A little preparation before delivery day can help your new shed, barn, cabin or garage arrive safely, sit correctly and remain useful for years to come.
Ordering a portable building is exciting.
You choose the size, design, color and features. You picture how much cleaner the garage will look and how much easier it will be to organize your tools, equipment and belongings.
But before the building arrives, there is one important job left.
Preparing your property.
The right preparation can make delivery smoother, protect your yard and give your building a strong, level place to sit. The wrong preparation can lead to delays, drainage problems, difficult access or a building that does not function the way it should.
Here are the main steps Evansville homeowners should take before portable building delivery day.
1. Choose the Right Location
Start by deciding exactly where the building will go.
The location should be convenient enough that you will actually use the building. A shed placed too far from the house or in a difficult part of the yard may become frustrating when you need tools, lawn equipment or storage items.
Think about how you will walk to the building and how you will move larger equipment in and out.
You should also avoid low areas where water collects after heavy rain. Standing water around the building can create long-term problems for the foundation, floor and surrounding ground.
Choose a location with good drainage and enough open space around the structure for airflow and maintenance.
2. Confirm Property and Local Requirements
Before preparing the site, make sure the building is allowed in the location you have chosen.
Local rules may affect the building’s size, placement and distance from property lines, roads, easements or other structures.
Homeowners associations may also have requirements covering colors, roof styles, building materials or placement.
It is much easier to confirm these details before delivery than to move a building after it has been installed.
Mark your property boundaries carefully rather than guessing where they are.
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3. Measure the Building Site
Measure the area where the portable building will sit and make sure there is enough room for the entire structure.
Do not forget roof overhangs, porches, ramps or steps.
It is also helpful to leave room around the building so you can mow, clean, inspect and maintain it later.
Use stakes or marking paint to outline the building’s footprint. This gives you a clear picture of how much space it will occupy and whether the doors will face the right direction.
Walk around the marked area and imagine using the building.
Can you open the doors easily? Is there enough space for a mower or motorcycle? Will shelving or windows face the right way?
Now is the time to make adjustments.
4. Check the Delivery Route
The building site is only part of the equation.
The delivery crew must also be able to reach it.
Walk the full route from the road or driveway to the installation location. Look for narrow gates, fences, trees, landscaping, utility poles, low branches and overhead wires.
Measure any tight openings rather than assuming the building will fit.
Also consider septic systems, underground utilities, soft ground and steep slopes. Heavy delivery equipment may need to cross your yard, so the route should be as clear and stable as possible.
Vehicles, trailers, children’s toys, garden equipment and other obstacles should be moved before the delivery team arrives.
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5. Prepare a Level Base
A portable building needs a stable, level foundation.
The exact base may depend on the type and size of the building, the condition of your property and the installer’s recommendations.
A properly prepared gravel pad is often used because it provides support and helps water drain away from the building. Whatever method is recommended, the goal is to create a firm, level surface that will not hold water.
Do not simply place the building on soft, uneven ground and hope it settles correctly.
An uneven base can cause doors to stick, floors to feel unstable and the building frame to shift over time.
Site preparation is not the most exciting part of buying a portable building, but it may be one of the most important.
6. Remove Branches and Outdoor Obstacles
Trim any low tree branches that could interfere with delivery or damage the building.
Check the installation area for stumps, rocks, roots, old concrete, yard decorations and other items that may prevent the building from sitting properly.
You should also consider what is above the site.
Avoid placing the building directly beneath unhealthy trees or large branches whenever possible. A beautiful shade tree may look harmless today, but falling limbs can cause serious damage during a storm.
Leave the site as clear and open as possible.
7. Plan for Electricity and Future Improvements
Will you eventually add electricity, lighting, insulation or climate control?
Thinking about these features before delivery can help you choose the best building position and door or window placement.
A backyard office, workshop or home gym may need access to power. A garage may need a ramp or wider approach. A garden shed may work best near the part of the property where you use your tools most often.
You do not have to complete every improvement before delivery.
You simply need to make sure the location will support your future plans.
Make Delivery Day Easier
On delivery day, keep pets and children safely away from the work area.
Make sure the delivery route remains clear and that someone is available to confirm the building location and door direction.
Do one final check before installation begins. Once the building is in position, changing its direction or moving it may be difficult.
A few minutes of careful planning can prevent years of inconvenience.
Start With a Strong Foundation
Your portable building may provide storage, workspace or vehicle protection for many years.
It deserves a proper place to sit.
Choose the location carefully. Confirm the requirements. Prepare a stable base. Clear the delivery route and think about how you will use the building in the future.
At Cardinal Portable Buildings, we help Evansville homeowners choose sheds, barns, cabins and garages designed around their property, needs and budget.
Because a successful delivery does not begin when the truck arrives.
It begins with good preparation.
