Custom Sheds CTR: Tailored Solutions for Every Lifestyle

If you’re near the old Potlatch Plant, now Brainerd Industrial Center (B.I.C.), on a brisk morning, listen closely—you’ll hear the tap of hammers, the snap of tape measures, and the low laughter of friends-turned-partners doing what Midwesterners do best: building something solid for their neighbors.

At Custom Sheds CTR, those sounds aren’t just the rhythm of a workday; they’re the heartbeat of a business where every project feels a bit like home.

The crisp Crow Wing County air carries a hint of sawdust and possibility. And tucked behind the doors of Custom Sheds CTR, at the old Potlatch mill, you’ll find more than just sheds—you’ll find local craftsmanship and the kind of community spirit that turns simple buildings into stories worth talking about.

A Business Born of Friendship and Ingenuity

Custom Sheds CTR’s story began the way many good ones do—over lunch among friends tossing around ideas and sketches on napkins. Tim Lake, Curtis Hiltbrunner, and Rick Boileau each brought something different to the table: Tim’s sales know-how, Curtis’s hands-on craftsmanship, and Rick’s decades of full-scale construction experience.

They’d all noticed the same problem across the Brainerd Lakes area—too many cookie-cutter sheds and not enough structures built to last a Minnesota winter. So when Tim listed a bunkhouse on Facebook Marketplace, the response stunned them: “bam, bam, bam—hit, hit, hit,” as he puts it. Within days, it racked up more than 20,000 views.

“That’s when we knew people wanted something sturdy” Tim says. “They wanted buildings that felt finished, durable, and made for Minnesota life.”

From there, the trio hit the road—touring Nisswa, Pequot, and the greater Brainerd Lakes region, talking with neighbors, realtors, and friends. Their approach was deliberate, even stubborn, about quality. If a window sat an eighth of an inch off, they tore it out and started again. “We’re particular—maybe too particular,” Tim laughs. “But that’s how we sleep at night.”

Their roots took hold at the old Potlatch mill, where four buildings once stood. Today, only one remains—a quiet reminder of where it all began and a workspace that still hums with the same purpose: to build for their neighbors, not just customers.

The first Facebook sale became a turning point. The customer called back a week later, asking for another building. That single order confirmed what the founders already suspected: they weren’t just building sheds—they were building trust, one project at a time.

Community Impact: Where Relationships Are the Foundation

What sets Custom Sheds CTR apart isn’t just craftsmanship—it’s the people behind the work. “Relationships matter more than anything,” says Tim, and it’s more than a tagline.

Off the job site, these guys are the kind who serve meals at Ruby’s Pantry, swing hammers for Timber Bay House, a local nonprofit supporting at-risk youth and make annual trips to an orphanage for street children in Honduras.

Faith is the quiet engine that powers their days. “We try to live what we believe,” Curtis says. “Honesty, integrity, generosity—it’s not just business, it’s how we were raised.” Tim pipes in. That same spirit shows up in every handshake and every callback.

At Custom Sheds CTR, business feels more like family. The laughter comes easy, the work is steady, and the belief is simple—if you take care of people, the rest takes care of itself.

Offerings Built for Real Midwest Living

Ask Curtis what makes their sheds different, and he grins: “We build them like houses—actually, better than some houses.” It’s not just talk. Each structure starts with a notched four-by-six treated runner so it stays square and solid even through Minnesota’s freeze-and-thaw cycles. Spray foam insulation, Tyvek wrap, and glued subfloors come standard, because “if you’re going to do it, do it right.”

That attention to detail shows up in the small things customers notice long after the build is done. Zach P., who hired Custom Sheds CTR to create a backyard office, shared, “The process went flawlessly, and the result is even better than I imagined.

They listened to every detail—from window and door placement to the electrical needs for my desk setup. My new office isn’t just a shed; it’s an inspiring workspace that feels like a true extension of my home.”

Customization is where the real fun begins. Need a shed short enough to tuck under an eave or a bunkhouse that matches your cabin siding? They’ll make it happen.

Want to install a golf simulator or set up a backyard office that stays warm through January? They’ve already done it. “We just met with a simulator company for a demo here,” Tim says, clearly energized by the blend of innovation and tradition.

