Pole Barn Cost Estimator
Whether you’re exploring pole barn construction in Michigan or pole buildings in Washington state, your primary concern is likely the cost associated with building a pole barn.
During my own research into the expenses involved in constructing my pole barn, my primary inquiry was, “What will be the cost of this pole barn project?” I believe this is the foremost question on most people’s minds when they contemplate building a pole barn.
Let’s face it, nobody relishes the idea of shelling out a significant sum for their pole building.
All we really want to ascertain is the price per square foot for both construction and labor, from start to finish.
What I truly wished for was to simply hop onto Google and discover a reliable pole barn cost estimator. I thought that maybe I could just type in “What’s the cost per square foot for a pole barn?” and receive a straightforward answer from someone who’s been through it all. Sounds simple and quick, doesn’t it? Well, it turned out to be quite the opposite.
I couldn’t find a straightforward response anywhere. So, I took matters into my own hands. Continue reading to learn about my own building experience and the total expenses I incurred.
If you’re seeking an even more precise estimate of your potential costs, don’t forget to complete the form at the top of this post.
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About My Pole Barn
What I constructed is a 30′ x 48′ x 10′ pole building featuring a 4-inch thick concrete slab floor, 2 overhead garage doors measuring 10′ x 8′ each, a single flush man door measuring 36″ x 80″, and gutters. The construction was carried out on relatively level terrain, requiring only minimal excavation work.
As of today, there are no electrical or plumbing systems installed within the pole building. However, I will regularly update this post as I incorporate various amenities into the workshop. Consequently, the overall cost of pole building construction per square foot will be adjusted accordingly.
Total Cost of My Pole Barn, Including Labor Expenses
Breakdown of Pole Building Price Per Square Foot:
Total Cost: $16,720.00, covering the following items:
- 30′ x 48′ x 10′ pole building
- 30-foot clear span trusses
- 29-gauge metal roofing and siding with a 40-year metal finish warranty
- Insulated vapor barrier installed in the roof
- Flat wall girts
- 1 solid core insulated smooth-face fiberglass door measuring 3′ x 6′, complete with a deadbolt and keyed entry
- 2 openings, each measuring 10′ x 8′, framed and trimmed for overhead doors
- Base trim for protection against rodents
- Hole drilling services included
- All posts constructed using 6″ x 6″ and 6″ x 8″ pressure-treated materials
- All lumber used is #2 Doug Fir KD (Kiln-Dried)
- Engineered plans designed to meet county specifications
- Materials, freight, and labor costs for construction
Detailed Breakdown of Additional Expenses:
- $1,550.00: Installation of 2 – 10′ x 8′ Wayne Dalton 2400 series non-insulated overhead doors.
- $4,860.00: Pouring a 4-inch concrete floor with a strength rating of 3500 PSI, finished with a power trowel.
- $1,450.00: Application of 1.5 inches of rock for the pole building base, compacted from 6 inches to 4 inches.
- $350.00: Fee for equipment relocation.
- $1,500.00: Machine operation expenses for sod removal, rock spreading, and pad compaction.
- $450.00: Cost of gutter installation.
Total Cost of Pole Barn, Including Labor: $27,605
Pole Barn Price Per Square Foot: $19.17
Factors to Consider for Pole Barn Costs
If you’re solely focusing on the overall price per square foot for your pole building, the figures I provided should serve as a reasonably good rough estimate. However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind when comparing my costs to your potential expenses.
Location
Prices can vary significantly based on location. To provide context, I am situated in the Pacific Northwest, south of the Portland area. Different regions may have different pricing structures.
Terrain
The cost associated with excavation and site preparation for my pole building was relatively modest, in my opinion. It might not be considered low, but it’s certainly reasonable. This is because the building site was on flat and level ground. If your chosen site for constructing the pole building is on a hillside or requires extensive excavation, you should expect higher costs for excavation and site preparation.
Pole Barn Cost Estimator
During my quest to determine the expenses associated with my pole building, I stumbled upon a helpful table on HomeAdvisor.com. This table provided relatively accurate cost ranges for various pole building sizes.
As you can observe, the dimensions of the pole building I constructed fell right in the middle of the 30×50 range indicated on the chart.
