Pole Buildings?

[WentworthMotorsports21]

So I read all of these topics about people paying $50-$60k for reasonably sized garages and it has me... worried.

I've been planning for the past year or so to have one of these built in place of my current garage (not much more than a shed that fits a car, swing open doors and all). I can do the foundation myself with family (my father and uncle both work in the concrete business) and had planned to destroy the current old foundation and pour a new one with all of the site prep done by me. I would like to have a pole building put up, Pioneer seems to be the most well reviewed in my area.

Here is the model I'm looking at.

http://pioneerpolebuildings.com/portfolio/project/24-w-x-32-l-x-10-h-id-111-total-cost-12447

My question is, if people are putting $50k+ into comparably sized garages then what is wrong with pole buildings? Are there prices fake, like when you go to buy a car and they say the price is with this discount and that discount that you don't actually qualify for? Is there anything I'm not thinking of that might come up with the build?

Thanks,
Jeff.

 

[UpstateNY]

Just one comment, it appears you started with the 24 x 32 and added options.

Here are the base prices: http://pioneerpolebuildings.com/specials

If you have space I'd sure be tempted to go a bit bigger, it doesn't seem they charge too much of a premium to go bigger ? I do realize that some options will go up to as the building increases in size.

 

[Kevkx125]

I had PPB put my garage up very reasonable don't forget that the price you are paying is for a building only unfinished no electric or interior. Where about are you located?

 

[WentworthMotorsports21]

Just one comment, it appears you started with the 24 x 32 and added options.

Here are the base prices: http://pioneerpolebuildings.com/specials

If you have space I'd sure be tempted to go a bit bigger, it doesn't seem they charge too much of a premium to go bigger ? I do realize that some options will go up to as the building increases in size.

I would love to go a lot bigger, they really seem very reasonable even for the massive garages that I can only dream about. However, as you can see from the attached screen shot though, space will be an issue. I could probably go up to 32x30x12 at most. The current garage is 24x20.

Thanks,
Jeff.

 

[dreamingmuscle]

Your location would help greatly

 

[WentworthMotorsports21]

I had PPB put my garage up very reasonable don't forget that the price you are paying is for a building only unfinished no electric or interior. Where about are you located?

I'm in Adams County, near Gettysburg. I have heard nothing but great things about Pioneer. I'm glad to hear you had a good experience as well.

As far as it being unfinished, I'm aware. I know that will add up but especially when it comes to insulating it can be done over time I think. I plan to store my race car before Labor Day weekend next year at a friends shop and begin tearing down. Would like to have the new garage up by end of October. I'll plan to insulate the following summer. Electrical will need to be done as soon as the building is up however.

Thanks,
Jeff.

 

[ishiboo]

So I read all of these topics about people paying $50-$60k for reasonably sized garages and it has me... worried.

I've been planning for the past year or so to have one of these built in place of my current garage (not much more than a shed that fits a car, swing open doors and all). I can do the foundation myself with family (my father and uncle both work in the concrete business) and had planned to destroy the current old foundation and pour a new one with all of the site prep done by me. I would like to have a pole building put up, Pioneer seems to be the most well reviewed in my area.

Here is the model I'm looking at.

http://pioneerpolebuildings.com/portfolio/project/24-w-x-32-l-x-10-h-id-111-total-cost-12447

My question is, if people are putting $50k+ into comparably sized garages then what is wrong with pole buildings? Are there prices fake, like when you go to buy a car and they say the price is with this discount and that discount that you don't actually qualify for? Is there anything I'm not thinking of that might come up with the build?

Thanks,
Jeff.

Yes and no. They're not fake, but most people go way above and beyond what the basics are. If you can do all the concrete that saves a ton of money - that's one thing not included that most people farm out. Insulation and electrical are other big items to have done.

The concrete IMO is the hardest part. If you can do all that, you might as well put the building up too and save that coin

 

[Brian80]

Hey bud, Im up in Carlisle/ Boiling Springs area. Pioneer is building mine, 24x40, had her up in less than 15 hours. They come back this week to finish up and concrete is scheduled for next week. Check out my link below for pics

They are Definitely worth it. Building, concrete and electrical will put me at $21,000
Pm me if you have any questions

 

[RustnGrease]

WW: I've talked pole buildings with everyone i know that has them. I'd recommend getting a couple quotes from other builders, just to compare. I've heard great things about PPB, Timberline and a few others. We had gotten a quote to build a 30x40x10 about 6 years ago, just the shell, 2 garage doors and a man door, concrete and i think insulation put us over 30K. The quote was also for storage area in the attic. Thats not including site work/excavation, stone, electrical,heating or anything else. I can see how some garages/shops get over budget super quick. It's not the fact that any of the builders are fake or blowing smoke. Just that they have a price for a shell with usually one garage door and one man door.

 

[tomroblee]

As everyone is saying, you get what you pay for. You can buy a cheap building, but do your really want a cheap building?

It seem that the pole barn business is extremely price competitive and most pole barn builders seem to focus their advertising and sales pitches on offering the lowest possible price for the absolute minimum building. It takes some effort to get quotes for an upgraded building with all the features that you may want.

