Here we go again... builders in Columbus, OH?

[Jeff F]

Well, 15 years after building my 36x48 pole barn in Southeast PA (https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...wanted-new-pole-barn-build.68181/post-1622492) it looks like we are headed to Columbus, OH and likely starting on another building project.

We have started house shopping, and while it seems like Columbus has a good population of houses that already have decent buildings, there is a good chance that we will end up building. Does anyone have any recommendations for pole barn builders that service Columbus? Trying to get an idea of what costs look like and evaluate potential properties to see if there are any issues with them.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Directly in Columbus or the surrounding townships or a rural area 20 miles out ?

Just saying Columbus, will describe a huge area.

 

[GRN96WS6]

Columbus and metro area is huge, what specific area like Nutts said. I have a friend up in Powell who had a building built (don't know builder but could ask).

 

[Jeff F]

At this point we are considering a pretty wide area. Desire to have enough land for a pole barn pretty much mean it will be outside of I270, and wanting to keep wife's commute to OSU reasonable has our outer perimeter around Delaware, Sunbury, Etna, Canal Winchester, West Jefferson, etc. My experience with pole barn builders is that they tend to service a pretty wide area.

 

[dcg9381]

Trying to get an idea of what costs look like and evaluate potential properties to see if there are any issues with them.

Whomever you chose, talk to their actual customers (don't just let them give you references) and run web search in city/county civil court to check for lawsuits....

Might ask over on FB or Nextdoor for local references...

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you go to the North East side of Columbus, you might be close enough to get an Amish crew out of Berlin/Millersburg.

Delaware or Sunbury, I know a guy out of the Iberia/Mt Gilead area that might be a possibility.

 

[bugnut]

@Jeff F

wanting to keep wife's commute to OSU reasonable has our outer perimeter around Delaware, Sunbury, Etna, Canal Winchester, West Jefferson, etc.

That is a wide area to look at, all travel times in normal traffic probably 30-45 minutes on a good day especially to OSU.

Delaware County zoning, I believe, now requires county water and county sewage, if nearby. Lots of homes and parcels for sale as Delaware also allows flag lots. Delaware, is adding more freeway entrance/exits in the Sunbury area. Going east towards Etna puts you in Licking County or southeast to Pickaway county. Licking county does not allow flag lots , unless grandfathered in.
Licking county now requires approvals and stamped drawings for all but agricultural outbuildings. My .02 check zoning before anything else and don't trust the real estate folks.

As for the outbuilding, Keim Lumber, a huge supplier to the Amish builders community will and can provide a listing of builders that work in central Ohio.

@Toolfool just did a similar search. Might ask him for his learnings.

Good Luck, finding you slice of heaven!

 

[NUTTSGT]

As @bugnut mentioned Keim Lumber, they are in Charm, which is next door and neighboring to Berlin/Millersburg.

Just watch out though, in the last few years, I believe Keim has become somewhat of a tourist trap much like Lehman Hardware store.

 

[Buckaroo5]

Agree with others that Keim would be a good place to start. I have had great experiences with Keim - good people to work with. You can make a request for suggested contractors on their website...

Post Frame Project | Keim Home Center

www.keimcompany.com

 

[Jeff F]

We've spent a little bit of time in Columbus and have a few friends there. Our daughter lives in Indy, so over the last few months with visiting her and some other business in Columbus, we've been able to dedicate a few days to driving all around the area to get a good feel for it, and look at a few properties with our RE agent. The commute has a lot to do with access to the big roads. We were able to get between OSU and a house near the I71 and US36 interchange in 30 minutes in rush hour traffic. But with the next exit down on I71 being Polaris, you can be somewhere "closer" like Lewis Center but still have a longer commute because you have to get off at Polaris and wind your way through that mess. There are some improvements in process to the US36 exit, and a proposal for an exit at Big Walnut that would change access significantly.

Same thing goes if you are close to 161 or I70, it can be pretty quick if you get to those roads quickly. I have a friend that lives right at the 315/750 intersection in Powell (with a 4000sqft garage!!) and getting through there is a nightmare even when it isn't rush hour.

