Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Build a barn - need help getting started

Hi,

I have been reading through the posts here and hope someone can help point me in the right direction. I also hope this is the right forum for this question.

I just purchased some vacant land. Eventually, I plan to have a home built on it. For now, there are no services.

One of the first projects I plan to do is build a horse barn. I am thinking either 36x40 or 36x30 which would give me 3 horse stalls, a nice size center aisle, room for tack and wash stalls (and possibly even a rest room at some point). I also want a loft for hay and storage.

Ideally, I would like to build the structure before (or while) a well is dug, septic system built or electric is brought in. I figure I could rough-in these elements and finish off when the services are available. (The barn could still be used for storage and act as a horse shelter when I am there).

There are plenty of plans and building methods. So many that it is hard to decide which way to go.

I am torn between a gambrel and monitor style. Either would work for my purpose. My main concern is a solid structure that I can build myself without the need for serious heavy machinery (i.e. cranes).

Which way to go seems to start out with what type of foundation is being used. A pole barn seems an attractive idea, but if I am going to do a slab floor anyway why not just have a real foundation built? For any large concrete work I would have to call in a contractor anyway.

Does a foundation really add that much cost to this type of job over just having a slab? What can I expect to pay (ball park) for concrete work on this scale? What's the best way to proceed for a structure this size?

Sorry for the basic questions. :) I would appreciate any direction you can provide.

Thanks,

--Joe

first check with local zoning dept to see if you can even build any thing with out a house there, or what is allowed.

life begins when the kids leave home and the dog dies

Consider your water run-off situation before you decide on your style. You can't put gutters on a Gambrel roof too easy. Heavy rains knock them off because of the force. A monitor barn is better suited for gutters. If you pour a slab you still have to have a foundation under the poles or bearing columns.
Usually a 3'x3' pad 16" deep with rebar under each column.

first check with local zoning dept to see if you can even build any thing with out a house there, or what is allowed.


My understanding is that a barn or utility building should be no problem, with or without a house being there. They are pretty flexible and easy to work with in the area. I was hoping to have a little more information on exactly what/how I am building before I spoke to the permit people.

Thanks.

Consider your water run-off situation before you decide on your style. You can't put gutters on a Gambrel roof too easy. Heavy rains knock them off because of the force. A monitor barn is better suited for gutters. If you pour a slab you still have to have a foundation under the poles or bearing columns.
Usually a 3'x3' pad 16" deep with rebar under each column.

I hadn't realized that about gambrels and water run-off. Something to think about.

I am going to need a slab either way. I realize that a pad would be needed under that poles in a pole barn. Between the slab floor and the pole pads that's a lot of concrete.

Which is why I am wondering if a pole barn + slab floor structure will really be any easier or more efficient than going with a footing + slab floor structure. As I mentioned, I am going to have to get someone in to do the concrete work anyway, so how much more work can footings be in this situation?

With a pole barn structure you don't need footers, you bury the poles about 4' deep. You can usually get utility poles for free from your local power company. They are always replacing their poles and discarding the old ones. A forty foot pole that has been discarded works great for a 16' structure because you use a 20' pole and bury 4'. Check your local resources................My brother-in-law is a World Class Horse Trainer and has dirt floors in a pole barn structure; always worked for him. He has a monitor barn with a run about 70' in the middle to work his horses in bad weather. He trains and boards about 28-30 horses at all times. Concrete is neat for humans but rough on the horses.

Casemaker,

Thanks for the tip about poles from the utility company. If I can do that, it a definitely a plus for going the pole barn route.

Yes, concrete is tough on horses. My plan is to just lay a slab down the aisle and as "borders" for the stalls. The actual stalls would have a dirt floor. I will probably do gravel with rubber mats there.

Wash stall, tack room and storage (human areas) will have a slab floor. I feel this arrangement strikes the best balance between human and equine needs.

I just had a 40 x 60 ft pole barn built.If I known it was that easy I would have done it my self.Once they put the poles in the ground.They put 2 bags of concrete in the holes and leveled the poles.10 feet apart.Then they put 2 x6's across the poles.And the T111 on that.The building was finished in 4 days.This is the best way to go.
Now I'am in the process of putting a concrete floor in.Hope this helps.Good luck!!