What do big purchases (e.g., appliances, electronics, post-frame buildings, and vehicles) have in common?
Warranties.
A warranty is a written guarantee by manufacturers to purchasers promising to repair or replace defective products/services within a specified period. Most warranties are stated on the manufacturer's website.
So, where can you find your pole barn warranty? Is it listed on your post-frame builder's website? Or do you have to speak with a salesperson?
This agreement shouldn't be a secret, including our own. This article takes an in-depth look at the pole barn warranty offered by FBi Buildings. We'll save you a Google search and phone call by diving into the nitty-gritty details.
What is a Pole Barn Warranty?
Again, a warranty is a promise to stand behind a product or service. This written document states guarantees and limitations on what the post-frame builder will repair or replace if a building component is defective.
Editor's Note: There is no standard pole barn warranty in the post-frame construction industry. That said, you don't want to skim through this document.
Post-frame builders do not intend for something to go wrong with their pole barns. However, some situations are outside of our control. The overarching goal is to build a pole barn that our customers will enjoy for years.
Before you purchase a new post-frame building, you must answer the following questions:
- Which building components are covered by the warranty?
- Which building components are not covered by the warranty
- How quickly can your post-frame builder respond to your warranty claim?
Please understand what is and is not covered by your pole barn warranty should a defect happen. Double-check all coverages, conditions, and exclusions. Our Project Sales Consultants (PSCs) can answer any questions.
What Does FBi Buildings' Pole Barn Warranty Cover?
1) Pole Barn Columns – Lifetime Coverage
Our pole barn columns have a lifetime warranty to the purchaser of the post-frame building. Unless you're operating a commercial business, which is limited to 40 years.
We'll repair or replace the pressure-treated section of any laminated post whose failure is caused by decay or insect damage – free of charge.
For ten years after the completion date, we'll supply replacement material for any 4x6 solid post whose failure is caused by decay or insect damage. Examples include deck systems and pole barn porches.
Editor's Note: If you did not purchase the original post-frame building, we cannot transfer the pole barn warranty to you.
2) Pole Barn Roof Structure – 20-Year Coverage
After completing your pole barn, we'll repair or replace the original roof structure if snow loads within the building design parameters cause significant damage.
Again, this barn repair is free of charge. Our roof structure warranty is honorable for 20 years. The pole barn roof won't be covered if the snow loads exceed the building design parameters.
3) Red Pole Barn Rust – 15-Year Coverage
Next, we'll repaint or replace any galvalume metal roofing or sidewall panels discolored by red rust.
The iron oxide must occur under normal conditions and is clearly visible in casual observation. This pole barn warranty is guaranteed for 15 years. However, if there are red rust cut edges on the metal panels, they won't be covered.
4) Pole Barn Paint – 40-Year Coverage
Moreover, we'll repaint or replace any metal panel where the paint system has separated from cracking, peeling, or chipping. This written guarantee is valid for 40 years.
Also, we'll repaint or replace any metal panel that experiences excessive chalking or color change within the following numerical units:
| Chalk | Not in excess of numerical rating 9 for sidewall applications. Not in excess of numerical rating 8 for roof applications. ASTM D-4214 method A procedures. |
| Color Change | No more than 4∆E Hunter Units for sidewall applications. No more than 5∆E Hunter Units for roof applications when tested under ASTM D-224 procedures. |
Metal panels that experience chalking or color change will be covered for 20 years.
Editor's Note: All standard pole barn colors offered by FBi Buildings carry this warranty. Non-standard ones may have a different warranty.
5) Pole Barn Paint Gloss Loss – 5-Year Coverage
According to the Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss, there is no measurable loss for five years.
This written guarantee starts on the installation date when building components are used in a sidewall configuration.
6) Fastener Red Rust – Lifetime Coverage
Furthermore, we'll repair or replace exterior screws that show visible discoloration or fastener failure caused by red rust.
This agreement will be honored for the lifetime of the original pole barn owner. Unfortunately, we cannot transfer the warranty to your name if you did not purchase the post-frame building.
