DIY Farmstand: 3 Hour Build

Published 23 hours ago

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My wife has been asking for a simple farmstand for a while so she and the kids have a place to sell their baked goods and crafts to our neighborhood without having to meet up somewhere or go to markets.

So, like any smart dad these days, I gave ChatGPT a basic farmstand rendering I found on Google and asked for a supplies list. Lazy of me? Maybe. But we had to get to church on time, so I ordered everything on Lowe’s website before church and picked it all up after church.

The Materials List

• 1x corrugated metal roofing panel (3 ft x 8 ft)
• 3x treated 4x4 8 ft boards
• 6x treated 2x4 8 ft boards
• 7x treated 1x6 8 ft boards
• Box of 2” exterior screws, 3” exterior screws, and roofing screws

All-in-all this cost under $200. If I did it again, I’d get a fourth 4x4 instead of Frankenstein‑ing the cut 4x4s for the last leg. But, that’s what I get for not questioning AI 😄. If you’re a cheapskate though, and want to save $12 on that last post, it is possible to make it work with 3 8ft posts and it seems to hold up well enough.

Step 1: Make the cuts

4x4 posts (from three four 8 ft boards)

• Front legs: 2 x 72”
• Rear legs: 2 x 66” (shorter for roof slope)

Roof slope ends up ~6” drop front to back.

2x4 cuts (from six 8 ft boards)

Shelf frames (2 shelves)

• Front/back rails: 4 x 45”
• Side rails: 4 x 27”

Roof structure

• Roof rafters: 3 x 36”
• Front roof header: 1 x 48”
• Rear roof support: 1 x 45”

Side bracing

• 2 x 24”

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1x6 cuts (from seven 8 ft boards)

Shelves

• Shelf slats: 12 x 48”
• 6 per shelf, ~1/2” gap

Roof slats (under metal)

• 4 x 48”

These give the metal something solid to screw into.

Assemble

1. Build shelf frames (45” x 27” rectangles).
2. Attach frames to 4x4 posts.
3. Bottom shelf: ~12–14” off the ground.
4. Top shelf: ~30–32” off the ground.
5. Install shelf slats.
6. Add side braces (optional).
7. Install roof rafters.
8. Add roof slats.
9. Cut and screw on the metal roofing panel.

Final Result

Overall I’m happy with how it came out. It might have looked better if I wrapped the shelves around the posts instead of keeping the posts on the outside, and I definitely should have grabbed a fourth post. A little paint (and maybe some siding on both sides) would make it look amazing, but this is where it stands for now.