Size | Cost Range | Typical Use |
20×30 | $4,000 – $12,000+ | 1 car garage, 2 horse barn |
24×36 | $5,000 – $15,000+ | 3 car garage, 4 horse barn |
30×30 | $6,000 – $15,000+ | Medium farm workshop, 5 horse barn |
30×40 | $8,000 – $20,000+ | 4 car garage, 8 horse barn |
30×50 | $10,000 – $24,000+ | Farm equipment storage, 10 horse barn |
30×60 | $12,000 – $25,000+ | 6 car garage, 12 horse barn |
40×60 | $14,000 – $28,000+ | Medium auto or equipment workshop |
40×80 | $20,000 – $35,000+ | 150-200 bales of hay, 20 horse barn |
50×100 | $25,000 – $40,000+ | 15 cow herd and milking equipment |
60×80 | $25,000 – $55,000+ | Large auto and equipment workshop |
60×100 | $30,000 – $70,000+ | Industrial storage or warehouse |
Why I'm Sharing My Pole Barn Cost... My Estimate.
I’m taking the time to provide all this information to hopefully offer you a reasonable ballpark estimate of what your pole building might cost. I’ve broken down the expenses as comprehensively as possible so that you can clearly see where and how the costs accumulate. This way, you can subtract items you may choose not to include or decide to do yourself.
For instance, if you plan to handle your own excavation, you can subtract that cost from the total to get an estimate of what you might spend.
What Is a Pole Barn?
To quickly explain for those who may be unfamiliar, a pole barn, according to Wikipedia, is “…a farm building with no foundation and sides consisting of corrugated steel or aluminum panels supported by poles set in the ground typically at eight-foot intervals.”
Now, you might wonder, “What’s the difference between a pole barn and a pole building?” Well, according to Wiki, a pole building is “…a quickly constructed building in which vertical poles are secured in the ground to serve as both the foundation and framework.”
Essentially, they are the same thing. I use mine as a garage and a workshop/woodshop. I don’t house animals or farm equipment, so I prefer to call it a pole building.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The primary motivation behind sharing this information is to provide others with a ballpark estimate of what they might expect to spend on their own pole building projects. By itemizing the costs, readers can gain insight into how different expenses contribute to the overall budget.
You can use the information as a reference point by comparing the size and features of your intended pole building to those listed. Then, adjust the costs by including or excluding items that apply to your project. For example, if you plan to do your own excavation, you can subtract that cost from the total.
According to Wikipedia, a pole barn is typically a farm building with no foundation, featuring sides made of corrugated steel or aluminum panels supported by poles set in the ground at specific intervals. On the other hand, a pole building is a quickly constructed structure in which vertical poles are secured in the ground to serve both as the foundation and framework. Essentially, they are similar, and the choice of terminology may vary based on usage.
No, the cost estimates provided here are specific to the author’s location in the Pacific Northwest, south of the Portland area. Costs can vary significantly depending on your geographic location, so it’s essential to consider regional price differences when estimating your project’s budget.
To obtain a more precise estimate, you may want to consult with local contractors or builders who are experienced in constructing pole buildings in your area. They can provide customized quotes based on your specific needs and location.
Two significant factors to consider are location and terrain. Prices can vary based on your geographic region, and the complexity of excavation and site preparation work can impact the overall cost. Sites on uneven or hilly terrain may require more extensive and costly preparation.
The choice of expenses to include in your project should be based on your specific needs and budget. Consider the purpose of your pole building and prioritize features accordingly. You can use the provided cost breakdown as a reference point to determine which items are essential for your project.
Yes, the author recommends obtaining multiple quotes from contractors for your pole building project. This practice can help you find a balance between cost and quality and ensure you select a reputable contractor for your needs.
Final Thoughts
I hope this article has provided you with a reasonable idea of the typical cost of a pole building. While there may be better deals out there, I’ve always adhered to the practice of obtaining multiple quotes for a project and not necessarily choosing the least or most expensive option. That’s precisely what I did with this project.
Process To Get Pole Barn Estimate Report
Here I am going to share some steps to get your pole barn cost estimate report.
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