Lifetime Vertical Storage Shed (60300)

A terrible product. The holes in the metal pieces did not align with the holes in the hinges, not the divots in the plastic panels. Instructions were poorly illustrated and some steps omitted entirely. The youtube video was not really much help either. Avoid this product.

Solid good looking unit, easy to assemble – This is a well-packaged and well-designed storage shed. The instructions in the booklet are well worded, simple and accurate. There are also assembly videos made by Lifetime for assembling this particular shed. When following the instructions and viewing the videos for guidance, all the parts line up, only requiring a power drill and a 11mm socket - the rest of the tools are packaged in clamshell compartments along with the various small hardware required for the assembly.

I was able to assemble the entire shed alone in about four hours without any significant issue. The kit was complete, all the parts lined up without any need to improvise or compromise except for one thing; I have covered exposed screws with hot glue during construction to prevent corrosion due to the special circumstances of salt air in this area.

I only wish that the optional accessories were more accessible in Australia - it seems that I may have to special order accessories from Lifetime in the USA if I am interested in any of them later.

Perspective - I previously owned a smaller Keter shed. I was happy with it for 10 years, however seaside living and the sub-tropical sun eventually made it unservicable. This Lifetime shed seems to be better designed, and more robustly constructed than the Keter I bought in 2011.

Poor manufacturing means nothing lines up! – The product looks good but is extremely frustrating to assemble. It requires improvisation and a certain degree of carpentry skills to get around the manufacturing flaws. It requires metal components to be attached to PVC panels with screws. The difficulty with this Made in China unit is that many of the holes don’t match up. Align the first one and it can be as much as 10mm out at the other end. Construction difficulties are compounded by cheap screws, some of which aren’t fit for purpose. Some are impossible to screw in straight because the moulded panel obstructs tool access. It could be a very good product but sloppy manufacturing really lets it down.