How Much Does A Pole Barn Cost To Build?

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Whether you’re building a barn to accompany your new home or simply need more storage space, a pole barn can be a great investment. These versatile buildings can be used to house horses, as a barndominium, or even as an alternative to buying a house. But with the rising costs of lumber and construction since the start of the pandemic, you’re probably wondering just how much it’s going to cost.

There are plenty of factors that can affect your pole barn cost and researching potential costs ahead of time will go a long way in easing your mind and helping you plan your budget. In this guide, we’ll discuss the average costs of pole barns, break down the different components of a pole barn, and help you estimate your costs.

Average Cost Of A Pole Barn

The cost of building a pole barn can span a wide range from as low as $4,000 for a simple kit to as high as $100,000 for a more elaborate building. That being said, most pole barns range in cost from $15,000 to $30,000, with the average being about $25,000.

Many factors will help determine the cost of your pole barn, including the size of the barn, the materials used, and the labor costs.

Pole Barn Cost Estimator

As we mentioned, size is an important factor for determining the cost to build your new pole barn. In general, the larger your pole barn is, the more expensive it will be to build.

Smaller barns can be as small as 20 x 30 feet and used for vehicles and other storage. Those are likely to start at less than $10,000. On the other end of the spectrum. Large pole barns used for agriculture or other industrial purposes can range from 60-100 feet in either direction and cost more than $50,000.

Pole barns tend to cost between $15 and $30 per square foot. The table below shows the cost of pole barns of various sizes. You can use this table to estimate your own costs.

If you're in the market for a pole barn, be sure to compare quotes from top-rated pole barn builders at HomeAdvisor.

Material And Labor Costs To Build A Pole Barn

The cost of your pole barn will be made up of two major factors: labor and materials.

Labor Costs

Labor costs help to pay for all of the workers who will play a role in your pole barn’s construction. The amount you’ll pay for labor depends on where you live and the company you choose. However, it also depends on the square footage of the pole barn and the number of work hours it takes to build. You can generally expect to pay between $5 and $10 per square foot for labor, but more specialized labor like an electrician or a plumber will increase the overall estimate. Some of the tasks that will need to be done might include:

• Land clearing
• Framing
• Insulation
• Roofing and siding
• Pouring concrete
• Electricity
• Plumbing

Material Prices

The other major component of building a pole barn is the materials. In general, you’ll pay between $5 and $15 per square foot for building materials. Those materials may include beams, roofing, concrete, drywall, and more. Of course, your costs will increase with the value of the materials you choose.

Breakdown Of Average Pole Barn Costs

We’ve already talked about the primary components that go into your pole barn costs. In this section, we’ll break those down a bit more so you can understand just what goes into your total price tag. Remember, not all of these may be necessary for your pole barn and how you plan to use it.

Pole Barn Kit And Design

If you’re using a pre-made pole barn kit, then you may have costs on the lowest end of the range at around $5,200. Kits also allow you to save on labor costs by taking the build on yourself. The kits come with all of the required building materials and are highly customizable based on size, materials and needs.

Permits

In most cases, you’ll need a permit to build your pole barn. Your permit can range from as cheap as $50 to as expensive as thousands of dollars. The type of permit necessary, as well as the cost of the permit, will depend on where you’re located. You might pay more for a permit for a pole barn meant for industrial or business use than for personal use.

Site Leveling

Before construction can begin, the contractor will have to level the site. This step ensures your pole barn sits correctly if it’s on a slope or uneven ground. This step will be more expensive if you’re building your pole barn in a wooded area or one filled with brush, rocks, and other materials.

Foundation

Your pole barn will need a foundation to help prevent settling and keep it firmly in place. The location of your building and the type of barn you're building will impact the cost of your foundation. Pouring a concrete foundation can cost several thousand dollars.

Framing And Building

Framing and building your pole barn will be one of the largest costs since it makes up the structure of the barn. This step will cost thousands of dollars or even tens of thousands of dollars depending on the barn’s size. The type of materials you choose will also affect your framing costs.

Siding

Once the framing of your pole barn is complete, the contractors will have to install the siding. Your costs will depend on the type of siding you choose. Options include wood, aluminum, vinyl, and more. Siding can cost upwards of $10,000, and wood siding is generally the most affordable.

Insulation

Depending on where you live and whether you’ll be keeping animals in your pole barn, insulation may be necessary. This step generally costs between $900 and $1,900. That being said, insulation isn’t always necessary.

Drywall

Drywall is another optional step in building your pole barn. If you decide to install drywall, it will increase your total costs. The cost of installing drywall depends on the square footage of the space.

Roofing

Roofing is an important step in building your pole barn. The cost of your roof can range from $5,000 to $25,000 and will depend on the square footage of the space and the roof materials you choose. The most common materials for a pole barn roof are steel and aluminum.

Flooring

Many pole barns have a concrete floor, but you can also add wood or laminate flooring. The flooring materials, along with the square footage of the space, will impact the ultimate cost.

Electricity

Depending on what you’ll be using your pole barn for, you don’t necessarily need electricity. That being said, it can be awfully nice to have and will be a must-have for many pole barns. You can expect to pay between $50 and $100 per hour to hire an electrician. You could also install solar panels on your barn to reduce your long-term electricity costs.

Plumbing

Plumbing is another optional addition to your pole barn that can be nice to have but will increase the costs. Depending on what you’ll be using your pole barn for, it can be nice to have running water. And if you’re planning to make it habitable, plumbing is necessary. The installation costs will range from $45 to $150 per hour and may vary depending on whether your plumbing feeds off your well water supply.

HVAC

Depending on where you live and what you’ll be using your pole barn for, you may need to install heating and air conditioning. The cost of an HVAC system, if you choose to install one, can range from $5,000 to $10,000 and can increase your pole barn costs considerably.

Doors, Windows And Ventilation

When planning your pole barn, you’ll have to consider what doors, windows, vents, and other entry points you’ll want to include. Not only do these entry points help you enter your pole barn, but the right choices can also help with temperature control, provide much needed natural lighting and cut down on your energy costs.

Can You Build A Pole Barn Yourself?

It is possible to DIY your barn build. In fact, there are pole barn kits specifically designed to help you do just that. However, going the DIY route isn’t right for everyone. When you hire a contractor, they handle the permitting and building codes, which can be difficult for individuals to navigate.

Another major consideration is site preparation. If done incorrectly, it can decrease the structural integrity of the building, as can a poor construction job.

Finally, contractors often handle the purchase of materials. Not only do they have access to suppliers you may not, but they also know exactly what to look for, and may have access to discounted rates that aren’t available to individuals.

If you’re considering converting an existing pole barn into a home, you might feel comfortable doing more of the work yourself, since the structure is already there. However, it’s probably worth hiring professionals to handle the electricity and plumbing.

The Bottom Line

The cost of a pole barn can span a wide range from just a few thousand dollars to upwards of $100,000. The good news is you’ll be on the lower end of that range if you’re simply building a small pole barn to store a vehicle or several small items.

There are also many financing options available for your pole barn, so you don’t necessarily have to save up the cash. Consider applying for a cash-out refinance with Rocket Mortgage^® as a potential financing option for your pole barn.