft wall runs
- High stud count
- Large sheathing quantities
- Extended roof surface area
- Reinforced door framing
- Increased fastener usage
- Possible delivery surcharges for long lumber
If you want exact cut diagrams, printable framing layouts, and step-by-step blueprints for this 12x30 shed, detailed plans eliminate guesswork and reduce lumber waste.
Get the Complete 12x30 Shed Plans Here
Tools Required
Standard framing tools plus equipment suitable for handling long components.
Essential tools:
- Circular saw
- Miter saw
- Drill and impact driver
- Framing hammer
- 4 ft or longer level
- Speed square
- Tape measure
- Chalk line
- Multiple ladders
- Shovel and rake
- Plate compactor or heavy hand tamper
Helpful tools:
- Pneumatic framing nailer
- Roofing nailer
- Laser level
- Sawhorses
- Clamps
Assistance is recommended due to the length of wall sections and materials.
Step-by-Step Build Overview
High-level sequence only.
- Prepare and compact gravel base across entire footprint.
- Build pressure treated floor frame and verify square.
- Install floor sheathing.
- Frame walls on the ground including double door opening.
- Raise walls with assistance, plumb, and brace securely.
- Install double top plates tying walls together.
- Install ridge board and rafters.
- Add collar ties or ceiling joists.
- Install roof sheathing.
- Install drip edge and underlayment.
- Install shingles.
- Install wall sheathing if required.
- Install siding.
- Build and hang double doors.
- Install trim and hardware.
- Check alignment frequently. Small errors compound across long structures.
Common Mistakes
- Losing square over long distances. Leads to roof and siding alignment problems.
- Using undersized floor joists for equipment loads. Causes flex or sagging.
- Poor base preparation. Causes uneven settling along the structure.
- Attempting to lift long walls without help. Dangerous and difficult to control.
- Underestimating materials. Causes delays and extra delivery costs.
- Weak door framing. Leads to sagging or misalignment.
- Inadequate bracing during construction. Long walls can shift before roof installation.
Is It Worth Building Yourself?
DIY material cost: $7,500 to $11,500
Typical prebuilt 12x30 shed delivered in 2026: $12,000 to $22,000
DIY savings typically range from $4,500 to $10,000.
Consider:
- Build time of roughly 6 to 10 days with help
- Handling long materials
- Need for precise layout
- Possible permits and zoning requirements
For homeowners comfortable with construction tasks, building yourself is usually financially worthwhile.
Get Exact Cut Diagrams and Printable Plans
This material list provides realistic quantities and cost expectations for a 12x30 shed.
It does not include:
- Exact rafter angle calculations
- Detailed wall framing layouts
- Header engineering details
- Precise overhang measurements
- Optimized cut lists
- Printable construction diagrams
On long structures, layout errors can waste significant time and material.
Detailed blueprints with exact measurements, framing layouts, and printable cut sheets simplify construction, reduce waste, and help ensure structural accuracy.
For large one-time builds, complete plans typically save more time and money than they cost by preventing mistakes and rework.
