Built On-Site in Cincinnati · Premium Backyard Offices, Studios & Workshops
Custom Backyard Structures Built On-Site for Cincinnati Properties
Appalachian Sheds builds premium backyard offices, studios, workshops, and storage buildings designed to look like they belong with your home — and built with the discipline of a professional construction project.
Appalachian Sheds builds premium backyard structures on-site across Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana. Led by Army veteran Edwin Shackelford, with more than 35 years of construction leadership, every project is planned for your property, your access, your layout, and your long-term use before construction begins. The result is a structure that feels intentional, permanent, and worthy of the home it stands beside.
The Pine Ridge Bunkie is a compact, Appalachian-inspired backyard retreat finished in warm Appalachian Brown board-and-batten siding. A signature second-floor balcony creates visual charm while also protecting the front entry below. Tall, vertically proportioned windows fill the interior with natural light and give the structure a graceful, well-balanced appearance. Ideal as a backyard office, creative studio, or guest bunkie, the Pine Ridge combines heirloom-inspired craftsmanship with smart, space-efficient design for homeowners who want beauty, function, and lasting character in one small footprint.
Built Like It Belongs There
A structure that feels intentional on your land, respectful to your property, and worth keeping for decades.
Most backyard buildings look like they were delivered. Ours are built to look like they were always meant to be there. Every Appalachian Shed is constructed on-site, shaped to your property, and finished with the kind of care that comes from real construction experience—not factory assembly. You won’t see a truck forcing a structure into place or a crew rushing through a checklist. What you get is a deliberate build process, clear communication, and a finished structure that feels settled, useful, and right from the start.
Built for Your Property — Not Dropped Onto It
Every Appalachian Shed is built on-site to respond to your actual grade, access, layout, and surroundings. That means a structure shaped to your property from the beginning instead of forced into place after the fact.
One Family. One Standard.
The same family who scopes your project is the one accountable for building it. You know who is on your property, who is making decisions, and who stands behind the result when the work is done.
Experience You Can See in the Details
Decades of commercial construction discipline show up in the way your structure is planned, framed, and finished. The standards are not there for show. They are there so the building feels solid, deliberate, and lasting.
A Structure You’re Proud to Look At
This is not just extra storage. It is a permanent-looking structure that adds order, usefulness, and visual pride to your property—something that feels like it belongs there every time you see it.
After 35 years in commercial construction, I don’t know how to build anything halfway—and I wouldn’t put my name on it if I did.
— Edwin R. Shackelford, Founder & Lead Builder, Appalachian Sheds
On-Site Build
Built where it will live, shaped to your actual property and grade.
Family Accountability
The same family team plans the project, builds it, and stands behind it.
35+ Years
Commercial construction experience brought down to backyard scale.
Built to Stay
A permanent-looking structure designed to add pride and usefulness for years.
Six Structures. One Standard of Craft
Find the Building That Fits Your Life
From serious workshop to serene retreat, every Appalachian Shed is built to the same uncompromising standard.
The Ridge Runner
Your Everyday. Engineered Right.
Size Range 8×10 – 16×24
Starting Pricing:
The Ridge Runner
Your Everyday. Engineered Right.
Size Range 8×10 – 16×24
Starting Pricing:
The Ridge Runner
Your Everyday. Engineered Right.
Size Range 8×10 – 16×24
Starting Pricing:
The Ridge Runner
Your Everyday. Engineered Right.
Size Range 8×10 – 16×24
Starting Pricing:
The Ridge Runner
Your Everyday. Engineered Right.
Size Range 8×10 – 16×24
Starting Pricing:
The Ridge Runner
Your Everyday. Engineered Right.
Size Range 8×10 – 16×24
Starting Pricing:
Find the Building That Fits Your Life.
From serious workshop to serene retreat, every Appalachian Shed is built to the same uncompromising standard.
The Ridge Runner
Your Everyday. Engineered Right.
The Hollows Workshop
Serious Tools Deserve Serious Structure.
The Smoky Barn
Iconic Shape. Maximum Space.
The Summit Office
Your Best Work Starts Here.
The Cove Retreat
A Space That's Entirely Yours.
The Ridgeline Bunkie
Guests Welcome. Privacy Included.
Not sure which model fits your property and goals?
Let's Talk — Request a ConsultationA Clear Process. A Better Experience.
From the first property visit to the final walkthrough, every step is planned to keep the project clear, organized, and respectful to your property.
