Building a storage shed can be fun and exciting specially if you have woodworking plans that describe step by step what to do, contain exact bills of material and professional tips about how to proceed.

Sheds come in all sizes and designs and with good plans you can be the handyman you always wanted to be. Plans can be downloaded to your computer in most cases and are ready to use right away. If you are not an experienced carpenter make sure you study the storage shed plans so you completely understand what is required.

Learn how to handle the equipment, do things safely and how to do your project professionally so that they will look good and last.

However, not all woodworking plans tell you how to build a ramp to get into your storage shed. There is a simple way to build a ramp and it will not cost you an arm and a leg.

I built a storage shed a number of years ago and had the same problem some of you have. I wondered

how do I get into the storage shed with my lawn tractor. I need a ramp that will not break down when I drive on it. It has to be strong and cheap, after all it is just a ramp. I tried making a ramp out of planks and plywood but I had to move it every time the grass needed mowing. Then I remembered, some old barns had earthen ramps built up to them. Would this work for me?

So that is what I did. My storage shed was elevated on sandstone blocks and 4x4 treated lumber. There was a twelve inch rise I had to fill in. Starting three feet in front of the storage shed door I filled in with dirt up to the door. The ramp was wider than the door and graded on both sides to allow for mowing over the ramp. If you live in a freezing climate make sure to drop down 2 inches below the door entry.

The earth swells up when frozen and you wont get the doors open in the spring. I planted grass on the ramp and was able to mow over it along with the rest of the lawn.

The cost was my labor and a little grass seed and the ramp held up for many years. So give it a try and save yourself some money which is never a bad idea.