The Best Time to Buy a Shed in the Midwest

Most people start shopping for a shed in spring. The snow melts, the garage is packed after a long winter, and the mower needs somewhere to go. That is also when dealer lots are busiest and custom orders start to stack up.

Now picture a dealer lot in early December. The rush is months away, a row of lofted barns sits under a dusting of snow, and the dealer has time to walk you through every one of them. If you can plan a few months ahead, that quiet stretch is often the better time to buy, whether you live in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, or Ohio.

Quick Answer

For many buyers, the best time to buy a shed is in fall and winter, roughly November through mid-January. Fewer people are shopping, so custom orders move through the build schedule faster, delivery dates are easier to get, and dealer lots usually have a better selection of buildings that are already built, including repos. When spring arrives, your shed is already set up and ready. The one trade-off is weather: snow, ice, and a spring thaw can push a delivery back a few days.

Why Buy in Fall or Winter

• A custom building can be built and delivered sooner, because fewer orders are ahead of yours.
• Delivery crews have more open dates, so it is easier to find a day that works for you.
• Dealers stock up for the busy months, and many of those buildings are still on the lot in fall and winter. Repo buildings turn up too.
• A quiet lot gives the dealer time to walk you through sizes, styles, and options without a line of other shoppers.
• Your shed is already in the yard, holding the mower, bikes, and garden tools, before the spring rush starts.

How Shed Buying Changes Through the Year

Spring: the busiest season

Spring brings the most buyers. Popular sizes, such as a 10x16 or 12x16 lofted barn, can sell quickly, and a custom order takes its place in line behind everyone else's. Prairie Built Barns estimates about 21 business days to build and deliver a custom building, and the FAQ notes that weather and demand can stretch that window. A thaw can slow things down too. A yard that is soft from melting snow and spring rain may need to dry out before a delivery truck can reach it.

Summer: steady demand

Summer stays busy as people tackle outdoor projects. Dry ground makes delivery easier, but the selection of in-stock buildings can be thinner after the spring rush.

Fall: the wait starts to shrink

By September and October, many buyers have finished their outdoor projects for the year, and the build schedule starts to open up. This is a good time to measure your space, choose a size, and start watching dealer inventory. Buying in fall also gets your building in place before the mower, patio furniture, and holiday decorations need a home for the winter.

Winter: the quietest season

Winter is when the fewest people are shopping. Lots that stocked up for the busy months may still have buildings waiting, and with fewer orders ahead of yours, a building can reach you sooner than it would in spring. Snow can cause a short delay, but frozen ground is often firm enough for the truck and equipment, as long as the path to your site is clear.

On-site builds are another story. A building too large to deliver is built on your property instead, and that work is harder in the cold. Plan an on-site build for spring through fall.

What to Look For on the Lot

Ready-to-haul buildings

A building already on a dealer's lot, called ready-to-haul, is the fastest way to get a shed. These buildings typically deliver within 7 to 14 business days after your purchase is confirmed. Enter your ZIP code on the in-stock inventory page to see buildings near you, then sort by price from low to high.

Repo deals

The inventory page also has a Repo Deal filter. A repo is a building that came back to a dealer after a rent-to-own agreement ended early. It carries its own discount, and some are marked down as much as 45%. Repos turn up all year with no set schedule, and fall and winter are a good time to look. Check the inventory every few weeks, or ask your local dealer to add you to its repo list so you hear about new ones as they come in.

Current pricing

Dealers do not set their own sale prices. Any discount comes from Prairie Built Barns and applies at every lot. Right now, Prairie Built Barns is offering these discounts off the base price:

• Build orders, 8, 10, or 12 feet wide: 10% off
• Build orders, 14 or 16 feet wide: 15% off
• Ready-to-haul buildings on the lot, 8, 10, or 12 feet wide: 13% off
• Ready-to-haul buildings on the lot, 14 or 16 feet wide: 18% off

Options are not discounted, so the full price of any options is added to the discounted price of the building. Animal shelters and chicken coops are not included, and the sale cannot be combined with other discounts. Pricing can change, so ask your dealer what applies to the building you want.

What a deep discount means for the warranty

Every new Prairie Built Barns building comes with a 6-year limited warranty on workmanship and materials. Pre-owned buildings and buildings discounted 20% or more are the exception. They are sold as-is, although Prairie Built Barns may still cover some problems, such as roof leaks, at its discretion.

The current sale tops out at 18% and cannot be stacked, so a new building bought on sale keeps its full warranty. A repo is pre-owned, so it is sold as-is no matter the price. Before you buy one, read the warranty terms and look the building over carefully.

Rent-to-Own Works in Any Season

You do not need to wait until you have saved the full price to buy before spring. Rent-to-own lets you take delivery now with no credit check, on a 36, 48, or 60 month term. Most sheds need only a 5% security deposit, and $0 down is available on some models. If you pay off the building within 90 days, you pay the cash price, with no prepayment penalty.

Getting Your Site Ready for a Winter Delivery

A little preparation keeps a cold-weather delivery on schedule.

• Clear snow and ice from the spot where the building will sit and from the path the truck will take.
• Make sure the delivery truck, trailer, and placement equipment can reach the site.
• Keep the site as level as possible. The delivery page explains what ground prep is needed and when leveling blocks are provided.
• Your driver will call ahead to confirm the delivery. If a storm is in the forecast, work out timing with the driver directly. Deliveries can be rescheduled at no charge with about 48 hours' notice.
• Live where heavy snow piles up? Ask your dealer about a higher snow load package before you order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it faster to get a shed in fall and winter?

Often, yes. The build schedule is lighter, so custom buildings tend to be finished sooner, and delivery dates are easier to get. Weather can still cause a short delay.

Can a shed be delivered in winter?

Yes. Delivery continues through the winter in most weather. Heavy snow, ice, or soft ground can delay a delivery by a few days, and your driver will work with you on a new date.

How long does it take to get a shed?

Ready-to-haul buildings typically deliver within 7 to 14 business days after purchase. Custom buildings generally take about 21 business days to build and deliver, and the wait is often shorter in the slower months.

Is a repo shed a good deal?

It can be. Some repos are marked down as much as 45%. In exchange, they may show some wear and come without the standard warranty. Look the building over in person and read the warranty terms before you buy.

Should I buy in stock or order a custom building?

If you want a shed fast, buy one that is ready to haul. If you want a specific size, color, or layout, order a custom building in fall or winter, before the spring rush lengthens the wait.

If spring is when you need the space, fall and winter are when to shop. When everyone else is waiting in line, your shed will already be in the yard. Find a dealer near you, browse in-stock buildings, or design your own in the 3D Builder.