Pole barn, build vs kit

[paulsharvey]

We all see the pole barn kits with steel trusses, hardware, PT 6x6s, and 29ga roofing metal for sale. Unless going Big, do they really offer a real advantage in price vs just pole framing, and site building the trusses, in price or anything else?

I kinda need something in the 24x36ish size, and I had planned on just framing it my self. I need to do a detailed material list first, but I'm thinking I can be about 25% lower without the kit, and go 26ga vs 29ga.

 

[Oaktree]

A lot depends on how good you are at putting together a materials list. With a kit, you know everything you'll need's going to be there.

 

[EddieWalker]

I believe it's cheaper to just buy the materials yourself, but I've never bought a kit, and I've never compared the price of a kit.

My thinking is that I want to pick out each piece of lumber that I'm using and chose the best brackets and fasteners that I can find. When you buy a kit, you are building what somebody else thinks you need, and somewhere you are paying them for their time.

If the kit comes with 29 gauge metal, you already know that they are including the minimum, lowest grade materials in that kit. What else are they providing that's not the best option available? 26 gauge is a lot stronger, and in my opinion, the only option for a metal building.

 

[Runner]

We all see the pole barn kits with steel trusses, hardware, PT 6x6s, and 29ga roofing metal for sale. Unless going Big, do they really offer a real advantage in price vs just pole framing, and site building the trusses, in price or anything else?

I kinda need something in the 24x36ish size, and I had planned on just framing it my self. I need to do a detailed material list first, but I'm thinking I can be about 25% lower without the kit, and go 26ga vs 29ga.

I'm assuming you must be building where no codes apply? Around here, pole barns have to be engineered and trusses have to be built by an approved truss manufacturer. Kits wouldn't generally be able to provide the engineering required.

 

[rangerfredbob]

Yes, that there is the advantage... when I built my shop I bought a kit from a pole barn company, came with everything except concrete for $16k for a 36x48 with 12' eaves, one 10x10 roll up door and one 10x12 roll up door and one man door with bat insulation and clear span across one top edge... but that was pre rona pricing...

 

[paulsharvey]

I'm assuming you must be building where no codes apply? Around here, pole barns have to be engineered and trusses have to be built by an approved truss manufacturer. Kits wouldn't generally be able to provide the engineering required.

For an Ag building, no permit is required here. I plan to park the tractor and the SxS in/under it, so I dont think that will be an issue.

 

[Roadworthy]

You could also consider having the trusses professionally built and collecting the rest of the parts as required. That's how most of the pole barn companies do it here.

 

[paulsharvey]

You could also consider having the trusses professionally built and collecting the rest of the parts as required. That's how most of the pole barn companies do it here.

I might look into that.

Wife is wanting to keep things minimalist for right now, and I might down size to 16x24; but even 16ft span, 4:1, thats pretty long for conventional framing. I will definitely make sure I have the ability to add another 12 ft bay on the right side. 16 ft, with 2 ft over hangs front and back would work.

 

[bigtiller]

I might look into that.

Wife is wanting to keep things minimalist for right now, and I might down size to 16x24; but even 16ft span, 4:1, thats pretty long for conventional framing. I will definitely make sure I have the ability to add another 12 ft bay on the right side. 16 ft, with 2 ft over hangs front and back would work.

16x24 is pretty close to the Golden Ratio of 1.618, which is known for its aesthetic beauty and harmony.

 

[tacticalturnip]

16x24 is pretty close to the Golden Ratio of 1.618, which is known for its aesthetic beauty and harmony.

And just like that I learned something new today.

 

[paulsharvey]

I have learned some of my lessons, and definitely want 10 ft on the low end. I previously had one that was 6'8" on low, and 8 ft on the high side, and that was pretty limiting.

 

[KennyG]

16x24 is pretty close to the Golden Ratio of 1.618, which is known for its aesthetic beauty and harmony.

So is 40 x 60 and much more in the size range we like for barns.

 

[paulsharvey]

Oh, 100% I would like bigger, but per wife "I'm sick of your piddling, you're going to start on 7 things, and take 2 years to get it finished. How big do you Need, right now, to get the buggy and tractor out of the weather?"


Lol, its probably half, she doesn't understand "piddling" over relaxing, and half, she wants me to "piddle" on her honey do list

 

[yooperdave]

For a 24 x 36, you could conventionally frame.

Just a thought

Yooper Dave

 

[kenmac]

I considered a pole barn. I called a place that installs these car ports. They came out and installed a 30x30 14ft tall sides covered the gable ends, the rest left open for $6500.00.
I use it to store my cattle trailer and my big CX105 tractor. It was a better price than I could get someone to put up the same size pole barn, and it serves it's purpose !

 

[bigtiller]

For a 24 x 36, you could conventionally frame.

Just a thought

Yooper Dave

I have been told, that size stick-built building would be less expensive to build than a pole building.