Well if anyone is interested in a pole barn, I can give you a place to look., This was my 3rd pole barn. The first two I designed and built from materials bought at local lumber yards etc. However, this barn is out of state, so it would be much easier to have all the materials delivered at once. So here is what I did. First, I designed the building. I was teaching architecture at the time and gave myself a small project to do while the students were working. Having built two already and running restoration out of them, I knew what things were important to me. I did the drawing, on paper then on CAD. Its wasn't a complicated design, not compared to a house obviously. Then I built a model, again along with the students.Its several years old now and my cat enjoyed sleeping in it, so when the pic was taken it was a bit "worn".
Then I did a crazy thing and actually did a stick drawing, with no special program. I actually made this drawing on CAD one piece at a time as if you were actually building it ( more on why later ).
Then made a couple other drawings, one with color ( I wasn't sure which colors I would use ).
So now I knew what I wanted to build. So how to go about it, some 400 miles away from where I lived and not one to have things "built" for me.
So I considered having part built, I would finish the rest myself. Building a center portion myself now and finishing later, etc, etc. This went on for a while as I planned my course. I came across a website which I am happy to promote called DIYpolebarns.com. They sell you packages to completely build your pole barn. Their website allows you to plan the building and the cool thing is it gives you a running total of all expenses as you are planning it, damn nice feature. But, I had my plan done and a detailed one at that. So, could I make it work? Well since my design is pretty basic, I thought I could. So I gave them a call. Now here is what really impressed me about the website business. They were willing to work with me. I wasn't the normal customer and they were fine with it. I explained that I had built two previously and wanted a few things done a certain way and they said, "no problem". And now even on top of this, here is the amazing part . . . . they charge an extra $400 if you need certified plans for a permit. Well I did need plans I could submit, but my plans would satisfy the code office for sure. But I wanted to make sure that what design the website was using to figure materials from what EXACTLY as I want to have the building done. So I asked if I could send them my plans and they could review them to see what I had done differently than the way they normally design the buildings. We sent plans back and forth several times via email, with them making changes and I made a few small changes as well. So when we were done, we were both on the same page; exactly. This saved my $400 and they did it all for free. Just happy to have my business. For that reason, you must give this place a consideration if they service your area. Speaking of that, I was the farthest they ever sent materials, but again, they were happy to do it. So I submitted my plans to the code office and I knew the materials showing up would be exactly as I planned them. I was also told that the materials would be of a high quality, not the normal stuff you get at Lowes etc. I said, well we will see. He was correct. The material was great. There weren't unusable pieces at all. Considering I didn't eye up each and every piece as I normally do, they were perfect. Again, another reason to buy from this site. They showed up when they were supposed to and nothing was missing. Matter of fact there were extra materials included, just in case. I have used them for things so far I have done, that you very much.
So you want a link to the entire build? Well here it is. It is on their website where I submitted the pics and they posted them. They also gave me the contact for the Amish that came 400 miles to build this place in record time. They're labor change was unbelievable, but they are a separate business, not part of DIYpolebarns. But they have a working relationship as they build the website kits if the buyer needs a builder. Like I said in a previous post, I was amazed at the building quality and techniques being used by the Amish. I would still be working on it and its been 8 months ago since it was done
Enjoy:
http://www.diypolebarns.com/gallery/peter-in-wallace-sc/
I have a love/hate/love relationship with this thread already.
