Pole barns are ideal for the farm because they can be put to multiple uses, and are built to last. A pole barn can be used as a carport, farmer’s market, housing for animals, covered picnic site, auto-repair garage, storage site, among many other uses.
So how much does it cost to build a pole barn? The answer (of course) lies in the type of materials that you will use and also the features that you want to install.
According to David Wright, in the video below, he spent $1,500 in materials and $2,500 in labor to build the barn you see - $4,000 total.
A pole barn is a building with a roof supported by poles set into the ground and moored by concrete; the walls, foundation and finished floors are optional. In order to make the structure sturdier, horizontal framing is necessary. Most pole barns are constructed out of wood, although metal and wood siding can be used too.
Typically the roof is made from galvanized steel, but shingles can also be used. Before you start building the pole barn, talk to a building inspector and find out about the permits and zoning rules that you must adhere to. You need to specify what use you intend to put the building to.
Materials required to build a pole barn
- Poles – these must be pressure-treated; they can be round or square.
- Lumber – used for framing and making the roof trusses and grits. 2-by-4 lumber for the purlins and frame, and 2-by-6 for the roof stringers.
- Plywood/Steel – these are for the walls, if you choose to have them.
- Gravel and Concrete – these are for anchoring the poles once they are set in the ground.
- Galvanized corrugated steel – for the roof; you may also use plywood and shingles.
- Straight and Screw roofing nails and also storm clips to keep them in.
Estimated Cost Summary
The costs of inspection, zoning and permits for the site will vary from one area to another. You need to visit your local authority office to get a detailed summary of these costs.
The actual costs of the barn will depend on the total size of the barn. According to the Craftsman Book Company, the average cost for building a more traditional barn of the type described above will average $45,000 for 1,200 Sq Ft.
Building a full-fledged barn is not typically a DIY project, so labor costs can be high depending on who you hire - and obviously this is a big variable.
As we saw in the video above, a pole barn can be built for much less.
According to CostHelper: "Kits containing the materials needed to build a pole barn start around $5,000-$10,000 for a smaller structure (15x20-foot to 30x40-foot, with 10-foot-high walls), depending on size and the number and type of options included such as large barn/garage doors, people-sized entry doors, windows, a storage loft and insulation.
A larger pole barn kit (30x60-foot up to 40x80-foot and larger, with 12- to 14-foot walls) can run $8,000-$30,000, also depending on size and options."
Other Variable Costs
There will be further costs included when you add certain features to the pole barn. Walls, windows, insulation, lofts and doors will increase the costs. If the barn is for animals, then you will have to add the costs of bulk feeding and watering tanks.
You can also team up with neighbors who may also want to build such structures so you can source some of the materials in bulk, or just split costs if it makes sense. Lumber costs are quite high and getting these at factory prices will reduce the costs considerably.
