Want to know how to build a shed base on uneven ground? Then this article is for you! We’ll explain which shed base you need, before diving into the specifics of how to actually build a shed foundation on uneven ground. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What is the Best Shed Base for Uneven Ground?
The best shed base for uneven ground is a gravel foundation with a lumber perimeter. Here are several reasons why…
Relatively Affordable
Concrete is great. But it’s expensive. Gravel is an excellent, shed base that (in most cases) outperforms its concrete counterpart while remaining relatively inexpensive. We’ll explain below how to build a gravel shed base on uneven ground.
Good Drainage
Unlike concrete, a stone foundation absorbs and drains water efficiently. In fact, a gravel foundation prevents water from splashing off the ground onto your shed and starting mold or rot on your shed by quickly absorbing any rainwater. Concrete does not absorb water as well, which can potentially allow for standing pools of water by your shed, the ingredients for mold and rot in your shed.
Easy to Install
Whether it’s you or a hired service, a gravel foundation is relatively easy to install. We’ll detail each step later on in this article. The main steps include some excavation (which can be done with a shovel), leveling, perimeter construction, gravel filling, and re-leveling. So, if you enjoy a good DIY challenge, here’s your chance!
Other Foundation Options
Other foundation options include concrete, concrete blocks, or screw piles.
Concrete Foundations
As we mentioned earlier, concrete foundations are recommended for garage foundations. In colder climate regions (such as North Dakota) where frost heave is common, it’s a good idea to have a concrete foundation. Another reason why a concrete foundation for a shed base on uneven ground may be the best bet is if local regulations require a concrete foundation.
Photo Credit: UKHELIX
Screw Piles
Screw piles can be a good option for leveling a shed on an uneven hard surface (like clay). Basically, you just drill screws into the ground and place a level base on top for your shed to rest on.
Concrete Blocks
One of the most popular methods of leveling a shed base on uneven ground is concrete blocks. While concrete blocks are extremely simple and easy to install, they may ruin the structural integrity of your shed over time, since they may not be supporting the central or side weight of your shed. Concrete blocks also provide space for critters to make themselves at home underneath your shed; plus, weeds may grow unblocked against your shed.
On top of all that, your shed doesn’t stay nearly as clean as if it were resting on a gravel foundation. All in all, gravel blocks may not be the best method for making a shed base on uneven ground.
Here’s an overview table summary:
| Foundation Options for a Shed Base on Uneven Ground | Description | Best Option |
| Gravel | Excellent drainage; affordable; easily to install/DIY project | ✅✅✅✅ |
| Concrete | Good for garage; good for climates that experience frost heave | ✅✅✅ |
| Screw Piles | Good for hard surfaces (clay); expensive; non-DIY | ✅✅ |
| Concrete Blocks | Simple & easy to install; may ruin shed’s structural integrity | ✅ |
What is the Easiest Way to Level Ground for a Shed?
Of the options mentioned above, concrete blocks are the easiest way to level uneven ground for a shed.
However, remember, that concrete blocks have several important downsides like…
- They may ruin your shed’s structural integrity
- Allowing critters to live underneath your shed
- Allowing weeds to grow freely by shed
- The shed will not stay as clean
What is the Best Way to build a level Shed Base on Uneven Ground (slight slope)?
The best way to build a level shed base on uneven ground (slight ground slope) is to install a gravel base for your shed to rest on. The steps below will refer to how to build a gravel shed base on uneven ground. If you’re wondering how to build a concrete shed base on uneven ground, this article might be a helpful resource.
Follow these 10 simple steps on how to build a shed base on uneven ground.
Step #1: Choose A Suitable Location
| Factors to Consider in Step #1 | Details on Step #1 |
| Cost: | $0 |
| Time: | 30 min. – 1 hr. |
| # Person Job: | 1 person |
| Level of Complexity: | Easy |
| Labor Intensity: | Easy |
The first step is to select the site for your foundation. The location should have…
- Good drainage
- Minimal slope (obviously the steeper the slope the more you’ll have to dig out/build up to make a level base for your shed.
- Undisturbed ground (e.g. not an area that was just backfilled or else your shed base may settle and become unlevel)
- No obstruction or debris
- Good lighting
Of course, utility lines MUST stay undisturbed. Once you install a perimeter, you’ll need to hammer it down with rebar, which brings the risk of potentially striking and severing a utility line.
To solve this, know exactly where your utility lines are at. 811, a service that (among other things) can tell you where your utility lines are for free is a great place to start. Start the process by selecting your state here to find your local 811 state contact.
Of course, you must also be building on a site that is legal according to local ordinances.
If you want to learn a bit more about this step, we’ve got you covered.
