Backyard Designs

My husband does music and we want to build a shed type building (8×10 or larger) so he can use it as a studio.
Making it into a studio isn’t the problem, he knows what he needs for that part of the project, but we aren’t sure how to build the building itself.
We are putting it in the backyard and just want a cheap and basic design.
If anyone knows how to build one or knows of a site that has plans and all that, I would greatly appreciate it!!!

I’d like to build one with a concrete foundation. I’ve roofed, sawed and hammered as a Habitat for Humanity volunteer. I’ve also laid my own tile without major trouble. But I have only the most basic tools.

I’ve considered just buying a kit, but I’d like a shed with some personality, and I like the idea of creating something from scratch. I’ve browsed Amazon.com for shed book ideas, and there are plenty. “Barns, Sheds and Outbuildings: Plan, Design, Build” seems thorough. I’ll also visit my library before I decide whether to build on my own.

Is this a crazy idea? Please share your experiences and suggestions.

Please describe the whole process in detail if you actually designed ur own,
thanks!

Im looking for websites that can give ideas or designs. It when done will be about 20×20 build it is a zig zag edge. Im just looking for help. Any ideas are very greatly appreciated.

I’m seriously considering building a rather authentic backyard bar-B-Que pit/Smoker. I obviously want the best tasting Bar-B-Que that can be slow cooked for 8 - 12 hours. Does anyone have any suggestions on design, materials, construction, etc.? I’m working with a 10′ X 10′ area

Looking to keep costs under $2K
This is not going to be a Grill - (authentic Bar-B Que)

ScareCrow from Contech keeps animals out with a wide spray, too wide, and that would prevent my cats from enjoying their own yard. I just need to route the sprinklers around the perimetry of the wooden privacy fence so when the motion sensor(s) detect them approaching the fence they will get dowsed at about 3 to 4 ft in from the fence and go back into the yard and stay home. I have contacted irrigation companies here in San Antonio but no reply yet on the motion-sensory activated part of what I want, just the sprinkler/irrigation part. I have seen motion sensors that turn on lights, open garage doors, close curtains, but other than ScareCrow I have not seen any information about tripping a sprinkler system. I have even thought about the produce section misting systems that come on intermittently. Any ideas would be very welcome.

I’m putting in a concrete deck around my pool, about 1200 square feet (including the pool of 500 sq. feet), and I’m not finding many books on making forms, installing drains, spacers to be used between the slab and the house, expansion joints, etc. I’m not sure if Ortho or Sunset makes one that goes beyond the basics or not. Anybody know of any books or websites that cover this topic?? It seems that most cover small jobs like a pathway or small area. Contractors charge a lot of money, and although I know I will need help floating it out, I know enuf about carpentry and landscaping to do the forms and downspout drains as well as surface drains. Not sure if there are any books or info specifically on pool decks??? Any help is most-appreciated!!!! Thank you!!!! Am I underestimating the difficulty of this job, and should I be looking for a good concrete contractor??? Seems they all want like 12-18 bucks a square foot and I know that material costs are only about $3 per foot.

I want a small, fairly simple, garden wall built and am seeking a free software program which would help me sketch out some designs and help me estimate how many bricks are needed. Ideally i’d also print this out to show the builder. Any ideas?

I’m designing my backyard for my new home in denver, any suggestions on where to find some good pictures and ideas to impliment Xeriscape?