Looking for opinions on the best way to go about building a shed foundation.

I am looking at building either an 8x10 or 5x10 lean to however the area I want to build is a 9" drop over the 8' and I am a little unsure how to do a permanent foundation for this type of slope. Admittedly I want to DIY if I can.

My father is encouraging me to build a footer all the way around the shed, fill/compact with dirt then with aggregate, then put my concrete slab so that it is about 4" above grade. This seems a bit extra for a shed of this size, but if this is the best way I can look further into it.

Any reason not to just use piers?

Do it like your father suggests. Anything worth doing yourself is worth overdoing.

Besides, the skills may come in handy some day when you're building a cabin for retirement.

Job #1 is to keep shed floor above drainage, so I vote for this being 9" above highest grade
Job #2 is to protect floor from forgetful open door weather exposure = treated wood or concrete

All the solutions above will work well thereafter now that a shed's Achilles Heel has been protected.
Even in Aggieland's volatile clay soils, 1930's houses have survived even when posed atop of cinder blocks, stacked-pavers and perimeter conc.curbs. So it seems a shed doesn't demand more than these and could be less.

My pick to build would be either
1. parallel (2-3) creosote poles/girders on grade/blocks then frame atop of these
2. ground treated perimeter frame on blocks, then frame between or atop

Ramps of framing or concrete for wheelbarrows, even lawn tractors as required

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That said, one summer's project was to build a shed with my boys so they could learn framing first hand.
After pricing out the materials, we phoned up Morgan Buildings locally who had pre-built shed on the lot, ready to move directly to your site, block it up level. Even with the upgraded treated ply floor, it was MUCH less and all metal exterior than our lumber yard laundry list ... + time/sweat/labor. Shed has been problem free since 1995. It sits well above grade & surprise "flooding" atop two creosote 4x12 on blocks.

ABATTBQ11 said:

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Any reason not to just use piers?

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I would suggest piers as well to level your shed. Use sonotube to from concrete piers. Support your floor & structure adequately. Build floor like a deck with beams, joists and simpson strong-tie connections. Keeping it off the ground a bit should help against mother nature, but inviting to animals.

I just built a 10x12 using rail ties from McCoys as the foundation. The shed is on a slight slope, so made sure to level set the ties, buried about 6" depth on top of a road base layer. That was a month ago with a bunch of rain, no settlement so far.

OlRock said:

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ABATTBQ11 said:

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Any reason not to just use piers?

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I would suggest piers as well to level your shed. Use sonotube to from concrete piers. Support your floor & structure adequately. Build floor like a deck with beams, joists and simpson strong-tie connections. Keeping it off the ground a bit should help against mother nature, but inviting to animals.

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This, but enclose the bottom. Frame around some lattice and attach to the bottom of the foundation frame, like you would a deck. Also remove grass out 6" to 1' around the base, put down weed barrier and your choice of edging, and cover with rock. Keeps the area underneath clean. Also build out rock in the front to set any kind of wood ramp on to avoid direct ground contact and rotting.

Honestly, pier and beam would be less work and probably cheaper.

Box stores have some 16 square 4" concrete pad blocks.