Pole Barn Size - Best bang for your buck?

[rbtjr]

And your cost per square foot was??

All in, about $20 psf, dividing the total cost by only the square footage of the enclosed area and not counting the roof-only areas on the sides. That includes all electrical, insulation all around, peg board on most of the walls, a bathroom with shower/tub combo and sink and toilet, separate shop sink, some shelving, two work benches, two 12' x 12' garage doors, four personnel doors, etc. This was in 2003-04, so it is not a good comparable. Plus, the building was put up by the Amish from the Amish community about 70 miles north of us. They are very good and efficient builders, and gave us a very good price. We separately contracted the electrical, concrete and plumbing work.

 

[ovrszd]

All in, about $20 psf, dividing the total cost by only the square footage of the enclosed area and not counting the roof-only areas on the sides. That includes all electrical, insulation all around, peg board on most of the walls, a bathroom with shower/tub combo and sink and toilet, separate shop sink, some shelving, two work benches, two 12' x 12' garage doors, four personnel doors, etc. This was in 2003-04, so it is not a good comparable. Plus, the building was put up by the Amish from the Amish community about 70 miles north of us. They are very good and efficient builders, and gave us a very good price. We separately contracted the electrical, concrete and plumbing work.

So you got your entire building for $48K?

You did exceptionally well!!!!

 

[rbtjr]

Yes. We were very fortunate to know and work with great vendors. First the Amish, then other "good ole boys" with whom we had really good ongoing relationships. Can't beat them. Great quality also.

 

[GSVette]

I’ll weigh in with my basic building cost/ft. 40x60x14 with 2’ overhangs and soffits. 65psf snow load roof, bottom loaded trusses, commercial girts, 2 3x4 windows, 1 man door, 12x16 garage door, 6” fiber-mesh slab-about $17.70/sq.ft.

Of course electrical, plumbing, insulation, HVAC added much more to the per sq. price. Above cost was for erected shell as described.

 

[NorTracNY]

It's clear none of you live in the tax land of America. MANY people have built too large here. This is especially true of people that move here. I know one couple that moved here and built a huge house. They were so surprised how much they could afford. Then the 1st tax bill came and they had to sell the house as they couldn't afford the taxes. Our very large barn was built and our 1st tax bill for it valued it at about 2.5X the cost to build it. I love the land here and can even deal with the weather (1st day of snow today), but I will be moving out because of the taxes when I retire or change jobs.

 

[Kingsqueak]

I know one couple that moved here and built a huge house. They were so surprised how much they could afford. Then the 1st tax bill came and they had to sell the house as they couldn't afford the taxes.

It's criminal what we've allowed the government to become. I want to put up a full shop, but if I build it on a slab with power etc it would double my taxes. I'm going to have to go the cobbled together "temporary structure" route or I wouldn't be able to afford it.

People complain about all the cobbled together stuff people have on properties here and it's all because if you build anything nice they will fleece you eternally for making the effort. They make it very tricky to try and decipher what you can do without getting lead to the slaughter as well.

 

[ovrszd]

I’ll weigh in with my basic building cost/ft. 40x60x14 with 2’ overhangs and soffits. 65psf snow load roof, bottom loaded trusses, commercial girts, 2 3x4 windows, 1 man door, 12x16 garage door, 6” fiber-mesh slab-about $17.70/sq.ft.

Of course electrical, plumbing, insulation, HVAC added much more to the per sq. price. Above cost was for erected shell as described.

That sounds very reasonable. Finished building for $20 does not.

 

[ovrszd]

It's criminal what we've allowed the government to become. I want to put up a full shop, but if I build it on a slab with power etc it would double my taxes. I'm going to have to go the cobbled together "temporary structure" route or I wouldn't be able to afford it.

People complain about all the cobbled together stuff people have on properties here and it's all because if you build anything nice they will fleece you eternally for making the effort. They make it very tricky to try and decipher what you can do without getting lead to the slaughter as well.

Not defending tax rates, just discussing this.

What infrastructure is provided where you are? For example, what are the government maintained roads you drive on made of??

 

[AllDodge]

Taxes depends on where you live. Have a 40x64x16 high and has concrete floor, one walk door, and two 14 high garage doors and it was under 35K, and that is what the tax bill is based on (built 2017). I did the electric and its not heated but does have roll insulation in the roof only, no windows

My main reason for posting is humidity thoughts
Pole barn above and my other 30x48x16 pole barn have no humidity issues. My buddy built a 40x104x16 and almost everything has issues with mold from humidity growing on everything, even tools in tool cabinets. His building also has concrete floor and roll insulation on walls and roof, and has two roof vents which mine have none.

 

[ovrszd]

Taxes depends on where you live. Have a 40x64x16 high and has concrete floor, one walk door, and two 14 high garage doors and it was under 35K, and that is what the tax bill is based on (built 2017). I did the electric and its not heated but does have roll insulation in the roof only, no windows

My main reason for posting is humidity thoughts
Pole barn above and my other 30x48x16 pole barn have no humidity issues. My buddy built a 40x104x16 and almost everything has issues with mold from humidity growing on everything, even tools in tool cabinets. His building also has concrete floor and roll insulation on walls and roof, and has two roof vents which mine have none.

Humidity issues are very hard to understand. Some have it. Some don't. My shop is climate controlled in regards to heat, no AC. No issues. In regards to roof vents, I am a firm believer in active ventilation rather than passive. A vent at the peak of the roof is not worth much if there isn't eave ventilation to feed it. Mine has no internal ventilation, the heated space is as tight as I could make it. Without more specific information it would be hard to identify your buddy's problem.