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.

 

[Speed25]

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.

This specific county requires structural engineering, even if it's designed straight out of the code book. A home designer is fine, but it'll still need to be reviewed/approved by an engineer. I prefer anything I design or build to use a structural engineer anyway as it takes most of the liability off me.

 

[trackman23]

The only thing I can tell you is, make it 50% bigger than you think -

That is how we ended up with a huge house. We spent 9-months redesigning it to make it smaller and more efficient and ended up making it 20% larger (but super efficient) so I’m about tapped out on funds but I do agree bigger is better!

At this point anything is an upgrade from my “tarp barn”.

 

[Russell King]

There are a lot of companies that sell kits and can provide you stamped plans

Here are a couple:

Sand Creek Post & Beam

Timberlyne is the premier builder of custom and pre-designed homes, barns, commercial and event buildings and more.

www.timberlyne.com

(this company above also offers true timber frame construction)

This site should be able to provide you lumber and plans. They offer lumber that is pressure treated for under ground contact and also offer a coating for the underground portion of the pole.

https://www.pole-barn.info/pole-barn-kits.html

here is an example of steel truss supplier

Pole Barn Truss Manufacture: Gable, Lean To, and Gambrel trusses

Pole Barn, Horse Barn, Hay Barn, Garage, Workshop - North Florida's experts at pole barn truss manufacture - AG Trusses - Engineered Trusses - Free Quotes

jordantruss.com

 

[GreensvilleJay]

As others have said, it's already too small....

BUT in the meantime...

Can you build a 9 by 12 shed for your tractor ?

I built 4 as I had 4 tractors years ago and 9by12 was the magical size that did NOT need a permit. Back then ,each cost $500 for 2by4s, 6 shts ply, tin roof. open ends 'drive trough'.
it'd keep Mother Nature off for now and when barn gets built, can become chicken coop, grankids playhouse, the 'dog house'......

 

[rc51stierhoff]

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!

Good day.

I think you have some solid advice from others above. I had Morton build me a small barn a few years ago. (They were not the cheapest but they build a better than average building and have a warranty second to none…even if not going to use them it would be helpful to see how they build their buildings IMO). I would most likely use them again, they’ll definitely be on top of the list.

I tried to make a layout of what would go where and how much space I needed…what I did not think about or know was that I would soon there after get a larger tractor, and with that the implements were larger too. Everything fits, but I would really consider about inside storage vs outside. If planning to use your loader/forks to lift a pallet up onto an industrial shelving, that will start to make some suggestion how tall to make ceilings as an example. When laying everything out, need to figure out how everything really gets into place…or will you take everything out to get to something? Storing up helps with that.

then also to make good use of space think about 2nd floor. I really wanted a gambrel or attic truss, but with Morton there are some limitations based on their engineered truss and what they guarantee. Their attic truss to me did not make much sense. But if going with second floor, if using stairs that layout is something to consider and the space the stairs might take away from other uses.

where we are located we have wood boring bees…if you have something like that, I’d be considering how the different builders cover / protect the wood or go with steel. Morton covers everything up. I’d check about that though with whatever you look at.

Also I’d recommend look at the construction options of the post/piers. Some have a concrete pier mechanically joined to the laminated posts. Others put the wood in the ground. I think that might be something to consider if going with pole barn construction.

good luck.

 

[chris_the_wrench]

I built 4 as I had 4 tractors years ago and 9by12 was the magical size that did NOT need a permit.

Our county changed that so we can only have one, maybe two, no permitted buildings on a parcel after one guy built 9.

 

[fried1765]

Good day.

I think you have some solid advice from others above. I had Morton build me a small barn a few years ago. (They were not the cheapest but they build a better than average building and have a warranty second to none…even if not going to use them it would be helpful to see how they build their buildings IMO). I would most likely use them again, they’ll definitely be on top of the list.

I tried to make a layout of what would go where and how much space I needed…what I did not think about or know was that I would soon there after get a larger tractor, and with that the implements were larger too. Everything fits, but I would really consider about inside storage vs outside. If planning to use your loader/forks to lift a pallet up onto an industrial shelving, that will start to make some suggestion how tall to make ceilings as an example. When laying everything out, need to figure out how everything really gets into place…or will you take everything out to get to something? Storing up helps with that.

then also to make good use of space think about 2nd floor. I really wanted a gambrel or attic truss, but with Morton there are some limitations based on their engineered truss and what they guarantee. Their attic truss to me did not make much sense. But if going with second floor, if using stairs that layout is something to consider and the space the stairs might take away from other uses.

where we are located we have wood boring bees…if you have something like that, I’d be considering how the different builders cover / protect the wood or go with steel. Morton covers everything up. I’d check about that though with whatever you look at.

Also I’d recommend look at the construction options of the post/piers. Some have a concrete pier mechanically joined to the laminated posts. Others put the wood in the ground. I think that might be something to consider if going with pole barn construction.

good luck.

My 36 x 48 Morton building is now 40 years old.
I am a 100% Morton fan!

 

[rc51stierhoff]

I want to be clear I am not selling Morton or anything, but I am pleased with the building they built for me.

what I forgot to mention above is also look at the materials the different builders use. Morton uses their own…go look at their lumber…you will not find lumber of that quality at the big box stores. Not free but they have good quality of materials that they stand behind.

 

[Elliott in GA]

Just to get an idea of how reasonable a steel structure can be, check out this website:

Alan's Factory Outlet Metal Buildings, Carports and Garages

Alan's Factory Outlet sells affordable metal carports, garages, and metal buildings made in the USA. Price your custom carport or garage with our easy tool.

alansfactoryoutlet.com

They have 3D builder so you can customize your design with full pricing including the installation. We used a local company for the open shed, and they had the exact same pricing. In 2021, a 30x30 shed with 12 foot legs (all free span with no walls) was about $6,000 delivered/installed/taxes. We went with the best roof and heaviest gauge; it came with a 20 year warranty.

I just checked the price is about the same today. FWIW, I did all of the site prep, and the crew installed it in about 4 hours. If you go above 12 legs, you have to supply a lift.

 

[skeets]

Big doors are wonderful,, and figure what you think you are going to need and then go at least 30% bigger

 

[trackman23]

Lots of great info here! Thanks folks.

 

[BAP]

If you really want a nice looking, long lasting and old looking barn, put up a post and beam, wood sided barn. It will outlast anything Morton, or any other steel sided barn you can build. Our original family homestead has one that is somewhere between 150-200 years old. Properly done they will last.