Step #2: Gather Supplies
| Factors to Consider in Step #2 | Details on Step #2 |
| Cost: | $900-$1,000 (cost of only necessary tools: this does not include materials) |
| Time: | 30 min. – 1 hr. |
| # Person Job: | 1 person |
| Level of Complexity: | Easy |
| Labor Intensity: | Easy |
Make sure you’ve got all the tools ready to go before building your shed foundation on uneven ground. Knock out this comprehensive checklist of necessary tools now! Here’s a price breakdown of the necessary tools:
| Tools | Price |
| Tape measure | $15 |
| Marking paint | $11 |
| Level | $20 |
| Drill with ½” auger bit | $100 + $25 (auger bit) |
| Sledgehammer | $40 |
| Circular Saw | $300 |
| Screwgun | $200 |
| Staple gun/hammer tacker | $30 |
| Shovel | $20 |
| Rake | $15 |
| Tamper | $50 |
| Personal protective equipment (strongly recommended) | $7 + $20 + $15 |
| Grand Total | ≈$900 |
You’ll also need to make sure you’ve got the necessary materials. Make sure you’ve got…
- Pressure-treated lumber
- ½” rebar
- 4” exterior screws
- Stabilization fabric/geotextile/weed barrier
- Crushed stone
To get the right quantities, it may be helpful to read a bit more about each of these materials.
Step #3: Mark the Corners of your Gravel Shed Foundation
| Factors to Consider in Step #3 | Details on Step #3 |
| Cost: | $10-$15 |
| Time: | 10-30 min. |
| # Person Job: | 1 person |
| Level of Complexity: | Medium |
| Labor Intensity: | Easy |
To excavate the uneven ground to build a shed foundation, we’ll first have to mark out the shed foundation perimeter. Make sure that the foundation is 2 ft. wider on each side than your shed will be (read more).
Step #4: Measure Slope
| Factors to Consider in Step #4 | Details on Step #4 |
| Cost: | $10-$600 (expensive if you buy a laser level) |
| Time: | 10-30 min. |
| # Person Job: | 1-2 persons |
| Level of Complexity: | Medium |
| Labor Intensity: | Easy |
Set stakes up at each corner, tie a string from the stake at the highest corner, and the desired corner to be measured. Then, measure to the ground from the string height at the 2 corners and take the difference between the two measurements (read more here).
Step #5: Excavating the Site
| Factors to Consider in Step #5 | Details on Step #5 |
| Cost: | $20 (for shovel) + $20 (for 4”x6”x8’ lumber perimeter) |
| Time: | 2-5 hrs. |
| # Person Job: | 1-2 people |
| Level of Complexity: | Hard |
| Labor Intensity: | Hard |
It’s time to get working! Begin excavating to a depth of about 4-6 inches, removing any grass, weeds, or other vegetation. Depending on where you want the door to be placed on your shed, you will either excavate a build-up or a dig-out.
Build-Up
If the door is on the uphill side of your shed, you’ll want to build up the downhill end of your gravel shed base to make it level.
Dig-out
If the door will be on the downhill side, you’ll want to cut away into the slope to create a level area for your shed. This style is best for slight slopes or foundations that meet the edge of a driveway; for steeper slopes, use the combination method.
Combination
As its name suggests, the combination method combines the dig-out method and build-up method (we’ve got a bit more info on these methods here).
Step #6: Building the Perimeter
| Factors to Consider in Step #5 | Details on Step #5 |
| Cost: | $20 (for level) + $20 (for each piece of 4”x6”x8’ lumber for the perimeter) |
| Time: | 2-5 hrs. |
| # Person Job: | 1-2 people |
| Level of Complexity: | Hard |
| Labor Intensity: | Hard |
Make sure the perimeter is level. It’ll be much easier to level the gravel within the shed base. Begin by digging out a layer of topsoil, leveling the ground, and installing the first layer of lumber. As your wall slowly grows taller, make sure that you verify the perimeter is level before installing each piece of lumber.
Still not sure how to perform this step? Feel free to read more about how to install the wooden perimeter!
Step #7: Anchor your Gravel Shed Perimeter with Stakes
| Factors to Consider in Step #7 | Details on Step #7 |
| Cost: | $40 (sledgehammer) + $5 (per piece of ½ in. x 2 ft. rebar) + $42 (protective gear) + $125 (drill and auger bit) |
| Time: | 1-2 hrs. |
| # Person Job: | 1-2 people |
| Level of Complexity: | Hard |
| Labor Intensity: | Very Hard |
Secure the perimeter into the ground using 2’ rebar stakes. Drill holes for the rebar, and then hammer the rebar through the wood into the ground, using a sledgehammer. Rebar can be pounded into the perimeter every 6’-8’ (read more about the perimeter anchoring process).
