Barn Pros - feedback, anyone?

[MarkV]

Stuka it may not apply to you but if you have to get a building permit in your area I would check out the rules before you move forward. Some areas frown on a living space in a barn type of building and other areas require standards for a living area that make it more practical to build a conventional stick built structure to met the standards.

MarkV

 

[Obed]

I'm a little fuzzy on what you mean here. Garage with upstairs apartment vs. barn with upstairs apartment; what is the main difference? The style of the dwelling? To me, the barn is the same as a house, except a different style roof, and fewer windows, but the windows could be part of a barn, right?

Thanks, look forward to your comments.

Stuka,
The difference would primarilly be in the method of construction. What I mean by "garage" is something that is stick built like the garage of a house using 2x4 or 2x6 framed walls (or possibly concrete blocks) and roof trusses or a stick built roof. By "barn" I mean a pole barn or metal building or some other construction method not typically used for building a residence.

A secondary consideration is the style of the building, whether it "looks" like a barn or a garage. You can build a gambrel roof structure out of framed walls, pole barn structure, or metal building. Our area has framed houses styled like a barns with gambrel roofs but they aren't barns, they are residences. The resell value of that style of house around here is lower than a traditional looking house. In your case, I don't know how much a barn "style" garage apartment would affect the price versus a traditional looking garage with an apartment.

I would suggest getting input from an experienced realtor in your area before you make your final decision if investment value is one of your goals. Many realtors would welcome helping you out on the chance they might get referral business from you later.

When we designed our house, resell value affected many of our decisions. We did some unique things that only we would want and knew we would never get our money back for certain extras. That's ok if you realize that up front, can afford it as a luxury, and plan accordingly.

The bottom line when building anything, it's good to know before you start what it will cost and what it will sell for. The difference between the two can be shocking, especially if the structure is non-traditional. You obviously are doing your homework so you I bet you will do ok.

Obed

 

[barnsandbuildings]

Have you ever checked out Barnsandbuildings.com> they build nation wide and include everything needed, they build the barn from scratch and include everything in the price.

 

[PoleBarnGuru]

Dear barnsandbuildings....

I've been in the post frame industry for over three decades and somehow had never even heard of you folks until I stumbled upon this post! As we both began our careers in Oregon, and about the same time, I was surprised to not recognize your names, but Oregon is a large state.

Nice presentations on your website - more real photos and fewer sketches would tend to lend more credibility.

As you build nation wide (just a suggestion) you should include all of your Contractor Registration numbers on your website, as well as a link to the local Better Business Bureau you belong to. Displaying the NFBA logo as a member of the association also lends itself to clients seeing you as being an outstanding business in the industry.

Best regards to you.

Mike the Pole Barn Guru

Follow me at: Pole Barn Guru Blog

 

[BeezFun]

Nice presentations on your website - more real photos and fewer sketches would tend to lend more credibility.

Isn't there a vendor forum where you guys can critique one another? I don't see a thing in your post that addresses anything the OP asked.

 

[PoleBarnGuru]

Absolutely a valid point, BeezFun.

In response to the original posting, I happen to know the folks at BarnPro's personally, great people. If what you are looking for is a high end, uber-custom building, they are probably the best.

If you are looking at affordable concepts on a budget, we might be your answer.

Follow me at: Pole Barn Guru Blog

 

[TedJ]

I found this forum by looking up barn pros and some others. I just wanted to comment another company I heard about on RFD TV was Barn Kings. They seem to have a bit lower square foot price and have been good to work with so far.

Might give them a call.

 

[PoleBarnGuru]

TedJ ~

Having been in the post frame industry for over three decades, I had never heard of Barn Kings, so checked out their website. My concerns after looking it over - #1 no where on their website does it say where they are located; #2 They have used "cord" rather than "chord" in their truss terminology. While it may just be a typographical error, being knowledgeable about the components you provide and having total attention to details are important. Especially when this much investment is being made. #3 They are not members of the industry trade association - the NFBA #4 The do not appear to be BBB members, nor could I find a report on them with the BBB.

They may be 100% legitimate and provide an excellent product at a reasonable price. My encouragement would be to proceed with caution, is all.

Follow me at: Pole Barn Guru Blog

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Obed has very sound business advice in the above posts. Many times my "wouldn't it be fun to" ideas have bumped into the barrier of "how much of the cost will actually be added to the value."

 

[PoleBarnGuru]

I'd agree Obed does have some sound input. Whether the building is stick framed or post framed (pole building) has far less to do with resale value than does the street appeal. If the ability to recoup one's investment from a resale is the prime motivator, then getting a realtor's advice during the planning phases would be more than prudent.

Follow me at: Pole Barn Guru Blog