“How much does a pole barn cost?” you ask. As you probably guessed, the cost of a pole barn largely depends on your requirements and the choices you make.
To help you prioritize where you spend your hard-earned cash, consider the factors that affect your budget.
Pole Barn Material Costs and Quality
Understanding pole barn material costs helps you make better informed decisions. Despite the larger price tag high-quality materials carry, they are worth it. The payoff is a greater return on investment, in the form of extended longevity and reduced maintenance.
Here is a typical breakdown of the budget allocation for barn materials:
- Flooring 26%
- Siding 26%
- Roofing 26%
- Doors and windows 10%
- Leveling 5%
- Electrical 3%
- Insulation 2%
- Plumbing 2%
This excludes any specific finishes and extras such as HVAC, drywalling, furnishings, and landscaping.
Pole Barn Labor Costs and Contractor Fees
Pole barn labor costs are also affected by a range of factors – from how much effort it will take to prepare your site to the level of skill and/or experience required of the personnel.
Appointing a contractor or construction team – carpenters, builders, structural engineers, or specialized tradespeople – based on cost-saving alone is never a good idea. A proficient and organized construction crew can complete the project in a timelier manner, reducing overall labor expenses.
Ideally you need one person to oversee the entire project. You want to reduce the number of parties potentially pointing fingers at each other in the case of errors or delays. Ideally, hire an all-inclusive firm that takes singular responsibility for designing, manufacturing, and erecting your post frame barn to the highest standard.
Hidden Costs: Permits, Inspections, and Site Preparation
Arguably the pole barn costs most begrudged are site preparation and permits/ inspections. The adage, forewarned is fore-armed, prevents these expenses from being a nasty shock to your budget.
You may need to clear the land on which your structure will be built. The terrain and vegetation density will determine the cost of land clearing. To avoid a Dr. Seuss-like lopsided barn, your site must be level. The price of getting a flat, smooth surface depends on the site’s location, its elevation, how much must be excavated and/or filled, and the size of the area. Thankfully, one of the benefits of pole barn construction is that the site does not need to be perfectly level since there is no concrete foundation. The good news is that the money spent on preparing your site not only resolves any complications before construction commences, but it also decreases building expenses while increasing the longevity of your barn.
Permit costs are based on the size of your barn, the building segment (e.g., residential or agricultural), and the jurisdiction you fall under. Living in the state of Colorado, you are affected by zoning regulations, building codes, and possibly also covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs). Find out more about pole barn permitting in this article, or chat to one of Peak Pole Barn and Manufacturing’s helpful consultants.
Expect to pay between $50 and $3,000 (excluding commercial permits) for permits and inspections.
Pole Barn Financing Options and Payment Plans
Now that you are chomping at the bit in anticipation of building your dream post frame barn, don’t let financial constraints get in the way. If you do not have the necessary funds readily available, pole barn financing options exist:
- Your chosen pole barn builder may offer financing.
- Alternatively, they may be able to provide you with a list of recommended lenders to facilitate a loan.
Exploring Cost-Effective Design Options
A prudent way to keep down pole barn costs is to explore viable design options. Think about what strategic choices you can make to find equivalence between your budget and the creation of a functional, durable, and visually appealing pole barn:
- Straightforward roof designs (e.g., a gable or gambrel roof) are more cost-effective to construct than complex roofs – and equally attractive.
- Open floor plans minimize interior walls and the construction expenses associated with framing, insulation, and finishing them.
- Include energy-efficient features such as proper insulation and ventilation to reduce your operational costs.
- Take advantage of natural light with large windows or skylights.
- Consult with post frame specialists who will advise you on cost-effective foundation options, selecting materials that balance price and quality, and so much more.
Contact Peak Pole Barns and Manufacturing today. Our expertise will help you make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary pole barn costs. What’s more, we deliver all the necessary materials to your construction site before processing the first payment.