8x12 Shed Material List
Quick Answer
An 8x12 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 single door, and gravel foundation is a mid-small structure commonly used for lawn equipment, bicycles, seasonal storage, or compact workshop space.
See all shed material lists by size
You will need:
- Pressure treated lumber for the floor system
- 2x4 wall framing
- 2x4 or 2x6 roof framing
- Floor, wall, and roof sheathing
- Panel or lap siding
- Asphalt shingles and underlayment
- Basic door framing materials
- Standard fasteners and hardware
In 2026 pricing, expect a realistic total material cost of: $2,000 to $3,400
This assumes a gravel base and basic exterior finishes only.
Need a smaller option? See our 8x10 shed material list. Need more storage space? See our 8x14 shed material list.
Full Material List
Quantities assume 8 ft wall height, 16 inch on center spacing, and one standard single door opening.
Floor Framing
An 8 ft span allows lighter framing while maintaining adequate strength.
Gravel Base
- 2.5 to 3.5 cubic yards of compacted 3/4 inch crushed gravel
Floor Frame (Pressure Treated)
Perimeter
- 2x6x12 PT – 2 (long rim joists)
- 2x6x8 PT – 2 (end band joists)
Floor Joists (16 inch OC across 8 ft span)
- 2x6x8 PT – 8 to 9
Floor Sheathing
- 3/4 inch tongue and groove plywood or OSB – 3 sheets
Fasteners
- Exterior screws or galvanized framing nails
- Joist hangers optional but recommended
Wall Framing
Framed 16 inch on center.
- 2x4x8 studs
- 55 to 65 total
- Includes perimeter walls
- Door framing
- Waste allowance
Plates
- 2x4x12 – 6 (long walls, double top plates + bottom plates)
- 2x4x8 – 6 (end walls)
Door Framing
- 2x6x8 – 2 (header material)
- 1/2 inch plywood spacer
- Jack studs included in stud count
Roof Framing
Short span allows lighter rafters.
Rafters (4/12 pitch, 16 inch OC)
- 2x4x10 or 2x6x10 – 18 to 20
Approximately 9 to 10 rafter pairs.
Ridge Board
- 2x6x12 – 1
Collar Ties or Ceiling Ties
- 2x4x8 – 9 to 10
Sheathing
Wall Sheathing
- 7/16 inch OSB or plywood – 10 to 12 sheets
Panel siding may eliminate the need for separate sheathing.
Roof Sheathing
- 7/16 inch OSB or plywood – 5 to 6 sheets
Siding
Panel siding is the most common choice.
T1-11 or LP SmartSide Panels
- 10 to 12 sheets
Alternative siding systems require additional trim and backing materials.
Roofing
Underlayment
- 1 roll synthetic underlayment
Drip Edge
- 6 to 8 pieces (10 ft lengths)
Shingles
- Approximately 1.5 squares
- 5 to 6 bundles depending on waste
Roofing Nails
- 3 to 5 lb box
Hardware and Fasteners
- 16d framing nails or structural screws
- 8d nails for sheathing
- Exterior construction screws
- Construction adhesive (2 to 3 tubes)
- 2 to 3 heavy-duty door hinges
- Exterior latch or handle
- Lockset or padlock hardware
- Flashing for door header
Estimated Cost Breakdown
Typical 2026 pricing ranges.
- Gravel Base: $180 to $350
- Pressure Treated Floor Framing: $350 to $600
- Wall Framing Lumber: $450 to $750
- Roof Framing Lumber: $300 to $550
- Sheathing (walls and roof): $550 to $900
- Siding: T1-11: $450 to $700; LP SmartSide: $750 to $1,200; Vinyl system: $1,000 to $1,600
- Roofing: $250 to $500
- Hardware and Fasteners: $120 to $250
Total Estimated Range
With basic panel siding: $2,000 to $2,700
With upgraded siding: $2,700 to $3,400
Costs are moderate due to:
- Manageable floor area (96 sq ft)
- Modest framing requirements
- Moderate sheathing and roofing quantities
- Fixed costs for hardware and roofing still significant
- Regional lumber pricing can affect totals
If you want exact cut diagrams, printable framing layouts, and step-by-step blueprints for this 8x12 shed, detailed plans eliminate guesswork and reduce lumber waste.
Get the Complete 8x12 Shed Plans Here
Tools Required
Standard homeowner framing tools are sufficient.
Essential tools:
- Circular saw
- Miter saw
- Drill and impact driver
- Hammer
- Level
- Speed square
- Tape measure
- Chalk line
- Ladder
- Shovel and rake
- Hand tamper
Helpful tools:
- Framing nailer
- Roofing nailer
- Sawhorses
Most homeowners can build this size with minimal assistance.
Step-by-Step Build Overview
High-level sequence only.
- Prepare and compact gravel base.
- Build pressure treated floor frame and verify square.
- Install floor sheathing.
- Frame walls on the ground including door opening.
- Raise walls, plumb, and brace.
- Install double top plates.
- Install ridge board and rafters.
- Add collar ties or ceiling ties.
- Install roof sheathing.
- Install drip edge and underlayment.
- Install shingles.
- Install wall sheathing if required.
- Install siding.
- Build and hang door.
- Install trim and hardware.
- Check alignment and square throughout construction.
Common Mistakes
- Inadequate base preparation. Causes settling and door alignment problems.
- Using untreated lumber near the ground. Leads to moisture damage.
- Underestimating material quantities. Results in delays and extra trips.
- Weak door framing. Causes sagging or sticking doors.
- Incorrect rafter spacing. Leads to roof panel misalignment.
- Poor wall bracing during construction. Walls can shift before the roof is installed.
Is It Worth Building Yourself?
DIY material cost: $2,000 to $3,400
Typical prebuilt 8x12 shed delivered in 2026: $3,500 to $6,500
DIY savings typically range from $1,500 to $3,000.
Consider:
- Build time of about 2 to 3 days
- Manageable material handling
- Lower risk compared to larger structures
- Possible permit requirements depending on location
For most homeowners, building this size shed yourself is practical and cost-effective.
Get Exact Cut Diagrams and Printable Plans
This material list provides realistic quantities and cost expectations for an 8x12 shed.
It does not include:
- Exact rafter angle calculations
- Detailed wall framing layouts
- Header sizing diagrams
- Precise overhang dimensions
- Optimized cut lists
- Printable construction diagrams
Detailed blueprints with exact measurements, framing layouts, and printable cut sheets reduce waste, simplify construction, and help ensure structural accuracy.
For a one-time build, complete plans typically save time and prevent costly mistakes during construction.
