Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a concrete slab for a Tuff Shed storage building?
No, in most cases. While garages do require a concrete slab, our exclusive steel joist system has more than adequate strength and moisture resistant qualities to provide a solid foundation for your shed on most ground surfaces. Only when your shed is to be located in an area that is below the grade of the rest of your yard should a concrete pad be considered for extra height and drainage. Concrete is required for garages and highly recommended for two story buildings. Additionally, when the customer’s intended use for the building requires a concrete floor due to the weight or type of materials to be stored in it, a concrete pad may be ordered from a professional contractor. Call 1-800-BUY-TUFF (1-800-289-8833) to discuss site specifications with one of our expert sales consultants.
Is this a kit?
No. Our Garden Series™, Premier Series™ and Premier Pro Series™ buildings include on-site installation by authorized installers at no additional cost.
What do base prices include?
Base prices on this website include the basic building, including installation. There is NO additional assembly cost on installed models. All construction costs are included in the base price, except for concrete slabs or footings, any required permits and work done outside the normal installation process such as hauling away an existing structure or debris, site leveling, etc. For delivery addresses located in High Wind Zones or other jurisdictions with known special building requirements, mandated items will be added to your order, thus increasing the building price. The specifications of the base building may vary according to the building code requirements of the jurisdiction where the job site is located. Required variations from our base building plans may increase building price. Building accessories may be added to most models, but at an additional cost to the customer. Prices are subject to change at any time without notice. Please refer to Tuff Shed® building configurator at www.tuffshed.com and enter delivery zip code to see available products and current prices.
What are the delivery charges?
Delivery charges depend on distance of the installation site from the factory that will manufacture the building components. Standard delivery charges begin at $95 for sheds and $375 for garages. Additional fees will apply for special circumstances around delivery such as required use of crane, special site access requirements, etc.
Will I need to get a permit for this building?
This depends on the local building department regulations and what they have determined as the square foot limitations for on-site buildings within their jurisdiction. The customer is responsible for obtaining and paying for any required permits. Permit costs are determined by local building departments. Garages and Recreational Buildings almost always require a building permit. Smaller storage sheds and sheds installed on rural building sites are less likely to require permits. Permit regulations vary according to location, and the customer should consult with the local governing body in the area where the building is to be constructed. Additionally, there may be covenants in your neighborhood regarding acceptable building size, style, height, location, etc. that should be considered as well. For customers in Florida and certain other high-wind zones, f a permit processing fee will be automatically added to the base price of all sheds at the time of purchase. The permit processing fee is determined by the square foot of the building and the delivery zip code. This permit processing fee covers the cost of the permit and a permit pulling fee. In some cases, additional documentation, engineering or other fees may be required. In these cases, any such additional required documentation will be the sole responsibility of the customer, and any associated additional fee(s) will be added to customer’s order. Fees for required permits and engineering on garages and 2nd story models are handled on a case-by-case basis. Customer is responsible for neighborhood covenants and site preparation. In some areas installation of storage buildings is not permitted. Please determine your local building rules and regulations concerning installation before considering a purchase.
How long must I wait for my building to be delivered?
In normal circumstances, delivery times typically vary between 1 and 6 weeks due to seasonal demands and the type of building purchased. The Covid-19 pandemic, combined with historic wildfire and hurricane seasons, have increased our lead times, and significantly in some markets. As a result of these challenges, our customers are typically waiting long than normal for their Tuff Shed building to be installed. We continue to make progress on our backlog of orders, and remain committed to our goal of creating customers who are Extremely Satisfied with Tuff Shed products and services.
After you purchase your building, you will be contacted at various points to alert you to the progress on your building and to coordinate installation. This contact may be by email, phone or text message, and will include questions about your selected site and its readiness for the installation. Your personal schedule and your site preparation are important factors in determining the actual delivery/installation. Delivery and Installation days are typically Monday through Friday, except on holidays. Some markets do provide weekend installations as well. We ask that someone responsible be at home on the day of the build to help determine the exact location of the building and sign the final paperwork upon completion.
Are there any additional costs?
All material and construction costs are included in the base price, except for concrete slabs or footings and work done outside the normal installation process such as hauling away an existing structure or debris. Tuff Shed does charge fees for site leveling more than 4″, for generator rental when jobsite has no electricity available, for inaccessible installation sites that require carrying of materials long distances and for installations that don’t have at least 18″ clearance around the structure. We ask the customer to inform us of any of these circumstances at the point of purchase. Fees relating to engineered drawings, permits and delivery also may apply. Any such additional costs are clearly detailed for customers by their Tuff Shed sales consultant upon placing an order.
What about accessories?
There are numerous accessories available for each Garden Series, Premier Series and Premier Pro Series building model. For more information and pricing on the accessories available for each building model, please refer to the “Build-A-Quote” section on this website, or consult your local Tuff Shed sales consultant.
What kind of siding do you use?
