Ryan Shed Plans: What the Library Includes and What to Check First
Building a backyard shed yourself can save money, but only if the plans are clear. This post looks at one option, Ryan Shed Plans (affiliate link), based on what the vendor says on its sales and affiliate pages. I have not built anything from it, and I say where that matters.
What it is
A digital library of backyard building designs, mostly sheds. The vendor says it covers 12,000 options. That count is the vendor's own claim and I have not checked it.
What the vendor lists
- Designs in many sizes and roof styles, including gable, gambrel, hip and flat roofs.
- A materials list and a cutting list for each design, plus drawings from several angles (the vendor calls them 3D CAD drawings).
- Step-by-step instructions written for first-time builders.
- Lifetime access to an online members area, with new designs added each month, according to the vendor.
- An 8x12 sample plan that the vendor says you can download from its site at no charge before you decide.
- Bonus items the vendor lists: a woodworking tips book, a worksheet for changing dimensions, a supplier directory and about 400 extra woodworking plans.
Who it might suit
- First-time and hobby builders who want a ready-made design with a cutting list.
- People who want to compare several sizes and roof styles before choosing one.
- Anyone who would rather download plans than buy a printed book.
Who may want something else
- Anyone who needs engineer-stamped drawings for a permit. Ask your local building office what it requires.
- Experienced builders who already draw their own plans.
- Anyone who wants a kit with the lumber included. This is plans only.
What to check before you pay
- The current price. The vendor's page shows an introductory price and says it may end at any time, so confirm the price on the order page.
- Add-on offers after you order. The vendor's affiliate page describes bonuses and upsells, so read each order screen before you pay.
- The refund terms. The vendor lists a 60-day money-back guarantee; read the order page for the exact terms.
- Local rules. A backyard building can need a permit or have size and setback limits where you live, so check before you buy lumber.
- The sample plan. Download the sample and see whether the drawings and cutting list are clear to you.
My take
Based only on the vendor's own information, this looks like a reasonable option for first-time builders who want a big set of shed designs with cutting lists. The sales page uses strong marketing language, so judge it by the sample and the order page, not by the headlines. If you want to see the details yourself, here is the vendor's page (affiliate link).
Disclosure again: I earn a commission if you buy through that link, at no extra cost to you.