How Much Does It Cost To Build A Pole Barn House?
$10 – $30 Per Square Foot
$4,000 – $35,000 Barn, Shed, Garage
$50,000 – $100,000 House
$4,000 – $35,000 Barn, Shed, Garage
$50,000 – $100,000 House
A small pole barn for a shed or garage costs $4,000 to $15,000. A medium sized pole barn for horses or storage of hay runs $15,000 to $35,000. Pole barn homes range from $50,000 to $100,000 or more. Get free estimates from pole barn builders near you.
Pole Barn Prices
The cost to build a pole barn house runs $15,000 to $35,000 on average with most spending $10 to $30 per square foot. Exact prices depend on the size. A small pole building costs $4,000, while a large residential or retail building runs $100,000 or more.
Pole barns are built on supporting poles, durable, and easy to maintain. Pole building prices will largely depend upon its size and intended use. Many homeowners and farmers are installing pole barns for sheds, barns, commercial buildings, and homes because of the speed of installation and lower cost.
| National Average Cost | $22,000 |
| Minimum Cost | $4,000 |
| Maximum Cost | $120,000 |
| Average Range | $15,000 to $35,000 |
Metal pole barns are cheaper than wood, won’t rot or warp, and termites won’t find the metal at all edible. Most pole barn kits come with high-quality metal roofing and siding although it's optional to be fully functional.
Table of Contents
- Pole Barn Prices
- Pole Barn Cost Estimator
- Cost to Build a Pole Barn House
- Pole Barn Kit Prices
- Metal Building Homes Cost
- DIY Pole Barns
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Barn Builders Near Me
Pole Barn Cost Estimator
An estimate for a 1,800 square feet 12-horse pole barn runs anywhere from $15,000 to $35,000, while a 40x60 pole barn cost will average $20,000 to $40,000. Pole barns have many versatile uses for farms and can add space and convenience. Pricing will fluctuate from $10 to 30 per square foot the more customized the pole barn becomes.
Pole Barn Sizes & Prices
Below are the typical pole barn sizes and typical uses based on square footage. A barn will approximately hold 100 bales of hay per 1,200 square feet, and one horse stall per 144 square feet.
| Size | Square Feet | Average Cost | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16x16 | 256 | $4,000 – $8,000 | 1 garage, 1 horse barn |
| 20x20 | 400 | $4,500 – $12,000 | 1 or 2-car garage, 2 horse barn, 30 bales of hay |
| 20x30 | 600 | $5,000 – $15,000 | 1 or 2-car garage, 2 horse barn, 50 bales of hay |
| 24x24 | 576 | $5,000 – $15,000 | 1 or 2-car garage, 2 horse barn |
| 30x30 | 900 | $7,000 – $20,000 | 3-car garage, small retail space, 4 horse barn |
| 30x40 | 1,200 | $10,000 – $25,000 | 8 horse stall, small retail space, 100 bales of hay |
| 30x50 | 1,500 | $12,000 – $30,000 | 4-car garage, 125 bales of hay, 10 horse stable |
| 30x60 | 1,800 | $15,000 – $35,000 | 6-car garage, machine shop, 12 horse barn |
| 36x36 | 1,296 | $10,000 – $25,000 | 100 bales of hay, 8 horse stable |
| 36x50 | 1,800 | $15,000 – $35,000 | Multi-office unit, auto or tractor workshop |
| 40x40 | 1,600 | $13,000 – $32,000 | 10 horse stall, 130 bales of hay |
| 40x50 | 2,000 | $16,000 – $40,000 | 150 bales of hay, 12 horse barn |
| 40x60 | 2,400 | $20,000 – $40,000 | 200 bales of hay, industrial workshop |
| 40x80 | 3,200 | $25,000 – $55,000 | 250 bales of hay, 20 horse barn, 2 bedroom house |
| 50x80 | 4,000 | $30,000 – $60,000 | 12-car garage, 2 or 3-bedroom house |
| 50x100 | 5,000 | $40,000 – $75,000 | 3 bedroom house, 400 bales of hay |
| 60x80 | 4,800 | $40,000 – $75,000 | Industrial machine shop or warehouse |
| 60x90 | 5,400 | $45,000 – $80,000 | 450 bales of hay, 4 bedroom house, 35 horse barn |
| 60x100 | 6,000 | $50,000 – $100,000 | Commercial warehouse or storage |
Labor, location, and construction all play a role in getting an estimate. Having a basic pole barn with just support beams and walls or one with a foundation and other features, can affect the pricing greatly.
