pole barn design and construction advice?

[trackman23]

I am planning to build a pole barn as my first accessory structure to my new house but not sure where to begin. I'm in the greater Raleigh, NC area and regardless of what I do, I will need engineered plans for my county (Chatham).

the overall goal is to build an equivalent of an enclosed 2-car garage with lean-to on one side giving me room to store my tractor, side by side, zero turn, truck and associated junk / tools. The barn does not need to match the house but I want it to look like a legit barn that would have been built long ago so I am fine with a steel structure if that is cost efficient but the siding will need to be wood or maybe fiber cement. In the ideal world I would have this timber framed using nothing but wood but not if it is a huge cost difference.

Does anyone here know if there are local companies with good reputations that build such buildings? Are there any kits or plans companies that I should check out? Is there a quick over / under on wood vs. steel cost?

Any help on where to begin will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[85Hokie]

The only thing I can tell you is, make it 50% bigger than you think - yes I know money is the determining factor, but a old style 2 car garage back in the day was a mere 24'x24' = if ANYTHING is parked in that size it is almost packed full!

Wood may be cheaper in the short run, but over time the metal will win out - maintenance and upkeep being what makes wood more expensive. If you must go "wood" - I would use the concrete "board" - I have used it before and it will last a lifetime. It is much more expensive, but like the metal it is one and done.

Bite the bullet and get more than you need - yeah, I know, easy for me to say - but adding to it later and realizing how small it is now will make you say, " I wish I made it "X" bigger.

If not in a huge hurry - do your research, there has to be dozens of companies in Raleigh - some are $$$$ and do a great job, some will be cheaper and do not such a good job.

Go and look at the ones that companies have built - I think the first thing you really need to do is have a drawn floor plan as to what will go where - this will drive the size and shape of the building you wish.

Think about the lay of the land, do you want a drain in the middle of the garage? Are you ever going to place a lift in it? I would make it as tall as possible - height is a huge part of the equation when designing a workplace.

 

[Motion]

My suggestion is to not to under build especially with permitting required, the amount of effort needed to go bigger only comes down to funds availability. Or at the very least provide for future expansion.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

One of my "pet peeves" is "multiple, single, skinny garage doors"

I mean WTF are you/they/he thinking?

You built this "big ass pole barn" then you limit it by adding "standard, single wide doors" for what is comparatively "Chump Change".

Man if I could find the "Dill Hole" that built my 'Metal Building" there would be some words exchanged. At least they made them "X-tra tall".....

BTW, I am reminded of it every time I have to "shoe horn" my boat in.


I personally prefer "all metal" but I could deal with wood I suppose.

And finally, since I am enjoying spending your money, I would "go as big as you can, till it hurts"...... @85Hokie "50% rule" is a good starting point.

Good Luck, it sounds like a cool project!

 

[fried1765]

I am planning to build a pole barn as my first accessory structure to my new house but not sure where to begin. I'm in the greater Raleigh, NC area and regardless of what I do, I will need engineered plans for my county (Chatham).

the overall goal is to build an equivalent of an enclosed 2-car garage with lean-to on one side giving me room to store my tractor, side by side, zero turn, truck and associated junk / tools. The barn does not need to match the house but I want it to look like a legit barn that would have been built long ago so I am fine with a steel structure if that is cost efficient but the siding will need to be wood or maybe fiber cement. In the ideal world I would have this timber framed using nothing but wood but not if it is a huge cost difference.

Does anyone here know if there are local companies with good reputations that build such buildings? Are there any kits or plans companies that I should check out? Is there a quick over / under on wood vs. steel cost?

Any help on where to begin will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Look for a somewhat local to you, "Morton Buildings" office.
They are a nationwide company, that has been doing such structures for MANY years.
I had a 36' x 48 Morton building built for me 40 years ago.
Love my Morton!

 

[Speed25]

Morton has a good reputation, but they're expensive nowadays.

A basic steel building is the cheapest per square foot, but that doesn't achieve the look you're going for. For a good look, I'd probably err towards a conventional wood structure and use this siding on the exterior: https://www.everlogs.com/ The structure will be more limited if you're wanting huge, open spaces as wood has more limitations than steel. How big are you trying to go?

The log siding is not cheap, but it gives an incredible look. I've used it on a few houses here in NC.

To save a little money, a number of lumber companies (but not all) have a structural engineer on staff and will stamp your drawings as part of the lumber package. Often that saves money over hiring an independent structural engineer. Chatham Co. got burned in the past due to poor inspections and now require someone else to have the liability... Sucks for you, good for the local engineers.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

You said 2-car garage size, so let's say 24'x36'. Assuming you'll want a concrete floor, you could build it with conventional wood frame. A local home designer should be able to make plans acceptable to the local authority. If you use roof trusses, the truss supplier should be able to supply stamped plans.

 

[johnjk]

Any Amish builders in your area? They may be able to help with more of a traditional barn look. I did 36x40 with 12’ to the joists. Entry door is 10x10 so a cabbed tractor will fit. Better ventilation as well. Also got a 6” slab on the inside. Pulled power from the house but would flip that cost to solar if I did it again.
My builder was a small local company who just does barn buildings. BIL used them so I got to review their work in depth and they got a referral bonus from the builder when I signed.