New Pole Barn project getting started.

Darrenone · Mar 14, 2012

I just ordered a 40x60 pole barn and began leveling the site. Also have started the 500 ft. Of driveway to get down to the barn. We have 13 A of land up on a hill that has a nice view. Later this summer we will be building a house there also. Thought it would be nice to have the barn up first then we could move some of our junk up there while we try to sell our current house. The barn will have one 10x12 overhead door, two standard doors and a few windows. 1/2 the building will be my shop and 1/2 will be for tractor, 4 wheelers, lawn mower, implements and related stuff. I work on my own as a carpenter and electrician. I will be building the barn and house with some friends and family helping. Last summer my father dug us a little pond with the bulldozer in the picture. Just thought I would start this thread and post on progress along the way. Will probably be slow progress as I will be doing all the work.

foreman Etexas · Mar 14, 2012

Darrenone said:
I just ordered a 40x60 pole barn and began leveling the site. Also have started the 500 ft. Of driveway to get down to the barn. We have 13 A of land up on a hill that has a nice view. Later this summer we will be building a house there also. Thought it would be nice to have the barn up first then we could move some of our junk up there while we try to sell our current house. The barn will have one 10x12 overhead door, two standard doors and a few windows. 1/2 the building will be my shop and 1/2 will be for tractor, 4 wheelers, lawn mower, implements and related stuff. I work on my own as a carpenter and electrician. I will be building the barn and house with some friends and family helping. Last summer my father dug us a little pond with the bulldozer in the picture. Just thought I would start this thread and post on progress along the way. Will probably be slow progress as I will be doing all the work.

Thats a nice size barn/shop:thumbsup: Looks like you gotta little rain,are you having to level it out?Thats alot of topsoil it looks like.

Darrenone · Mar 14, 2012

Thank you foreman and yes, we have had quite a bit of rain. There is alot of clay in the soil and it makes it pretty soupy up there. The wife thought the size was too big and that we could save a little money by going smaller. Maybe true but I know I would regret it latter. It will fill up fast and then I would need to add on. Easier to do it now and not kick myself latter. The site was pretty un level. So I dug in one end about 2 ft so that I would not have as much fill at the other. In order to dig in 2 ft I had to move alot of dirt from way above on the hill to get it down gradually. Still have to divert the water that will be running off the hill around the barn.

foreman Etexas · Mar 14, 2012

Darrenone said:
Thank you foreman and yes, we have had quite a bit of rain. There is alot of clay in the soil and it makes it pretty soupy up there. The wife thought the size was too big and that we could save a little money by going smaller. Maybe true but I know I would regret it latter. It will fill up fast and then I would need to add on. Easier to do it now and not kick myself latter. The site was pretty un level. So I dug in one end about 2 ft so that I would not have as much fill at the other. In order to dig in 2 ft I had to move alot of dirt from way above on the hill to get it down gradually. Still have to divert the water that will be running off the hill around the barn.

Yeah I built 2 barns last year a 20x20 and a 20x40 now im thinking about a 30x40shop,I dont think you ever have enough room,if your anything like me,its not junk or anything just tractors,equipment,utv,4wheeler,and so on,adds up quick. My have to kick water out up-hill somewhere before it gets there(terraces or something),are you putting concrete down?

Darrenone · Mar 14, 2012

I do have alot of "stuff". I have a 24 x 40 building where I am now and I can barely walk through let alone work. I am going to put concrete down as that is another thing that seems to be a pain to do later. I will divert the water around the barn one way or another. All the water coming of the hill will find the pond so evaporation shouldn't be a problem. Hopefully I can get the built up end compacted enough that the concrete will hold up.

Red Horse · Mar 14, 2012

Darrenone said:
I do have alot of "stuff". I have a 24 x 40 building where I am now and I can barely walk through let alone work. I am going to put concrete down as that is another thing that seems to be a pain to do later. I will divert the water around the barn one way or another. All the water coming of the hill will find the pond so evaporation shouldn't be a problem. Hopefully I can get the built up end compacted enough that the concrete will hold up.

Stick to your guns on the size. You won't think about that extra money a year from now. I built a 34 x 36 with a loft. I'm about to build a 10 x 16 shed (Ma state code-no permit required if under 200 sq. ft) to store the "small stuff"- Z-Trak, log splitter, pressure washer etc. By the way beautiful site. Keep us posted.:thumbsup:

Darrenone · Mar 14, 2012

Thanks Red Horse! I did get my way on the size and the only trade off was that I get no say in what she does inside the house. Oh well, will spend most of my time in barn any ways.

deezler · Mar 14, 2012

40 x 60, nice size! Are you going to heat it?

is that Song mtn in the background of your pics? I am kind of a ski mountain nerd.

Darrenone · Mar 14, 2012

Hey deezler, yes that is Song Mtn. Right now I plan on heating the 1/2 my shop will be in. Plan on putting a ceiling for the shop and insulating it well. Then try to figure out the best way to heat it. Still thinking about that one. Maybe something with propane as I will have propane for the house.