Shed kit / installation issues

[Michael Aos]

We purchased a YardLine shed from Costco in June for $3500, plus $150 floor upgrade, plus $600 installation. To be installed in August.

We purchased another Yardline shed from Costco in August (before the first one was installed) for the same $3500, plus $150 floor upgrade, plus $600 installation. To be installed in December.

The first install was awful. When he showed up, the installer worked a couple hours a day for a week and got it mostly done. Took another crew another several days to try and address all the issues caused by the first guy. 10 days of work, spread over about 2 months. It's not pretty, but we finally agreed it was "good enough".

With quite a bit of trepidation, we went forward with the 2nd install. Couldn't hardly have been more perfect. They called 1 day prior. Then called 45 minutes prior to arrive. Arrived on time. Built the whole shed in 1 day and the quality of workmanship is much, much better. It's maybe not 100% absolutely perfect, but darned close. Very nicely done.

There were no adjustments or compensation for all of the issues and time on the first shed.

Now my problem. The 2nd shed was built without the floor upgrade (floor joists are 16" on center instead of 12" on-center) we paid for. The upgrade is advertised as 35% stronger than the standard build.

I'm going to call either the shed company or Costco tomorrow. Haven't decided which yet.

What would be a reasonable ask at this point? I expect they'll offer to refund the $150 floor upgrade I paid for and didn't receive, but I don't really feel like that's enough. I really wanted that upgrade.

I could kinda use another shed...

 

[BoylermanCT]

If you paid for the floor upgrade with closer joists and did not get it, I would ask them to send the right shed over to replace it. My guess is they can swap it out rather easily. I see local companies delivering sheds all the time on flatbeds.

 

[Jchonline]

To add 12" OC to the floor they would have to tear the entire thing down (if this is a standard framing job). I would simply ask if they can correct the mistake....and once they realize they will have to tear a bunch of it down to do so, they will be more likely to give you more of a refund.

 

[Michael Aos]

To add 12" OC to the floor they would have to tear the entire thing down

Yes, exactly.

I think the standard floor is rated at 40lbs per square foot.

That seems fine to me right now, but I really wanted the upgrade to "future proof" the shed.

If I'm doing the math correctly, it should be 54lbs per square foot with the upgrade.

 

[Doofy]

Tip it on its side and add additional floor joists. Being 8"OC...you could park a D8 on it.

 

[mark02tj]

They need to do more than give you the $150 "upgrade cost" back. Depending on the construction, it may either need to be torn down. You may or may not be able to tip it over on it's side as Doofy suggests.

After your experience, I'd be hard pressed to buy another shed from CostCo. It looks like these things are "build on site" kits and you're just hiring an installer to do it instead of doing it yourself. I'd take a serious look at a local company that delivers preassembled sheds to your property and installs them directly where you what them. I think they usually refer to these as "skid sheds" since they're typically built on 4x4 or 4x6 posts. These things have to be fairly well built in order to be able to stand up to being transported - both on a trailer and across your yard using their dolly system.

Here's a link to a local to me Craigslist ad. You probably have places similar in the Springs. These guys will build you exactly what you want and place it right where you want it. And, looking at Costco's site vs. these guys - they're pretty comparable.

 

[oosik]

You see Doofy - that's the EXACT same way I would do it also. Either get on one side with my grapple - tip the shed, up on its side - add the needed joists to make it 8" OC OR loop a cable over the shed - pull it up on its side - do the same thing.

Simple Simon - and you are done.

If the plan is to keep the shed - then do something simple, such as this, to fix it. If the object is to have the company pay, pay, pay and then get rid of the shed - just set a match to it and be done with it.

 

[TractorGuy]

Why settle? Insist on what you ordered and paid for.

 

[Doofy]

Sometimes, it is just easier to fix things yourself than to fret and worry about it. The lesson learned, don't buy sheds from Costco.

 

[Diggin It]

The $150 refund would pay for the extra joists to add yourself.

This is why I buy lumber by the piece and build myself.