Women Built Sheds: Kate’s 12x16 Gable with Front Porch Build
A self-taught DIYer turns a backyard into a productive garden space—with a shed she mostly built herself.
"I’m so happy with the shed and proud of myself for learning so many new skills… I get compliments all the time."From Backyard Potential to Reality
Kate bought Shedking's 12x16 gable shed with front porch plans about a year ago—and by fall, her shed was built.
“Mostly,” she jokes. “I’ve still got a few paint touch-ups to do.”
But the results?
She couldn’t be happier.
Kate is a 40-year-old emergency veterinarian living in Portland, Maine. In her free time, she’s an avid gardener and a self-taught DIYer. When she and her husband Colin bought their home in 2021, they inherited more than just a house—they inherited land with history.
The property is about 115 years old, with blueberry bushes and a rhubarb patch that look to be at least 60 years old.
From plan to reality—Kate’s 12x16 shed taking shape in her backyard.Kate saw the opportunity immediately:
“I figured we could get a good food production system going if I had a solid gardening shed.”
Building the Shed—And the Garden
This wasn’t just a shed project.
At the same time she was building, Kate was also installing six 4x8 raised garden beds—literally building her growing system alongside the shed.
She followed the plans closely—but wasn’t afraid to adapt them where needed.
- Added a back door and ramp for easier access
- Swapped the front window for a half-moon design
- Customized the foundation to meet local code
She hired a landscaper to install concrete piers for a frost-proof foundation—but when a measurement came up short, she didn’t hesitate.
It all starts here—solid framing laid out and ready to build onShe rented a pneumatic auger and installed additional 4-foot Sonotubes herself to make it right.
“The plans were easy to follow. I built most of it myself.”
Her husband helped when needed—lifting heavy materials, hanging siding, and setting the gable board—but the majority of the build was hers.
She also made a smart decision to hire professionals for the roofing.
“It was worth the cost to skip the hassle—and I wasn’t certain how I’d lay roof without falling.”
Walls up—this is where the shed really starts to feel real.How She Got There
Kate didn’t start with a shed.
Over the course of about 12 years, she taught herself how to build—one project at a time.
She started small:
- Garden baskets
- Wine racks
Then worked her way up:
- A table
- Her own front steps
Each project built confidence—and skills.
Her workshop grew the same way. She started with a basic cordless tool set and added tools as her projects demanded more capability—miter saw, table saw, levels, and more.
Structure coming together fast—porch and walls fully framed and sheathedShe borrowed tools when it made sense.
“I don’t think I would have done this project without borrowing my neighbor’s pneumatic nailer—heavy, loud, and scary as hell—but it let me put a wall together in minutes.”
She rented specialty equipment when needed, including an auger and paint sprayer.
And she adapted to what worked best for her—like using a telescoping ladder that made solo work more manageable
Solving Real Problems (And Not Backing Down)
One of the biggest challenges came before construction even began.
Kate’s initial plans were rejected by her local planning board because she wanted a frost-proof foundation.
Custom touches like this half-moon window make the shed uniquely hersInstead of settling, she dug in.
She learned that while a gravel pad distributes weight evenly, a pier foundation concentrates load at specific points—meaning the structure needed to be redesigned to handle it properly.
So she took it on herself.
She contacted her permitting inspector, researched building codes, and spent time studying load-bearing requirements in the International Residential Code.
Then she redesigned the foundation using paired 2x12s to properly support the structure on concrete piers.
That’s not just DIY—that’s ownership.
Smart move—Kate brought in help for roofing to keep the project moving safely.On Her Terms
This is Kate!Kate works three 12-hour shifts a week as an emergency veterinarian.
Her days off became “shed days.”
But she didn’t rush.
“I kept reminding myself that I didn’t have a deadline. I’d rather enjoy the building and take time on the details than rush to get it done.”
She built outside, surrounded by the sound of birds and wind in the trees, with neighbors stopping by from time to time to check on her progress.
It wasn’t just a project.
It was something she genuinely enjoyed.
Plenty of room for tools, supplies, and everything a working garden needsThe Result
By fall, the shed was complete—and it delivered exactly what she needed.
- Organized space for garden tools and equipment
- Storage for larger items like a snowblower
- Loft space for deep storage
- A central hub for her growing backyard garden
As she heads into the 2026 growing season, Kate says:
“I’m so happy with the shed and proud of myself for learning so many new skills.”
A huge loft adds the ‘deep storage’ space every homeowner needs.She gets compliments all the time.
In fact, most people don’t even think it’s a shed.
They assume it’s a tiny house
Built to Last
You Did An Amazing Job Building Your Shed Kate!Kate’s story is about more than just building a shed.
It’s about starting where you are, learning as you go, and creating something real with your own hands.
“Hopefully this inspires more women to build things for themselves.”
Ready to Build Your Own?
You don’t need to be an expert to get started.
Kate didn’t start with a shed—she started with simple projects and built her skills over time.
The right plan makes all the difference.
What You Get With These Plans
What You Get With These Plans
- Step-by-step blueprints
- Detailed construction guide
- Complete materials list
- Designed for real DIY builders
- Support if you need it along the way
Take the First Step
If you’ve been thinking about building your own shed—whether for gardening, storage, or something more—this is exactly how it starts.
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