Dreaming of building the perfect sized pole barn on your property?
Don’t make these common mistakes when building a pole barn. Oversizing it. Or (even worse) making it too small and having to rebuild.
Luckily, it’s easy to avoid these problems. All you need to do is figure out what size pole barn you really need.
In this blog post:
- Pole Barn Size Really Does Matter
- The Most Common Pole Barn Sizes
- Planning The Perfect Pole Barn Size For Any Property
- Other Things To Consider When Choosing The Size Of Your Pole Barn
Pole Barn Size Really Does Matter
Believe it or not, pole barn size impacts nearly every aspect of this project. The build cost. The value it adds to your property. And how useful the building is on a daily basis.
The Right Sized Pole Barn Means:
At the end of the day, having a pole barn that fits your needs means not worrying about where you’re going to put things. Like how you’re going to fit that new tractor inside. Or whether you have room for both your cars.
When your pole barn is too small, everything just stresses you out. Vehicles can’t fit without scraping doors. There’s not enough room to store equipment. Having to add on down the road is always more expensive than building it right to begin with.
That’s another area where working with expert pole barn builders can help. Customers are guided through this entire process. We want them to be happy with the end result for decades to come.
Not only will you use your pole barn more if there is enough space, but it can also add to your home’s value.
Pole barns can increase property value by 5-15% according to real estate experts. If your building is properly sized for your property and neighborhood, that is. An oversized pole barn on a small piece of land will likely drive down resale value.
The Most Common Pole Barn Sizes
When it comes to pole barn sizes, most buildings fall into 3 categories. Small, medium, and large.
Size Small: Small Pole Barn Plans
Small buildings measure anywhere from 24×24 feet all the way up to 24×36 feet.
These are perfect for:
- Housing 1 vehicle
- Gardening supplies
- Small tools
- Lawn tractor storage
These types of pole barns are great for homeowners that don’t have a large budget but could use some extra covered space.
Size Medium: Medium Pole Barn Sizes
The next size up are medium pole barns. These include sizes from 30×40 up to 40×60.
Medium pole barn plans are ideal for:
- Storing 2 or more vehicles
- Large workshops with room to spare
- Putting up horses
- Larger farm equipment
These are the most popular pole barn sizes by far. The sizes 30×40 and 40×60 have just enough room for multiple uses. Without costing an arm and a leg to build.
Size Large: Large Pole Barn Sizes
When building requirements get serious, larger pole barn sizes come into play. We’re talking 60×80 feet or more.
Large pole barn sizes are best for:
- Commercial Buildings
- Large fleet storage
- Indoor arenas
- Expansive warehouse storage
Planning The Perfect Pole Barn Size For Any Property
So how do you know what size pole barn you should get?
It all starts with a simple assessment. What will you actually be using this building for?
Make a list of everything you want to keep in your new pole barn. Be as specific as possible. Write down every piece of equipment. Include sizing for vehicles.
Follow these simple guidelines to size everything up:
| Item | Size Requirements |
|---|---|
| Cars/Trucks | Allow 12-14′ of width per vehicle. And 24-30′ of depth. |
| Work Shop | Minimum of 200-400 sq ft. |
| Equipment | Write down the exact height width and length. Allow an additional 3 feet of clearance on all sides. |
| Storage | Know how much shelf + floor space you’ll need. Add on an additional 25%. |
Now take that total and increase it by at least 20%.
Your why?
You will need more room in the future. Whether you buy a bigger tractor, take up a new hobby, or have a growing family. It’s always better to plan for too much space than not enough.
The average pole barn should last you between 40-60 years. That’s a long time to feel frustrated if you ran out of room.
Other Things To Consider When Choosing The Size Of Your Pole Barn
While size is important. There are some other factors you should consider.
Lot & Zoning Size Limitations
Before you start planning your dream pole barn. Check with your local zoning office.
Some areas have restrictions on how close you can build to property lines. Other areas limit the size of buildings that can be built on a particular lot size.
Budget
The average cost of a pole barn ranges from $15-$45 per square foot. Depending on what features and finishing you choose.
Other things to consider:
- Site Preparation
- Foundation
- Doors/windows
- Interior finish
- Electricity and plumbing
Start with what you need for today. Then add on features as your budget allows.
How Will You Be Using The Building
This really is the most important question when it comes to pole barn sizes.
| Usage | Things to Think About |
|---|---|
| Daily Access | Will you need to access this building every day? Or only seasonally? |
| Multiple Uses | Can your space be used for multiple purposes? |
| Expansion | Is there a chance you’ll need to expand your pole barn in the future? |
Climate
Your climate plays a big role too. Roof design has to take snow load into account. Structures in high-wind areas need to be built stronger. And insulation can be affected by extreme temperatures.
Making Your Final Pole Barn Size Decision
So what size pole barn should you build? Here’s a little insider secret for you.
Most people regret building a pole barn that’s too small. It’s rare to come across someone who has extra space they wish they could get rid of.
If you’re debating between 2 sizes. Go with the bigger option. You’ll thank yourself later.
Wrap-Up: What Size Pole Barn Should You Build?
Take your time. Make a list. Plan for the future. And choose what size pole barn is right for you.
Quick Recap:
- Pole Barn Sizes 24×24 to 24×36 are perfect for basic storage or single vehicle storage.
- Pole Barn Sizes 30×40 to 40×60 are great for most residential applications.
- Pole Barn Sizes 60×80 and up are better suited for larger scale commercial and agricultural uses.
- Always leave room to grow by increasing your needed size by 20%.
- Make sure your dream pole barn fits on your property and follows zoning restrictions.
Build the right size pole barn and watch it pay off for you in the long run.