Frequently Asked Questions

ShedEscape Designs handcrafts each playhouse and shed with our small family team in our workshop in Indiana.  We personally work with adults and children to create the designs of their dreams. We will walk through each step of the process right by your side. Our mission is for you to feel like part of the family from the amount of care and communication you receive to the level of quality in the products we deliver.  

We use high quality materials such as LP® SmartSide® Panel Siding, which is engineered to withstand nature's elements including wind, rain, hail, fire and insects.  The surfaces are painted with Dutch Boy Forever exterior paint which resists cracking, fading, peeling, algae and mildew.  Most designs are finished with DC Metal roofing and matching drip edge which is coated with top-of-the-line Ceram-A-Star 1050 paint system from Akzo Nobel.

The playhouses and sheds are stick built using 2x4 dimensional lumber with a pressure treated wood foundation.  Double hung, insulated windows are used in all shed designs while the playhouses are built with working windows with safety glass.  

Before starting ShedEscape Designs, we spent more than 25 years as a special education teacher and an engineer in Indianapolis.  Not only do we recognize people as unique individuals, we are passionate about any small role we can have in creating an accessible world for all.  We would be honored to personally plan a space with a child that may have specific sensory needs or an adult that may need alternate dimensions of shelving or tables. The opportunities are endless! The special education background builds our compassion for individual needs and the engineering side helps us make those accommodations a reality.  Please feel free to contact us about any unique design needs. Let's discover some creative solutions together!

Starting the process is a simple as an email or phone call!  Once you contact us, we will walk you through our client questionnaire to help create the perfect design for your needs.  

After we have held the design consultations with you, agreed upon your personal design and option choices and created a digital representation of your model, we will then create and present your custom invoice.  At that time, a 50% non-refundable deposit will be collected via cash, check or credit card.  That deposit will allow us to begin purchasing the building materials needed for your playhouse or shed!

The remaining payment will be due a minimum of 3 days before delivery and installation.  

ShedEscape Designs is a small, family run business.  From the initial customer contact, through the design process and custom build, each structure is individually created.  Everything is handcrafted in our workshop and materials are not mass produced.  Time frames for completion will vary dependent upon our current order volume and the level of complexity involved with your personal design. We will always strive to fill orders efficiently and quickly without sacrificing the quality of our products.  

An estimated time frame will be outlined upon order completion but could change due to factors outside our control such a weather, excessive wind, delay in materials, etc.  We will communicate any changes with you every step of the way!

The playhouses and sheds are typically viewed as temporary structures since they are not secured to the ground and can be disassembled.  However, it is the homeowners' responsibility to contact local city or county agencies to determine zoning information, permit requirements and easement guidelines.  Additionally, if you live in an area with a Homeowners' Association, we recommend checking their rules and regulations.  

Delivery and shipping are available! Once we know your location, we can prepare a customized quote for these services. 

For areas that are difficult to access, ShedEscape Designs can accommodate a variety of installation methods including panel assembly or even fully built on-site. 

For delivery, ShedEscape Designs will need unobstructed access (free of locked gates, closed fencing, low hanging tree limbs or power lines, pets, etc.).  We will always take the utmost care while on your property however we are not responsible for incidental issues to grass or landscaping due to circumstances outside our control:  excessive recent rain, obstructed path, etc. Please contact us with any concerns you may have about your location and together we can create a plan!

The main requirement for a successful installation is that a level surface is available for placement. Our team can make minor adjustments to facilitate a level install by placing leveling blocks under corners as necessary.  The homeowner is responsible for making any major adjustments to the site.

The playhouses and sheds are constructed with a base of pressure treated lumber and are capable of being placed directly on the ground.  However, if you would like to install concrete or a base of crushed gravel, pavers, etc. before delivery, we recommend increasing each side by 12 - 18" in order to provide leeway for adjustments. 

Standard playhouses and sheds do not come pre-wired. However, if you are working with an electrician to install wiring, we are happy to collaborate to aid that process.  

ShedEscape Designs uses high grade construction materials including LP Smart siding which is specifically engineered to withstand nature's elements, including insects, and Dutch Boy Forever exterior paint.  However, just as with a house, routine maintenance will prolong the integrity and beauty of the structures.  We recommend periodically cleaning all surfaces with a mild detergent or bleach solution and touching up paint as needed.  

Anyone with access to heavy equipment should be able to move the structure as a whole.  While it is possible to disassemble and reassemble the playhouses by section, some damage to interior components may occur (paneling, shelving, etc.) as you will need to access fasteners behind these items.

Due to the customization of each of our products, we are unable to offer returns or refunds. However, we will do everything possible to address any concerns you may have throughout the process. Your satisfaction with our product is our goal!