My uniquely built 30x50 Pole barn

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I have been working on my current pole barn/garage since breaking ground in summer of 2006. I have only shared a few pic here and there in other posts, but I figured I'd lay em all out start to finish. Mainly because guys at work are always asking to see pics, and since we are not supposed to use personal thumb drives on work computers, I figured I'd post them here so it will be easy to pull up from ANY computer. And for you guys' enjoyment as well as to help anyone who is wanting to build their own.

I did EVERYTHING on this. Ofcourse with some help from friends and family, what I mean is NOTHING was hired out except concrete delivery. But that is delivery ONLY. We finished it ourselves. This is not my first build, but it is certainly the most cost effective and imperfect:laughing: That is what makes it unique. The use of those "anythign but straight" electric poles. But hey, they were free.

Anyway, I have SEVERAL pics so this will be several posts long

These first ones are leveling the hillside for the garage.

 

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Starting the framing

 

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Trusses. These I built on my own. Used the first one as a template for the rest. 30' span, 6/12 top pitch 4/12 underside. This extra height is needed for the loft I was planning you will see in later pics. These cost me ~$33 each to build. Best quote I got was for $109 ea. No-brainer here.

 

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Preraring for the pouring of the 30x30 concrete pad. I save a bit here by not concreting the entire building. The area where the tractor and implements is parked doesnt need fancy concrete floor, at least not yet. I do plan to concrete it in the future.

 

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And the actual concrete

 

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And I decided that since I would eventually concrete the other 20x30 area, that I would go ahead and concrete the apron and into the garage a bit so the garage doors have something to close aginst.

 

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And some garage door install pics

 

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Little bit of lights and wiring

 

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Some steps leading down to the side service door of the garage from the house, and some door pics.

 

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Some more garage door pics. A few before trim and a few after.

I had to make my own trim. Dealing with the electric poles of varying thicknesses and not square and all. I just had the place I bought the metal cut me full width peices to length and I rented a break with a cutter. The corner caps, ridge caps, and rat-guard were all purchased. But the trim around the doors and the overhangs I had to do.