Where do you even start when wanting to build a small barn?

[Lizrd]

Bought 11 acres with a home and empty land. We have a reasonable plot of land where a small barn could go. I’d like it to be cute from the outside and multipurpose on the inside. This is near a horse community so for resale I’d like it to be horse appropriate but I would use it more for multipurpose goats, small livestock, etc. Of course hubby would rather have the purpose be for a shop/garage.

Where do you even start? I’d love to work with an architect but I think that would probably price me out of my budget just doing that. Who doesn’t admire Blackburn Architects and their . stunning barns? https://blackburnarch.com/projects/ They even now have some pre-designed barns that you can customize for your site. https://blackburnarch.com/projects/wilent-farm/

I think I have a custom barn dream with a pole barn budget…I do know that people generally want more barn so not to underestimate the size when building.

When you were starting from scratch, what were your steps?

[dqtastic]

I’d start by confirming your siting really well with multiple people. Have a few different people out to give you different opinions on where to put the barn in the context of the entire property and as used with paddocks and truck access etc. Don’t just pick the flattest most obvious spot. By the time you get excavators and land prep in there may be lots of options. It is worth hiring someone to do a site plan.

Sounds like a big open barn that could accommodate portable stalls might suit your purposes best. Consider lots of doors / access ways.

There are so many plans out there for barns and prebuilds i dont know if i’d bother with an architect…but if you have the cash!!

And of course…build a little bigger than you first think.

[B_and_B]

Confirm your site location and access first. If I could, I can’t!, I would want to layout my barn so that a truck with a 28 ft trailer can easily access it to unload hay, livestock, vehicles, etc. That means more space than you really think…I see you are in Chicago area, so that has to include snow removal! I would want the water source, if outside, to be on the side most protected from the wind in the winter, mine is not: it is on the north side of a barn with full hilltop wind loading from the west and north, it is brutal in the winter. I would want to raise it so that the water in the area drains away it from all sides. I would want the prevailing wind to run down the main aisle if I was in a hot or muggy area.
I would do fundamentally open plan, most stalls are essentially portable these days because they are kits. Loft space…meh. Make it possible perhaps, but honestly, I’m never going to put hay in my loft again, even if it wasn’t full of multiple generations of furniture. However, if you do make a loft space, make it accessible from the same location and side that aforesaid trailer parks on! Also, make the loft door big enough!
Those would be my first considerations: vehicle access, wind direction, and drainage

[Weezer]

You’ve received a lot of great recommendations. I suggest storing hay at ground level if you can establish a good, dry floor. It’s so much less labour intensive to keep it at ground level. I recommend planning the number of animals you want and building accordingly. I’ve never come across an animal lover who hasn’t filled their barn to capacity. From previous experience, I know that 5 horses is too much work for me so I built a 3 stall barn. I’m so glad I kept it small so I can’t take in any wayward souls.

[four2farm]

We had grand plans when we bought this property and basically none of them have been realized as we originally thought:lol:

We started with 5 acres, a run shed and 2 paddocks and then have built organically from there.

We have put up three buildings, the 20x20 run in shed. Divided in the center and can be divided into 4- 10x10 open entry run ins if someone (pony) hogs up too much space. We have a 24×36 main barn that was built clear span and is fluid. We are adding 12x36 shedrows off each side. We have enough prefab stalls for everyone that can be used anyway we want.

Today there is a perm tack/ feed room, a 12x12 stall storing yard implements and a 12x16 that has a horse in it. There is also 3 round bales, a wood splitter an Atv, 2 lawnmowers, lots of small stuff and stack of square bales. Next week we could switch out the horse for my Mercedes convertible. Just unpin a stall front and change the use in 30 minutes or less. We did rubber mat the entire floor so any leaks from the machinery can be cleaned.

Barn 3 is a 20x36 gravel floored hay barn. I buy all my rounds in one shot, premium first cut, fresh out of the field. So 56 round bales can stacked, plus squares, plus main barn. As the hay barn empties out, empty space is taken up by more classic cars. My husband is a Classic car restorer so we always have cars in and out of here constantly.

Everything we built with exception of the fence is fluid. Every building can be used for what we need at the moment. Every building/ paddock was built in a location where is can be driven through including the pastures. All four paddocks create a L shape with connecting gates.

We have our struggles, we are in the side if hill, drainage great, erosion a battle. I have to watch my grass paddocks with an eagle eye. They cannot be overgrazed or they will erode. My dry lot top soil has to be retrieved from the bottom of the hill 3 or 4 times a year. The barn lot needs to be rehabilated as barn construction, high traffic and general use have to be repaired.

This is all totally possible, you just have to think out of the box. Thankfully we live in the great age of high quality portable stalls, easy to get rubber mats and a plethora of clear span barn construction options

We are now in planning stages of building #4, a six bay auto shop expansion. Hmmm what could I do with extra space?:winkgrin:

[wsmoak]

A pole barn will be the most versatile. Instead of having a fancy architectural outside, you can put the money into top quality stall hardware and fixtures. If you do full stall fronts that connect together or bolt in place, then if things change, you can sell them and the barn will be clear inside for the next purpose.

