"To build a new pole barn or to renovate your existing post-frame building, that is the question." Or at least that's the post-frame construction version of William Shakespeare's famous play titled "Hamlet."
More owners are taking an interest in pole barn renovation projects. The cost of a new post-frame building has increased since the start of COVID-19. The lack of building materials amid the "Great Supply Chain Disruption" is namely to blame for the fluctuation in pole barn prices.
While a new post-frame building will ensure its use for decades, pole barn repairs and renovations can have the same lasting effect for potentially less money.
Are you ready to show your post-frame building some TLC? This article discusses four reasons why you should reskin your 40' x 60' pole barn and how much this renovation project will cost.
How Much Does It Cost to Reskin a 40' x 60' Pole Barn?
Like new post-frame construction, pole barn renovation costs are based on the following factors:
- Building type
- Fastener type
- Building size
- Building location
- Construction crew labor
Unfortunately, there is no black-and-white answer. For example, if your existing post-frame building has screw fasteners, you will pay a minimum of $1.50 per square foot to remove the metal panels and a minimum of $1.25 to attach the new steel siding.
You'll also incur the cost of new metal panels, which starts at a minimum of $3.00 per square foot.
Editor's Note: The prices stated above fluctuate based on the current state of commodity markets. They do not include metal trimming, travel expenses, delivery/freight costs, dumpsters and port-a-john rentals, screws, engineering review of construction drawings, and equipment costs.
4 Reasons Why You Should Reskin Your Existing Pole Barn
1) Your pole barn shows aging signs.
The metal panels might have faded or chalked if your post-frame building was constructed before the 1990s.
Fading occurs when the environment attacks the pigment portion of the pole barn paint system. When metal panels are continually exposed to sunlight, they’ll lose their original color.
Chalking occurs when ultraviolet (UV) radiation damages the resin, allowing the pigment particles to resurface as a powdery substance. Other degradation contributors include acid rain and air pollution.
The area of your post-frame building that receives less elemental exposure will fade or chalk at a slower rate.
Editor’s Note: These aging effects are noticeable with darker colors. Lighter hues still fade and chalk, but their appearance is duller.
Unfortunately, these conditions are inevitable, but the right pole barn paint system will keep your steel siding looking new year after year.
Pre-1990s post-frame buildings were most likely coated with silicone-modified polyester (SMP) paint.
However, modern pole barns use a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) known as Kynar 500®. Its unique formula produces excellent resistance to aging and weathering. Watch this short YouTube video to learn more about the benefits of choosing a PVDF paint system.
2) Your pole barn has damage (accidental or storm-related).
As much as we hate to admit it, pole barn damages are unavoidable. We’re human, and accidents like running into your steel siding happen. Mother Nature lashed out with a severe pop-up storm that blew off your metal roofing panels.
You may consider reskinning your post-frame building if the structural integrity remains intact. Pole barn damages aren’t anticipated design loads.
Therefore, a Repair & Renovation Specialist will inspect the following building components:
- Columns
- Foundation
- Trusses
- Truss-to-column connections
- Door headers
- Roof purlins
- Sidewall girts
If given the “green light,” a Repair & Renovation construction crew will be hired to reskin your post-frame building.
3) You want to change your pole barn color combination.
Buyer’s remorse – we’ve witnessed this sense of regret in our 65+ years in the post-frame construction industry.
Some customers kick themselves for not adding square footage to their building size, but that’s another story.
Meanwhile, others wish they would’ve picked a different pole barn color combination. Of course, the same can be said for someone who purchased property that included a post-frame building. The Pea Green isn't their style.
But all is not lost. While you can’t turn back time, you can reskin your pole barn with a paint color that better fits your aesthetic.
Editor’s Note: You can hire someone to paint over the current color, but you may void your warranty. Please read the fine print before moving forward with this alternative solution.
4) Your pole barn needs to be resealed.
Some post-frame buildings have had multiple purposes in their lifetime.
For example, this pole barn was a chicken coop turned dog kennel turned machine storage shed.
