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.

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. To learn more about the barndominium building process, download our free Ultimate Guide to Building a Barndominium.

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.

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.

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

By: Nettie Grubb
July 1st, 2024

A pole barn can provide extra storage space, a workshop area, or even a residential space if you so desire. You are probably inspired to build after looking at our post-frame building gallery, from barndominiums to commercial pole barns. But does your site have the necessary utilities to get started? It is important to research and make a plan to help eliminate future change orders. Your lot may need septic, gas, HVAC, electric, and plumbing. A great thing about pole barns is that they are energy efficient. The utilities for pole buildings are subcontracted out for most post-frame builders but are essential for most pole buildings unless you are just storing equipment with no lights. This blog will cover how to plan for utilities and things to consider. This includes running electrical wiring, installing plumbing, setting up heating and cooling, incorporating internet communication, and safety measures.