Whether you're building a barndominium for its energy efficiency, luxurious style, or to save money with a DIY approach, there are essential steps to prepare your land before construction can begin.
Site preparation is the initial work needed to get your site ready for building. While it shares similarities with traditional post-frame construction, there are a few additional factors to consider when constructing a pole barn home.
In this blog, we will outline the six key tasks we recommend you complete before the shell of your post-frame home can be built.
What's Involved in Barndominium Site Preparation?
1) How to Choose the Right Pole Barn Home Site
First, you need to determine where you will build. The common phrase “location, location, location” is crucial when selecting your building site. Barndominiums are commonly built in rural settings, but their rising popularity has led to more being constructed in subdivisions, where each owner has an acre of land.
Consider the following questions:
- Do you have a local real estate agent, or are you looking online?
- What is your budget? What is the price per acre, and how many acres do you need?
- Are you inheriting land? If so, have you started the legal process to claim ownership of this property? Do you have legal assistance for this process?
When selecting the land, consider the following:
- Topography
Evaluate the slope, elevation, and natural features to determine the best location for building. Choose a site that is either naturally elevated or can be easily graded to manage water runoff. Consider whether you will need to add dirt for a level building pad and how much vegetation needs to be cleared.
- Zoning and Permits
Verify local zoning laws and obtain all necessary building permits. Some municipalities and homeowner associations (HOAs) have specific regulations concerning metal building homes, including rules about setbacks, design, and height restrictions.
- Sunlight and Wind Considerations
Think about your building's orientation. Do you prefer morning light in the kitchen and evening shade on the porch? Is there a tree line that could block the wind?
- Accessibility
Are utilities nearby? Is the driveway going to need major work? How far off the road is your build site?
- Layout and Design
Do you have a pole barn home floor plan? Knowing your overall project square footage and layout is key to picking the right land to have adequate space for a driveway and staging area for the building.
- Budgeting
If you are in the corn belt, the price of farmland averages $8,100 per acre, but in more urban settings, the price per acre is often 2 to 10 times that number.
Selecting a site with minimal land clearing and grading will save you money. Depending on your site, you can expect site prep to cost $3,000- $5,000.
- Time
When do you plan to start construction? A barndominium project typically takes 6 to 12 months to complete. Proper site preparation will help you get your project off the ground faster.
Finally, consider who builds post-frame buildings in your area. Finding a reputable builder can be daunting, which is why we’ve provided seven questions to ask a quality pole barn builder to assist you in your decision-making process.
2) Land Clearing and Grading
Whether you desire a cabin in the woods, a pole barn home retreat by a lake, or a barndominium in a remote location, each site presents its own challenges. While site selection is often based on location and amenities, site preparation is frequently overlooked.
To prepare your site for construction, it's essential to consider how to clear the area around your building efficiently. Crews typically operate best within a 40-foot radius of the building. You may need to remove trees, limbs, stumps, rocks, and brush that could hinder construction.
Before you start moving dirt, it's advisable to test your soil. Heavy clay or sandy soils may require additional foundation preparation.
Grade the land to create a level surface, which is essential for proper drainage and the stability of your barndominium. Clearly define the boundaries of your construction area to avoid encroaching on neighboring properties.
3) Foundation Prep
Choose a foundation type that suits your land and design.
Common options include:
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Slab Foundations
A slab or concrete pad foundation is the most affordable and common option for flat land, typically costing $4 to $10 per square foot. It requires minimal excavation, but must be level and properly compacted to avoid future structural issues. While basic, it can be customized with staining, polishing, or stamping for aesthetic appeal.
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Crawl Spaces
Ideal for uneven terrain, crawl space foundations cost around $6 to $12 per square foot. They provide space for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems underneath the home, and allow for extra insulation, potentially improving energy efficiency and reducing utility costs.
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Basements
Basements offer extra storage and are ideal in tornado-prone areas, but they are the most expensive foundation option at around $33 per square foot. They require significant excavation and concrete work. Partial basements—under just the living area—can help reduce costs while still providing the benefits.
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Pier and Beam
This foundation uses piers and wooden beams to elevate the structure, creating a crawl space for ventilation and easy access to utilities. While some engineers debate its long-term stability compared to in-ground columns, it is a functional option that costs between $8,000 and $22,000.
4) Utility Planning
Regardless of whether you plan to go off-grid or stay fully connected, having a utility plan is crucial. You should mark the trenches for utility lines before construction begins. Also, remember that local building codes can vary; make sure to consult with your county or city planning office before starting your project.
Evaluate the following:
- What utilities are currently available on your site?
- Do you need to connect to municipal water or drill a well?
- Will you require propane or natural gas for cooking or heating?
- Are you planning to install a radiant floor heating system?
- How far must electrical lines be run?
- Who will be your internet provider? Will you need to run a fiber optic cable?
- What trash service will you use?
- Do your floor plans include mechanical drawings, or will you need to hire an engineer to create them?
- Where will your water pipes go? Will you stub them ahead?
- What type of septic system will you need? Note that taking a soil sample can help determine the best location for a septic tank and drain field.
- What is your budget for these items?
5) Site Access and Construction Safety
Make sure your access road is sturdy enough to accommodate heavy equipment. Gravel driveways are popular and cost-effective options, but ensure they have a good base layer to prevent sinking or ruts.
Additional considerations for access include:
- Access Roads
Plan for the necessary road width, turning radius, and material staging, using gravel to prevent issues. Select which type of driveway is best for you.
- Perimeter Access
Ensure there's ample space for construction equipment to keep the project on schedule. A clearance of 40 feet, free from obstacles and debris, is advisable. Also, think about where building materials, dumpsters, and port-a-johns will be staged.
- Safety
Safety is a top priority. Having building insurance and going with a post-frame construction company that prioritizes safety is important. Address any potential hazards, such as underground utilities and overhead power lines. Call 811 before any excavation to locate underground utilities.
6)Drainage and Erosion Control
After investing significant amounts in your new home construction, the last thing you want is an accidental pond in your yard or, worse, flooding. To avoid such issues, invest in stormwater management.
- During Construction
Depending on your location, you may need silt fences or other retention features to prevent stormwater from washing away your site. Proper planning can prevent foundation shifting, soil loss, and messy conditions.
Drainage Systems
Install systems such as swales, culverts, or French drains to redirect water away from the building site. If your property has significant slopes, consider building retaining walls to prevent soil erosion. Also, install drainage tile that connects to your gutters to draw water further away from your home.
- Runoff Plan
Collaborate with a contractor to ensure that rainwater flows safely away from your foundation and does not pool near the structure.
- Erosion Control
Use grass seed, mulch, or landscaping fabric to stabilize the soil during and after construction.
Are You Ready to Prep Your Barndominium Site?
Whether you choose stick-frame or post-frame construction, preparing your site is crucial for a successful build. From selecting a property, clearing and grading land, managing drainage and erosion, preparing utilities, choosing a foundation, to planning site access and safety, each step contributes to the long-term success of your dream home.
Ready to get started? Call us at (800) 552-2981 or click the button below for a free pole barn estimate.
Have more questions about pole barn home site prep not covered in this article? Please contact FBi Buildings at 1.800.552.2981 or click here to email us. If you are ready to get a price, click here to request a quote and a member of our sales team will call you.