Hire someone to build, or do it myself?

JDTank · Jun 9, 2013

Well, the time has come. I have put it off as long as I can.

I have been promising the wife horse shelters now for 2 years, and finally this summer, I have to pay up! Everyone who knows me refers to me as a mechanical genius. I can fix and operate anything. I grew up in a trucking atmosphere, hauling heavy equipment with my father. Also spent 6 years operating heavy equipment, and worked for some short line railways as a mechanic.

So, obviously, mechanics is fine for me. However, wood working, not so much. I have all the tools, no issue there, but I have never tackled building anything this big.

Has anyone here built horse shelters themselves? I am the type to do everything I can myself, for the sake of pride, it's cheaper, and I know it will be done right.

So, what do you think? Is it better to overpay someone to put up a small square structure? Or should I tackle this one on my own?

Thanks!

Piston · Jun 9, 2013

JDTank said:
Well, the time has come. I have put it off as long as I can.

I have been promising the wife horse shelters now for 2 years, and finally this summer, I have to pay up! Everyone who knows me refers to me as a mechanical genius. I can fix and operate anything. I grew up in a trucking atmosphere, hauling heavy equipment with my father. Also spent 6 years operating heavy equipment, and worked for some short line railways as a mechanic.

So, obviously, mechanics is fine for me. However, wood working, not so much. I have all the tools, no issue there, but I have never tackled building anything this big.

Has anyone here built horse shelters themselves? I am the type to do everything I can myself, for the sake of pride, it's cheaper, and I know it will be done right.

So, what do you think? Is it better to overpay someone to put up a small square structure? Or should I tackle this one on my own?

Thanks!

JD,
I think you answered this one yourself :thumbsup:

creekbend · Jun 9, 2013

If you have the skills to do the work yourself, I would say "Go for it". Why not get a set of plans or make a set yourself, order all the material, and go from there? Please take your time and think one step ahead and you should be fine. If you have a friend to help you with the longer and heavier pieces, this will help considerably. best wishes.

newbury · Jun 9, 2013

If you've no carpentry background you might be able to do it yourself.

Better yet thoroughly investigate what's available as kits or having a dedicated devoted (Amish or Mennonite) crew build it if they are available. Then take into account ALL the costs of materials if YOU bought them.

Some of the larger firms that put up lot's of sheds etc., and build DIY Kits, get material far below my cost at the BB stores.

There is nothing wrong in taking pride in the fact YOU earned the money that built the horse barn.

JBourquin · Jun 9, 2013

If you're mechanically inclined then you should have no problem. Just watch a few videos on YouTube and you'll be a pro in no time..

Degolyerent · Jun 9, 2013

Around here I see that my neighbors are using metal carports and filling the sides in out of wood, it must work good because I see a lot of them. I personally do not have horses though.
John

dave1949 · Jun 9, 2013

"So, what do you think? Is it better to overpay someone to put up a small square structure? Or should I tackle this one on my own?"

Why assume you will overpay? Do you get over paid for your work?

Another way of looking at this is, what else could you be doing with your time that would be profitable or useful, and you may enjoy the doing of, rather than spend time building the shelter? You have been shying away from the the shelter build for two years ... there is a reason for that.

Piston · Jun 9, 2013

Although I think you should try to build it yourself..... Dave makes a REALLY good point.

dave1949 said:
You have been shying away from the the shelter build for two years ... there is a reason for that.

Army grunt · Jun 9, 2013

Build IT!
If you have the time, Go to lowes or home depo an get a book on building. If you are able to use your hands go for it. Everything I have I have built, now I even saw my lumber on a saw mill I built!!!

BleedingOrange · Jun 9, 2013

If you give us some idea of what you would like to end up with, size and dimensions, I,m sure you would get a lot of good advice on here on how to proceed. I,ve seen horse shelters that a very basic, with 3 sides and a roof, and some I wouldn,t mind living in, they were that nice. What are your plans ?