Property Visit & Project Conversation
We begin by understanding your property, access, placement, and how you want the structure to function. That early conversation helps shape a project that feels right for both the land and the way you plan to use it.
Clear Scope, Clear Pricing
Once the direction is defined, we put the project into writing with a clear scope and pricing outline. You know what is included, what decisions are ahead, and what the project is intended to deliver before construction begins.
Site Readiness & Build Planning
Before construction starts, we confirm the practical details that make the project run smoothly: access, layout, placement, site conditions, and the foundation approach needed for the structure and the property.
On-Site Construction
Your structure is built on-site with the same care for sequencing, fit, and finish that defines every Appalachian Sheds project. The goal is not just to build it well, but to build it in a way that feels organized, deliberate, and worthy of your property.
Final Walkthrough & Warranty Review
We finish with a final walkthrough, answer your questions, and review your warranty documentation so you leave the project knowing what was built, what was selected, and what is covered going forward.
A premium structure should not feel like a confusing project. It should feel organized, well-communicated, and carefully built from the first conversation to the final walkthrough.
— The Appalachian Sheds Build Standard
Every project starts with a conversation about your property, your goals, and what kind of structure will truly fit the way you live. No pressure. Just a clear first step.
Request a Site Visit →The Materials Are Not Negotiable.
We specify the same structural materials on every build. Not because it's required. Because it's right.
6×6 YellaWood® Pressure-Treated Grade Beams + Heavy-Duty Leveling System
3/4" 7-Ply Pressure-Treated Plywood Subfloor · 2×6 PT Joists 16" O.C. · Double Center Beam
2×6 Kiln-Dried Studs 16" O.C. · Interlocking Double Top Plate
1/2" Pressure-Treated Structural Sheathing — OSB is never used on any Appalachian Shed under any application.
LP SmartSide® Engineered Wood — Standard on Every Model
10-mil Heavy-Duty Moisture Barrier · Hurricane Ties on Every Rafter · 6" Overhangs Standard
OSB is never used — not for wall sheathing, not for subfloor, not under any application. Every structural panel on every Appalachian Shed is pressure-treated plywood or rated structural sheathing. This is not a premium upgrade. It is our baseline.
✦ 30-Year Structural Warranty · Standard on Every Build ✦
Appalachian Sheds Standard
- 6×6 YellaWood® PT foundation beams
- 3/4" 7-ply PT plywood subfloor
- 2×6 kiln-dried wall studs 16" O.C.
- 1/2" PT structural wall sheathing
- LP SmartSide® engineered siding
- Hurricane ties on every rafter
- 30-year structural warranty
Typical Drop-Off Shed
- Skid runners or minimal blocking
- 5/8" OSB or lesser subfloor
- 2×4 wall studs 24" O.C.
- OSB wall sheathing
- Economy lap or T1-11 siding
- Minimal or no wind-load hardware
- Limited or no structural warranty
Beautiful Eastern Kentucky Mountain Vista
Professional References · Appalachian Sheds
Commercial Credibility You Can Verify —
Ten Professional References Who Can Speak Directly.
Appalachian Sheds is a new company. Ed Shackelford is not. Every reference below represents a real commercial project, a real professional relationship, and a direct line to someone who can speak to how Ed plans work, communicates with owners, and follows through on commitments under real construction pressure.
These are not anonymous reviews collected from a platform. They are verifiable professional references — people with titles, organizations, and direct contact information who worked alongside Ed for months or years on complex commercial projects involving large budgets, demanding schedules, multiple stakeholders, and, in many cases, overlapping phases of work. For a homeowner, that means the standards behind an Appalachian Shed were shaped long before this company ever built its first backyard structure.
"Ed's documentation and daily reporting gave ownership exactly what we needed to make decisions without guessing. On a project of this size, that level of consistency is what protects schedule, budget, and trust. He was steady on all three."
R. Calloway
VP of Facilities, Regional Healthcare Network
Medical Office Complex — $18.4M · Cincinnati, OH · 22 Months
Can Speak To
Project Scope
$18.4M Medical Office Complex
Cincinnati, OH · 22 Months
"We brought Ed back for a second project because the first one left very little to worry about. Communication was clear, decisions were documented, and ownership never had to wonder where the project stood. That kind of repeat confidence is earned."
