Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyler Anderson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
A few years ago, my dad needed a shed for his backyard, but none of the local companies in southern Utah offered an option that could be fully built on-site in a tight space. He ended up building one himself, and seeing how well it turned out—and realizing there was a real gap in the market—I decided to start a business focused on custom, on-site shed construction.
At the time, I was working for a framing company in Cedar City, so I already had hands-on construction experience and a growing desire to launch my own company. I got my general contractor’s license and officially started Backyard Builds in June of 2024.
We’re now wrapping up our first full calendar year and about 18 months in business. Since launching, we’ve completed between 50 and 60 projects. Today it’s just me and one employee, and while sheds make up about 80% of our work, we also build playhouses, dog houses, chicken coops, custom pergolas, and assemble kits like pergolas or saunas. The business started with one shed in a cramped backyard—and it’s grown into a company built on custom solutions and quality craftsmanship.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but overall I’ve been really fortunate. When I first started the business, I didn’t even have a truck or trailer, so I bought a truck, set it up for work, and invested in the tools I needed. After only a couple of jobs, the transmission went out and I suddenly had to come up with more than $6,000 to replace it. That was a tough hit early on, but it was the only way to keep the business moving forward.
Along the way there have been smaller challenges too—figuring out which materials and paint suppliers were reliable, learning through trial and error, and adjusting processes as we grew. But despite the bumps, the support we’ve received and the way the business has progressed have been huge blessings. I’m grateful for where we’re at and excited for what’s ahead.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Backyard Builds specializes in custom, on-site construction of backyard structures throughout southern Utah. We’re based in Cedar City, but we regularly build in St. George, Duck Creek, Parowan, and the surrounding areas. We’re best known for high-quality storage sheds, but we also build playhouses, chicken coops, dog houses, pergolas, and other custom backyard projects.
What really sets us apart is that everything we build is fully constructed on-site—stick-framed from the ground up. We don’t use kits or pre-built components. Building on-site allows us to give customers a truly custom product with stronger construction and more flexibility than prefabricated options. It also avoids the wear and tear that happens when pre-built structures are transported on trucks or trailers.
One of the things I’m most proud of is our foundation system. Because we build everything right where it will sit, we can create level, stable floors even on very uneven ground. We’ve built sheds on hillsides with more than two feet of elevation difference from one corner to the other, and the structures remain solid.
Brand-wise, I’m proud of the quality we deliver and how we treat our customers. We’ve earned 40 five-star reviews in just 18 months, and that means a lot to us. At the end of the day, Backyard Builds is about craftsmanship, customization, and building things the right way—right where you want them.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Starting a business is exciting, but it’s also tough—failure rates are high and there’s a lot more administrative work and financial planning involved than most people realize. One thing that made a big difference for me was having enough savings to self-finance the startup and still cover my living expenses while the business was getting off the ground. It takes time before things become profitable, and having that financial cushion removes a lot of stress.
I also couldn’t have done it without a very supportive wife who encouraged me from day one. Having people in your corner makes the hard days a lot easier.
If I were giving advice, I’d tell new entrepreneurs to build a solid business plan, understand your financials inside and out, and know exactly what your startup costs and workload will look like. The more you can learn—both about business in general and about your specific industry—the better prepared you’ll be. It’s challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding, and I’m grateful I took the leap.
Pricing:
- Most of our projects fall in the $3,000 to $8,000 range, depending on size and customization. Our largest project to date was about $14,000. We also take on smaller custom jobs—like a decorative landscaping bridge we’re building soon that will be under $1,000—but the majority of our work stays within that mid-range.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.backyardbuildsutah.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backyardbuilds.utah/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Backyard-Builds/61558560243967/
