If you’re looking for a sturdy structure to house your latest lawn mower model or park your snowmobile during the off-season, or just have a workshop to get some projects done, looking no further than building a pole barn. Pole barns are durable, inexpensive, and easy enough that you can do an online search to find step-by-step directions on how to build it yourself.

The first thing to consider before purchasing materials is to get proper zoning permits and permissions. The barn is a new structure and local government will have some regulations and some payment for those permits.

Many people will find a company that will build the pole barn for them. With add-ons such as skylights, windows, and doors, the total cost could come out to be around $30,000.

You can choose to build it yourself. The cost of materials will vary depending on your locale. Other things taken into consideration is how large the barn will be and what materials you want to use. For a 1,600 square foot structure with a 12’ wall height, the cost of materials will be around $8000. To including insulation for the pole barn will add an additional $1500, the price will be around $9500. Each building is unique with the different materials and dimensions, so quotes will vary as well.

There are a few ways to save on money for materials such as reusing old telephone poles or trusses from old buildings. Keeping eyes out for windows, doors and other items that you can purchase through auctions or perhaps through local classifieds can save you some money on materials. Equipment is also a necessity—consider borrowing or renting to keep costs low.

Labor can be the most expensive part of building the barn. For those who may be amateurs at building a barn, it might be beneficial to find a well-trained crew to put together the structure. This option will also be more expensive. Recruiting neighbors or friends with experience may require more weekends and afternoons to complete the project, but will save the expense of paying a construction crew.

Whether you choose to build a pole barn yourself or use a crew, get quotes and compare pricing for your area and for your materials to get you the best pricing.