How Much Does It Cost to Build a Pole Barn?
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Building a pole barn costs between $7,000 to $48,000 depending on numerous factors. Larger or more elaborate barns can run as high as $120,000 or more.
How Much Do Pole Barns Cost Per Square Foot?
The materials for an average 2,400 square-foot barn are priced between $15,000-$25,000, or $6-$10 per square foot. Labor adds around $5-$10 per square foot.
The combined labor and material costs by square footage:
- $7,000-$12,000: 600 sq. ft., about a one-car garage
- $14,000-$24,000: 1,200 sq. ft., like an eight-horse barn
- $20,000-$36,000: 1,800 sq. ft., a twelve-horse barn
- $27,000-$48,000: 2,400 sq. ft., resembles a farm workshop
- $56,000-$100,000: 5,000 sq. ft., good for a 15-head cow herd
- $67,000-$120,000: 6,000 sq. ft., a small warehouse size
What Factors Influence Pole Building Prices?
Size is a big factor in pricing pole buildings. However, it’s not the only one. Basic pole barns, like the ones listed above, have just support beams and walls. Adding a foundation or other features adds to the cost. Labor and location also play a role.
When budgeting for a 2,400-square-foot barn, consider:
- Location - Price of service in some areas is higher. Workers and materials easier to access in some places.
- Leveling a Site: $1,200-$4,300
- Construction Manager (Large Projects): $3,000-$40,000 in labor
- Siding (Wood): $3-$10 per square foot
- Siding (Aluminum): $5-$12 per square foot
- Foundation (Concrete Pad): $1,500-$4,000
- Wood Flooring: $8-$12 per square foot - Optional for livestock
- Laminate Flooring: $4-$8 per square foot
- Insulation: $900-$1,900 - Optional for livestock
- Roofing Kit: $5,000-$10,000
- Aluminum or Steel Roof: $5,000-$24,000
- Electricity: $1,000-$3,000
- Drainage: $45-$150 per hour for plumbing. About 2 days to add simple piping and water access.
The use of the pole barn matters here. A workshop means paying more for the power to run tools.
What’s the Cost of Installing Doors, Windows and Other Openings?
The more complex the install, the higher the cost. Aim to make the space function first and add features to fit needs.
"Options for doors, windows and other features are basically innumerable," says Mike Momb, Pole Barn Guru for Hansen Pole Buildings, LLC. "Door options offer anything from inexpensive sliding barn doors to overhead doors that are insulated, or varied glass options in them, openers, different R values for insulation in doors. They could do the fancy carriage house doors. I tell people that their only limitations are your imagination, your budget and your available space. Beyond that, it’s wide open.”
Prices range based on the size and scale of features.
- Windows: $2,500-$7,500 Let air and natural sunlight in Reduce energy costsDouble-glazed windows are the best value
- Doors: $700-$2,000 Horizontal sliding doors a common option Garage-style doors need power
- Vents: $1,000-$2,000 Manage heatKeep moisture in checkSide-wall vents add to costs
How Much Are Permits and Other Pole Barn Features?
Most communities require building permits for a fee of $50 or more.
“As far as utilities, there are specialty contractors for electrical that will take care of electrical permits, get an electrical line in," says Momb. "There are people that are specialists in septic systems. A homeowner could hire a general contractor to do it, but every time that you involve a general contractor, you’re looking at adding 25 to 30 percent onto the bill. When you can get it handled with a phone call. It’s really easy to find insulation contractors anywhere.”
Some pole barns need added features to make them functional.
- Flashing - Defends access points against rodents - $0.03 per square foot of building secured
- Painting (Metal Siding): $400-$1,500
- Painting (Wood Siding): $700-$2,000 - Helps to preserve the wood
- Inside Loft: $7,000-$19,000 for labor, materials, power and plumbing - Provides indoor living space
What Does the Building Process Include?
Several steps occur in any pole barn project. Each involves costs for material or labor.
1. Permits come first, but city rules range widely. Site plans help builders know the project is safe and sound. Your pro can help secure these.
2. Installing the foundation after grading. This must set and dry before moving forward.
3. Running electrical and plumbing must follow city rules, too. It needs a licensed pro.
4. Framing and install sees builders place the poles that hold the walls in place. They then secure the sides.
5. Insulation and drywall follow this step in order.
6. Finishing work includes decorative items, windows and doors.
Pros should handle most of the work on the basic rule of $5-$10 per hour for labor, not including materials. This ensures a secure building.
How Do You Hire a Pole Barn Builder?
Think about your project before you hire a builder. Consider tool storage and layout. Decide on power and plumbing and whether you’re converting extra space.
When looking for a local pro,
1. Get at least three quotes with full info on the features you need.
2. Ask questions about their skills and licenses.
3. Check out customer reviews online.
Once hired, your builder should create a custom plan that meets your needs on time and on-budget.
“The biggest hiring mistake that I see is that people don’t adequately vet out contractors that they hire," warns Momb. "The customer will give a builder exorbitant down payments, or exorbitant progress payments, and you get people that get absolutely nothing at all or they get part of the work done when they paid for most of it. And the solution that’s so easy is: if people are going to hire a contractor to provide a turnkey or semi-turnkey project for them, performance bonds are cheap. And if a contractor isn’t bondable, there’s probably a reason for it.
“If it’s in a state that has builders’ registration, verify with the state that they’re registered," continues Momb. "Don’t just trust somebody that hands you a card that shows that this is what their registration is. In another life, I was a post-frame builder and one of my subcontractors forged a registration card. Verify that they’re registered, verify that they’ve got the insurance. Call up their banker and say, Hey, I’m considering hiring Fred Smith Construction. They won’t tell you what his bank balance is, but they can get enough information from reading between the lines to find out if the guy pays his bills. Ask the contractor to provide the names of suppliers he deals with. You can hire a contractor that does a good job and find out that he doesn’t pay the bills and end up having to pay for your building again.
“When you deal with a contractor, make sure that you have a real good contract," says Momb. "The whole way to avoid problems in the beginning is just to address all the potential problem areas. This is what we need and this is how it needs to be done, down to simple things as much as how are you going to communicate? If people are looking at hiring a contractor and they're leaving a message after message before they hire, that's probably a sign: if you hire them, you're going to have the same issue if there's a problem.”
Ready to Start the Hiring Process? Quickly Contact Barn Builders in your area Here. Want to Research Pros in Your City or Town? Find your Local List of Barn, Garage and Shed Builders here.
