Additional thoughts on this: When I started mine I researched a bunch into what the pole barn/ post frame sellers were selling around here. There is a lot of price competition and they were all essentially the same design, minor variations in lumber specs. I had to recognize that ALL of their designs were spec'ed to be as cheap as they could be reasonably built. I took their design and spec'ed bigger lumber and more fasteners. I then got bids. Then, the city pointed to their requirement for a P.E. stamped drawing... and 130mph wind load ratings and this and that other thing. Reluctantly, I hired a pole barn P.E. and paid him for his approval. He beefed up the build a good bit MORE. When the drawing was finished, all mandates concerning wind loading, deflection, shear walls, footing loads, uplift, purlin fastening/placement were all calculated and set in writing. Yes, I begrudgingly had to pay hundreds for his service, and only because I was forced by the city to do so. But to be honest, I LIKE the fact that I know that a P.E. made the changes, even though it cost me more. I feel GOOD about the beef that was added and the way it's held together. I also didn't have to fight my personal tendency to 'engineer on the fly' making changes that I might doubt later. Is it the route you should go? Maybe, maybe not. I know in my case, I *wouldn't have* done it, but I'm GLAD I did.
