Pole building cost - Northeast Georgia

[Fishplate]

I'm planning (long-range for now) a pole barn type structure to cover the area between two existing buildings. I want a simple metal hip roof 12:1 pitch or thereabouts, with an eave height around 15 feet so that it is above and overhangs the existing buildings. It must be high enough to allow regular road-going vehicles to pass underneath.

Width is approximately 24 feet between the buildings, and length would be around 140 feet.

I say pole barn because I expect this structure to be supported independently of the existing buildings, so a post every 10-20 feet along the facing walls of the existing buildings would be just fine.

The purpose of this structure is to provide shade and rain protection for people moving between the buildings.

Anyone got a general cost range for something like this?

 

[matt_i]

Im going to guess $24-40k for that. I would urge use of the permacolumn, you don't want the termites eating the poles buried directly into the ground.

 

[tomroblee]

It sounds like a lot of interesting unknowns.

Is the ground between the buildings bare earth or is it paved in some fashion? That will affect the cost of setting posts.

I'm a big fan o PermaColumns, but I've never seen them used in an open building. In my area they are most commonly used in enclosed buildings with laminated, untreated wood columns about the concrete base. The concrete will protect against ground moisture rot and termites, but it won't protect against weathering from rain or attack by carpenter bees, etc.

Having weather protection between two buildings might require the structure to be built to higher standards than typical agricultural buildings. This would add to the cost.

It's nice to have a finished ceiling in open buildings. I have a "shelter house" pole structure on my rural property. It has a metal ceiling installed to prevent birds from roosting on the trusses and pooping on whatever is below. Trusses on open buildings are also an invitation for wasp and hornet nests. I'm sure that there are many under my metal ceiling, but at least the critters have to crawl up the posts to get under the ceiling. (I'm guessing that I could have calked this to minimize the insects.)

An building without side walls is subject to different wind loads than buildings with side walls. Wall girts and metal siding provide some bracing--if walls are present.

I would certainly consider pricing a steel structure. I think that a steel structure would allow much wider post and truss spacing---and possibly eliminate much of the need for a ceiling.

 

[Fishplate]

Thanks for the replies. Answers, if it's not too late (I've been in design review meetings all week)...

The ground is currently gravel, will be covered with crusher run. Eventually asphalt paved (or maybe concrete depending on cost when we get to it.

This structure is to be strictly a rain and sun shield. Nothing fancy. It covers the driveway between the buildings, where there will be vehicles moving or parked, and people moving eggs and birds between the buildings, but no storage in general. I just want to make it a more pleasant place to work on a rainy day in January, or most any August afternoon.

I figure steel is the most likely way to go...just trying to get a rough cost for budget purposes without spending half a day with salesmen trying to sell me something I don't need...