Looking for Amish Builders

[Believer]

Does anyone know an Amish barn builder (like a pole barn) in eastern Kansas? I couldn't find anything on the internet search. Thanks.

 

[Iowachild]

Does anyone know an Amish barn builder (like a pole barn) in eastern Kansas? I couldn't find anything on the internet search. Thanks.

That's because the kerosene powered computers aren't fast enough to connect with the internet! Sorry, I could not resist.
Any way good luck in your search. We have several Amish builders around NW PA. They also saw all their own lumber, mostly eastern hemlock.

 

[thavil]

Does anyone know an Amish barn builder (like a pole barn) in eastern Kansas? I couldn't find anything on the internet search. Thanks.

Not that this helps you in your search but good choice in a builder. We have many Amish barn/shed/furniture builders here in southern Maryland and they do great work fast. On my farm, I have a 2 stall/tack room mini barn and two 12' X 24' garages all built by Amish.

 

[Builder]

Not sure what religion has to do with being a builder. I'm a Lutheran, and although I can't come to Kansas, I'm a pretty good builder!

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

Check the area South of Topeka - I don't remember if they're Amish or Mennonite, but there used to be some builders near Lyndon.
Otherwise, take a side trip to Yoder some time and see if they're willing to travel.
There are also a lot of Amish in the Joplin/Springfield/Branson area and I think more in the Cairo, Mo neighborhood.

what part of Eastern Ks are you in?

 

[schmism]

there business is mostly word of mouth but I have heard they have taken to cell phones.

Id check the rural lumber yards (you know those real lumber yards) the ones that will spec an entire pole barn package. they might have a number for some in the area.

 

[Builder]

Most of the Amish that work for me have VERY nice cellphones. I actually took one of them with me to the cell phone store to get one. They especially like the weather maps (as do I).

 

[Dargo]

Not that this helps you in your search but good choice in a builder. We have many Amish barn/shed/furniture builders here in southern Maryland and they do great work fast. On my farm, I have a 2 stall/tack room mini barn and two 12' X 24' garages all built by Amish.

I have to echo this sentiment. I had a very Amish company build my last barn and I'm well pleased with their work and their company. I have quite a few pictures of the Amish crew of 8 handling the 82' trusses and setting them on top of 20' tall side walls on a windy day.

The crew cleaned up at the end of each day (unlike other barn builders I've used) and stood behind their work after an issue I had just over a year after they built the barn. One of the torsion springs that help raise the 16' tall overhead doors came apart when I went to open the door. Talk about scaring the heck outta me! That spring destroyed the top part of the door, tore a huge hole in my roof and shot a piece through the back wall of the barn 80' behind me. I figured I'd have an issue because it was just out of warranty and, even if they agreed to fix it, I was concerned that they'd just want to patch the roof and back wall. Instead, they never argued any. They apologized for the problem (a defect in the torsion spring) and immediately sent a crew down with new panels for the roof, back wall and a complete new door.

Good luck with your search and I hope you find a crew as good as the last guys I used.

 

[have_blue]

Most of the Amish that work for me have VERY nice cellphones.

But they're used strictly for business, of course.

 

[have_blue]

Instead, they never argued any. They apologized for the problem (a defect in the torsion spring) and immediately sent a crew down with new panels for the roof, back wall and a complete new door.

And that, my friends, is why it matters if they're Amish.

 

[Builder]

I admit when I'm wrong, apologize for my mistakes and fix them years later if they occur, too. You don't have to be Amish to be a respectable businessperson with core values.

I have seen Amish & mennonites in very compromising situations. They have bad people in their communities, too. Just like non-Amish & Mennonite.

 

[Dargo]

I admit when I'm wrong, apologize for my mistakes and fix them years later if they occur, too. You don't have to be Amish to be a respectable businessperson with core values.

I have seen Amish & mennonites in very compromising situations. They have bad people in their communities, too. Just like non-Amish & Mennonite.

Of course you are correct in this aspect. Perhaps I should have stated that the biggest company in my area, who built my first barn, are the sort who give builders a bad name. I had problems right from the start due to their poor workmanship. Specifically, they ordered the wrong length steel for the roof. Rather than send it back and order the correct size roofing they just made about a 6' ridge cap to cover the shortage. To make things worse, they missed with a bunch of screws and the roof leaked terribly. Each time I called them back they sent out a crew stomping all over the roof with cases of caulk, refusing to replace the roof. I always ended up with more leaks (mostly from the morons crushing ridges while walking on the roof) than before I called them.

In retrospect, I should have taken them to court for their shoddy workmanship and refusal to make proper changes to remedy the problem. Instead, I went up on the roof several times a year with caulk and kept plugging leaks. I finally shelled out several thousand dollars to have the Amish crew replace the roof when they were out here building my new barn. They literally asked me if I had a problem with them taking pictures of what the other company had done so they could use it as an example of how not to roof a barn. Since they offered to reduce the price of the new roof if I allowed them to do this, I readily agreed. Hopefully they will save someone else the trouble I had and clearly demonstrate that the big bold companies aren't always the way to go.

Perhaps this little detail illustrates why I say that I've been very pleased with the work done by the Amish builder in my area as compared to the "big company". The big company just wanted to knock out barns as fast as possible and not be bothered with any service after they built the barn. Clearly they are capable of doing things right but proved to me that doing so isn't something on which they place a premium. Volume is far more important than quality to them. Forgive me if my assumption is wrong, but I'd see you as more of a personalized type of builder who relies on their reputation as opposed to a big advertiser who relies on volume.

 

[ScottOkla]

I admit when I'm wrong, apologize for my mistakes and fix them years later if they occur, too. You don't have to be Amish to be a respectable businessperson with core values.

I have seen Amish & mennonites in very compromising situations. They have bad people in their communities, too. Just like non-Amish & Mennonite.

Yeah, but can they marry other men and still be Amish?

Just kidding. I probably shouldn't be joking about that!

 

[RayT]

Email me offline, I may be able to hook you up with a traveling crew. I have worked with the Amish in East Central Indiana for a number of years and know quite a few. Most don't travel overnight but with construction down there are a few crews that are now traveling for work.

Ray
wdwrkrry(at)gmail(dot)com

 

[bg71361]

Try Steve Wagler, he is in Bird in Hand, PA.

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