The walls for a pole barn require no inner support, making it great for large livestock that needs space to move around in or for various agricultural needs like hay storage. These post-frame buildings are customizable to fit horses and cows or tractors and feed. You can also buy a green pole barn made of recycled steel.
Pole Barn Cost Per Square Foot
The cost to build a pole barn runs $10 to $30 per square foot but adding additional features will influence pricing. Roll-up or overhead doors are great options for access, making it perfect for maneuvering livestock or loading and unloading materials. Lean-to's, Garage doors, entry doors, sliding doors, skylights, and dormer windows are accents that can drive the square footage prices up.
Labor Cost to Build a Pole Barn
The labor cost to build a pole barn is $5 to $10 per square foot. Expect to pay more for any added features, like electricity, carpentry, or plumbing installation. The average cost per hour in the US for these professionals is $40 to $70 per hour or more.
Pole Barn Material Prices
Pole barn materials alone cost about $5 to $20 per square foot. Consider what you are trying to accomplish with your space before hiring barn builders. From building a single-car garage to starting a small retail space, the right post-frame structure will help achieve what you have in mind. An expert pole barn contractor will figure out the best design for your needs and will not stop until you are satisfied.
Pole Building Costs for Garages, Sheds, and Homes
For residential or retail use, a pole barn can run up to $100,000. Sheds, garages, hay and horse barns cost $4,000 to $50,000 to build. If your house is too small to store extra belongings, a pole barn is a perfect extra-storage solution. It can also be great to use as a workshop, tool shed, small home, or party venue. Prices below are pole barn kits from Home Depot.
- Pole Garage: Whether you want a stand-alone garage or a second one, a pole barn is great for protecting your investments from the elements, costing $4,500 to $6,500.
- Pole Shed or Office Space: Add the luxury of insulation and electricity, and you have yourself a great work-from-home office that costs $9,300 to $15,300.
- Pole Workshop: Costing about $19,000, fabrication, woodworking, and welding a pole barn is an excellent alternative to working in a basement or rental shop space.
- Pole Barn Home: A pole barn building will provide the shell you need to start with for $35,000 to $42,000. You’ll have to cover the cost of the foundation and internal framing, and you can finish out the interior with flooring and insulation as you wish.
Cost to Build a Pole Barn House
The cost to build a 40x60 pole barn house is $35,000 to $70,000 or $15 to $30 per square foot. The larger and more complex pole barn designs cost $45 per square foot, or $100,000 plus when fully finished out. A concrete slab costs an additional $6 per square foot to pour.
Since post frame builds rely on vertical poles for stability instead of a foundation, they come at a low cost, are easy to construct, and can be adapted for many needs. Pole barns are particularly popular as storage units, barns, and sheds, but you’ll at least double or triple your cost once you want to turn it into livable space like a home or apartment.
Cost of Pole Barn Loft Apartment & Living Quarters
You can finish out and add living quarters to any pole barn for about $25 per square foot of apartment space, but there are several factors to consider for budgeting if you want the entire barn to be liveable. Prices below are for a 2,776 square foot pole barn home finished-out.
| Factors | Average Cost | % of Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Site & Prep Work | $3,000 | 6 |
| Concrete Foundation | $15,300 | 6 |
| Major Systems | $35,000 | 15 |
| Interior Finishes | $70,000 | 29 |
| Total | $123,000 | 56 |
- Landscape and Location – Land clearing costs $1,200 to $4,500 for leveling and preparing your property for installation.
- Construction Manager – A building manager costs $3,000 to $41,000 depending on the complexity of the project. Construction managers or overseers usually charge $15%–20% of the total cost as their fee.
