40x80 Pole Barn Cost

If you're considering building a pole barn to serve as a workshop, garage, or storage space, one of the most common sizes is a 40x80 structure. This article will provide a breakdown of the typical costs you can expect for a basic 40x80 pole barn, along with some tips on how to reduce expenses.

Materials

Building materials make up a large portion of the overall 40x80 pole barn cost. Here's an overview of the main material expenses:

• Wood Post Packages: Expect to spend $3,500-$5,000 for a set of pressure-treated wood poles, beams, and bracing for a 40x80 structure. Laminated wood or steel poles will increase this cost.
• Roof Trusses: Engineered wood trusses for the roof will run $3,000-$5,000 installed.
• Siding: Corrugated metal siding is the most affordable option, budget $4,000-$6,000 to cover the walls. Other options like lumber siding or paintable steel will cost more.
• Roofing: Galvalume metal roofing panels are a popular affordable choice starting at $4,000 to cover the roof.
• Overhead Door: A standard 16x8 fiberglass overhead door is $800-1200 installed.
• Windows: Budget $100-200 per standard barn window installation (6-10 needed typically).
• Miscellaneous: Expect to spend $1,000-$2,000 more on items like trim, fasteners, felt paper, guttering, etc.

So in total, plan on shelling out $15,000-$25,000 just for construction materials on a basic 40x80 pole barn.

Labor Costs

Hiring out the labor to erect a pole barn definitely increases the price tag. Here is a rough guide to labor expenses:

• Concrete Footings: Budget $1,500-$3,000 to have concrete crews lay reinforced footings around the entire perimeter.
• Framing Crew: Expect to pay $5,000-$10,000 for an experienced crew to assemble the poles, beams, trusses, and install siding/roofing over 1-2 weeks.
• Electrical: A basic overhead lights/outlets setup runs $1,500-$3,000 installed.

So add another $8,000-$16,000 minimum for professional labor costs. You can save some money doing portions of the work yourself if comfortable with construction.

Additional Expenses

Beyond materials and labor, budget for these extra expenses:

• Permits: Pole barns may require a basic building permit for $200-500 depending on your location.
• Delivery: Expect to pay $300-800 to have materials delivered to your job site.
• Contingency: Set aside at least 5-10% of total costs for unexpected expenses like additional materials or fixes.
• Flooring: Concrete, gravel, pavers, or stamped concrete will cost $2,000-$6,000 to install inside the barn.

By now, you can see a standard 40x80 pole barn adds up fast! A realistic budget is $30,000-$50,000 fully installed with all the bells and whistles. You can save significantly by doing some labor yourself or cutting corners on finish materials.

Options for Reducing Costs

Consider these alternatives if you're looking to trim expenses on your 40x80 pole barn project:

• Smaller Building: Going with a 30x40 or 24x36 size reduces materials and labor costs significantly.
• Metal Pole Package: Steel poles have a higher upfront cost but will last much longer than wood posts over time.
• DIY Labor: Take on tasks like assembling trusses, installing siding or wiring yourself to save big on labor fees.
• Simpler Roof: Skip trusses and go with a simple gable roof to lower materials and installation costs.
• Barebones Siding: Use lower-cost corrugated steel instead of painted metal or wood options.
• No Interior: Pour a slab rather than finishing the interior floor space at first to cut initial expenditures.

With some compromises, you can potentially build a basic 40x80 pole barn ready for storage or light use under $25,000 if doing significant labor yourself.

Financing Options

For larger pole barn budgets over $20,000, financing may make the project more feasible. Consider these loan options:

• Home Equity Loan: Use your home's equity for lower interest rates than credit cards (variable APR typically 5-10%).
• Personal Loan: Online lenders offer unsecured loans up to $35,000 at fixed rates around 10-30% APR.
• Zero Interest Credit Card: Transfer funds to a 0% intro APR card and pay off before interest kicks in (15-21 months typically).
• Equipment Financing: Some construction suppliers offer financing built into major material purchases.
• SBA Loans: For commercial uses like small businesses, the SBA partners with banks for loan guarantees and subsidized rates.

The right financing option depends on your specific needs and credit profile. Don't forget ongoing costs like insurance and repairs in your long-term budget as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about 40x80 pole barn costs:

What is the average total cost to build a 40x80 pole barn?

The average total cost range is roughly $30,000 to $50,000 fully installed with basic materials and finishes. You can reduce this to under $25,000 doing significant DIY labor and value engineering certain components.

How much does it cost just for the pole barn package?

Expect to pay $3,500 to $5,000 for standard wood poles and structural beam packages for a 40x80 size. Laminated wood or metal pole packages range from $5,000 to $10,000 or more.

What are typical delivery and setup fees for pole barn materials?

Delivery of pole barn packages and other large materials will usually run $300 to $800 depending on distances. Setup or assembly fees from professional crews average $5,000 to $10,000 but vary widely by region and extras.

How much should I budget for electrical and lights in a pole barn?

Plan on $1,500 to $3,000 for basic overhead lighting, wiring, and outlets installed throughout a 40x80 pole barn. Extras like heavy-duty wiring or 240V service will cost more.

Is a pole barn considered a structure that requires a building permit?

Pole barns may or may not require a building permit depending on local codes in your city or county. Contact your planning department to verify permit needs and associated fees before beginning construction.

Conclusion

Building a 40x80 pole barn is a sizable investment but provides invaluable storage and workshop space for many properties.

With planning, reducing finishes initially, and leveraging available financing options, you can complete your project on a workable budget.

Don't forget to account for ongoing costs as well so your pole barn investment remains affordable in the long run.

I hope this breakdown of typical 40x80 pole barn costs and options for reducing expenses has helped provide a framework for planning your project's budget.