One of the biggest selling points of ordering a tiny house or kit online is that the main work like cutting and measuring lumber is already done for you, and you just have to put everything together. That’s true with the Palisade—it comes with pre-cut wood pieces, pre-assembled doors, and instructions—but reviewers say there’s a little catch.
The shed does not come with roof panels or paint, and you will likely need to build a solid foundation and source some wood, as some reviewers reported receiving warped wood in their packages. The shed kit includes screws, which may seem typical, but many reviewers indicated that they prefer to use screws, especially in areas with variable or extreme climates.
The shed seems to take people a few days to assemble, and most reviewers say the level of DIY skills required means they have to hire a handyman to help or rely on a loved one with significant construction experience.
Assembly challenges aside, the most popular aspect of the Palisade is its design. The angular, geometric style is emphasized by the row of transom windows lining the front wall, which complements the panels on the barn doors directly below. “The design of this shed is gorgeous,” one reviewer wrote, and another described it as “stylish.” One also said that the Palisade “isn’t as barn-like as most other sheds” and that it is “much cheaper than almost every other shed I’ve looked at in terms of quality (I looked everywhere!).”
Pictures included in Amazon reviews show that the people who built this shed took extra time to make it look nice, even if they were just using it for backyard storage. One reviewer added extra windows for more light, another placed colorful plants and garden decor just outside the double doors, and yet another tastefully arranged lights on the floor leading to the shed. Plus, since you’ll need to paint the shed, you have another opportunity to get creative.
Keep in mind that taking such a route will require more time, work and money than the initial cost of the shed of $2,552. But the good thing about this small, affordable unit is that it’s relatively easy to modify; One Amazon reviewer said they bought it to use as a shed, but also to see if it could be successfully converted into a “mini cabin” in the future.
Even if you add up all the additional costs for labor, materials and permits, the total price of the Palisade is unlikely to come close to the median sales price of a U.S. home in the second quarter of 2024 of $412,300. Something that didn’t cost much more than a MacBook Pro.
Buy: Handy Home Products Palisade 12×8 Wood Storage Shed, $2,552.63
