Who do you buy a pole barn or metal barn kit from ?

[sixdogs]

The real answer to your question is "You don't". You hire the building out and save a lot of time and a small amount of money for a building that a company builds day after day, has zero learning curve with, is done in four days and looks professional with no homeowner or semi-pro mistakes. Plus I have a warranty. Beat that.

After four big barns, I feel it is much better to go with a pole barn with the post in the ground. Concrete pillars are overkill in one way and way under in others. As noted, you need shear strength plus things can move around on the ground but the metal wont. There are a gazillion pole barns around and not many on pillars. Go with what everyone is familiar with and have it built. I have done pillars.

For a low buck (or really any quality) barn, you can buy a farm show special at any of the ag expos coming up. I bought a basic 42x60 Walters metal machinery storage pole barn for a very nice price in 2007 and got a great farm show special deal. That means they build it when they have the time and not if you want in yesterday. Also in the special, I got a free 17' x 14' extra door for a total of three big doors and one man door. Barn was up in four days, all mess cleaned up and I could concentrate on my day job and hobbies . Their building is beautiful--and I built the economy version.

These smaller brand companies that have a multi-year reputation and are somewhat national are real pros because they have built a lot. Some smaller local builders have only built a few and things can go wrong that won't with a national. That's my free advice.

 

[rockarosa]

I live in eastern Ohio, and had the Amish build me a 32X 40 with 12 foot walls and 2- 10 foot overhead doors. It took them 4 and a half days. It was done in late December and really muddy. I used my tractor and hauled and compacted 30 tons of crush and run to get it ready for concrete. They came back about 6 months later and did the concrete. Total cost was $16,800. The building and concrete work is unbeatable. You could look into Cleary buildings or National pole barn buildings if they are in your area.

 

[fried1765]

Hello everyone. In the early stages of planning a 40x60 barn. Live in the mountains of SE Tenn. Is it best to just buy a kit from a company and then build it yourself or have them construct it ? I am capable of building it myself but will take a bit longer. I need to have a door opening big enough ( 14x14 ) so we can drive the motorhome in. Also a 10x10 door for the tractor. If i go the pole barn method i want to construct concrete piers and install 6x6 anchors to attach the poles....that way you don't have to dig holes. I would concrete in a floor slab later. Anyone heard or know someone who has had a National Barn built ? Also looking at Ameristeelbuilt metal barns ?

Thanks for any info

Chuck

You might want to consider getting a quote from Morton Buildings, in Morton Illinois.
They must have an office somewhere near you.
They build all across the USA, and have plants in Morton, Il.- Garden City, Al.- Kenton, Oh.- Winfield, Ks. - Gettysburg, Pa. - Spencer, Ia.
I bought a 36 x 48 pole barn from them (had them erect it) 33 years ago, for my place on Cape Cod.
They were a first class company to deal with.
My now 33 year old Morton building is near the salt water, and is still in excellent condition.
They would have sold me the kit, but my dad was dying of cancer at the time, so I opted for them to put the building up.
They know all the tricks of the trade, and have the equipment to do the job.
I could have done it, but would recommend that you NOT do it yourself!
From start to finish, my building took 4 days!
I have been retired (at age 60) for 16 years, but have about 29,000 total hrs, with the last 5,000 in the 747-400 (the exact same ones that you are flying? - they will be gone very soon though).
I am an old guy! The cockpit of ship N601US (747-100) is in the Smithsonian.
I flew 601 also!

 

[747driver]

The real answer to your question is "You don't". You hire the building out and save a lot of time and a small amount of money for a building that a company builds day after day, has zero learning curve with, is done in four days and looks professional with no homeowner or semi-pro mistakes. Plus I have a warranty. Beat that.

After four big barns, I feel it is much better to go with a pole barn with the post in the ground. Concrete pillars are overkill in one way and way under in others. As noted, you need shear strength plus things can move around on the ground but the metal wont. There are a gazillion pole barns around and not many on pillars. Go with what everyone is familiar with and have it built. I have done pillars.

For a low buck (or really any quality) barn, you can buy a farm show special at any of the ag expos coming up. I bought a basic 42x60 Walters metal machinery storage pole barn for a very nice price in 2007 and got a great farm show special deal. That means they build it when they have the time and not if you want in yesterday. Also in the special, I got a free 17' x 14' extra door for a total of three big doors and one man door. Barn was up in four days, all mess cleaned up and I could concentrate on my day job and hobbies . Their building is beautiful--and I built the economy version.