As you can see, this post-frame building lacks a base trim, and the steel siding has been patched. The new owner wanted to reskin the pole barn to eliminate drafts, stop pesky metal roof leaks, and increase curb appeal.
Ultimately, reskinning your post-frame building prolong its lifecycle, guaranteeing its usefulness for the next generation.
5 Factors that Influence the Cost of Reskinning a Pole Barn
1) Pole Barn Type
The type of post-frame building you want to reskin will influence the cost. For example, a standard 40’ x 60’ pole barn will be cheaper to reskin than renovating a 40’ x 60’ building with a block foundation.
Our Repair & Renovation construction crews can reskin concrete block buildings, but they’ll need extra materials.
First, the field employees will attach furring strips to the existing structure. Then, they’ll secure the metal panels to the 1x3 or 2x4 wooden pieces.
2) Pole Barn Fasteners
Second, the type of fastener will affect the cost of this pole barn renovation project.
If your steel siding was initially fastened with nails versus screws, you’d pay more for the Repair & Renovation construction crew to remove the metal panels.
Let’s pretend you have a 40’ x 60’ post-frame building that was nailed together. You could spend 15 to 20 percent more on labor to remove the steel siding. If you have a pole barn budget, you may pay up to $2,400 to $3,000 on construction crew labor.
The field employees will work around your post-frame building, running the crowbar or flat bar back and forth parallel until they locate a nail. Then, they’ll grip the nail with a cat claw and pull it out.
If your metal panels were fastened with screws, they’d use a drill and drill bit to remove them.
3) Pole Barn Size
Next, the pole barn size will undoubtedly affect how much money you’ll spend on construction crew labor, building materials, equipment, and other supplies.
Typically, larger post-frame buildings take approximately 7-10 days to remove and install new metal panels.
4) Post-Frame Building Location
Moreover, it would be best to consider the location of your pole barn renovation project compared to your post-frame builder.
Travel costs will be included in the pole barn price, as well as delivery and freight of the building materials. A “stayover” may be required for construction crews when renovation projects are further away.
5) Repair & Renovation Construction Crew Size
Regarding construction crew labor, your post-frame builder must determine how many workers are required to renovate your existing pole barn.
If your post-frame building is 40’ x 60’ or less, you can work with fewer people (3-5 field employees) than one that is 60’ x 80’ or greater.
How Much Does It Cost to Reskin a 40' x 60' Pole Barn?
Unfortunately, there is no black-and-white answer. For example, if your existing 40’ x 60’ post-frame building has screw fasteners, you will pay a minimum of $1.50 per square foot to remove the metal panels and a minimum of $1.25 to attach the new steel siding.
You’ll also incur the cost of new metal panels, which starts at a minimum of $3.00 per square foot.
Editor’s Note: The prices stated above fluctuate based on the current state of commodity markets. They do not include metal trimming, travel expenses, delivery/freight costs, dumpsters and port-a-john rentals, screws, engineering review of construction drawings, and equipment costs.
Will You Reskin Your Existing 40' x 60' Pole Barn?
After learning more about pole barn repairs and renovations, will you reskin your post-frame building?
As long as the structural integrity is intact, you can’t go wrong with giving your pole barn a makeover.
At FBi Buildings, our Repair & Renovation Specialists will help you navigate the building process to get the best bang for your buck.
We’ll also tell you a secret: it doesn’t matter who built the original pole barn. We’ll repair or renovate ANY post-frame building!
Are you ready to get started on your pole barn reskin? Please call our office at (800) 552-2981, and we’ll gladly give you a FREE renovation quote.
Additional Resources:
How Much Does It Cost to Reskin a 30’ x 40’ Pole Barn?
How to Reskin Your Pole Barn in 5 Easy Steps
Do you have more questions about pole barn renovations not covered in this article? If you need help designing and planning, please contact FBi Buildings at 800.552.2981 or click here to email us. If you’re ready to get a price, click here to request a quote, and a member of our Customer Engagement Team will help you determine the next steps of your project.