Pole building construction: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What pole building construction is

Pole building construction erects a post-frame building by setting large posts into the ground or onto piers, adding girts and trusses, then covering the frame with metal or other siding and roofing. People use pole buildings for garages, barns, shops and storage, because the posts can be set quickly and the building spans a wide area without a full foundation.

Signs you need it

  • You need a large storage or workshop building and want to avoid the expense of a full concrete foundation
  • You have an open lot or a farm field where a wide building with few interior posts would work well
  • An existing pole building has rotted posts, loose girts or a roof that is pulling away
  • You plan to store vehicles, equipment or livestock feed and need a tall door and clear span
  • Your site has soil that suits post holes or piers, and you want the building set on a sound base

What the pro does

  • The builder checks the site for layout, the soil, the drainage and the setbacks, and marks the building corners
  • They dig post holes to the depth the design requires, or set piers and footings to carry the posts
  • They set the posts, brace them plumb and square, and pour or pack the backfill to hold them firm
  • They fix the girts and the trusses or the rafters to the posts, and check the frame for level and square
  • They install the roof sheathing and roofing, then the wall siding, the doors and the windows
  • They finish with trim, gutters and a final check of the door tracks and the anchors before handover

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Building size, the bay count and the post spacing across the length and width
  • Post size and treatment, including ground-contact rating and the depth set
  • Soil conditions and the need for concrete piers or extra backfill
  • Truss or rafter type, roof pitch and the snow and wind load the building is built to carry
  • Siding and roofing materials, from metal panels to other finishes
  • Door count, door size and the number of overhead doors or walk-in doors
  • Electrical, insulation and interior finish added to the building

What a written quote should spell out

  • Building dimensions, post spacing, post size and the depth each post is set
  • Post treatment rating and the backfill or concrete used around each post
  • Girt and truss spacing, with the frame material and fastener schedule
  • Roof and siding materials, with the gauge, the color and the fastener type
  • Door and window scope, with the sizes, tracks and openers listed
  • Who pulls the permit, and whether the design is stamped for the snow and wind loads

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How deep will the posts go, and what soil conditions did you find on this site?
  • What snow and wind loads is the building designed for, and will an engineer stamp it?
  • What post treatment do you use for ground contact, and how long is it rated to last?
  • Who pulls the permit, and what inspections will the building need?
  • How do you brace the posts while the building is framed, and how is it kept square?
  • What is the warranty on the posts, the trusses and the metal roofing?
  • Are the doors and the windows included, and who installs the openers?

Red flags

  • They set posts without checking the depth required for the soil and the load
  • They use posts that are not rated for ground contact
  • They will not say what snow or wind loads the building was designed for
  • They do not plan drainage at the posts, so water pools against the base of the building

What you can do yourself

You can clear the site, mark the building outline, gather the plan and select the siding and roof colors. Do not dig post holes for a large building, set the posts or raise the trusses yourself, because the structure depends on correct depth, bracing and spacing. Use a licensed builder, and have an engineer stamp the design where the local rules require it.

Licenses and permits

Pole buildings are commonly built under a building permit, and some areas have agricultural exemptions for barns. Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician in most places. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department for permit, exemption and trade rules that apply to your building.

Pole building construction questions

Do pole buildings need a concrete foundation?

Not always. Posts set in the ground or on piers are common, but the depth and the backfill must suit the soil and the load. Ask the builder how the posts will be set and whether the design calls for piers or a slab for any part of the building.

How long does the post treatment last?

The life of a post depends on its treatment rating, the soil and how it is set. Ask the supplier for the rating and the ground-contact spec, and ask the builder how the posts are protected at the ground line.

Can I add a second floor or loft to a pole building?

It depends on the trusses and the posts. Most designs are built for the roof load only. Ask the builder and an engineer before you plan a loft, because the framing must be designed for the added floor load.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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