Custom Sheds &
Backyard Offices
in Any Size

Offices, studios, workshops and sheds designed for your yard and built on site
across Greater Seattle, in a size that fits your space and your needs.

Built to Your Size, Not a Catalog

Our three models are starting points. You can change any of them or start from a blank page: choose the width, depth and wall height, the windows and doors, and the finishes inside and out. We design it for your yard and build it on site.

Backyard offices built by SDEK

Backyard offices

Insulated, wired and finished inside, from a one-desk office to a room for client meetings.

Studios & gyms built by SDEK

Studios & gyms

Big windows or glass doors, open floor space and power where you need it.

Sheds, workshops & barns built by SDEK

Sheds, workshops & barns

Storage, a woodshop or a barn-style building, with wide doors and a loft on request.

What Size Do I Need?

Typical size ranges by use. We’ll suggest the right size after a quick look at your yard.

Home office for one10x10 – 10x14100–140 sqft
Office with client seating10x16 – 12x16160–192 sqft
Home gym10x16 – 12x16160–192 sqft
Art or music studio12x12 – 12x16144–192 sqft
Woodshop12x16 – 12x24192–288 sqft
Golf simulator14x20 or larger280+ sqft, with a high ceiling
Riding mower and garden tools8x10 – 8x1280–96 sqft
Guest room (no plumbing)12x16 – 14x16192–224 sqft

Shed Size Guide: Common Sizes at a Glance

A quick guide to popular sizes and how people use them. We can build your shed or office in any width and depth that fits your yard.

Permit tags: typical for Greater Seattle cities; Seattle is stricter. We check your city rules first.

8x10 ft80 sqft
also called 10x8

Garden tools, bikes and a push mower

Usually no building permit
8x12 ft96 sqft
also called 12x8

Storage with a small potting bench

Usually no building permit
10x10 ft100 sqft

A compact office for one, or storage

Usually no building permit
10x14 ft140 sqft
also called 14x10

Office with shelving and a reading chair

Usually no building permit
12x12 ft144 sqft

Office with storage, or a small studio

Usually no building permit
10x16 ft160 sqft
also called 16x10

Office with a seating corner, small gym

Usually no building permit
12x16 ft192 sqft
also called 16x12

Studio, home gym or guest room

Usually no building permit
14x16 ft224 sqft
also called 16x14

Studio with storage, hobby room

Building permit
12x20 ft240 sqft
also called 20x12

Workshop, or studio with storage

Building permit
14x20 ft280 sqft
also called 20x14

Large studio, golf simulator

Building permit
12x24 ft288 sqft
also called 24x12

Woodshop or equipment storage

Building permit
16x20 ft320 sqft
also called 20x16

Large workshop or multi-use studio

Building permit

How We Build Your Custom Office or Studio

This is our usual build for a year-round office or studio. What fits depends on how you’ll use the space: we suggest options, and you choose what goes in.

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Layout planning

Size, windows and doors planned for your yard and how you’ll use the space.

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Permit check & handling

We confirm your city’s rules and handle the permits where they’re required.

✓

Wood-frame construction

2×4 or 2×6 framing, built on site by our own crew.

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Insulated walls

R-13 insulation in 2×4 walls, R-19 in 2×6 walls.

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Finished interior

Drywall walls and waterproof laminate flooring.

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Windows & door

Windows and the door style you choose: standard, French or sliding glass.

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Low-maintenance siding

Durable siding in your choice of color.

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Final walkthrough

We build it, clean up and walk you through the finished building.

Storage sheds and barns can be built simpler, without insulation and drywall.

Make It Yours: Popular Options

Add what your space needs. We include every option in your line-item quote.

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More light

Extra or larger windows, clerestory windows or a full glass front.

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Glass doors

French doors or a wide sliding glass door.

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Electrical & lighting

Outlets, interior and exterior lights, data wiring.

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Heating & cooling

For example a ductless mini-split.

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Built-ins

A built-in desk, shelving or a storage wall.

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Deck & entry

A deck, steps or a covered entry.

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Siding choice

LP SmartSide, Hardie Board or metal, in your color.

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Loft

Extra space overhead in taller buildings.

Size and Permits

Many Greater Seattle cities exempt one-story detached buildings up to 200 sqft from a building permit; Seattle is stricter. Electrical work always needs an electrical permit. Bigger buildings need a building permit: we prepare the plans and handle it.

1

Tell us the size

Your idea of the size and use, or just the space you have. We visit and measure.

2

Design & quote

Layout, windows, doors and finishes, with a line-item quote.

3

Permits

We check your city’s rules and handle the permits where they’re needed.

4

Built on site

Our crew builds it in your yard: about 2–4 weeks for sheds and barns, 3–5 weeks for offices.

Custom Size FAQ

Size limits and permits differ by city. We check the rules for your address before we design.

Can you build a shed or office in any size?

Yes. Every SDEK building is designed for your yard, so the width, depth and height are up to you, along with the windows, doors, siding and roof.

What size shed can I build without a permit in Washington?

It depends on your city. Many Greater Seattle cities exempt one-story detached buildings up to 200 sqft from a building permit; Seattle is stricter. Electrical work always needs an electrical permit. We check your city’s rules first.

What size shed do I need for a riding lawn mower?

An 8x10 shed (80 sqft) fits a riding mower and basic garden tools; an 8x12 or 10x10 adds room for a workbench or bikes. Plan a double door wide enough to drive through, and a ramp if the floor sits above the ground.

What size shed do I need for a home gym?

Most home gyms fit in 160–192 sqft, for example a 10x16 or 12x16 shed: room for a rack or a treadmill, free weights and space to move. Plan a higher ceiling for overhead lifts.

Can a custom backyard office have a bathroom?

A building with a bathroom, kitchen and sleeping area is a dwelling unit (a DADU), with different permits and rules. We build those too: see our DADU Builder page.

GET IN TOUCH

Contact Us
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Tell us the size you have in mind, or just the space you have, and get a pricing outline and next steps for your backyard building.