That’s what I did (the pole barn) – and then promptly realized I don’t really need a barn. 12x24 shelters in paddocks is perfectly fine. So I never built out the barn, it’s being used for storage mostly. Now that I have a young horse coming home I’m finally thinking of doing it. (At least I was until lumber prices went through the roof.)

So my steps were 1. clear #*$#@ trees and grade the area, 2. pole barn, 3. wait a long time, 4. build the ‘back’ wall and feed room, 5. wait some more, 6. when lumber prices are reasonable again, finally finish the thing. At this point it looks like it will be Bend Arc aluminum stall components.

[trubandloki]

You start by checking zoning and building regulations to determine what you are allowed to do, where you are allowed to do that and what is required for that to move forward.
Some rules are weird and very surprising so do not assume that anything is just a simple thing to do.

[fourfillies]

Put in lots of time really thinking about what you need. Blackburn barns are beautiful but what I found really impressive (and borrowed) are their functional details. How doors swing, feed pass throughs, location of water spigots. It’s these everyday details that make home horse keeping so much more enjoyable.
Pinterest is also great. For or worse it learns as you browse and it is easy to save ideas as you hone in on your needs.
I was going to build a 36’x36’ on our newer property. After really thinking through what I really needed I renovated the existing structure and spent a bit more on “fancy” stalls and a lean to with run outs. Both regulatory things like stormwater management and site prep can really add up. Be prepared for that. Overall I saved a lot of money and am very happy.

[Redlei44]

@trubandloki

You start by checking zoning and building regulations to determine what you are allowed to do, where you are allowed to do that and what is required for that to move forward.
Some rules are weird and very surprising so do not assume that anything is just a simple thing to do.

Yup.

There have been several previous threads about realtors being mistaken (sincerely or suspiciously) about the zoning and allowable use of a property. Start from scratch and get all the info about zoning, allowable use, number of animals per acres, wetlands, floodplains, setbacks, stormwater management and erosion control, etc. before you get too far planning anything in particular.

[2DogsFarm]

Zoning is Key!
When I bought my 5ac 1 “large animal” was permitted for the first 3.5ac, add’l acre required for each add’l animal.
So I just squeaked by for 2 horses.
Zoning was changed about 5yrs in so first animal now requires 5ac.
Not sure the original permitted number is grandfathered, so a new owner might be legally zoned for just 1 horse.

Also need to be aware of setbacks & distance from primary dwelling requirements.
Variances may be needed for square footage, height, etc.
Know before you make plans.

[clanter]

Not sure the original permitted number is grandfathered, so a new owner might be legally zoned for just 1 horse.

“Grandfathered” uses that vary from current zoning requirements Do Not Pass on to a new owner

[PamnReba]

I did essentially the same thing - bought land that had a house, one outbuilding, and endless possibilities. Have you moved in yet? If not, wait until you do and spend some time getting to know the seasonal ebb and flow of the property. Even if you have already moved in, if you haven’t been there long give yourself some time to get to know it. Land is a living thing and can change drastically from season to season and year to year. Is there any fencing in place yet? If not, you could start by building the perimeter fence, and wait on interior fencing, again, until you get to know the place better. Move slowly, so you can be confident in your decisions. It may be a much different place next spring.

[Willesdon]

Ask your horsey neighbours what works well for them. If possible, visit different barns and pick up useful ideas. If possible, when building, use contractors who have equine experience because they can often make brilliant suggestions.

[Bluey]

A poster here, @Plumcreek, does just that, consults on equestrian properties and how to organize them, what to look for.
She does excellent work for small barns, or convention center type consulting, any and all.

She is out of Colorado, but can do work virtually also, or may know someone in the OP’s area that could help.

Try PM her and see what expert advice she may have.

This is the time to take your time, as long as it takes, so whatever you decide to build and where will really be best for what you want, won’t have to live with important oversights that could have been caught by waiting a bit longer to gather more information.

Good luck, stressful as this planning stage is, it is also exciting and the results will be satisfying and make you smile big for the rest of your life.

Guess we will get pictures to enjoy that along with you?

[clanter]

OP, there is a company (Richards-Wilcox) in the Chicago area (Aurora) that has been making high quality barn hardware for nearly 150 years… their products are not inexpensive but will outlast your lifetime.

Here is link to their assistance in designing a barn using their products (Dan Lorden is the national sales manager…I have known Dan for nearly forty years)

https://rwhardware.com/taking-the-reins-of-your-barn-design/

https://rwhardware.com/shop/

[Janet]

@Willesdon

Ask your horsey neighbours what works well for them. If possible, visit different barns and pick up useful ideas. If possible, when building, use contractors who have equine experience because they can often make brilliant suggestions.

And conversely, non-equine contractors can mke some relly stupid decisions.