Just how long will it take to build a pole barn? One of the benefits of the post frame construction method is that the construction can be done fairly quick when compared with traditional construction methods. Depending on the size and the features of the build you choose, you can have build time land anywhere between two weeks for simple, smaller projects to 6-9 months for full exterior and interior turn-key barndominium homes.
It's important to note that the planning, design, and permitting process is not being included in this construction time. Plans and designs will take you some time (with your builder) to put together to make sure your build is just right for you. And then permitting wait times vary by county, so if you are working with a builder that helps you through the whole permitting process, you'll already be steps ahead when it comes time to determine when you can begin construction on your post frame build. Finding a builder that is familiar with permitting and design processes will save you so many headaches!
A few main things that can impact your construction time length include
The features of your build
Things like in-floor radiant heating, custom windows and doors, lots of windows and doors, installing hundreds of square feet of sliding doors, and additional concrete pad (aprons, driveways, etc.) being poured, can add time to any build. Just keep this in mind when planning for realistic construction timeline.
If you are having just a post frame shell built, this will make the construction time quite reasonable and short. If you want a lot of features and finishing done by your builder, this will of course add time to the few weeks that just a shell would take.
Making changes after a final plan has been set will cause adjustments to your completion date. We want customers to be able to make changes along the way as they find something or see something that they want included in their build (that's part of what can make your build a dream one!) But it should be understood that every time there are changes made to the original plan/design that was settled on initially, this can, and often will, extend the time of either construction start or continuation.
An example would be changing from standard window and door packages to custom sizes or colors of windows or doors - for manufacturers to produce and deliver these custom packages, you'll often add days to several weeks to the delivery of those materials. Making is so that the builder has to wait for those changed items to come in for you.
As builders, we are used to working with the client changes throughout the building process, and we want to make sure you understand the impact this can have on your timeline. No one wants to be surprised when they learn that the end date for their new barn, garage, shop, or home is going to be extended by several weeks, so we're here to prep you for that expectation now 😉 And always feel free to ask your builder what the changes will do to your timeline! Some adjustments are easy to implement and not lose out on time, but others can take a toll on the planned construction time frame.
If you are planning to have your builder do the shell and finish the interior of your build as well, this can take a bit longer than a couple weeks, since this can require things like electrical, plumbing, drywall, insulation, additional framing, mudding, painting, trim, etc. And for those awesome turnkey barndominiums, there is a reason those can take upwards of 9 months to get everything just right and ready for you to move in!
Some of our favorite things about post frame construction is the flexibility it allows you in the space you're having built, as well as the fairly quick construction time. Each project will vary in time length, but this overview can help you get started with reasonable timeline expectations.
The weather
We all picture beautiful weather for when our construction is going on. Our new post frame barn or storage building is almost ready to go up, materials have been delivered, the crews are scheduled for your property this week, and things are going along great! And then BOOM - a three-day rainstorm pops up right as the excavators are getting ready to clear the space where your concrete pad is going in. And they can't properly excavate in mud. What will we do?
Most builders will plan in some wiggle room for things like weather, because they know that we can't control it, and that oftentimes there will be something unexpected when it comes to these types of delays. However, if your builder did not plan for any extra time, just buckle in a bit and remember that they want to complete the build as much as you do.
Delays for builders can be costly, so we are on team! Something to keep in mind is just simply that a delay is only that - a delay. Things will get back on track as soon as the sky clears and the crews are able to properly execute their work safely, and at the level of quality that the builder requires. This is especially essential to keep in mind if your build is a more involved build, as the longer the original planned timeline, the more likely it is to run into some type of weather delays.
The schedule/availability of your builder/contractor
If you've chosen a post frame contractor like Milmar Buildings, that helps you throughout the whole design and permit process, then you'll find that we've been planning your timeline along with all of our schedules to make sure we have crews and project managers available at the right time to execute your build (yay!) You've made it through all the designing and your permits have been issued, and now you get to sit back and watch your build come together quickly! This is especially true of shell builds - home shells (no interior work or trades) typically take 4-8 weeks, and shells on other simpler builds can take as little as two weeks!
If you are working with a builder that isn't as involved from the beginning, you'll have to wait for their availability to open up for them to be able to get started. This can be pretty quick or take some time, depending on their schedule. So make sure if you choose to do all your pre-work yourself, that you have a good idea of the lead time you need to get all the permitting and pre-construction work done, so that you can plan better for when to contract a crew to come out and put together your building.
Don't hesitate to ask all the questions on the front end too! The company you work with should be able to help you understand the planning, permitting, pre-construction and construction process.
Material availability/suppliers
As we saw through the covid era, suppliers and material availability are sometimes impacted beyond a company or individual's control. Working with a builder that has established relationships with suppliers is always a good first step. Custom items (special sizes or styles of windows, doors, accents like cupolas and similar) can cause longer wait times as manufacturers work to create customized materials. Sometimes customized details of personalized pole barns or barndominiums are what make the project so perfect to you! Just know that this can add a bit of time on to the material wait time.
Other factors that can impact material availability include things like union strikes, economic situations, or like we saw, COVID-19 type pandemics where the country was somewhat shut down for time. Builders will typically have backup suppliers, and can find workarounds to get your materials in special situations, so this is not something to panic about, but just being aware that like any other type of business, sometimes materials are delayed and it's beyond even the supplier's control! These are rare, but occasionally happen.
We've tried to give you a good overview of the most common causes of delays, but certainly post frame construction is still a tried and true method of having faster built projects and high-quality builds done (when using a reputable company). There is a reason that Milmar's motto is Guided by Principle, Built to Last. The materials we use and the way we operate in business is kept to a high standard, while also maintaining the faster construction time that post frame allows.
Whether you're considering a pole barn, a commercial space, storage, an airplane hangar, horse barn or riding arena, detached garage, barndominium/pole barn home, or any other type of post frame construction you can think of, know that we would count it a privilege to partner with you to see your dream build come together! There is nothing we like better than helping clients see there build come together.
So, how long will it take to build your post frame or pole barn building? Give us a call to discuss the details of your build and we can get you a realistic answer (along with a free estimate!)