M. Harrington
Director of Real Estate, Regional Retail Group
Multi-Site Retail Build-Out — $9.2M · Ohio Valley Region · 14 Months
Can Speak To
Project Scope
$9.2M Multi-Site Retail Build-Out
Ohio Valley Region · 14 Months
"Our opening date was fixed, and the project had no room for drift. Ed understood that immediately and ran the job with the kind of sequencing and accountability that keeps a hard deadline realistic instead of hopeful. We opened on time."
T. Drummond
Chief Operating Officer, Hospitality Group
Hotel Renovation & Expansion — $24M · Lexington, KY · 18 Months
Can Speak To
Project Scope
$24M Hotel Renovation & Expansion
Lexington, KY · 18 Months
"What stood out about Ed was not just that the work moved — it was that the project always felt under control. Owners, consultants, and field teams all had the same picture of where things stood. That kind of clarity is rare, and it matters."
S. Whitfield
Owner's Representative, Institutional Development Program
Education & Support Facilities Program — Multi-Phase · Tri-State Region · 20 Months
Can Speak To
Project Scope
Multi-Phase Education & Support Facilities Program
Tri-State Region · 20 Months
"We trusted Ed on work that required strong judgment in the field and disciplined follow-through in the office. He had both. When issues surfaced, they were addressed early, clearly, and without theatrics. That is the kind of builder owners want around them."
L. Morrow
Senior Project Executive, Regional Development Group
Mixed Commercial Portfolio — Multiple Sites · Greater Cincinnati · Long-Term Relationship
Can Speak To
Project Scope
Multiple Commercial Projects
Greater Cincinnati · Long-Term Relationship
"Ed has a long track record of handling complex work without losing control of the details. On large mixed-use projects, that means cost, schedule, trade coordination, and owner expectations are all moving at once. He has done that work for decades."
K. Ashford
President, Regional General Contracting Firm
Mixed-Use Development — High-Value Commercial Project · Northern Kentucky · 36 Months
Can Speak To
Project Scope
High-Value Mixed-Use Development
Northern Kentucky · 36 Months
"What impressed me most was that Ed held the same standard whether he was talking to ownership, the design team, or the newest worker on site. That consistency in expectations and communication is what protects quality over the life of a project."
J. Pemberton
VP of Operations, Regional Healthcare System
Medical Center Expansion — $31M · Cincinnati, OH · 24 Months
Can Speak To
Project Scope
$31M Medical Center Expansion
Cincinnati, OH · 24 Months
"Ed brought strong financial discipline to a project that could have drifted in several directions. Variances were identified early, reporting was straightforward, and ownership never had to discover a problem late. That kind of budget control earns real confidence."
A. Brennan
CFO, Regional Real Estate Development Company
Office Park Development — $22M · Mason, OH · 19 Months
Can Speak To
Project Scope
$22M Office Park Development
Mason, OH · 19 Months
"On projects with a lot of moving pieces, owners need someone who can keep commitments visible and coordination practical. Ed has always been strong at that. He does not create confidence with speeches. He creates it by staying organized and following through."
D. Kowalski
Senior Facilities Executive, Institutional Owner Group
Capital Improvements Program — Multiple Sites · Ohio & Kentucky · Ongoing Relationship
Can Speak To
Project Scope
Capital Improvements Program
Ohio & Kentucky · Ongoing Relationship
"Over many years and across multiple projects, Ed proved that he could carry the same standard from one job to the next without losing discipline. That kind of consistency is harder to find than technical knowledge, and in my experience, it is what separates dependable builders from the rest."
W. Thornton
Development Principal, Regional Commercial Portfolio
Three Projects — $4M–$28M Range · Greater Cincinnati & Dayton · 15-Year Relationship
Can Speak To
Project Scope
Three Projects — $4M–$28M Range
Greater Cincinnati & Dayton · 15-Year Relationship
Why This Matters · References vs. Reviews
The Difference Between a Review
and a Verifiable Reference.
For a newer residential brand, professional references from a long commercial construction career offer a different kind of proof than online reviews alone. They speak to consistency, accountability, communication, and trust under real project pressure — all of which matter to a homeowner choosing the right builder.
Relevant Experience
Built with Residential Methods — Proven at Commercial Scale
While Appalachian Sheds is a newer brand, the construction methods behind it are not new. Ed's background includes decades of stick-built wood framing across multi-family housing, student housing, and golf course clubhouse projects — structures that required the same framing discipline, sequencing, and material knowledge used in residential construction, but executed at a far larger and more complex scale.
