pole barn advice...

[don62]

I'm buying a house with only a 1 car garage, and that isnt enough space so I'm going to have a pole barn built. Does anyone have any advice to give? I'm looking at a Lester bldg. size about 30x48.

[minneman]

Thats not big enough!!

[Ryan_V]

never big enough, depends on what you use it for. i have a 30 X 54 with 2 large overheads. it's split, half insulated and half cold storage. get my truck, wheeler, portable, and all my shop tools, welder, equipment and storage in one side (each side is 30 X 27) the other side I use for misc in the summer and get 4 boats in there in the winter. if you're using it for a car or 2 and other misc stuff, I'd say that's a good size you're looking at.

[Roofer]

If that size works for you then that's great. Mine is only 30x40, but I use it for my atv's and lawnmower. Suggestions for you would be to get an overhead door for sure. Get it at least 10 feet wide. Have at least 10ft. wall height. Get a cement floor in it before you fill it up.

My pole barn was already built, but if I did it myself it would be a stick frame garage. I have about $4,000 into my barn just finishing it off and that was all my labor or free labor. I'll post some pics maybe tomorrow.

[bottomdweller]

I went 36x48 For some its not big enough for me its ok.

I would also think about going stick bilt. I think its cheaper not possitive. Cement floor with in floor heating, stove and fridge with a bathroom. Works great everyone stays there during rifle season.

Its also easier to finish off with studs rather than poles.

Gl whatever you do you will love the extra space

[lawdog]

I have a 42x60 with 14' sidewalls and while I thought it was absurdly big when we bought the place (1 year after the guy built it) I'm glad its the size it is. Like someone else said, you can never have it big enough. The HIGH sidewalls are nice too because if you want to finish off one area and insulate it like someone else said, you can put storage above that ceiling too. Also we have a 12' door so it should fit most any motorhome and our pontoon boat on the trailer without even having to drop the canopy down.

Just some thoughts about the BIG shed. After having this one, I'd definitely say build it as big as you can afford and the building codes will allow.

[Valv]

I have a 40' x 160' and it's full.

Let me tell you something... it doesn't matter how big you build it, you WILL fill it up, guaranteed it.

Lester is a good brand, I have one that was built originally in 1985, we disassembled it, moved it, and reassembled it at my place. If it was cheaply build it would have never made it.

If I'd have to build new I'd go Lester again.

[Roofer]

I have no problem with a big barn for storage. Although this thread is telling me that alot of people have alot of stuff they probably don't need. Yes, no matter how big it is, you will fill it up. That doesn't mean you use everything in there, haha. We do a few additions and every one of them is for more storage. I think it's called being a "pack rat". Some of these building may be for boats or RV's, and they are great for that.

For that matter, we have also had a few calls from people that want our dumpsters just to get rid of their junk that is piled up.