- Siding Material – $5,000 to $10,000 for wood and $10,000 to $15,000 for aluminum
- Insulation – $800 to $2,000 for housing livestock or building a home
- Drywall – Drywall costs $1,200 to $2,500, or about $1.60 to $2.35 per square foot to install.
- Roofing – Metal roofing costs $5,000 to $25,000 for aluminum or steel with labor included.
- Electricity, Carpentry, or Plumbing – $37–$43/hour or double, if you live in an area with high labor costs. Individually, in a 3-bed, 2-bath pole barn home, rough-in plumbing costs about $11,000, electrical work $10,000, and your HVAC system $11,000.
Pole Building Insulation
Blown-in insulation costs $800 to $2,000 for your pole barn. Having siding with built-in insulation will lower your price point long term. If you plan on living in your pole barn or housing livestock, then installing insulation is necessary to make it habitable. “Use the Home Energy Saver tool to determine where you need to insulate and the recommended R-values based on your climate, type of heating and cooling system, etc.” (energy.gov).
Roofing
Roofing costs will range from $5,000 to $10,000 and can reach up to $25,000 when labor is added. Metal roofs are easier to install than shingle roofs and more commonly installed on pole barns. The most common roofing materials are aluminum and steel.
Siding
Adding siding to your pole barn can cost from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on if you want to use wood, vinyl, steel, or aluminum. You don’t necessarily need siding, but it can make the barn look like more of a regular home, and siding further protects the interior of the pole barn from outside wear and tear. Most materials can be installed within just a day or two.
At best, vinyl siding is aesthetically pleasing, but it's only plastic. Wood siding adds a great look, but it is not as durable as the metal options. Aluminum and steel siding will protect the pole barn from more extreme elements and last longer.
Flooring
The most common floor type for pole barns is concrete, which costs $1,000 to $5,000. Flooring installation costs range from $6 to $20 per square foot on average with the cheapest being laminate flooring at $3 to $8 per sqft. If you're going to house livestock, leaving the floor as dirt is a common, inexpensive option. Sawdust is spread out over the dirt floor to collect moisture. Add rubber mats underneath a dirt floor for a softer surface to alleviate joint problems. Those run around $90 for a 4 x 6.
Foundation
Foundation for a pole barn home will cost about $26,000 for excavation, foundation, concrete, retaining walls, and backfill. Another option is pole barn floor plates you can install over a pier and beam setup.
Doors and Windows
Windows run $2,500 to $7,500 or $500–$1,000 per window and can add natural lighting and keep energy costs down. Doors are $700 to $2,000, and if you would like an electric garage-style door, the cost will go up. As with any project, the more complex the parts, the higher the price. When it comes to added features, go for function over looks if you're looking to keep costs down.
Painting
Exterior painting costs $400 to $1,500 for metal siding, and wood will cost $700 to $2,000. Interior painting your installed drywall will cost about $3,000–$5,000 or $1.50+ per square foot. The final cost of painting depends on the materials used to make your pole barn. The benefit of painting wood siding is it will help to add longevity. Painting will help metal siding to look more natural and less of an eyesore.
Pole Barn Kit Prices
Pole barn kit prices range from $4,000 to $50,000 depending on the size, quality, and accessories. For residential uses, a pole barn kit can go up to $100,000. You’ll pay more for doors, windows, insulation, roofing, trim, skylights, and gutters, and downspouts.
A pole barn kit usually includes the outer and inner framing and sheeting, and you can choose your color scheme for the exterior. It should also include a 30- to 40- year warranty on manufacturing, certification, engineers’ drawings (for permits), and anchor bolt drawings.
Pole Barn House Kits Prices
| Size | Base Price Range | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Small 24’ x 24’ x 8’ – 36’ x 48’ x 10’ |
$2,400 – $10,700 | Garage |
| Medium 36’ x 36’ x 12’ – 40’ x 80’ x 14’ |
$7,000 – $21,000 | Storage |
| Large 40’ x 60’ x 16’ – 60’ x 120’ x 16’ |
$14,400 – $51,000 | Workshop |
| Extra Large | $49,000 – $100,000 | Residential & Commercial |
Most customers choose to pay for the kit company’s installation team, and they can put the pole barn up in about six weeks from start to finish if you want a concrete foundation. If all you want is a simple garage, it can go up in a day with deep anchors.
