Is Home Depot's Best Selling DIY Shed Kit Worth It?

A garden shed opens a world of possibilities — especially one of the DIY variety, thanks to its customizability. For those who are handy, there's the added bonus of saving on the install costs. One DIY shed kit by Home Depot has buyers turning their heads, but unlike what you may be thinking of, this is no small project, nor is it an affordable shed to build.

The Do-it Yourself Windemere 10 ft. x 12 ft. Deluxe Multi-purpose Wood Shed from Home Depot has a generous footprint, which makes it a dream option for those who have a lot of gardening or landscaping inventory. It also, of course, can be converted into something grander thanks to its design, which includes an operable window (man cave — or she shed — anyone?). If this sounds too good to be true, it's worth noting that the price matches the potential of this construction project: $3,454.52. You'll also have to budget your time, as this project is likely to take days to complete. The shed does, however, have high ratings, with a current 4.1-star average. With all this in mind, is the Home Depot shed kit worth it?

Whether or not Home Depot's DIY shed kit is worth the price comes down to your personal preferences. Do you spend a lot of time working in the garage or backyard? Are you always seeking a quiet corner to carry out a workshop project, or are you an avid gardener who loves repotting your favorite plants? You might just be the type of person that this shed appeals to. More casual gardeners, however, might not need such a large dedicated space.

The DIY Windmere Wood Shed offers 120 square feet of floor space, with which you can create whatever environment inside that you desire. Beyond just the square footage, however, this shed offers 1,019 cubic feet of storage overall for all your gear and goodies. It also is made with quality building materials, including specially treated and engineered wood for its exterior siding, which makes it no match for threats that commonly prey on wooden sheds, like bugs and wood rot. The Deluxe Window Suite (three operable windows and three upper transom windows) brings natural lighting into the shed, and the handle locks so you can keep your woodshop or landscaping gear safe from potential intruders. Arguably the best part of this kit is that it is designed to be constructed with simple tools, including a hammer, drill, and screwdriver, to name a few.

The Windermere may look appealing, but it's always best to investigate former buyers' experience. At first glance, it would seem that the majority of customers have glowing reviews of this DIY wood shed: many compliment its ease of construction and durability (one customer cited that the shed was sturdy even in snowy, 15-degree weather). Other customers, however, have a different story. "The instructions were utterly useless, and the wood was twisted, warped, damaged, miscut, and unlabeled," one customer wrote, while another said, "A thousand little pieces like a jigsaw puzzle. A nightmare to try to put together, and I don't think it was all there."  

Another factor to consider is that many of the product's five-star reviews were sourced from customers whose feedback was given as part of a promotion (over 85%). Meanwhile, there are 11 non-promotional one-star reviews. While this is not necessarily an indicator of customers being dishonest, studies suggest that perceptions can be positively skewed following a price discount. 

Finally, there's the cost. If you're on the fence about this DIY shed, consider whether you could install it yourself or would need to hire a professional to build it for you. On top of that, you'll have to pay for shingles and paint, which the Windermere doesn't include. While the decision ultimately rests with you, feedback from unbiased buyers suggest this could be an expensive gamble.