7) Metal Roofing Leaks – 5-Year Coverage
Arguably, the most annoying pole barn repair is a leaky metal roof. So we'll repair (without charge) any roof leaks caused by material defects or craftsmanship for five years from the completion date.
8) Pole Barn Sliding Doors – Lifetime Coverage
Lastly, we'll replace sliding door parts that fail under normal use. This door warranty is valid for the lifetime of the original pole barn owner.
Editor's Note: If your sliding door has damage caused by being backed into with a vehicle or farm equipment, we won't honor this written guarantee free of charge.
In addition, we'll repair or replace sliding door parts due to material defects or workmanship for one year after the completion date. You'll receive a notification before your door warranty expires.
What Doesn't FBi Buildings' Pole Barn Warranty Cover?
When you have potential issues with your post-frame building, you must understand what is not covered by your pole barn warranty. It's not uncommon for post-frame builders to list their excluded items.
For instance, FBi Buildings does not cover the following items under their pole barn warranty:
- Any item not furnished and installed by the seller.
- Post-frame buildings not constructed by the seller (including pole barn kits).
- The post-frame building when snow loads exceed historical norms per American National Standard Institute (A 53.1-1989 Section 7.2) or when the purchaser doesn't notify the seller of snow load problems within 24 hours. The seller suggests purchaser maintain collapse insurance to cover excessive loads, clean-up, and damage to the contents of the post-frame building.
- Red rust forming at the cut edges of the metal panel.
- Red rust occurring anywhere else on the metal panel less than 3/4" in any dimension.
- Metal exposed to corrosive atmospheric conditions. This exclusion includes, but isn't limited to, contamination from chemicals, cellulose insulation, and animal confinement.
- Metal roofing leaks where the panels are connected to an existing pole barn.
- Doors on the post-frame building that haven't been closed or secured with latches provided by the seller.
- Damaged pole barn sliding doors due to excessive or abnormal wind loads.
- Pole barn sliding doors don't include overhead, bifold, or hydraulic doors.
- The StepSaver sliding door latch features a 1-year warranty on parts and labor.
What Are the Exclusions of FBi Buildings' Pole Barn Warranty?
Our pole barn warranties are only made to the original purchaser and cover the stated periods. They may not be transferred or re-assigned.
Lifetime coverage is the natural life of the person signing the purchase agreement. However, if the owner uses this post-frame building to expand their commercial business, the lifetime is limited to 40 years.
Our pole barn warranties are limited to the stated terms only. There are no other warranties, written or oral, expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
Exclusive Remedies:
- The seller will decide to repair, replace, rebuild, or repaint. The seller's liability is limited to the repair, replacement, rebuilding, or repainting costs, and shall not exceed the original price of the pole barn.
- The seller won't be liable for injury damages to persons or property, incidental or consequential damages for loss of use, revenue or profit, not for damage to interior walls, ceilings, partitions, equipment or contents, site preparation, or clean-up costs.
- The pole barn warranties do not cover any component which fails because of misuse, neglect, accident, or alterations that affect the building reliability or corrosive materials other than average acid rain coming in contact with the building.
- The terms and conditions in these warranties constitute the buyer's sole remedy and the seller's sole obligation.
Are You Ready to Move Forward with Your Pole Barn Project?
Now that you understand our pole barn warranty better, it's essential to keep this information in mind when comparing post-frame builders.
If you have a warranty issue that needs to be addressed, does your post-frame builder have construction crews dedicated to barn repairs? If not, you may have to wait for someone to solve your problem.
We understand that building a pole barn is a long-term investment. Therefore, we want to ensure you get your dream post-frame building.
If you're ready to move forward with your pole barn project, we recommend reading our FREE "The Ultimate Guide to Building a Pole Barn." This guide will help you navigate the next steps in the building process, so your construction project gets done on time and under budget.
Do you have more questions about pole barn warranties 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're 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.