How to plan a pole barn on a smaller budget (or detached garage/outbuilding, whatever your part of the country calls it 😉)

If you're planning a new pole barn or garage, and need to be very budget-conscious/cautious (and there is nothing wrong with that, by the way! Not everyone has a larger budget or financing options to work with), then here are a few ways you can plan your design and build so that it's much more cost-efficient. 

1. Eliminate Unnecessary Frills

It's easy to get excited about special features, fancy touches, custom windows, or textured metal finishes. But these are more cosmetic options, rather than things that contribute to structural integrity.

Eliminate things like 

• Cupolas
• Eyebrows or Corbel details
• Custom sizes or colors of windows/doors (stick to standard sizing and colors)
  
• Stamped concrete
• Porches (these add cost, though are substantially less per square foot than the build itself)
• In-floor heating (if it's more of a want than a need for your building use)

A little planning and awareness of what adds costs quickly can often save significant time and expense later.

2. Choose the Right Location

Before starting any build, think carefully about where your building will sit.

The ideal location should have:

• Good natural drainage
• Easy vehicle access year-round
• Room for future additions (if that is even a possibility down the road)
• Space to maneuver equipment
• Proper setbacks from property lines
• Easy access to utilities if needed for the build
• And choose as level of an area as possible

Many Midwest properties have slight elevation changes. Whenever possible, placing a building on naturally higher ground helps reduce future drainage concerns. If you're unsure about the best location, an experienced builder can usually recommend the most practical placement during the planning process. Choosing a location that is more elevated than the area around it, and as level as possible will mean less fill costs. And fill costs can add up quickly, so chat through this with your builder during a site visit or when talking with your project manager.

3. Design a Simple Layout

The simpler the layout the less the labor and materials costs will be. Choose a simple rectangular shape for the most cost efficient build, and if you choose sizing in multiples of 8 feet, you'll get the most bang for your money. Most metal sheets come in sizes of 8 ft wide, so this allows you to maximize the use of the materials that will be ordered for your build!

• Choose simple rooflines
• Avoid adding details like dormers, as these drive up cost considerably.
• Choose a traditional metal barn roof rather than a gambrel-style if you're looking to cut costs anywhere you can.
• Eliminate unnecessary windows and doors (plan your openings around how you will use the building, rather than adding them everywhere. Windows and doors can drive up cost quickly when you start adding them throughout the whole build)

4. Build Only the Size That You Need 

We just mentioned that if you have your post frame building built in multiples of 8 feet, then you can maximize your materials use. But do keep in mind that extra square footage can add up quickly. If you eliminate unnecessary width, height, or length, that is one of the surest ways to save overall.

The one caveat we have to this is that we have had clients return to us later for additions to their builds and saying things like "We should have built bigger from the start. We knew we would need more space eventually." Your builder can advise you on what sizes are best fit for the building use you have based on what you tell them. If you just need a garage to store and protect two cars, and that's all you ever plan to need, then build for that. But if you plan to have a workshop within your garage, have two vehicles now and your son or daughter will be getting a vehicle in the next couple of years and you want to store that out of the elements too, then just plan for that ahead of time.

We have never had someone regret going bigger, but there is no reason to go bigger than you must when you're trying to save in every area you can. Choose a size that gives you enough room without paying for unnecessary space.

30x40 builds are the most popular pole barn/detached garage style. It gives you a good amount of room, but is still reasonably sized (not huge). 

5. Build Your Shell Now and Finish the Interior Later

If you are wanting to stick with something that costs less now, but you will want to finish out down the road, then having just the shell built and adding your interior package later can help you build in phases that feel more "doable."

Insulation, interior walls, finished ceilings, electrical upgrades, heating, and other features can potentially be added later as your budget allows. 

 This can make it easier to get the building you need now without taking on the full cost of a completely finished project. 

6. Do Some of the Work Yourself (Partial DIY)

If you have the skillset (or friends with the skillsets 😏) to do some of the work yourself, then plan for that! You do concrete work? Remove that from the scope of the contractor's work and save yourself the costs of labor. Know how to epoxy your own floor or run electrical? You have a friend that does plumbing and can cut you a deal? Explore some of the options that could be done after your builder gets the shell up for you that may help you save on the finish costs. 

Site prep is another area that if you can swing doing your own site prep can potentially save you on the labor costs and markup that a builder needs to include in their quotes. Some time and sweat equity can save you some dollars.

7. Talk Through Your Priorities with Your Builder 

"Cheapest" isn't always the answer, as that can leave you with more expenses (and headaches!) later. Tell your builder your budget, and what the building needs to accomplish for you, and a good builder will help you identify where to save and where to spend to get you closest to filling your needs and sticking to your budget.

Do be realistic though. If you're wanting to build a 40x60x14 multi-purpose garage space and you want extras included like in-floor heating, plumbing and electrical, and an insulation and interior finish package, but you are giving a budget that will only build a basic shell, then you can't expect your builder to work a miracle. 😅 Just be real with them and if they have any kind of good reputation then you should find that they'll work with you on getting your build to fit your budget without compromising on what you want more than they have to.

A well-planned, simple building can still be a great building. You don't have to include every upgrade on day one to get a building that serves you well for years to come. 

And finally,

8. Don't Cut Corners on the Essentials

The most important factors for your build to have the right structural integrity include:

• Site Prep
• Structural Design
• Proper Foundations/Footings
• Framing
• Fasteners
• Weather Protection
• And builder integrity and quality (be certain that your builder is licensed, insured, and has past clients who can vouch for their work/decent reviews)

Looking to build, but have a limited budget to work with? Contact our team for a no-pressure quote and get help with finding out how to save, while still getting the build you need/want.

If you are looking for more information on average costs (not lowest costs) to build and what can drive those costs, check our our articles on How Much Does a Garage Cost, How Much Does a Pole Barn Cost, and How Much Does a Barndominium Cost.