As a post-frame builder, we know firsthand that the weather is unpredictable.
One day, our construction crews are building pole barns in the brutal chill. The next day is sunny, with temperatures in the mid-50s.
Eventually, you become accustomed to abnormal weather patterns and don’t give it a second thought.
Picture this; you lock up your well-maintained farm shop after calling it quits to a long workday. As you relax in your La-Z-Boy recliner, the television meteorologist predicts high winds overnight.
It’s not an uncommon forecast during the spring months in the Midwest. So, you continue to flip through the satellite channels before going to bed.
Later that night, the wind howls and keeps you from falling into a peaceful slumber. You can’t help but toss and turn. Next thing you know, the alarm clock is ringing obnoxiously.
After eating a hearty breakfast, you go outside for another day of honest work. Instantly, you notice the significant pole barn damage.
No, your tired eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. Some metal roofing panels are scattered across the field, exposing your 80’ x 120’ farm shop.
Would you know what to do if this scenario happened in real life?
Once the initial shock has worn off, you should pick up the phone and call your insurance agent. Then, they’ll suggest calling post-frame construction companies for barn repairs. But how do you know which one to choose?
To alleviate some stress during a difficult time, we put together a list of seven tips to help you hire the right post-frame builder for your barn repairs.
7 Tips to Hire a Post-Frame Builder for Pole Barn Repairs
1) Select a Responsive Pole Barn Builder
First and foremost, you want to choose a post-frame builder who is available 24/7/365. Sometimes, disaster strikes at the most inconvenient times (e.g., after-hours, holidays, and weekends).
In severe cases, your pole barn may not be able to wait until regular business hours. The structural integrity could’ve been compromised, causing further damage to your post-frame building and stored belongings.
A responsive pole barn builder will have someone on-call to be dispatched when these emergencies arise.
2) Select an Insurance-Friendly Pole Barn Builder
Pole barn insurance can be time-intensive, from filing a claim to settling a payout.
You should hire a post-frame builder with insurance experience to avoid long-drawn-out claims processing. They’ll collaborate with claim adjusters directly, bringing much-needed construction knowledge to the table.
Moreover, your post-frame builder will inform the claims adjuster of the restoration costs. Then, you won’t be blindsided by a lowball repair estimate had the claims adjuster assessed the damage on their own.
Overall, this advantage gives you the control you deserve and, quite frankly, the protection you paid for as a pole barn owner.
3) Select a Pole Barn Builder Who Specializes in Storm Damage
In this scenario, high winds damaged the metal roofing on your farm shop. Logically, you want to hire a post-frame builder specializing in storm damage.
After all, repairing the pole barn while keeping the structural integrity intact can be tricky. This task requires brainpower and problem-solving skills.
Therefore, you must hire an experienced post-frame builder with a portfolio of successful repair and renovation projects.
The more they understand storm damage, the better off your pole barn will be.
4) Select a Pole Barn Builder with Dedicated Construction Crews
Regarding construction crews, not all post-frame builders have field employees dedicated to barn repairs.
Your damaged post-frame building will likely take a backseat to new construction projects. Some pole barn builders will meet your urgency: "We’ll get to your building repair in a few weeks.” It can be very irritating.
Avoid future frustration and headaches by choosing a post-frame builder with construction crews dedicated to barn repairs. Their experience and quick mobilization of resources will restore your post-frame building to its former glory in no time.
5) Select a Pole Barn Builder with In-House Structural Engineers
As mentioned above, repairing pole barns after damage can be complicated. Each building component plays a critical role in the structure’s load path, which transfers vertical and lateral loads.
Because they all work together, the following building components will need to be re-evaluated when damage occurs:
- Columns
- Foundation
- Trusses
- Truss-to-column connections
- Door openings
- Roof purlins
- Sidewall girts
Any good construction crew will consult with in-house engineers to ensure your pole barn is structurally sound for barn repairs.
Smaller contractors or post-frame builders who hire external engineering firms don't offer this service.
6) Select a Pole Barn Builder with Purchasing Power
Depending on the marketplace and commodity prices, some building materials (i.e., lumber and steel) can be expensive.
We recommend choosing a post-frame builder who purchases these building materials in bulk. This purchasing method allows for competitive pricing.
Furthermore, you must ask your post-frame builder if they can access specialized parts for your barn repair. Are these parts in stock, or do you have to wait on the order? Their answer may affect your building project schedule.
7) Select a Pole Barn Builder with a Proven Track Record
Lastly, we recommend choosing a post-frame builder with a proven track record of excellence.
Any product exposed to the elements or used daily is at risk of harm. Whether we like it or not, pole barn damage is inevitable.
A quality post-frame builder will stand behind their work. But what are the telltale signs of excellent customer service in a construction industry where everyone claims to be the “best?”
Look for a pole barn builder who has been in the construction industry for 20 to 30 years. This longevity shows they can handle the ups and downs of an ever-changing environment and economy.
To make this research easier, we compiled a list of top post-frame builders in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
But you should also conduct your own research. Consumers rely on the internet or social media for product reviews and recommendations.
So, perform a quick web search (i.e., Google, Bing, or Yelp) to see what past customers say about your pole barn builder.
Did any users have building repairs? If so, was their feedback positive or negative? Most importantly, would they recommend this construction company to others?
When selecting a post-frame builder for barn repairs, please keep these comments in mind.
Which Post-Frame Builder Will You Hire for Barn Repairs?
Any type of pole barn damage can be upsetting. You spent thousands of dollars on your dream pole barn to have good ol’ Mother Nature ruin its visual appeal.
While you don’t have domain over the weather, you can control how you react to this unfortunate situation. Don’t waste your valuable time and energy dwelling on the negative.
Instead, you should focus on following these tips for hiring a post-frame builder to restore your pole barn to its original condition.
For more helpful information, we recommend downloading the Ultimate Guide to Pole Barn Repairs & Renovations.
Do you have more questions about pole barn repairs that are not 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 are ready to get a price, click here to request a quote, and a member of our customer engagement team will help you determine the next steps of your project.