These smaller brand companies that have a multi-year reputation and are somewhat national are real pros because they have built a lot. Some smaller local builders have only built a few and things can go wrong that won't with a national. That's my free advice.

Thanks for the tip on the AG shows. There is one in Louisville,KY need to check the date. The DW says i can't build it...she wants it done now, not 4 yrs from now !

 

[747driver]

You might want to consider getting a quote from Morton Buildings, in Morton Illinois.
They must have an office somewhere near you.
They build all across the USA, and have plants in Morton, Il.- Garden City, Al.- Kenton, Oh.- Winfield, Ks. - Gettysburg, Pa. - Spencer, Ia.
I bought a 36 x 48 pole barn from them (had them erect it) 33 years ago, for my place on Cape Cod.
They were a first class company to deal with.
My now 33 year old Morton building is near the salt water, and is still in excellent condition.
They would have sold me the kit, but my dad was dying of cancer at the time, so I opted for then to put the building up.
They know all the tricks of the trade, and have the equipment to do the job.
I could have done it, but would recommend that you NOT do it yourself!
From start to finish, my building took 4 days!
I have been retired (at age 60) for 16 years, but have about 29,000 total hrs, with the last 5,000 in the 747-400 (the exact same ones that you are flying? - they will be gone very soon though).
I am an old guy! The cockpit of ship N601US (747-100) is in the Smithsonian.
I flew 601 also!

I will probably have someone build it...DW wants it done now ! I just like to build things. I have looked at Morton...they do nice work.

I am not a pilot. Just a 27 yr aircraft mechanic with United ( original United not Continental ) in Chicago. I taxi airplanes everyday from terminal to terminal and to the hangar. Get to taxi Lufthansa's 747-800 ...what a nice ride ! USAF crew chief on the the F4D in Thailand during the war. Thanks for all your advice !!

 

[fried1765]

Thanks for the tip on the AG shows. There is one in Louisville,KY need to check the date. The DW says i can't build it...she wants it done now, not 4 yrs from now !

The "DW" is CORRECT !!!!!

 

[HarryVanderpool]

Building a barn begins just like every other project:
Either draw up plans with exact dimensions or obtain a set.
Nail down the exact location where it will be built.
From the plans draw up a list of materials.
DON'T BUY A "KIT". A "kit" just means that someone else read off the bill of materials and added additional mark-up.
Buying a "kit" means that you do not get to shop around and compare prices and quality.
Then build it. That's the fun part.

 

[747driver]

Building a barn begins just like every other project:
Either draw up plans with exact dimensions or obtain a set.
Nail down the exact location where it will be built.
From the plans draw up a list of materials.
DON'T BUY A "KIT". A "kit" just means that someone else read off the bill of materials and added additional mark-up.
Buying a "kit" means that you do not get to shop around and compare prices and quality.
Then build it. That's the fun part.

I have thought about that. You would think buying a kit is cheaper as the supplier does the hard work in cutting everything to size. I will make a material list of my own and then compare.

 

[sixdogs]

Specials show up on the website, too. Here's one I just found from Walters. Smaller building
Specials

Farm show buildings are almost always 40 something by 60 or 70 something feet with two or three big doors. I haven't built one in a while but not as much more than smaller sizes. Big is the way to go, trust me. 40x60 minimum and that's if you live in a subdivision. You will always need more space. See if you can find someone that says "Gee, I wish I would have built a smaller barn". Not around.

Morton is more expensive and doesn't advertise them. Farm shows often have a price but you have to be careful with them on what you are paying and what you are getting.

...and get a one or two foot overhang on the eves with gutters. Two ft best.

 

[747driver]

Specials show up on the website, too. Here's one I just found from Walters. Smaller building
Specials

Farm show buildings are almost always 40 something by 60 or 70 something feet with two or three big doors. I haven't built one in a while but not as much more than smaller sizes. Big is the way to go, trust me. 40x60 minimum and that's if you live in a subdivision. You will always need more space. See if you can find someone that says "Gee, I wish I would have built a smaller barn". Not around.

Morton is more expensive and doesn't advertise them. Farm shows often have a price but you have to be careful with them on what you are paying and what you are getting.

Our major item is a 14 x 14 door so we can drive our motorhome in. Its 38 feet long and 12 foot high. Plus a 10 x 10 door so i can drive the tractor in without having to collapse the roll bar.