From the first sketch to the final delivery, the process is straightforward and transparent. “No sticker shock,” Tim promises. Pricing reflects what Midwesterners value most—honest craftsmanship, practical quality, and the sense that every dollar spent comes back in durability.

These aren’t off-the-shelf sheds; they’re small sanctuaries—built tough enough for a Minnesota winter and personal enough to feel like part of the home.

Trust Built on Straightforward Service

At Custom Sheds CTR, promises aren’t printed on paper—they’re built into every board. “Almost every day, doing it right costs us more in time or effort,” Curtis admits. “But we’ll never regret a job done right.”

That philosophy shows up in the way they handle each project. When Curtis noticed a seam slightly off on a wall panel, he rebuilt the entire section. “No one else would’ve seen it,” he laughs. “But I would’ve known.”

Their subcontractors are chosen with the same care. Whether it’s electrical, HVAC, or finish work, they hire people who share their values—usually local Christian-owned businesses with reputations as solid as their builds. “You can’t fake trust,” Tim adds. “You either earn it or you don’t.”

That commitment has built a steady stream of repeat customers. The first office they built in Shakopee led to another order—this time for Illinois. A homeowner wanted a building shorter to fit under a roofline; they engineered it without hesitation. It’s that quiet reliability that keeps phones ringing and word-of-mouth spreading.

When you order a shed from Custom Sheds CTR, you’re not buying a product—you’re hiring craftsmen who see your name, not your invoice number.

Seasonal, Local, and Present in the Community

Their presence stretches beyond job sites. They’re the ones you’ll see setting up tables at fundraisers, lending tools to a neighbor, or loading boxes at Ruby’s Pantry when the need arises.

Each season brings a new rhythm. Spring means lake cabins and bunkhouses; summer is all about workshops and backyard offices; fall brings storm prep and cozy spaces ready for snow. “The work changes, but the goal doesn’t,” says Tim. “We want to make life easier, warmer, better for the people around us.”

Their names might not appear on every flyer or billboard, but their presence is felt in the places that matter most—the church basement, the food drive, the neighbor’s garage when a door won’t shut right. For Tim, Curtis, and Rick, giving back isn’t a marketing move; it’s second nature.

Midwestern Pride: More Than Just Sheds

Drive down a Baxter backroad or a quiet lakeshore lane, and you’ll spot their work standing tall against the pines—solid, clean-lined buildings that look right at home in the Northwoods. Each one tells a story of handshakes, laughter, and long days spent turning raw lumber into something that lasts.

When a Custom Sheds CTR building goes up, it’s more than a structure—it’s proof of the old-fashioned values that still hold strong here: trust, pride, and the satisfaction of a job done right. These sheds don’t just shelter tools or toys; they hold a little piece of the people who built them and the neighbors they were built for.

Tim leans on a freshly finished wall, sunlight catching the edge of the new metal roof. “If you can do something people really want—and love it when they get it—while living out your principles, it’s hard to beat,” he says with a quiet smile.

Around here, those aren’t just words.

They’re the blueprint.

Designs to Complement Your Lifestyle

At Custom Sheds CTR, they specialize in creating sheds that seamlessly blend functionality with style, ensuring each structure enhances your property and meets your unique needs.

Man Cave

She Shed

Backyard Office

Golf Simulator

Storage Shed

Guest Bunkhouse

Workshop

Mini Garage

Dance Studio

Their process is straightforward and customer-focused:

1. Share Your Vision

Contact them to discuss your ideas, whether it's for a workshop, office, or unique space. They'll help you select the right size, features, and finishes to match your vision.

2. Approve Your Custom Design

They'll create a detailed plan tailored to your specifications. Review every aspect—layout, materials, colors, options—and make adjustments before we begin building.

3. Precision Construction

Their skilled team constructs your shed with care and high-quality materials, ensuring durability and attention to detail.

4. Delivery and Placement

Once complete, they'll deliver your shed fully assembled and place it exactly where you want it, so you can start using it immediately.

For more information or to start your custom shed project, contact them at:

Custom Sheds CTR

1801 Mill Avenue, Brainerd, MN, 56401

info@customshedsctr.com

(218) 820-4614