Does My Farm Need a New Pole Barn or Should I Renovate?

If you’ve noticed that one or two of your pole barns are looking a little shabby, it may be time to decide if they need to be renovated or if brand new, customized pole barns are in order. Whichever option you choose, the end result should be a building that can meet your needs now and in the future.

Evaluating Your Needs

The first step in the decision-making process is to clarify your goals and priorities. Consider questions like:

• What is the purpose of this building? Can it still effectively serve that purpose?
• Do you have the time and money to spend on a new building? Or, do improvements need to be made as quickly and inexpensively as possible?
• What are the current issues with the building? For example, is there a sagging roof, water stains, or leaning walls? Is the paint chipping or the wood rotting? Perform a thorough inspection so you can discover issues that may not be immediately apparent.
  

These questions can help you determine whether renovation makes sense or you should start from scratch. If you’re still unsure, the advice of a professional construction company can be invaluable.

Reasons to Renovate Your Pole Barn

Renovating is a good idea when many of the issues you see are cosmetic in nature, or if you simply want to freshen up the space. Even adjusting the floor plan slightly to meet your current and future needs (like an addition) can be accomplished through a renovation.

For example:

• Chipped or worn steel coatings can lead to compromised structural integrity due to rust. A simple reskin can resolve this.
• A damaged or worn hobby shop floor can be restored.
• A leaking roof can often be repaired or replaced as long as it hasn’t caused extensive water damage.

It’s important to keep in mind that lumber and building material prices have fluctuated over the past few years due to supply chain disruptions. Temporarily high costs may persuade you to renovate rather than build new, as long as the existing building is still functional and safe. Renovation can also be a much quicker process, making it the preferred choice for those who need to the job done fast.

Reasons to Build a New Pole Barn

Renovating may not always be an option, and when it is, there is always a risk that it will be more involved than expected. For instance, you may get halfway through the renovation only to uncover serious issues, like rotting columns or cracked trusses, that jeopardize the building's structural integrity. This can lead to higher costs and additional stress.

If your current pole barn is very old or extensively damaged, renovation would most likely be more work than it’s worth. Knocking it down and building a new pole barn in its place can save time and effort.

A new build offers several benefits:

• Access to modern materials and technologies—New processes can make your structure more functional, energy-efficient, and visually appealing.
• Customization—Each aspect of your custom pole barn, from design to aesthetics, is yours to decide. This allows for a unique and effective addition to your operation.
• Reduced risk—New construction has fewer unknowns compared to renovating an older structure.

Keep in mind that building a new pole barn will take longer, and cost more, than renovating.

Get Expert Guidance

Deciding whether to renovate or start fresh is easier with the help of a professional builder. Our experts here at Pro-Line can inspect your existing building and provide recommendations to make sure you get the right pole barn for your operation.

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