How to save money when building a barn

[RLR]

We are in the planning phase of barn building. I have called for quotes to several different places to price pre-fab kits and I am shocked by some of the prices. We are interested in building it ourselves but I want to make sure I'm getting the best price possible. I'm willing to buy used materials as long as it's in good shape. I'm asking for suggestions and advice when it comes to saving money on materials, best places to purchase from, etc. Just to give you an idea on what type of barn we are planning - 36W X 48L X 12H, one solid long side, one end with 2- 12 ft solid sides with a 12ft opening in the middle (36 ft. end). I hope this is clear enough to understand. This is about as basic as it gets -pole barn style is the best way that I can describe it. Thank you for all your help!! I am located in East Texas.

 

[Ozgrams]

same boat...  watching...

 

[GoWyo]

The things I would not skimp on are:  use 26 ga. steel, not 28 or 29; use glu-lam posts and set them in 42" deep holes with concrete bottom and crushed rock around the post; good quality doors (I used Janus roll ups wind rated for 110 mph).  We built that mostly by ourselves with some help by a friend who had built them for several years and were about $12/sq. ft.  for a 36x54x12 in 2011.

Selling our place and having a new barn constructed that will be all steel frame by a local custom builder.  That will work out more like $17-18/ft. for 40x60x12.  Could probably build a wood frame pole barn quite a bit cheaper, but this should be a really good barn with no posts to ever rot off even 100 years down the road.

 

[RyanChandler]

You should be able to build it out of wood much cheaper than steel.  Shop around a few truss companies.  Ask them what they have on hand in their lumber yard.  Many times they will have some extra prefab roof trusses from an big office or apartment building that you could buy very reasonably.  Most are lumber brokers as well and can prolly get you the best deal on the glulam poles and beams.

 

[bk2005]

https://m.facebook.com/BuildABarnLLC?refsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBuildABarnLLC

I know it's a ways from where y'all are located but this is by far the cheapest I've found and its something I can build or have minimal help with.

I quoted a 30' x 60' x 12'
Delivered for $8000

 

[knabe]

good drainage and access to removing manure easily.

 

[obie105]

If you have amish near by talk to them on the lumber. We have an amish saw mill close by that is much cheaper than ever buying from a supplier. Also talk to any friends in construction you may be able to get steel siding from them if they are changing a building. Currently we have a pole barn that is grey and orange from my Dad redoing an Auto Zone and turning it into a health care clinic. They were going to scrap all the heavy duty steel and we got it for next to nothing. I know the first barn at my parents they used a pole barn kit from our local store and then enclosed the front. It was cheaper at the time than buying a barn kit.

 

[JRapp]

We just built a 55 x 80 and went through Diamond L Pole Barns in OK (918) 797-0040.  They beat the amish by a good amount of money and had it up in three days.  I would highly suggest them. 

I agree w/the heavier siding.  I would also suggest having them use hurricane clips.  About doors... I would add about 5 feet to what you think you want for width. 

 

[cowman 52]

I'm next too the mueller shop with a little planning you should get frame and tin for less than 4.  If you are like me, your labor is cheap.  The doors have got a bit high but are not hard to put up.

 

[Cattle Cards]

I think I understand what you're planning on.  Like a lot of barns down in this part of the country, they're not enclosed.  Don't have doors.  Just a gat across where a door would normally be.  Every one I've see has been done by local builders as weld up steel.  Including the one I'm leasing.  It's 36' L x 24' W, open to the south with steel pens, enclosed feed room and tin siding on the north side and wrapping 12' around on each end.  My my buddy's show barn is open to the outside on all but the west end.  I'm planning on doing one in the future and other than framing out the office/feed room/1/2 bath, it'll be heavy gates for all the pens; fronts, sides and backs.  Easy to turn cattle out at night, to group cattle, make larger & smaller pens accordingly. Just metal poles and frame and siding on the north side.  Thing is you need your gates first so that when they come to build it, they allow the right spacing for your gates.  Anyway, just some thoughts.