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?
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:
When selecting the land, consider the following:
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.
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.
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?
Are utilities nearby? Is the driveway going to need major work? How far off the road is your build site?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Choose a foundation type that suits your land and design.
Common options include:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Collaborate with a contractor to ensure that rainwater flows safely away from your foundation and does not pool near the structure.
Use grass seed, mulch, or landscaping fabric to stabilize the soil during and after construction.
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.