Custom sheds built on site in Wilmington, NC

Short answer: a shed framed piece by piece in your yard, on footings the builder sets and levels, instead of a finished building trucked in from a lot.

The common styles around Wilmington:

• Gable sheds. The classic peaked roof. Easy to add a loft under the peak. Standard sizes run from 6x8 up to 12x24 and beyond.
• Lean-to sheds. A single sloped roof. Good against a fence line or the side of a house where a peak would block a window or overhang.
• Barn and lofted barn sheds. A gambrel roof gives more headroom and a usable loft. Usually priced by custom quote.
• Modern or pool house sheds. Flat or low-slope roofs, more windows and finished interiors. Usually custom-quoted, and larger ones need a building permit.

What to ask: wall height (7 ft and 8 ft walls cost extra), roof pitch, siding type (engineered wood panels such as LP SmartSide are common), floor framing (2x6 pressure-treated joists are typical on local price lists), roofing (architectural or lifetime shingles), and whether paint is included.

Short answer: 8x8 to 8x10 for garden tools and a push mower, 10x12 for a riding mower plus tools, 12x16 and up for a workshop or ATV.

• Measure the big items first: riding mower, wheelbarrow, kayaks or paddleboards, bikes, generator, beach chairs and umbrellas.
• Add aisle space: you need room to walk in and get things out without unloading the whole shed.
• Size up slightly: going from 8x10 to 8x12 adds about $500 on local price lists, far less than adding a second shed later.
• Check the 12-foot line: in New Hanover County, a shed 12x12 or smaller only needs a zoning permit; bigger means a building permit, too¹. That can decide between a 12x12 and a 12x16.
• Leave working room: builders typically want about 2 feet of clear space around the footprint to work, so a 10x12 needs about a 14x16 clear area.

Short answer: yes; ask for taller walls, a workbench, a loft, wider double doors and extra windows.

• Workbench: usually priced per linear foot and run the full width of the shed. Works as a potting bench or tool bench.
• Storage loft: also priced per linear foot. Keeps bulky light items, like patio cushions and holiday boxes, off the floor.
• Taller side walls: 7 ft or 8 ft walls make room for wall shelving and tall tools.
• Light and power: any wiring, lights or outlets need a separate electrical permit, even when the shed itself is small enough to skip a building permit².
• Windows and transoms: extra windows are typically about $150 each on local price lists.

Short answer: around Wilmington, when any dimension is over 12 feet. Smaller sheds still need a zoning permit.

• New Hanover County: a structure 12x12 or less only requires a zoning permit. Larger sheds and detached garages need a building permit with a site plan, framing details, elevations, and a tie-down or foundation plan if the design requires one¹.
• Leland: a shed that doesn't exceed 12 feet in any dimension can be built without a building permit, but a zoning permit is still required².
• Pender County (Hampstead): a zoning permit is always required, even when a structure is small enough to skip a building permit³.
• Flood zones: New Hanover County requires an elevation certificate when the property is in a flood zone¹.
• Ask your builder whether they pull the permit or you do, what it costs, and how long it adds to the schedule.

More detail: shed permits by area · Leland rules · Hampstead / Pender County rules.

Short answer: a ramp if you have a riding mower, the right door width, and enough windows for light; the rest depends on use.

• Doors: 32 in or 36 in single doors, or 4 ft and 5 ft double doors. A riding mower usually needs double doors. Some builders include one door in the base price; extra doors run about $200 to $400 on one local list.
• Ramps: wood or composite, built for heavy loads. One local price list shows $125 to $150.
• Windows, shutters and flower boxes: windows add light and air; shutters and flower boxes are mostly about looks. Ask for each one priced separately.
• Threshold plate: an aluminum plate protects the door edge from mower wheels.
• Paint: custom colors are often priced per square foot with a minimum. Ask whether standard paint is included.
• Trim: PVC trim avoids repainting and rot near the ground.

Short answer: ask for them. Both local on-site builders we checked list ground anchors as an option, and larger permitted sheds may need a tie-down plan¹.

• Ground anchors: about 30-inch anchors driven into the soil and strapped to the floor frame with galvanized hardware.
• Footings: solid blocks or composite footings under the floor frame keep it level and off wet ground.
• Roof-to-wall connections: ask whether rafters are fastened with hurricane screws or ties.
• Slab foundations: large sheds and garages are often built on a concrete slab under a building permit.
• Site prep: a level, well-drained spot, or a gravel pad, saves money. Tell the builder about slopes, roots and standing water on the first call.

Short answer: often yes, as an add-on. Local price lists show tear-down and dump service at about $8.50 to $9 per square foot of the old shed.

• Example: a 10x10 old shed is 100 sq. ft., so about $850 to $900 to demo and dump at those rates.
• Same spot: removing the old shed first lets the new one reuse the cleared, level spot.
• Moving an old shed: on-site builders usually don't relocate existing sheds; ask a shed mover.
• Repairs: many on-site builders only build new. Ask on the first call if you want a repair instead.

1. New Hanover County, Residential Build: Shed/Detached Garage (permit checklist PDF). Accessed November 1, 2026.
2. Town of Leland, Permitting & Inspections FAQ: Is a permit required for a residential accessory structure?. Accessed November 1, 2026.
3. Pender County, Planning FAQs (zoning permits and accessory structure setbacks). Accessed November 1, 2026.