I had a 36' x 48' x 10' barn built in 2007 in SW Indiana. The initial quotes were around $17,000 for an unfinished building with a concrete floor ---with me providing the site work and whatever stone was needed. I ended up spending about 50% more because I upgraded to a slightly higher pitch roof, commercial insulated oversized garage doors, commercial insulated man door, overhang all around, added steel and fiber mesh to the concrete floor, used PermaColumn concrete post bases, added gutters and downspouts, added a bit of a canopy over the man door, etc.

In Southern Indiana the Amish builders seem to be the major players in the pole barn business. You might want to check out any Amish builders in your area.

The quote you attached appears to be for a fairly minimal building (ie, the thinnest possible metal, the smallest possible posts, etc.) Before you commit to any building, you should make sure that the specifications will meet your needs. For example, will the trusses support a ceiling, insulation, and any "storage" load that you may want to add at a later date? Will you be happy with a minimal sized uninsulated overhead door?) Do the prices include any permits and/or inspections required by your area?

 

[jives]

While that price looks good, as was our Amish-built 32 x 42 x 14. But, when you start adding in the options, the price rises fast. We had $7K in site prep, special scissor trusses, commercial girts, OSB siding under the steel, follow-the-roof-pitch overhead door tracks, cupola, special doors, extra windows, and more. We are at about $54K without electricity, insulation or interior finish. We are also in NY State. Ouch.

One more thing, the poles in your quote seem to be 4 x 6. That would not pass here.

 

[rburke65]

It all adds up, trust me. Every time ya turn around its another $100 IF you are lucky. I had $717 in gutters and down spouts ....that were required....on my 32x56. Then there was piping for THAT rain water. Site excavation was $4,000. It goes on and on. Build as big as you can. Some things you can only do at the beginning. Good luck.

 

[Dragster Racer]

Keep in mind some things:
-Code or regulations don't allow metal/pole structure buildings everywhere. I have several. But in town they can't do it.
-Many are pulling up finished price. Concrete, electrical, heat, insulation, finishing the inside, doors.
-Price regulation is a personal thing. If you can do some or most of the work yourself, you will save large amounts of money. Also, it's easier to lose track of the costs when you do it yourself and spread it out over a number of years. I really don't know how much I have into my shop. I really stopped counting. Some folks just plain have a lot more or a lot less to spend on their garage.
-Generally with pole buildings you erect the building first, then pour the floor. You may know this, but I was unsure reading your post.

 

[Voi]

My question is, if people are putting $50k+ into comparably sized garages then what is wrong with pole buildings?

Are you asking for comparisons between pole buildings and stick built and why a similar sized stick built garage can be more expensive than a comparable pole barn? Or are you asking for pros/cons between the two?

 

[hicketts]

Check out "Shirk Pole Buildings" out of Lancaster county, they did mine and when getting quotes no body could beat them. I have been very happy with mine, and when talking to Pioneer they knew who Shirk was and knew they couldn't beat them. They even give drawings that you could use for permitting just with calling them.

I have been building mine slowly for three years now, and that's the great thing about pole barns, just save for the shell and then move along as you have the money to.

 

[bullnerd]

Another happy PPB customer here.

Building link is in my sig. Its still not done, But I planed on it taking a while.

Absolutely no problem with Pioneer, went very smooth and professional.

30x40, price was about 11k? I think, its been a while.

 

[golferguy]

Years after the big D and after financing my land I built a 26x40 pole barn using telephone poles and materials from and old barn with a loft that the owner gave me for cleaning the lot. Years later it got a concrete floor and I enclosed it with aluminum siding from a double wide. Total cost minus the floor was under 700 and the loft is still there. I bet the 1x12's used in the loft are worth that much.
Some of the power company's will give or sell you poles and people with saw mills will sell you the lumber. Farmers market bulletins and craigslist are a good place to find tin and almost everything. Getting them all level and square is a pita. Once that pole is in the ground it's pretty much a done deal and sawing off the top is a job not for sissies.

 

[jives]

There is a lot of misinformation regarding pole barns vs. conventional stick built. Much has been said on this site on the merits of each. In general, a properly engineered and built pole barn is just as strong -- or more so -- than standard stick built. It is probably easier, though, to build a really cheap quality pole barn (e.g., wide pole spacing, undersized purlins and girts); I'm guessing that is where the hesitancy of building a pole barn stems from.

 

[rieferman]

There is a lot of misinformation regarding pole barns vs. conventional stick built. Much has been said on this site on the merits of each. In general, a properly engineered and built pole barn is just as strong -- or more so -- than standard stick built. It is probably easier, though, to build a really cheap quality pole barn (e.g., wide pole spacing, undersized purlins and girts); I'm guessing that is where the hesitancy of building a pole barn stems from.

Good post

 

[reader2580]

You shouldn't need a foundation with a pole building. I believe most pour the concrete floor after the building is up.

