The pricing and costs of barn structures are a lot to consider when thinking about entering the farming industry. Farming is typically a high-cost business to enter. To begin a farming business, farmers must invest money in fencing, livestock, buildings, equipment and supplies. Therefore, it is essential to do careful planning and research for the best deal on barns.

Barn structures have a wide range of costs. Some are very basic and simple while others are elaborate and expensive. When thinking about the budget you want to set for your barn structures, consider the following:

1. How much of your daily farm activities will revolve around your barn structures?

2. What is the primary purpose of your barn structures?

3. Will you hire barn builders or use barn kits?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Begin with a simple metal barn

Some farmers would like to spend more on their barn structures. However, budgeting simply prevents them from doing so. If your budget is tight and your barn needs cannot wait, begin with a simple pole barn. Today, most pole barns are wooden poles with metal sides and roof. Unless you plan to use your barn for livestock, leave it open on the inside. When budgeting allows more, you can add petitions and storage rooms. Add amenities such as electricity and running water to your barn when money allows.

I recommend: Lester Buildings sells metal barns for $8 to $40 a square foot. Metal Steel Buildings offers metal and steel barns for $8,000 to $40,000.

Consider leasing barn structures

Many farmers lease land for crops and livestock grazing. Leasing a barn is also a possibility. Retired farms often have good barn structures. If you only need a barn for equipment storage or seasonal feeding storage, such as hay and corn, leasing a barn may be right for you. Look for unused barn structures near your farm area. Even if the owner has not mentioned wanting to lease the barn, make an offer. Some retired farmers may not have thought about the money they could make from leasing their building.

I recommend: Check classified ads and sites for barn and farm buildings for lease. The price of leasing is dependent on location, owner preference and size of barn. The For Farmers and Horse Boarding websites both list barns and horse barns for lease.

Hire barn builders to complete your barn structure

Some farmers have the time, material, and skill to construct their own barn structure. However, others do not. If building your barn will take you away from your livestock and your crops, you may want to consider hiring barn builders. The cost of hiring a barn builder depends on the type of structure that you wish to have built. A rough rule of thumb is that labor costs often equal the costs of materials.

I recommend: Look at the gallery of barns from Walters Buildings and contact them for a price quote. Tri County Barns offers a variety of barn construction services. Contact them with your idea of a perfect barn and they will give you a price quote.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you decide to choose a barn builder for your barn structure, be certain to get a quote in writing. Ask the barn builder to inform you of any significant price changes of the barn structure.

Barn structures are perhaps the oldest office buildings in the world. Home to one of mankind’s oldest industries — agriculture — wood barns and steel barns have long been an ideal storage solution for livestock, grain and farm equipment. Modern barn structures, however, are more than the classic red cow barn.

Today’s barn structures come in many shapes, sizes and materials, providing practical storage for a wealth of equipment, supplies and inventory. What’s more, they’re ideal for businesses in a wide variety of industries; whether you’re a farmer proper or an entrepreneur — a florist, for instance, a landscaper or even a retailer — in need of utilitarian real estate, barn structures might have the features you need.

Ready to do some good old fashioned barn raising? Keep these questions top-of-mind when you’re shopping for barn structures:

1. What size structure do I need? Barn structures can be very small, for compact storage needs, or very large, to meet full-scale agricultural demands.
2. What kind of structure do I need? Barn structures include not only barns, but also sheds, silos, stalls and even greenhouses; consider your needs and browse accordingly.
3. What materials do I prefer? Barn structures can be built using a variety of materials; consider, for instance, whether you prefer steel barns or wood barns?
4. How quickly do I need my structure? Prefab barn structures can be built, assembled and erected in as little as a few weeks, while new barn construction can take many months.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase prefab barn structures

Prefab barn structures come pre-built in pieces that can be assembled easily on site. They are ideal for consumers or businesses that need fast or portable solutions, as prefab barn structures can be built more quickly and more cost effectively when compared with new barn construction.

I recommend: Shop for prefab barn structures with companies such as Horizon Structures and Castlebrook Barns, which specialize in building modular barn structures.

Think about steel barns

Steel barns are considered by many to be stronger and more durable than other barn structures. And because they tend to be more resistant to weather, fire and wear, resulting in lower insurance, maintenance and replacement costs, steel barns are also considered to be more affordable.

I recommend: Allied Steel Buildings, Freedom Steel, MBMI Metal Buildings and General Steel are four companies that provide prefab barn structures and barn kits with which to build steel barns.

Consider wood barns

Wood barns offer classic, sturdy barn construction with a traditional feel. While they tend to be more attractive than steel barns, wood barns also tend to be more expensive. If you want to throw down for something gorgeous, though, wood barns are definitely the way to go.

I recommend: Rodeo Barns offers traditional timber-frame horse barns in several styles via barn kits that can be shipped nationwide. Other companies building wood-frame barn structures include American Country Barns and Heritage Restorations, which restores old-fashioned wood barns for modern-day purposes.

Use barn kits to build unique barn structures

Barn structures can accommodate a variety of unique needs. They can include, for instance, greenhouses, garages, gazebos, workshops and even residential homes. And like prefab barn structures, all can be built with barn kits, which are designed for easy, fast and affordable assembly.

I recommend: Barn Pros offers a variety of barn kits, including kits with which to build houses and garages. Check Business.com for vendors who specialize in barn kits for greenhouses, silos and stalls.

