Pole Barn Help

[fletchf]

Making an offer on some property that has a 40x60 out building. I was thrilled with the size until I went inside. Quite a few rafters/trusses on one side are broken and/or sagging. They cut out originals on one end to make it higher and it looks like it put too much pressure on the other end. Easy fix or should I walk away? Could easily add beams with poles to raise it back up but that would sacrifice floor space. Also, any good way to seal around hanging doors to keep critters out? Sorry for the large pictures, was hoping it would re-size them some.

Additional Pictures:
http://www.frfauto.com/pics/barn7.jpg
http://www.frfauto.com/pics/barn4.jpg
http://www.frfauto.com/pics/barn3.jpg
http://www.frfauto.com/pics/barn2.jpg
http://www.frfauto.com/pics/barn1.jpg

 

[mx1alex]

That thing is a hot mess!

 

[seymojo536]

If you're up for it. Best to take all the metal off, tear off those rafters and set new trusses. Then screw the metal back on. And smack the SOB that did that mod right in the nose.

 

[aczlan]

If you're up for it. Best to take all the metal off, tear off those rafters and set new trusses. Then screw the metal back on. And smack the SOB that did that mod right in the nose.

Agreed. You could re-create the original trusses and rebuild them (without taking things apart) that way, but IMO you would be time and money ahead to pull the roof off off and put new trusses up (2 day job for a good crew?).

Aaron Z

 

[oosik]

If I were doing it - tear off the roof, rebuild the rafters, reattach the roof. Unless the building is coming to you free with the land purchase I would certainly want to subtract the cost of repair of the building from the total cost. If this sale becomes a serious consideration - have an independent contractor's estimate of the cost to repair and subtract from the total package cost.

 

[s219]

Wow, it looks like they cut out the bottom chord of the trusses, not realizing that they handle quite a bit of lateral load (tension). What idiots.

 

[Billrog]

Take a good look at the pics. you would need to do more that just rebuild the roof those rafters are not sitting on any beams. Looks like you could salvage the metal and start from scratch.

 

[dave1949]

Take a good look at the pics. you would need to do more that just rebuild the roof those rafters are not sitting on any beams. Looks like you could salvage the metal and start from scratch.

It does look pretty sketchy all in all. I would put a negative value on the building, it's going to cost more than it's worth to fix or remove it, so subtract something from the property price beyond what a repair would cost. It has been butchered and wasn't built that well to begin with.

When I see such things on a property, I wonder what other stupid things have been done you can't see or haven't noticed yet. Beware.

 

[KennyG]

If the poles are good and there is good concrete, it's worth saving. Depending on the condition of the roof, you might be money ahead to replace the damaged trusses and put on a complete new roof. Not that much more cost.

 

[Fossil Farm]

If you purchase it, do not let your insurance agent inside the barn until it is fixed. They would red flag that in an instant.