Farming today is different than it was even 25 years ago. While 98% of farms are family-owned, as the farm is passed onto the next generation, the inherited pole buildings do not always meet the needs of today's farmers.
Some customers opt to repair or renovate their old farm shop, while others consider adding to their current machine sheds. Furthermore, the size of farm equipment has increased, and sometimes, it is cheaper and easier to build a new pole barn shop.
In this blog, we will outline key features to consider when designing and planning a post-frame farm shop and office combo. We also highlight five projects FBi Buildings has designed and built for our customers.
A solid plan is key to saving time and money with all post-frame buildings. For each post-frame construction project, consider your budget and ways to be more cost-effective. Design a floor plan incorporating an office, storage, and farm building space. Some agricultural customers need more of a commercial pole building for their seed business, so add additional space to accommodate your needs.
Establish what utilities your agricultural pole-building project will require. Lastly, there are many building options. Will you use all metal roofing and siding or incorporate stone into your building? There are a wide range of elements to consider. Below, we detail the five elements to consider when designing your multi-purpose farm building.
First, you must consider the approximate square footage of storage you need for all of your equipment. We often hear customers say they wish they had gone bigger, as with all things in life, material and labor costs increase over time. It may cost more today to build a little bigger than you need, but you will thank yourself later for having that extra space at a lower cost than adding on in the future.
Next, consider dividing your shop space into cold storage and a heated shop or all heated. A popular design choice is to have radiant floor heat. This is an energy-efficient way to heat the shop. Plus, warm concrete can make a big difference when working on your planter in the middle of winter!
After determining the shop's size, the next step is to determine the layout of the other rooms. Will you want a bathroom, multiple offices, a kitchen, a conference room, or a lounge room?
Some of our customers also sell seed, so it's key for them to have ample space to meet with clients and crunch numbers.
Other customers create a floor plan that accommodates the needs of running the farm and serves as a space for family get-togethers.
Whatever your barn's needs are, planning ahead will ensure your project stays on time and close to budget. FBi Buildings offers a FREE design online feature. Here, you can try various layouts, sizes, colors, and interior layouts.
Based on your needs, your floor plan will determine what utilities you may need to run to your pole barn. Many farms have electricity from a nearby home or pole building. However, depending on the new barn's location and needs, the cost of running additional electricity can get pricey.
In addition, when adding a kitchen and bathroom to your farm shop, additional plumbing and septic will need to be added to your overall project cost.
Next, consider your farm shop's heating and cooling needs. While you might be okay with a cold storage section with fans in the summertime, in the winter, you may want a furnace, radiant floor heat, or heat pump to keep your office and shop warm.
Depending on the size of your farm shop with an office, a large fan, central AC, or window-mounted air conditioner units may need to be installed to keep your barn cool in the summer.
Bonus Tip: Adding building wrap and insulating your pole barn with either spray foam or batt insulation will help prevent heat loss from your barn.
Establishing where the pole barn utilities will go ahead of pouring concrete will save you time and money.
Before we start swinging hammers, it is key to establish where your barn will go and prepare a level pad for us to build on.
Site prep also includes removing any tree limbs or debris that could slow our crews down. We typically ask for a 40' radius of the project to be clear so that we can get our equipment in. You will work with your project sales consultant to finalize this, along with crew entrance and material drop lot locations.
The last thing to consider is pole barn features. We have put together a free booklet with all of the design choices you need to make for your barn. Whether you want solid walk doors or walk doors with windows, this guide will explain the differences and provide a general cost bracket for each.
FBi Buildings has been constructing pole barns for Midwest farmers since 1958. Our name stands for Farm Builder Inc. With over 60 years of experience, we have worked with farmers and agricultural companies to design and build farm shops with offices in many sizes and layouts.
Below, we highlight five projects, each ranging in size, layout, and features. To see more of our farm shops and multipurpose buildings, check out our gallery page.
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Project Numbers: 20-1382 & 119367
Building size(s): 72' x 120' x 18' + 24' x 20' x 10' + 72' x 80' x 18'
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Project Numbers: 20-0418-00
Building size(s): 100' x 222' x 18' + 30' x 28' x 9'
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Project Number: 126896
Building size(s): 60' x 80' x 16' + 15' x 80' x 11'
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Project Number: 121785
Building size: 80' x 200' x 18'
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Project Number: 118994
Building size(s): 80' x 104' x 18' + 32' x 30' x 10'
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Whether you want to expand your farming operations or create a dedicated workspace, our agricultural pole barns are designed to meet your needs. With customizable options, you can tailor the layout and features to suit your specific requirements.
Consider adding insulation to keep your space comfortable year-round, or choose from various exterior finishes to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your building. Our team of experts is here to guide you through the design process, ensuring that every detail aligns with your vision.
Ready to get started? Contact us today to discuss your project and receive a free quote. Let's turn your ideas into reality and build a space that will support your agricultural endeavors for years.
Do you have more questions about pole barn farm shops with offices that aren't 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, please click here to request a quote, and a member of our Customer Engagement Team will help determine the next steps of your project.