Whether you're building a barn to use as a horse stable, a primary residence, or anything in between, the process of selecting a quality barn builder can be a bit daunting.
But not to fear, if you take the following criteria into account, you will be well on your way to finding a builder who will provide you with a long-lasting and attractive structure.
While price is always a consideration when undertaking any sizable project, when building a barn, you don't want to cut corners.
A great question to ask any potential builder is what the dimensions of their "centers" are.
This number will tell you how many trusses will be in the final product.
For example, it is much better to have 4 foot centers than 10 foot centers.
The larger the number, the fewer the trusses, which is bad, since they are integral to the barn's structural integrity and, as a result, its longevity.
Another question to ask potential builders is whether their estimate includes costs associated with excavation and leveling of the building pad.
Making the ground perfectly level, at least within less than a half foot, is very important to the stability and aesthetics of the barn.
If you are building a small barn, you may be able to do the excavation yourself, but it would be advisable to hire a reputable company or individual if undertaking a large-scale project.
If the ground is substantially out of level there will be gaps under the barn and this could cause parts of the barn to sag, and could allow pests to live in these spaces.
Depending on where you live and your county/city/state regulations, you will likely be subject to various building codes.
You should ask the potential builder about their familiarity with the codes in your area and whether they are able to abide by these regulations.
The last thing you want is to invest time and money in building a barn and then have to totally scrap the whole project because it is out of code.
Another item to look into is whether the builder has any negative reports filed against them with the Better Business Bureau, as well as to see if they are an accredited builder.
One of the accreditation programs for barn builders, for example, is the "Accredited Post-Frame Builder Program".
Before handing over any money, you should also get a full estimate, to include time frame, when payments will be due and in what amounts, warranty information, and any other details pertinent to your specific project.
While there are a number of other items to take into consideration, I hope this gives you a good idea of some of the things to look out for when building a barn.
Even if you decide to hire a barn builder, it would give you a good idea of how professional the company's plans are by looking at some barn designs yourself.
Happy Building! - Thom
But not to fear, if you take the following criteria into account, you will be well on your way to finding a builder who will provide you with a long-lasting and attractive structure.
While price is always a consideration when undertaking any sizable project, when building a barn, you don't want to cut corners.
A great question to ask any potential builder is what the dimensions of their "centers" are.
This number will tell you how many trusses will be in the final product.
For example, it is much better to have 4 foot centers than 10 foot centers.
The larger the number, the fewer the trusses, which is bad, since they are integral to the barn's structural integrity and, as a result, its longevity.
Another question to ask potential builders is whether their estimate includes costs associated with excavation and leveling of the building pad.
Making the ground perfectly level, at least within less than a half foot, is very important to the stability and aesthetics of the barn.
If you are building a small barn, you may be able to do the excavation yourself, but it would be advisable to hire a reputable company or individual if undertaking a large-scale project.
If the ground is substantially out of level there will be gaps under the barn and this could cause parts of the barn to sag, and could allow pests to live in these spaces.
Depending on where you live and your county/city/state regulations, you will likely be subject to various building codes.
You should ask the potential builder about their familiarity with the codes in your area and whether they are able to abide by these regulations.
The last thing you want is to invest time and money in building a barn and then have to totally scrap the whole project because it is out of code.
Another item to look into is whether the builder has any negative reports filed against them with the Better Business Bureau, as well as to see if they are an accredited builder.
One of the accreditation programs for barn builders, for example, is the "Accredited Post-Frame Builder Program".
Before handing over any money, you should also get a full estimate, to include time frame, when payments will be due and in what amounts, warranty information, and any other details pertinent to your specific project.
While there are a number of other items to take into consideration, I hope this gives you a good idea of some of the things to look out for when building a barn.
Even if you decide to hire a barn builder, it would give you a good idea of how professional the company's plans are by looking at some barn designs yourself.
Happy Building! - Thom
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