Step #8: Level & Backfill
| Factors to Consider in Step #8 | Details on Step #8 |
| Cost: | ≈$50 (tamper) |
| Time: | 1-2 hrs. |
| # Person Job: | 1 person |
| Level of Complexity: | Medium |
| Labor Intensity: | Hard |
It’s now time to level the ground within the perimeter. All dirt within the shed base should be leveled and packed (you can use the tamper) so that it cannot settle later. Confirm that all dirt within the foundation should be at least 4” below the top of the wooden perimeter.
Feel free to read a bit more in-depth on this step here.
Step #9: Construction Fabric
| Factors to Consider in Step #9 | Details on Step #9 |
| Cost: | $? (construction fabric) + $30 (staple gun/hammertack) |
| Time: | 1 hr. |
| ? Person Job: | 2 people |
| Level of Complexity: | Medium |
| Labor Intensity: | Medium |
Once the ground is tamped and leveled within the perimeter, lay a weed barrier fabric over the excavated area to prevent weed growth and keep the gravel from sinking into the soil. To secure the fabric, fold up several inches of the fabric on the side and staple or hammertack it to the wooden perimeter. Make sure the fabric is tight over the dirt.
Step #10: Add Gravel & Level
| Factors to Consider in Step #10 | Details on Step #10 |
| Cost: | $? (gravel) + $15 (rake) |
| Time: | 3-4 hrs. |
| # Person Job: | 2-3 people |
| Level of Complexity: | Medium |
| Labor Intensity: | Very Hard |
The exciting step has arrived. Let’s add the gravel!
Add piles of crushed stone just inside the perimeter. Add a layer of gravel to the excavated area, spreading it evenly to a depth of about 4 inches. Use a rake, shovel, and/or to level the gravel base, making sure it is evenly distributed and compacted.
To see some photos of how this is done and additional info, feel free to read this article!
Step #11: Tamp Gravel
| Factors to Consider in Step #11 | Details on Step #11 |
| Cost: | $50 (tamper) |
| Time: | 15-30 min. |
| # Person Job: | 1 person |
| Level of Complexity: | Medium |
| Labor Intensity: | Hard |
The foundation needs to be locked into place to create a strong foundation.
Using a circular/spiral pattern, start 12” in from the perimeter and work inwards.
Compact the entire base using a plate compactor or hand tamper to ensure it is firm and stable. Check the level of the base using a spirit level or laser level and make any necessary adjustments to ensure it is perfectly level. Allow the base to settle for a few days, and then add the shed on top, following the manufacturer’s instructions for installation.
You’re all set. Install your shed!
Is it cheaper to DIY your shed base or hire someone?
It is cheaper to DIY your shed base since there are no labor costs involved. It also gives you more financial freedom to purchase more affordable materials. Here’s a compare and contrast on DIY’ing the job vs. hiring out the work to build a shed base on uneven ground.
| DIY Pros | Hiring Sub-Contractor Pros |
| No labor costs | Professionally installed (Site Prep) |
| Financial freedom on material costs | Completed quickly (usually in several hours) |
| Work in your own time | No personal labor (can be installed on your property when you’re at work) |
| Can be a fun challenge | Great Aesthetics |
Do shed bases need to be perfectly level?
Yes, shed bases should be perfectly level. The reasons why a shed base needs to be perfectly level include…
- More stable shed
- Better shed structural integrity
- No shifting due to heavy wind or walking on the base
- Restrict potential water buildup
Should a Shed Base be Gravel or Cement?
In most cases, a gravel shed base is the best option to level your shed on uneven ground. A cement shed base is a good option for building a garage shed base on uneven ground.
When considering how to build a shed base on uneven ground, you should also consider which shed base material is best suited for my purposes.
Gravel Foundation
A gravel foundation is good for a shed on uneven ground if any of the following reasons apply to you.
- Your shed has a wooden floor.
- You want a simple DIY shed base installation process.
- You want a shed base that is affordable.
Concrete Foundation
Here are a few scenarios where a concrete foundation may be the better option for a garage shed base.
- You need a level shed base for a garage shed.
- Your county or town building codes require it.
What Site Prep Offers
We’re not the only shed foundation company out there, and we’re not trying to be!
If you’re wondering how to build a shed base on uneven ground, we recommend that you follow our above DIY instructions or call your local site preparation company.
If you live within the 9-state delivery radius that we service, we’d love to serve you! We install affordable concrete and gravel foundations on nearly any slope.
We’re committed to 5-star customer satisfaction (see our 1000+ 5-star Google reviews).
Happy shed-foundation hunting!