And vs. Or

[ImpalaJon]

At the risk of starting another “Pole Barn – what should I do” thread, here goes….

In the two years since we bought our new place on 33 acres, I’ve been struggling over the decision whether to build a garage/shop or a barn first. My “significant other“ and I started a business shortly after we moved primarily to allow a tax deduction for her standardbred race horses. As expected with many new business, and horse racing specifically, we’ve shown a loss the last two years which has put a building of any kind on hold. Things have taken a huge turn for the better the past two months and the outlook is pretty good for the foreseeable future so now my thoughts have turned from a Shop or Barn, to a Shop and Barn. A single multi-purpose building won’t work because of the site logistics.

I’ve been researching for two years so I know pretty much exactly what I want (thanks to all the great information from everyone here) and I’ve used some of the online pole barn estimating tools available so I know about what each of the buildings should cost separately. However, I’m curious what kind of savings I might expect by having both built at the same time. In addition to a building crew only having to show up once, I assume I could see some savings by having electric all run at the once, same with water and gas. Perhaps a slight savings due to the size of the concrete order?

Also, before I start seriously dragging builders out here for estimates, can you guys think of any reason I wouldn’t want them both done at once?

Proposed Shop - 36x48
Proposed Barn – 36x72 w/12x72 lean-to on east side

 

[Zeke]

From my standpoint as a contractor I see some savings but materials are materials and labor is labor regardless. So is any kind of profit and overhead, especially the overhead. Where you might see some savings is in the supervision of the project. But even then, two buildings can't go up in the same time frame as one so any supervision will still be spread over the two projects.

You mentioned concrete. Every job seems to have one short load to fill out the order. By doing all the concrete at once you may have just the one short load. One the other side of the coin, you will need more men to do all of it at once.

I just don't see a big advantage. But, if you KNOW you are going to eventually build both, do all the site dirt work, trenching and back filling at one time so you don't have to pay for the equipment transportation 2wice.

 

[larry_g]

I just don't see a big advantage. But, if you KNOW you are going to eventually build both, do all the site dirt work, trenching and back filling at one time so you don't have to pay for the equipment transportation 2wice.

Drilling and setting poles, using a lift to set trusses, wiring, and other things can also be included in items that can be economized in scale. Review this with your builder, especially if your working with a large builder that may have separate crews for different parts of the project.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[readhead]

As someone who erects buildings I am treating it as two jobs that happen to be at the same place. Material and labor won't change. The only savings I can see is one move on charge for the excavator and maybe some savings on freight for material.

 

[ImpalaJon]

Thanks for the input guys. No savings on materials and labor make sense, with possible savings coming from eliminating the need to haul equipment a second time and single trips for site prep and utilities. I'll be getting more detailed estimates over the next few months so I can get moving as soon as possible this spring. I work from home so I should be able to get plenty of pictures for a build thread.