Another benefit of buying one of these kits is that with some building experience, you can do the basic installation work yourself. You can save about 50% on your total costs, although you’ll need to rent a lift or forklift if you’re raising the barn yourself at the expense of $500–$1,000.
When you’ve narrowed down your pole barn kit companies, their costs should include:
- Free estimates & quotes.
- Steel frame, not wood.
- Manufacturers’ warranties.
- Shipping
Morton Pole Barn Prices
Morton pole barn prices range from $79,000 for a 36x50 (1,800 square foot) building to $134,000 for a two-story 30x50 3,000 square foot living area. Building shells come fully erected with a full Morton warranty and finishing costs can range anywhere from $50 to $100 per square foot.
Morton is one of the most trusted names in pole barn construction. They offer a wide range of pole barn types, from equestrian to commercial. Morton’s prices vary significantly on the different models of pole barns since there are so many modifications that can be made.
The Morton brand is popular despite its price point because of the guarantees offered. Many of their warranties depend on materials used, but generally speaking, most buildings come with a 35- to 50-year warranty on snow load, decay, and building materials.
Metal Building Homes Cost
Metal houses complete with roof, frames, and siding start at $5,000 and can cost up to $30,000 just for the shell. They are a great alternative if you are unable to build a home from the ground up. These prefab homes are cost-efficient and come in many styles to suit your needs.
| Building Type | Cost Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Quonset Hut | $12 – $16 |
| Pole Barn | $10 – $30 |
| Modular | $35 – $42 |
| I-Beam Metal Building | $9 – $18 |
| C-Channel Building | $15 – $20 |
| Block Building | $9 – $12 |
Pole Barn vs. Metal Building
A metal building can last a lot longer than one built with wood. Strong elemental forces, such as wind and rain, cannot wear metal down as fast as they can other materials. Because metal structures make the external walls load-bearing, they are easier to remodel for future additions.
Insurance costs are lower for metal buildings because they are mostly fire resistant. Another great benefit to metal buildings is the low-maintenance costs, and metal results in savings of about $100 per month in utility bills over wood. These metal structures will save you a significant amount of money in the long run.
DIY Pole Barns
For those looking to DIY and create a custom pole barn, there are plenty of complete building kits to choose from. If you have the skills and time to build a new pole barn, then expect to save on labor at a price point of $5 to $10 per square foot apart from additional add-ons you have chosen to pay for.
Building materials such as wood and metal for interior framing, roof joints, etc., will cost between $5 and $15 per square foot. If you want a concrete foundation for added security, then add an extra $6+ per square foot. The cost will go up the more features you add.
Building a pole barn yourself is not always the best option. If your pole barn is constructed incorrectly or with low-quality materials, then you could be taking the chance of running into expensive repairs in the future. By hiring a professional contractor, they are familiar with the building process, building permits, and local building codes required for new structures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to build a pole barn house?
Building a barn home on your property is cheaper than building a custom home. The construction process of a pole barn home is less complicated, and you still get the same amount of control. However, they will depreciate over time quicker if they are mostly made of wood rather than metal. Wood will deteriorate over time and will require more maintenance.
How much does it cost to build a barndominium?
Most barndominium builders will charge $80 to $100 per square foot or $20 per square foot for a barndominium kit which you will then install yourself. Calculating the cost for a barndominium is not an easy task; be aware these types of structures can sometimes cost more than a traditionally built home when you factor in all the special features. The overall average cost is $150,000 to $220,000.
Get free estimates on HomeGuide from trusted pole barn builders:
- https://www.bigbuildingsdirect.com/product/the-rogue-commercial-garage-kit-w-office-space-55x120x17/
- https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/pole-barn-prices/
- https://metalbuildinghomes.org/olympia-steel-buildings-review/
- https://metalbuildinghomes.org/arco-buildings/
- https://metalbuildinghomes.org/arched-cabins/
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