 

[Dragfluid]

Yes, the floor is always poured after the building is up.
I love my pole building. Well constructed and everything was square to the inch.
Take a look at mine. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=245837
A small outfit north of me put it up in 6 days. It's 42x72x14. Two overhead doors, and two service doors. $33,000, and it was house wrapped. My situation was a little different, as I started out with a slab from a previous building that had burned down. But that will get you started at least, and if you can pour your own floor, more power to you. Once the building is up, the sky's the limit! Some of the guys here have some pretty exotic creations!

 

[kehrli3]

Check out "Shirk Pole Buildings" out of Lancaster county, they did mine and when getting quotes no body could beat them. I have been very happy with mine, and when talking to Pioneer they knew who Shirk was and knew they couldn't beat them. They even give drawings that you could use for permitting just with calling them.

I have been building mine slowly for three years now, and that's the great thing about pole barns, just save for the shell and then move along as you have the money to.

I'm with hicketts...I am doing a 40x50 and have gotten quote from Pioneer, Timberline, and several others. None of them beat Shirk Pole Buildings. Not to mention they have been a pleasure to deal with with all my questions and changes.

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk

 

[wes73]

PPB built mine back in April 2014. I have not had any problems with it at all. It's a 30x40x10 and 7 guys had it up in 9 hours. They were easy to deal with even when my county P&Z was a PITA. One thing I would look out for with any pole builder is they want to do 48" OC for the trusses; at least in my area. I went 24" OC.

I am almost done with the interior. I did all the electrical, plumbing, insulation etc. my self. Not just closing it all up.

I would highly recommend them to anyone.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=293215

 

[WentworthMotorsports21]

I'm with hicketts...I am doing a 40x50 and have gotten quote from Pioneer, Timberline, and several others. None of them beat Shirk Pole Buildings. Not to mention they have been a pleasure to deal with with all my questions and changes.

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk

I wonder what makes one builder so much less expensive than another. To the point where they know they can't beat them. The quality is equal or better in your opinion?

As far as putting a floor in after building, I'm a novice at best. I've been involved in pouring one slab and everyone else was more experienced than me. I'm sure my father has done a few of those but it seems like it would be a lot more complicated to pour after the building is put up. Not to mention if the building isn't on top of the concrete that means that the thicker you make the slab you are taking space away from the top. In terms of wanting a lift that bothers me a bit. Is it impossible to put a pole barn on an already built slab?

Thanks,
Jeff.

 

[Voi]

Is it impossible to put a pole barn on an already built slab?

There are numerous discussions on this in the archives. I'd guess it's much more common to build around an existing slab vs on top of it, but maybe a search will prove me wrong.

Here's one search of many you could do.

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#...p+of+existing+slab+site:www.garagejournal.com

 

[yaidunno]

Again, with the misinformation in this thread..

Yes, the floor is always poured after the building is up.

Floors are not always poured after construction. Pole barns can be constructed using a monolithic slab and anchoring the post to said slab. I should know, mine was put up this way.

One thing I would look out for with any pole builder is they want to do 48" OC for the trusses; at least in my area. I went 24" OC.

Where do you come up with this? Have you done the calculations to determine your truss member sizing and spacing? A quality structure will be engineered from start to finish, including truss design. Trusses should not be placed where the builder/owner want them. They are to be located where they are called out on the stamped print. Trusses can be placed upwards of 12' apart on pole buildings. Factors like snow and wind loads play an important role in the size and spacing of the trusses. Each application will vary.

 

[493 scamp]

I think the pole barn is a great deal for people trying to do a little at a time and for a small amount of money. A basic structure is pretty inexpensive and the rest can be done slowly after it's up. That was how I did mine. Try http://www.diypolebarns.com/. I ordered mine with openings only and installed my own doors.

 

[hicketts]

I wonder what makes one builder so much less expensive than another. To the point where they know they can't beat them. The quality is equal or better in your opinion?

Almost everyone in Central and Eastern Pa I have heard of uses AB Martin for material.

I think Shirk keeps prices down by being a smaller outfit and lower overhead, they have little to no advertising and a very basic web site. I had an easy time dealing with them because I already had an idea of what I wanted, and they just did the stamped drawings for free. I also was able to act as the "General Contractor" which saved money and just made a little more leg work for me. I applied for the permits and did the rough layout for the township zoning. If you have any more questions let me know.

 

[Autorotica]

I had http://www.extremepolebuildings.net/ build my "shed" and I am quite happy with the entire experience. I built as big as the township would let me build and I am doing everything else as time and $$$ allows.

Chris

 

[wes73]

yaidunno let me clarify for you. This is not Misinformation. Where did I come up with this you ask? Simple, I took PPB stamped/engineered/county approved design (48" OC) and told them I want the same trusses 24" OC. No need to do any calculations on my part since I was adding and not taking away. So yeah, they were put exactly where I wanted which only added to the strength on my building.

I paid the extra $$$ to go 24" OC with trusses designed for 48"OC. The extra cost was nominal. Every pole barn builder I looked at in central PA put their trusses 48" OC. Going 24" OC makes insulating, finishing the ceiling, hanging garage doors, lights, etc easier. Also makes walking from truss to truss easier if you need to access it for any reason.

So you see I put thought into paying to make finishing easier while adding strength to the roof and ceiling.