How much does it cost to build a pole barn and what kind is best..

[Reddogs]

If you want to build a 20 by 40 pole barn, what kind should you build, and what should it cost? Is metal or wood better, and where can you get the materials or is a prefab cost the same considering time and effort...

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

Open or enclosed? Free span or not? Concrete floor, rock, dirt?

I built a 24X36 that was basically just posts in the ground and a metal roof for $3,000 at the end of last year.

 

[Reddogs]

Open or enclosed? Free span or not? Concrete floor, rock, dirt?

I built a 24X36 that was basically just posts in the ground and a metal roof for $3,000 at the end of last year.

Good point, I need it for my tractors, so open, and I can pour concrete as its over an acre of open area, so trucks can get in. But what is 'free span'...??

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

Posts in the middle or not. I opted for posts. That saved the expense of trusses and less square footage for roofing materials. My posts are set in a 12'x12' grid, with a 1/12 pitch front to back. I have added some bracing and graveled under it since this was taken. There was some controversy on my framing job on here, so some will probably advise better ways to frame the roof than what you see here. This works well enough for me.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

If you want to build a 20 by 40 pole barn, what kind should you build, and what should it cost? Is metal or wood better, and where can you get the materials or is a prefab cost the same considering time and effort...

That’s like asking “what flavor of ice cream is best”?

 

[bdhsfz6]

If you want to build a 20 by 40 pole barn, what kind should you build, and what should it cost? Is metal or wood better, and where can you get the materials or is a prefab cost the same considering time and effort...

A lot will depend on how much time, labor and equipment you have available to raise the structure. Buying the materials and building your own would be cheapest. You then have the ability to select the materials you prefer, and those suitable for your location, assuming you can get them.

Prefab is the next cheapest approach but still requires the necessary labor and equipment.

Where I live, it's hard to beat outfits like Pioneer Pole Buildings for price and labor savings. Their website may give you ideas and prices which will of course vary with location:

Post Frame Precision Pole Buildings in Schuylkill Haven, Pa

Pole Buildings 1-877-POLE-BARN Top Quality Pole Buildings at a Great Price! Post Frame Precision Pole Buildings Serving PA, NJ & MD

www.pfppolebuildings.com

 

[Birdhunter1]

If wanting to build a 20X 40 one should start by instead planning on a 40X60 and settling for at least a 30x50 sized building, with a leanto one one or both sides.

 

[nybirdman]

My build two years ago;24x32x12' with 6/12 trusses,five windows ,man-door,12/10' over head door,metal roof and sides ,poles on 8' centers;Amish labor $2500 ,totaled $13k,no concrete.
Note;engineered trusses and regular lumber(not Amish).
We did the site work and drilled the holes,un-loaded the trucks.Build time was 2-1/2 days.

 

[Reddogs]

Posts in the middle or not. I opted for posts. That saved the expense of trusses and less square footage for roofing materials. My posts are set in a 12'x12' grid, with a 1/12 pitch front to back. I have added some bracing and graveled under it since this was taken. There was some controversy on my framing job on here, so some will probably advise better ways to frame the roof than what you see here. This works well enough for me.


View attachment 737550

But how do you support it in the middle with no poles??

 

[Reddogs]

A lot will depend on how much time, labor and equipment you have available to raise the structure. Buying the materials and building your own would be cheapest. You then have the ability to select the materials you prefer, and those suitable for your location, assuming you can get them.

Prefab is the next cheapest approach but still requires the necessary labor and equipment.

Where I live, it's hard to beat outfits like Pioneer Pole Buildings for price and labor savings. Their website may give you ideas and prices which will of course vary with location:

Post Frame Precision Pole Buildings in Schuylkill Haven, Pa

Pole Buildings 1-877-POLE-BARN Top Quality Pole Buildings at a Great Price! Post Frame Precision Pole Buildings Serving PA, NJ & MD

www.pfppolebuildings.com

Checking their site, lets see if gives me ideas...

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

But how do you support it in the middle with no poles??

Trusses

 

[cat fever]

I would suggest going into the "rural living" or "do it yourself" threads and look at the projects going on there. Obviously the pitch of your roof will depend on where you live and the snow load if any.
I have built 4 pole buildings over the years. The plans are in my head. Do you have the skill to build it yourself or are you hiring it out? Doing it yourself will save you a lot of money.
As to your question; A pole barn is the least expensive way to go. I think long term metal roof/siding is best although wood gives the look of a "real" barn. And building it yourself gives a certain sense of accomplishment you cannot get from hiring it out. Cost depends on where you live and material availability. I used mostly rough cut lumber right from the sawmill. Posts also right from the sawmill.
Here are the last two I built.
Good luck and make sure to post pictures of your build.

 

[Reddogs]

Trusses

That's big money down here and a crane to place them. How would you do it....?

 

[cat fever]

That's big money down here and a crane to place them. How would you do it....?

For the size of truss you're talking about you could rent a lift of any type that would get to the height you need.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

That's big money down here and a crane to place them. How would you do it....?

I didn't use them. I built what I knew I could handle easily by myself. Probably could have figured it out but for what I wanted there was not really a need.

For a 20' span you probably would not need a crane.

 

[Thunder chicken]

We easily lifted 28’ span 4:12 trusses by hand with 3 people. 28x32, 12’ ceiling pole building, metal sided inside and out….12x11’ door…. No hired labour, in cdn $ you’d likely have a bile taste what it's costed so far…..

 

[airbiscuit]

Here is current materials only from Menards for a 24x40 with 3 enclosed sides

 

[lman]

Posts in the middle or not. I opted for posts. That saved the expense of trusses and less square footage for roofing materials. My posts are set in a 12'x12' grid, with a 1/12 pitch front to back. I have added some bracing and graveled under it since this was taken. There was some controversy on my framing job on here, so some will probably advise better ways to frame the roof than what you see here. This works well enough for me.


View attachment 737550

I don't know where the op is but the roof on your building looks like it might not be the best for areas that might get a snowstorm with a couple feet of snow

 

[airbiscuit]

Where are you located? Do you have to consider snow load? Here is a fast / low cost effect option
https://americansteelinc.com/products/carports/open-carports/

 

[newbury]

That’s like asking “what flavor of ice cream is best”?

Vanilla with chocolate chips.