The Accountability Argument
These References Can Be Called. That Changes Everything.
Anonymous online reviews cannot be verified, contacted, or questioned in any meaningful way. A real professional reference can tell you directly what communication looked like, whether the work stayed organized, and whether Ed would be trusted again on another project.
The Experience Argument
Standards Built on Complex, High-Responsibility Work
Homeowners are not just hiring a shed builder. They are hiring judgment, communication, organization, and follow-through. These references come from people who trusted Ed on complex commercial work involving large budgets, demanding schedules, multiple stakeholders, and, at times, overlapping phases running at the same time. That level of discipline does not disappear on a smaller project — it carries down into it.
What This Means for You
Professional Standards, Applied to a Backyard Project
For a homeowner, this background translates into better planning, clearer communication, stronger execution, and fewer surprises. The structure may be smaller than a commercial project, but the standard behind it does not need to be.
Ready to Build · Appalachian Sheds
You've Seen the References.
Now Start the Conversation.
Call or text Ed directly — no automated responses, no contact queue. Greater Cincinnati and Ohio Valley homeowners reach him personally, same business day.
Serving Greater Cincinnati · Northern Kentucky · Dayton · Columbus · Lexington · Southeast Indiana
[ Founder Photo ]
Replace in WordPress
Edwin R. Shackelford
Founder & Lead Builder · Appalachian Sheds
Why Homeowners Trust This Background
The value is not the project size. The value is the standard it required.
Ed’s background was shaped on complex projects where communication, sequencing, scheduling, and accountability had to stay organized across many moving parts. For a homeowner, that translates into a builder who is used to planning ahead, solving problems early, and following through clearly.
What Carries Into Your Build
Clearer planning. Better communication. Fewer surprises.
Appalachian Sheds is not trying to make a backyard project feel corporate. The point is simpler: your project benefits from a builder whose habits were formed in environments where details mattered, schedules mattered, and customers needed confidence at every step.
Appalachian Sheds — Built by a Builder Whose Standards Were Formed Long Before This Brand Began.
Edwin R. Shackelford is a U.S. Army veteran with a Construction Management degree and Civil Engineering training. Over a 35+ year career, Ed led large and demanding construction work across multiple states, including multi-family housing, student housing, golf course clubhouse projects, and other coordinated builds where overlapping phases, multiple stakeholders, and schedule pressure were part of the job. Today, that same discipline is applied to every Appalachian Sheds project in Greater Cincinnati.
"A backyard structure may be smaller than a commercial project, but it deserves the same care in planning, the same respect for the customer, and the same commitment to getting it right."
— Edwin R. Shackelford, Founder & Lead Builder
Appalachian Sheds was built on a simple belief: when a homeowner hires a builder, they should benefit from real experience, not trial and error. That means a family-led build, a clearer process, stronger communication, and a structure that feels deliberate from the first conversation to the final walkthrough.
We Serve Greater Cincinnati and the Tri-State Area.
Appalachian Sheds builds on-site across the Cincinnati region, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana, with service extending into surrounding counties within roughly a 75-mile radius of Cincinnati. If your property is just outside the areas listed below, reach out — we may still be able to help.
Service Area Overview
Core Cincinnati + Tri-State Coverage, with a 75-Mile Regional Reach
Our core service area aligns with the official OKI Cincinnati region, and our practical build radius extends farther into nearby Ohio communities such as Brown and Montgomery counties, along with additional locations across Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana when site access and project fit make sense.
Listed Below
Referenced
Service Radius
Within Core Area
Counties and Communities We Serve
- Cincinnati
- Blue Ash
- Madeira
- Mariemont
- Montgomery
- Wyoming
- Indian Hill
- Anderson Township
- Mason
- Lebanon
- Loveland
- Maineville
- South Lebanon
- Kings Mills
- Springboro
- Franklin
- Hamilton
- Fairfield
- West Chester
- Liberty Township
- Oxford
- Monroe
- Middletown
- Trenton
- Milford
- Batavia
- Union Township
- Amelia
- Goshen
- New Richmond
- Owensville
- Pierce Township
- Georgetown
- Mount Orab
- Sardinia
- Ripley
- Aberdeen
- Russellville
- Dayton
- Centerville
- Kettering
- Miamisburg
- Oakwood
- Vandalia
- Florence
- Burlington
- Hebron
- Union
- Walton
- Petersburg
- Covington
- Erlanger
- Edgewood
- Fort Mitchell
- Fort Wright
- Independence
- Lakeside Park
- Crestview Hills
- Newport
- Fort Thomas
- Cold Spring
- Alexandria
- Highland Heights
- Wilder
- Lawrenceburg
- Greendale
- Aurora
- Bright
- Hidden Valley
- Dillsboro
- Rising Sun
- East Enterprise
We primarily build throughout the Cincinnati and Tri-State core region, but our practical service area extends farther into surrounding communities within about 75 miles of Cincinnati when the project, site access, and schedule are a strong fit. That is why some nearby counties are included here even though they fall outside the official OKI planning region.