Commission new barn construction

While prefab barn structures and barn kits are cheaper and faster to build than brand new barns, new barn construction may be worth the time, energy and cost if your business truly depends on strong, functional barn structures in order to thrive.

I recommend: Search for builders who specialize in outbuilding and barn construction online via ServiceMagic's contractor directory.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Like any building, barn structures ought to be properly insured; keep your rates low by making sure yours is resistant to fire, weather, mold and pests.
• •  Barn structures, like other buildings, are subject to building codes; make sure yours is compliant with construction standards in your area.
• •  Are you green? Consider environmentally friendly barn structures, such as wood barns that are built with FSC-certified wood and steel barns built with recycled metal.
• •  Barn structures intended as homes for livestock should have animal safety and well-being in mind; look for barn structures that are kick- and bite-proof, hygienic and easy to clean, made with non-toxic materials, etc.
• •  If you choose prefab barn structures, or do-it-yourself barn kits, look for products with a good warranty; most prefab barn structures and barn kits should be guaranteed for up to 25 years.

Barn structures basics consist of a knowledge of livestock barns, equipment barns, and working barns. The best barn structures are dependent on their intended use. Each barn structure is different in design, size and material.

It is very important to think about the primary use of your barn before beginning construction. It is also important to consider the material of your barn. Will you use barn builders or barn building kits? When thinking about barn structures, consider the following:

1. Do you prefer wooden barns, metal barns, or steel barns?

2. What special amenities do you feel make barn structures more efficient?

3. Are you considering purchasing barn kits?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Give great attention and thought to horse barn structures

Horse barns are perhaps the most elaborate and demanding barn structures. Horse barns often require more amenities and special features than any other type of barn. These features are to keep horses safe and in good condition. Some equestrians prefer a metal barn or steel barn structure for their horses to eliminate the worry of fire. Horse barn structures need detail given to the inside for stalls, storage rooms, and tack rooms. Some horse barn structures include an indoor riding area.

I recommend: Apple Valley Barns and Stable Wise both offer design plans for horse barn structures.

Use barn structures to keep your equipment safe from weather elements

Some farms use barn structures for equipment. Farming equipment is pricey. Therefore, take care of it to ensure top performance. Building an equipment barn is one way to keep your equipment safe from weather and theft. Pole barns are often the structure choice for equipment barns. The barn structures are simple and basic. When considering an equipment barn structure, be certain to keep width of doors and height of the building in mind. Again, a metal barn can help ease worry of losses due to fire.

I recommend: Get plans for equipment barns from Geek Books and American Steel Span.

Build barn structures for livestock and supply storage

Some type of barn is essential for every type of farm. Even if you do not have a lot of equipment, you still have supplies. Livestock require feeding. Therefore, farmers use barns for storing feed, hay, medical supplies, and other agricultural items. These barns can contain compartments or be open. If you choose to use an open barn structure, you will need to consider shelving and storage bins along the walls.

I recommend: BGS Plan and the University of Tennessee both offer information about livestock and supply storage barns.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before making decisions about your barn structure, it is a good idea to talk with barn owners in farm discussion groups and find out what they like or dislike about their barns. Hiring a barn designer may also be a good choice for elaborate structures.

Barn structures are a common addition for a property and can serve a variety of purposes besides agricultural uses. For example, construction businesses find barns useful to perform repairs and maintenance on machinery, as well as store equipment and protect their investments from weather and vandalism. Individuals may construct a barn on their property to board horses or raise livestock to generate income.

When constructing a barn, there are several styles, types and construction materials one can choose from, such as German bank barns, steel buildings, timber frame barns and build-it-yourself kits.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

German bank barns

This barn style, constructed into the side of a hill, allows one to access two levels from the ground. In areas where a hill is not present, builders form earthen hills to allow access to the second floor.

I recommend: For more information on German bank barns, refer to the Ohio Academy of Science.

Steel buildings

Steel buildings, sold as pre-fabricated kits, allow an individual to construct a structure quickly and easily. Advantages to steel buildings, sometimes referred to as steel barns, include shorter construction time, lower construction costs, ability to expand the structure as needed, increased durability and weather resistance when compared to other construction materials, lower insurance costs and low maintenance.

I recommend: Refer to Buildings Guide for more information on steel buildings.

Timber frame barns

Timber frame barns, constructed of wood on a foundation, utilize a construction method of mortise and tenon, pegs or dovetails. An advantage of timber frame barns is that they allow the flexibility to design the barn to serve the required function - to house animals, which requires construction of stalls, or to house vehicles, which would involve a more open floor plan.

I recommend: For more information on timber frame barns, refer to Hardwick Post and Beam.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood

Be an environmental steward and utilize Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood for your barn construction. FSC certified wood is lumber grown on land that utilizes forest management practices put in place to protect environmental resources, such as aesthetics, recreation and water quality.

I recommend: Refer to the Forest Stewardship Council for more information on FSC certified wood.

Barn construction kits

Barn construction kits allow individuals to construct their barn structure themselves, since step-by-step instructions, illustrations and pre-cut materials are included. Barn construction kits require only a limited set of carpentry skills.

I recommend: For more information on barn construction kits, refer to Shelter-Kit.

Pitch

With Barn Structures, pitch refers to the slope of the roof. A lower pitched roof is closer to level than a higher pitched roof. When determining which type of pitched roof your barn should have, consider your climate, as rain and snow run off higher pitched roofs more easily than a lower pitched roof.

I recommend: For more information as to how roof pitch affects the form and function of a barn, refer to FCP Buildings.