Pole Barn Price Sanity Check Needed

Vic_N · Aug 3, 2007

I’m finally getting around to building a pole barn to keep all of my stuff, including my JD3520 and attachments. I know you folks have lots more experience than I do at building pole buildings; I used to be a city dweller and my 22 acres have been a learning experience every day for 2 years now.

Can anyway tell me whether my estimate for a new pole building is reasonable for central NY or for anywhere for that matter? I just want to get an idea of whether or not I’m in the ballpark or in the nuthouse.

Estimate of $50,000 includes the following:

40’ x 60’ x 14’ dimensions
glu-lam posts
double 2” x 12” top plate
2” x 10” bottom plate
2” x 6” purlins
2” x 6” wind braces
2” x 6” knee braces every truss
40’ trusses; 24” on center
18’ enclosed overhang all around
5/8” CDX plywood roof deck
30 year architectural shingle
6’ of ice and snow guard on eaves
ridge vent
steel siding
two 12’ x 12’ insulated overhead doors with electric openers
four 30” x 48” double-hung vinyl windows one side
one 3’ entry door
4” fiberglass reinforced concrete floor
4’ x 4’ prefab cupola

No water, septic, insulation, drywall, heat, electric, grading. I need to get the excavator for grading and an electrician.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks!

Erik_in_Hoyt · Aug 3, 2007

That's going to be a pretty nice barn!
$50k sounds like a lot, but for what you're getting, it doesn't sound totally unreasonable - if that includes contruction.

you could do a google search for pole barn and most manufacturers have websites that allow you to spec out a structure and get a quote on the spot. (pick your footprint, sidewalls, and all accessories to make a custom quote)

of course, if you're doing it yourself, you could probably get materials for half that...

I built a 24X48 pole barn about 8 years ago for less than $6k, but it's a bare bones structure and labor was paid for with beer and pizza. Today the same thing would run about 3 times that around here if I had someone else put it up.

drssg · Aug 3, 2007

I'm no expert, but that sounds to me like it is at least in the ball park. We had our barn built five years ago, and we paid $36k for a 40' x 96' x 13' pole barn with 8' porches on the long sides, for a total width of 56'.

Two major differences from you is that we had a metal roof and no floor. I added gravel myself. I believe materials have also gone up considerably.

When you say "no grading", I'm assuming/hoping you mean someone else is doing the grading, or it somehow doesn't need it. For that kind of investment, I would really want to start with a good solid pad that will drain well.

Rick

4sarge · Aug 3, 2007

I'm in the same boat as you and need a barn for the necessities of life

Last November a neighbor had a 32X56X12 Pole Barn built for 19,000. This included a metal ceiling w/blown in insulation, 12" overhang, gutters, service door, 1 10' overhead, 1 8' overhead x number of windows. Looks pretty deluxe, Amish Builder, Graber Pole Barns. He finished the rest and uses it as a mower, small motor repair shop.

No water, septic, drywall, heat, electric, grading or concrete included in that cost

Vic_N · Aug 3, 2007

Erik, yes, construction is included. Thanks.

Drssg, my roof adds to the cost but I want something shingled to match the house; this will ensure my wife supports the project and continues to provide me with hot meals. Grading is needed but that will be a separate transaction. I have about 1.5 days of work for an excavator. Basically, I need a small dozer to move some earth around. My old pole barn collapsed last winter during a 37" snowstorm, so there's a lot of a fill sitting there after the demolition work was completed. I agree with you on the need for a good solid pad. Thank you.

4sarge, I wish I could find an Amish builder but they're all busy around here it seems, booked solid. If my price looks reasonable I'd like to get this building up before the snow flies. Thanks.

bg71361 · Aug 3, 2007

Sounds good to me. You have a lot of things included. The concrete for alone here would be about $10,000.
Good luck!
Bill

wroughtn_harv · Aug 4, 2007

My advice would be to look close at your contractor, talk to some of his past clients. The price, well, the price is in the ballpark. What is critical is your relationship with your contractor.

If you make the relationship purely about business then you can expect him to view your relationship the same.

You're talking a lot of money and more importantly, you're talking about building something you're going to have to live with for many years. It would be criminal if you got something that left a bad taste in your mouth, even worse if your wife has the bad taste about the deal.

So look at your contractor not just from the perspective of dollars but from the perspective of value as a human being. Building a project like this will be trying on a relationship, there will be misunderstandings, that's what contracts are for. Go into it looking for that one person that will be more proud of your barn than your are, hopefully that will be your contractor.

A good contractor is like all good workers, money is just one of many ways of keeping score, it's not the only way.

Erik_in_Hoyt · Aug 6, 2007

Hey, Harv - you should move up to Kansas - I need more neighbors (and contractors!) like you!!

scesnick · Aug 6, 2007

I built a 30x40x10 last year and it cost me $15,000 for the package, without the concrete of course, at the local lumber store ( Berlin Lumber in Berlin Pa.) It has the exact same material used by Morton buildings but without the Morton building price tag.
I also looked at Pioneer Pole Buildings. They look like a quality product.
I would suggest contacting your local lumber yard. they can tell you where to find a quality contractor to build it for you. like I said i paid $15,000 for the package and since I went with a local contractor I only paid $3,000 for the labor to put it up. ( without the concrete work)