The Most Important Factors to Keep in Mind
Before deciding on any big investment, it’s always a good idea to do your due diligence and gather as much information as possible.
Although we at Beehive Buildings obviously think that pole buildings make an excellent addition to almost any property, we still want to provide you with a clear and unbiased look at the positives and negatives of pole buildings.
Cons of Pole Buildings
While there are many great features to pole buildings, there are some qualities that aren’t as desirable:
Pole buildings aren’t ideal for certain terrain.
One of the reasons that many people choose pole buildings is that they are usually cheaper to build. However, if your property has a very steep grade and will require a massive retaining wall to create a level area to build, then a pole building may not be the best choice.
They aren’t cost effective in some sizes.
Labor is going to cost a certain amount no matter what, so very small pole buildings (less than about 20 x 30) aren’t that cost effective; you could actually pay the same amount for a larger building in many cases.
On the opposite side of the equation, extremely large buildings (more than about 90 feet wide) are also not very cost effective—you could likely build a metal building cheaper in that case.
Building codes can sometimes be tricky.
Different localities have different building codes for post frame buildings, but one common code that you might come up against if you’re considering a pole barn home is the need to account for the frost level.
Areas that experience any sort of colder temperatures must address the frost level in residential buildings to prevent heaving; this can create an additional cost, but a residential pole building is still generally cheaper than a conventional stick built house.
Pros of Pole Buildings
There’s a lot to love about pole buildings; these are some of the biggest pros to consider when you’re making your decision:
Pole buildings can serve all sorts of functions.
Whether you want a new horse barn or you’re looking to build a barndominium on a newly-purchased piece of property, a pole building is a perfect solution. Pole barns use very few materials and feature extremely open floor plans; this means that you can design a pole building that will fulfill practically any role.
Plus, with less labor and materials to worry about, you’ll be able to enjoy your building for a lower cost.
They are more cost effective than many other types of buildings.
There are a number of reasons that pole barns are often cheaper to build. One of the biggest reasons for this is the fact that pole buildings do not require a traditional foundation, so you save big on excavation costs.
Additionally, pole buildings are less labor-intensive than other types of structures, with the labor savings being passed on to you.
They can be built quickly.
Because constructing pole buildings requires less labor, they can often be built much more quickly than other types of buildings. It can take as little as a few days to build a pole building, but the average timeline from start to finish is about three weeks.
They allow for tons of customization.
Whether you want a monitor style building with a loft and windows, a gable building with a lean-to on each side, or any number of other options, your vision is easy to accommodate with a pole building. This means that, although the construction process is very simple, every pole building can look completely unique.
Starting your pole building project can be a very exciting time; now that you have a clearer idea of the pros and cons of pole buildings, contact us if you’re ready to start planning your building!