Having done this twice before, I'm pretty well versed at researching the local zoning and codes. In most of Delaware county the townships control the zoning and that can vary widely. There are some places like Liberty Township that have an accessory building limit of 1000sqft per full acre of land (so 2.99 acres only gets you 2000sqft). Then you have places like Berkshire where the only restriction is 25% lot coverage, which is about 10,000sqft per acre for all buildings. With both of those in Delaware county, the county is responsible for the permits and building inspections but not the zoning end of it. I've also found it useful to contact the township to make sure that I haven't missed anything, but also to get a sense for how responsive their zoning departments are. Some places it's impossible to get an email or phone call returned, and they don't even seem to understand their own zoning, which is a red flag.

 

[NUTTSGT]

The area you're looking at is growing and growing fast. There is plenty that have moved north in Morrow County and that just might force out some of the residents due rising cost of living. many have moved north to Marion that were in Delaware.

The way it has been growing, I wouldn't be surprised to see the corridor between Delaware to Marion being almost being all incorporated in the next 10-15 years.

Also keep in mind that Ohio is looking at a possible Interstate upgrade that will parallel US 23 north of Columbus. It's called something like the 73-74-75 corridor, that a few other states are part of. Just keep that in mind if someone tries to sell you fast and cheap on some real estate in that direction.


Also, you mention your wife working at OSU, University or Hospital ? What are your plans for employment ?

 

[Jeff F]

Also keep in mind that Ohio is looking at a possible Interstate upgrade that will parallel US 23 north of Columbus. It's called something like the 73-74-75 corridor, that a few other states are part of. Just keep that in mind if someone tries to sell you fast and cheap on some real estate in that direction.

Thanks for the heads up. Seems like a tall order to be able to run an interstate on top of US23 south of Delaware-- both from having room to do it, and battling all the existing residents.

Also, you mention your wife working at OSU, University or Hospital ? What are your plans for employment ?

She's starting at the U in August, professor at Fisher.

As for me...


I've been (early) retired for a few years, so I bounce between Man of Leisure, Man About Town (if I'm getting restless), and Professional Race Car Driver.

We are pretty flexible with timing. If something perfect comes up we can hop on it without selling our existing house, and if we don't have anything by August she can do something temporary until we do.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I figured you might be retired or about that stage. I was going to suggest if you want wanted a PT job or something, Kroger distribution or the Dollar Tree/Family Dollar Warehouse are usually looking for workers. Not sure if they do part time but an option to get out and about...

 

[jfleisher]

If you can stand being a bit farther out, Knox county has basically zero building codes…

 

[Torque&Recoil]

I lived in Union County for 6 years. Fairly easy to find places with outbuildings and/or barns for workshop. And yes, there are Amish builders in the area. I still kinda miss the barn that I had when I was down there - the best set-up shop I have ever owned. Zoning was agricultural - state loudly that a building is for agricultural purposes and then just go ahead and build it. Traffic should be good for working at OSU because everybody will be going the opposite direction (Dublin to Marysville). Anyway, something to consider. Best of luck - Columbus is a great town.

 

[jfleisher]

I'm living in Marysville now, 30 minute commute to work in Columbus (near OSU campus).

 

[Jeff F]

Off on a tangent... any recommendation for a home inspector, especially one that specializes in old homes and barns?

 

[powertrip]

Off on a tangent... any recommendation for a home inspector, especially one that specializes in old homes and barns?

Home - Central Ohio Property Inspections, LLC

www.centralohiopropertyinspections.com

 

[Jeff F]

Well, this project took a turn. While there will still be a build in the future, my current project is doing some rework on an existing barn-- new concrete floor, moving/adding doors, and potentially some structural work.

Any recommendations in Madison county for a contractor who would be good for doing this kind of work on an old barn?

 

[carcruse]

Make sure you check to that the community doesn't have another size restriction besides the percentage of lot coverage area. In my area, there is the percentage of lot coverage restriction but also one that requires an accessory building ( garage, pole barn, etc) not have a footprint larger than 50% of the main structure (house).

 

[Jeff F]

Make sure you check to that the community doesn't have another size restriction besides the percentage of lot coverage area. In my area, there is the percentage of lot coverage restriction but also one that requires an accessory building ( garage, pole barn, etc) not have a footprint larger than 50% of the main structure (house).

All of the zoning and building codes for the property were reviewed before we even looked at it. No restrictions on the number or size of individual buildings other than the lot coverage.