Southern Indiana Pole Barn Builders?

[CHuDWah]

Any recommendations of pole barn builders in southern Indiana?

I'm 75 miles south of Indianapolis and looking for someone to build a garage/auto hobby shop - more-or-less turnkey but I might DIY some of the interior finish. Nothing unusual - probably 24 x 40 with gambrel roof and concrete floor so it looks like a barn and has clearance/support for a lift. I'll have the back 16' feet walled off for shop area with storage loft overhead - also want plumbing for sink only, wiring for power tools, welding, etc and probably insulation/HVAC for at least the shop area.

I'll appreciate hearing about any builders you know to be good.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I just had a Morton building put up and could not be happier. I just looked on thier national map and see that they do buildings in your area. They are a little more than others I looked at but they make gorgeous buildings.

Here is their website: http://www.mortonbuildings.com/
and a photo of my new building below.

Chris

 

[highland512]

I know of several builders here in southern indiana. What city are you near?

 

[CHuDWah]

What city are you near?

NONE!!

Population is kinda sparse around here but I'm within the Bedford-Bloomington-Columbus-Seymour rectangle. I think most of the big companies (Morton, Walters, Wick, etc) cover this area but I figure a building is only as good as the crew that puts it up. That's why I want to hear from folks who have knowledge/experience of local builders, regardless whether they're associated with a big company or independent. Know anything about Graber? Last summer, they put up a building near me - haven't checked it out real close but it looks pretty good.

Chris - that IS a nice-looking Morton. And I note the Pella window sticker - had those in a previous residence and loved them.

 

[tomroblee]

Graber is a great company. When I had my barn built a couple of years ago I went with Daviess County Metal---another Amish / Mennonite company just a few miles south of Graber. The only reason I went with DC Metal is because they are a dealer for Perma-Column posts.

The fact that you would prefer a turn key project with interior work, plumbing, wiring, and HVAC may complicate the matter. Most of the pole barn companies are in the business of erecting shell buildings. The normal erection crews don't handle plumbing, wiring, and HVAC. Some of the companies can arrange for this type of work to be sub-contracted---but it might be better for you to deal with the subcontractors directly.

Regardless of which companies you talk with, I would advise that you be upfront with them and ask for their recommendations on how to best handle the interior work, plumbing, wiring, and HVAC. If they aren't set up to handle the work themselves they can tell you whether they are going to have to charge you a premium to find and supervise a subcontractor.

 

[CHuDWah]

Thanx for the DCM tip - assume this (www.dcmetal.com) is the one you mean? I do like the Perma-Column idea - I'm afraid wood posts in dirt and/or concrete will eventually deteriorate, even if they are treated. And I lean toward Amish/Mennonite companies - hopefully I'm not stereotyping but they have a reputation for quality work at reasonable prices. I had an Amish shop do all the cabinetry in a previous residence - beautiful solid oak work. Thanx also for the subcontractor tip - being a newbie at this, I had not considered that complication.<O</O

 

[highland512]

I would highly recommend DC Metals. They have an A+++ staff, plus they have enough stock at there facility they would have your building up in no time. I would go see DC before I would talk to graber post, just because it seems graber has gotten to big. Like stated earlier many of the amish company's do only floors and exteriors. Just be sure to keep a close eye on the construction because I have witnessed some pretty poor building's built by some of the amish crews just because they where in a hurry to get to the next building. Good luck on your build.

 

[cj7jeep81]

Bumping this back up for any more recommendations. I'm hoping to start my pole barn in a month or two. I have a quote from DC Metal, and am leaning towards them, but just want to hear of any other recommendations.

Also, for thos that used DC, are you still happy with the choice now 4 years later?

 

[fiveohpatrol]

Also, for thos that used DC, are you still happy with the choice now 4 years later?

They put mine up in 2011. It's a 40x40x12 and they had it built in 2.5 days (minus concrete). It's not leaking and hasn't fallen down yet, so I'm still happy with it.

FWIW, I had Graber Post quote the same building and they were pretty much the same price. I've heard good things about them as well. I just got a better feeling from the DC guys. Kinda like going in a cool old-school hardware store vs. a big box store.

 

[anthracite]

Any updates on this thread? I'm considering DC Metal or Graber as well.

Thanks Gents.

Steve

 

[toolman9w]

I had one built in 2004 by DC. Great people and great work.

 

[tomroblee]

My DC Metal building has been up 8 years now and I have had zero problems with it.

I'd like to toss out a few words of caution regarding the "Amish" pole barn builders.

They apparently deal a lot with folks who are tire kickers wanting the cheapest possible building. Their first quote will likely be for a bare bones minimum building. Make sure that you thoroughly discuss what you want in the building and how you intend to use it before you sign a contract. (There seem to be a lot of posts in this forum from folks that are wanting to add ceilings or create attic storage in pole buildings. This can be a real problem if the trusses weren't designed for the additional load and/or were spaced too far apart.)

If you are building very far from their locations, plan on having major site work and stone hauling done locally. Graber and DC Metal really sell material packages and subcontract the construction to independent crews that work exclusively for them. While they will drive a fairly long distance to erect a building, but it doesn't make sense for them to haul heavy equipment needed for extensive site work and stone all over the country.

Many rural counties have no building codes for pole buildings. Many Amish built pole barns would not meet the building codes for more metropolitan areas. (Building codes may require the use of bolts rather than nails, metal "hurricane tie" brackets where trusses are attached, more diagonal bracing, etc. If you are building in an area without building codes, you may want to specify some of these items in your contract.

 

[PurdueSD]

Grader built a 42x80 barn for me. They were ok. Quality was decent not great. I agree with the sentiment that they have gotten too big. Customer service was poor at the end. The crew they used on my build was sub contracted and tried to milk me on a concrete pump truck to make their life easier. There were a couple screw ups and communication between sales-supply-site was non existent. I am not unhappy, but I had hoped for more... I will look into other companies the next time.

 

[A. Beier]

Bumping this thread for any additional information on Graber Post Buildings. Looking to build a shop next fall. Leaning towards Graber at this time.

 

[colt24]

FBi Buildings in Remington ,IN . They will build it or you can buy it in a kit form . They service Indiana and Illinois.

 

[geniusbygod]

Dandy systems in KY.

 

[geniusbygod]

dandisystems.com

Helped a relative build one. Great garage. and no wood in the ground!