[EddieWalker]

What is your budget?

All things considered, a pole barn is the cheapest type of building to put up, but it does have it's limitations. Most notable are how big you can make it. From what you've said, that shouldn't be a problem.

If the budget is tight, or if you are after maximum sq footage, then pole barns allow you to build now, concrete later. The problem with this is if you will ever pour the concrete. It's always expensive, but the longer you wait, the more it will cost. I know of people that have been putting off pouring concrete in there barnds for 30 years or more. The other issue is making space in your barn to pour the concrete. Once you start filling it up with "stuff", it's very dificult to clean it out again.

If you are going to pour concrete, then stick built has more apeal to it over poles. This is what I did because I wanted concrete, and I'm a home builder, so stick building is pretty simple for me. I like having studs on 16 inch centers and knowing that there's nothing in the ground that will ever rot on me. My walls are 12 feet tall, and that has proven to be a perfect height. IT gives me allot of space to work on wood projects, or bring in a vehicle for repairs. I was even able to carry my hot tub into there with my FEL!!!!

Door size is important in your planning. I went with a 10x10ft roll up door. It's a good size and probably the smallest size that's still practical. If I did it again, I might consider 12 foot wide just for the added ease of backing my trailer in through it. I can do it fine with 10 ft, but it's tight and if I'm in a hurry to get a load of concrete out of the weather, the added width would be nice.

To save money up front, plan on being able to add lean-to's to either side after it's built. You can do it from the beginning and spend the money, but you can easily add them in later on when you have more money and use that money for more square footage or finishing off the building.

Metal roofs are pretty standard and easy to install. If you go for a pitch steeper then 4:12, be warned that it's very slippery.

The wider your trusses are, the more they cost. Going for a longer building is cheaper and easier then a wider one. Same square footage, but less money on those big trusses. My shop is 24 feet wide and I built the trusses myself, in place. I could have gone wider, but that was a very easy width to build by myself with standard lumber.

Spacing of your trusses determines your purlins. I like them on 4ft centers so that I can use 2x4's on the flat. If you go wider, then your purlins will have to be on edge. That means backets and more money to attach them, but fewer trusses. It's a math game that you'll have to figur out what works best for you.

I have 100 amps in my shop and don't have any problems. It's enough for my welder, air compressor and power tools.

Add a sink. It's very handy and something that gets used almost daily. If it's a code issue, plan on it for after you pass your final inspection. You can run the drain out into the woods and water the plants. My first barn didn't have hot water to it, but I still used it all the time.

Eddie