The FBi Blog

Information that gives you insight into post-frame construction and in making your building project a success.

Nettie Grubb

Nettie joined the FBi Marketing team in 2022 as the Marketing Content Creator. Nettie grew up just outside of Des Moines, IA. In 2016, she received her BS in Agriculture Communications from Iowa State University. Upon graduation, she has worked in agriculture sales and marketing. She moved to Indiana in 2020. Outside of work, Nettie enjoys quilting, crocheting, crafting, canning, gardening, fishing, and hunting. She is married and enjoys spending time with her husband and dog.

Posts | Building Tips | Comparisons | Pole Barn Builders

By: Nettie Grubb
September 30th, 2024

If you are looking for a pole barn builder in the Midwest, you might have encountered FBi Buildings or Walter Buildings. Ironically, both family-owned companies started building pole buildings for farmers in 1958. Today, both companies build post-frame buildings for residential, commercial, equine, and agricultural uses in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Kentucky, and Ohio.

Building Construction | Building Tips | Post Frame Homes | Building Design

By: Nettie Grubb
September 9th, 2024

Barndominiums are traditionally two-story rectangles with either a steel or wood frame. People also call these modern homes shouses (shop houses), shomes, or pole barn homes. Barndominiums offer open-concept floor plans from their clear-span trusses. What once was just a building in which to store equipment has revolutionized the post-frame industry. Often, they are thought to be a lower-cost living solution. However, the interior finishes, design choices, overall square footage, and depending on how much you DIY can make your project more than traditional stick-built homes. If you are looking for a low-maintenance, customizable, energy-efficient home, a barndominium might be for you! In this blog, we will discuss what factors to consider when selecting a floor plan, what companies offer barndominium floor plans, and tips for purchasing one.

Posts | Farm Buildings | Post Frame Homes | Riding Arenas | Building Features | Cost | Pole Barn Builders | Building Design | Commercial

By: Nettie Grubb
August 26th, 2024

Have you ever considered buying a new car? Similar to vehicles, pole buildings come in multiple sizes and have building features that can be added. But, due to the customization of pole barns coupled with the variations in building sites, all barns have different project costs.

Building Construction | Building Tips | Post Frame Homes

By: Nettie Grubb
August 6th, 2024

It is easy to get swooned into the beauty of barndominiums. You might daydream of rocking in a chair on a wrap-around porch with cedar columns, looking out at your land, and watching the sunset. While we can all dream of the cool features on the exterior and interior of a pole barn home, the reality is there are four keys to building safe living quarters that all barndominiums should include. When building any shelter, determining how you will control the temperature and moisture is essential to creating a warm and safe environment. In this blog, we will dive into the four must-haves all post-frame homes should include.

Building Construction | Building Tips | Post Frame Homes | Cost

By: Nettie Grubb
July 29th, 2024

Whether this is your first time buying a home or you are a seasoned home buyer, getting financing for a barndominium is getting easier, but there are still some hurdles to overcome. Building your dream home can be expensive. Barndominiums can cost anywhere from $150-400+ a square foot. They are not always a cheaper residential option; however, if you do some of the work yourself, it is a cost-effective solution to save thousands of dollars. In this blog, we will outline what challenges you might face getting financing for a barndominium vs. stick-built home, what documents you need to provide, and a list of lenders we recommend.

Project Prep | Building Tips | Residential Buildings | Horse Barns | Commercial Buildings | Site Preparation

By: Nettie Grubb
July 15th, 2024

Post-frame construction is no longer just for agricultural barns. From large commercial car dealerships and strip malls to residential garages and barndominiums, post-frame offers versatile storage and shelter solutions. With clear span trusses that allow open-concept layouts without load-bearing walls, pole barn construction has gained popularity. They boast energy-efficient benefits and are fast to construct. A pole building is a large financial investment, which is why it is important to select a post-frame company with which you are confident. Each company has pros and cons, so it is essential to understand what support you will have in each stage of the construction process. Each company's project management capabilities can vary. This blog will discuss what FBi Buildings offers for comprehensive project management.