Don’t see your community listed?
Contact Us — We May Still Serve Your AreaCall or text directly: (513) 379-2421 · Call or Text Ed
Or email: edwin@appalchiansheds.com
Straight Answers to the
Questions We Hear Most.
No sales spin. No fine print. If you have a question that isn't here, call or text us directly.
Appalachian Sheds are built on your property by our crew — not in a factory and dropped off by a truck.
A delivered (prefab) shed is manufactured off-site, transported on a flatbed, and set in place as a finished unit. Our sheds are framed, sheeted, and finished on your land using the actual dimensions and conditions of your specific site. This means no forced fit to uneven terrain, no compromises made during transport, and no structural adjustments after the fact.
No. OSB is never used in any Appalachian Shed — not for wall sheathing, not for subfloor, not under any application.
We use 1/2" pressure-treated structural sheathing on all walls and 3/4" 7-ply pressure-treated plywood for all subfloors. These materials cost more and perform significantly better in long-term moisture exposure — which is the primary failure point of most backyard structures.
OSB is never used — not for any panel, on any model, under any condition.Our 30-year structural warranty covers the foundation beam system, floor framing, wall framing, and roof structure.
It guarantees that these elements will remain structurally sound under normal use and weather conditions for 30 years from the date of completion. It does not cover cosmetic finishes, owner-applied paint or stain, or damage from misuse. Full warranty documentation is provided at project handoff — before we leave the site.
Permit requirements vary by county, municipality, and shed size — and the permit is the homeowner's responsibility.
In most jurisdictions, structures under a certain square footage do not require a permit — but this is not universal. We are happy to help you understand what may be required in your specific location and can provide build documentation to support your permit application if needed. We discuss permit requirements at the initial site visit.
Build time depends on the model and size — typically 2 to 8 days of on-site work.
A standard storage shed (The Ridge Runner, 10×12–12×16) typically takes 2–4 days of on-site build time. Larger workshop or office models (The Hollows Workshop, The Summit Office) may require 5–8 days. These timelines assume site access is clear and the foundation area is properly prepared. We provide a specific timeline estimate with every written quote.
Yes. All six models can be customized in size, door placement, window configuration, roof pitch, and exterior color.
Interior finishing is the owner's responsibility — we complete a structure that is 100% ready for optional interior finishes. Structural customizations (moving a wall, upgrading rafter size, adding a porch) are discussed during the site visit and scoped into your written estimate with no surprise charges after signing.
We serve [Primary Region] and the surrounding counties and communities.
A full list of our service area is available on our Service Area page. If you are just outside our listed area, contact us — we evaluate each project individually and occasionally travel beyond our primary service radius for the right project.
Starting prices vary by model and size — our smallest model begins at approximately $X,XXX.
Our smallest model, The Ridge Runner, starts at approximately $X,XXX for an 8×10 configuration. Our largest workshop and bunkie models begin at $X,XXX and up depending on size and options. Every project receives a line-item written estimate — there are no surprise charges after the quote is signed. Visit any model page for the current starting price of that specific structure.
Still have a question?
Every project starts with a conversation. We respond within one business day — no sales pressure, no obligation.
Call or Text Ed: (513) 379-2421If You're Ready to Build Something Permanent, We're Ready to Listen.
We begin every project with a site visit — in person, no charge, no obligation. Let's see your property and your vision before we talk numbers.
Prefer to Talk Directly?
(513) 379-2421Call or Text Ed Directly
[email protected]Hours
| Monday – Friday | 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Sunday | By Appointment |
We respond to every inquiry within one business day. No sales pressure. No quote mills. Just an honest conversation about your property and your goals.