We use different siding materials on different products. All our standard siding products are manufactured by Louisiana Pacific™. This includes LP SmartSide panel, and LP SmartSide panel with Silver Tech radiant barrier technology. These products are treated to resist moisture and insect damage, designed to stay straight and hold paint extremely well, are manufactured using environmentally friendly methods and are covered by a manufacturer’s 50-Year Limited Warranty.
What kind of roof will I get on my shed?
Our proven construction materials and methods are the same ones used in most homes. The rafters are precut 2″x4″s positioned over the wall studs and joined at the center with 2″x4″ steel truss plates on both sides. This assures maximum load capacity and weight distribution. Garden Series buildings include 7/16″ OSB roof decking, while Premier and Premier PRO Series buildings get upgraded 7/16″ LP ProStruct Roof Decking with SilverTech Radiant Barrier technology. All three Series of Tuff Shed factory-direct buildings include roofing underlayment as a moisture barrier anda baked enamel formed steel drip edge around the perimeter of the roof decking to protect the edge of the decking from weather and to support the shingle’s edges from breakage. Garden and Premier Series include 25-Year GAF Royal Sovereign 3-tab shingles. Premier PRO Series buildings get upgraded GAF Timberline HDZ Dimensional Shingles with a Manufacturer’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Can I purchase the same product at Home Depot?
No. While we do sell products through The Home Depot, the product lines are different. Garden Series, Premier Series and Premier Pro Series products are only available through our factory-direct retail locations.
How many hours will the builders be on my property?
For installation of storage buildings, you can typically expect the builders to finish and clean up the job site in less than a day’s time (8 hours). Floor joists, doors, wall sections and rafters are pre-cut or assembled before delivery to expedite the actual build and to assure that the building is square and weather-tight. If you chose to have your building painted by Tuff Shed, all exterior surfaces and edges will be painted prior to assembly to provide maximum protection once erected. Choosing the “with paint” option allows you to “move in” and enjoy the benefits of ownership from the moment the builders finish their work. Garages and large custom buildings can take considerably longer, depending on the scope of work involved. For these custom projects, be sure to ask your Tuff Shed representative about projected start dates and completion schedules.
Can I finance my purchase through Tuff Shed?
Yes. We have several payment options. Customers may choose to pay with by check, or credit card. Customers interested in financing their purchase can turn to the lender of their choice, or have us put them in touch with third party financing company RTO National, which offers Rent-To-Own as well as Traditional Financing options. If you choose to apply for such financing, credit ratings, interest rates, finance charges and actual payments are determined solely by that finance company, and not by any Tuff Shed representatives.
What should I do before the delivery?
Research and be able to provide compliance to any and all neighborhood covenants and obtain the required permits. Then determine where your property lines are, and select an appropriate building site. You are responsible to select a location for your Tuff Shed building that is within your property lines and in conformity with any applicable set back rules or regulations. Finally, you need to prepare a “clean and level” build site. This step is the most important and lasting impact that you can have on your building project. It is best if the site is located in a high spot of the yard to provide drainage away from your shed. If you have to “build up” a site be sure that the soil is tamped or compacted to avoid later settling. Provide at least 24″ of workspace between your shed and any fences, trees or other immovable objects, on all sides and above. If your build site is not clean and level, our only choice is to “shim” the foundation with concrete blocks and shims that can detract from the appearance of your shed.
What does “clean and level” mean?
“Clean” means that the build site, the surrounding area and the pathway to and from where the delivery vehicle parks and the build site are clear and free from all obstructions, debris, boulders, branches, animal droppings, etc. To attain the maximum performance from your Tuff Shed building, the structure needs to be built on a “level” site. For our building construction purpose, “level” is defined as the entire build site surface being leveled to within 4″. This means that throughout the entire build site surface, the highest point to the lowest point is no more than 4″. Watch our video to guide you through how to determine your out-of-level distance as well as some suggested leveling methods for you or a professional landscaper.
What type of warranty comes with the building?
We stand behind our products, and offer limited warranty coverage varying in scope on our different products. Garden Series storage buildings come with a 5-Year Limited Warranty that covers material defects and workmanship. Premier Series storage buildings and garages come with a 7-Year Limited Warranty that covers material defects and workmanship. Premier PRO Series storage buildings include a 10-Year Limited Warranty on materials and workmanship. Custom structures (commercial buildings, cabin shells, and custom structures such as playhouses, dog houses, etc.) are covered by a 1-Year Limited Warranty that covers material defects and workmanship. If you purchase a building from us that has used as a display, it will be covered by a warranty specific to that product series (i.e. Garden Series, Premier Series or Premier PRO Series), but this warranty will only cover workmanship and materials with regard to roofing and siding only. Some materials, such as siding and shingles have their own manufacturer’s warranty that may exceed our Tuff Shed warranty.
Who do I call should I have a warranty claim?
Call your local store at 1-800-BUY-TUFF (1-800-289-8833). Detail the problem so they may adequately plan for the appropriate warranty repair/solution.