This has been a really spectacular read. I'm an environmental consultant in MA. Wetlands work, water quality studies, some rare species studies, various and sundry permitting issues, etc. I have a house in Boston with a postage-stamp-sized back yard that I am forever trying to squeeze as much produce out of as possible. I do get enough to have a giant harvest party every year, with homemade sauce for 30-35 people plus plenty left over for us in the later months. Good times. I discovered GardenWeb forums maybe two months ago and I feel like I've already doubled my knowledge. I'm so psyched to put some of these ideas into practice and see how things go. Thanks everyone for such great threads, ideas, and comments. Hope everyone is doing well. - Chris

There's a local spec type subdivision that was built by a builder who assumed that the current regulations he had operated on in the past were in effect. So, that's what he put it. Without getting a permit from the health department. That had changed regulations regarding the perc requirements. Now the homes didn't have lots large enough for the leach fields required and the builder had gone bankrupt without installing the new mound system that was required. So the people who had paid him for their houses couldn't occupy them unless they paid for the mound system themselves. Only a few did, and more joined the list of creditors against the builder hoping to recuperate their money. And the bank owns a bunch of homes that can't be occupied or are half built. That is a "septic situation". And if yours is anything like that, RUN.

Laying pavers is far easier than pouring a concrete slab!! Just try the two different methods and you will see how much more work a poured slab will take. Laying pavers is an easily accomplished DIY project whereas pouring concrete takes some practice and skills that not everyone has. There are countless how-to videos and explanations/directions available online. Essentially you need to dig out the area the shed will sit on and fill with crushed rock or paving base. Make sure that has been compacted and level and then just lay the pavers on top, with as close jointing as possible. You can use sand to fill in the cracks if necessary. I have done this many times over the years, the last being the construction of a small patio extension just two years ago. And I am an old lady!! :-) A fast weekend project for someone younger and more fit.

I think what every one is saying, that from your question you are working under the assumption that this is simple and can be done cheaply for a couple of thousand. A couple of thousand that will just get you into the game. I don't know what it is like in your area, but in our area you need a permit for everything and once you have the building permits, you have to get an occupancy permit. Examples of permits you probably will need, Permit to tap into the house water system, sewer permit, Electrical permit. Construction permit. Each permit will have to have a city approved inspection. You may have to get some sort of permit from the power company to increase the amps provided to the house. One of the question that will have to be answer is the current fuse panel in the house large enough for the increase demand made by adding the shed. If this is an older house, the whole thing will have to be resized. This is especially important if you are planning on heat / AC with electricity. If you are going to heat the shed with gas, you will need a permit to tap into the line and extend the line to the shed. None of the items mentioned above even considers that actual cost of labor and materials to do the item. Some items like electrical work, water plumbing, and others must be done by a city authorized and licensed person. Some times it takes different people with different licenses to get the job done. As an example; It you have an AC/Heating unit installed you will need a licensed AC/Heating person, and some on with an Electrical license to get the job done; It there is a gas heater that is another licensed person. We are not trying to be difficult, just trying to help you see the size of the project you want to undertake. In an effort to produce an absolutely safe environment simple jobs become quite complex.