Our journey to build our pole barn house.

I thought it would be interesting to share how our new house came together. We decided we wanted to build a pole barn house. We started in Sept. 2011 and finished May 2012. We live way out in the country so we really love the rustic feel of the house. I hope you enjoy! Please like and subscribe!!!
Since I've had so many people ask about more info on our house, I'm adding below the email I've sent to them. I hope this helps anyone who is considering building a pole barn house:
Our house is a 30 X 48. The porch is 8 ft wide.
I don't know where you are out of but here's the link to the people who actually built the pole barn. spearsbarnco.com/home.nxg
They had the pole barn up in 3 days. They put the doors and windows in also but you have to purchase them seperately. They will attach the windows and doors to the poles. That's one thing now that I wish was done differently because if you'd ever have to replace one it could be difficult because we sheetrocked around all of it. I don't know how you'd do it differently tho.
Another piece of advise is to plan to have plenty of ventilation in the attic. It will get warm up there! We have actually talked to others who have built the same type of house and they've said the same thing.
It is much cheaper to build a house this way. The pole barn (not including the concrete and the boards for the floor of the porch) cost us $15,300. Now that's just what you would get if you were building a barn. Do you get what I'm saying. Just the outer shell.
More advise:
Have someone to make you a blueprint and allow for 6 in. outer walls. We didn't do that and we messed up.
Have an actual plumber and electritian do your plumbing and electric work. We didn't and ended up having to hire a real plumber and electritian. (long story!) Just save yourself the money and do it right the first time!! Trust me it WILL be worth it.
If you live around northern AR, my brother in law can build your cabinets. He does awesome work!!
All in all, we spent around $68,000 to build our house. Some of that was for furniture but not much. We could have gotten it a little cheaper if we hadn't had issues with the plumbing and electric.
Also, something I forgot to add is how well this heats and cools. We had the blown in insulation in the walls and ceiling.
I hope this helps!
Here is a link to our cabinetmaker's channel: • Custom Built Knotty Pi...

[@cminmd0041]

I love the idea of the "laundry basket" shelf in the pantry/laundry room. Genius! Separated by colors when dirty, then you could just do one per person when clean- they can grab their basket and put away their clothes! Great idea. That pantry is ENORMOUS! So jealous.

[@joeygay7115]

Thanks for sharing. Just purchased property in Tenn and the little lady actually liked this idea over log cabins. Awesome job guys

[@jukes243]

We did a pole barn house when we lived in Montana. Finished off the interior ourselves. We loved it!

[@kilofallonious]

I love this! You built it yourself and that's the best part. This is what we want to do also. Thanks for posting this.

[@KeepingItDutch]

we did this same thing, 30x50 living quarters and 10x50 porch. Thanks for sharing

[@drewbrockman399]

Keeping It Dutch how long did it take start to finish

[@agemetz386]

Was it hard to get a building permit? I’m in pa

[@nearpar]

Good job Colter family !

[@beggrolls810]

This was so helpful! Thank you!

[@jelenekoutdoors9023]

growing up I seen one family doing this, and I thought it was the coolest thing in the world, Im gonna have to buy a peice of land thank you for your vid

[@lehnhardtdevonek.8479]

Jason Jelenek do it Sir and I will watch your video

[@davebigs]

Great video guys, loved the music, and totally loved the idea of the refurbished dresser. Thanks for sharing.

[@moosedrummer1]

This is awesome.

[@tansyraindrop3974]

It is beautiful!! I just love it!

[@me1odeon]

I love this! I am in NC Arkansas and this would work so very well for the heat! Great work and tutorial! Thank you!

[@annerobinson570]

Very nice. great job.

[@YemajaRogers]

Thanks for sharing, cool

[@ZionRanch]

Great job!

[@OutdoorsWithJosh1990]

Love It!

[@teedub68]

Y'all did a awesome job... You need to post some more videos of y'all.

[@MrBrianemmons]

That was really neat.

[@CutandShoot5x5]

Very very nice thx 4 sharing!

[@rowdyratties7]

Nice Job!

[@meganbakken8809]

Thank you for sharing this! My fiance kept pushing to do this and I never understood the concept but seeing how it was successful for you and your family encourages me that maybe we should pursue this. Thank you!

[@kmhayes77]

Love it! You did a great job and thanks for all the info. :-)

[@genehilmu8189]

Very cool.

[@mikekelley5033]

Very nice

[@fadingfleur]

Thank you SO much for this! Hub, Teen son and I live in south central MO and own 9 gorgeous acres of Mark Twain Natl. Forest with an old, falling apart double wide on it and I'd rather not live in another one! We have been looking at all kinds of housing options and I got awfully frustrated and depressed yesterday when a new home bid from a local builder came back at 125k. That is the 3rd one that is over 100k and simply not affordable for us. A new quality built double wide is almost that much as well. You have brightened my day!!! I have renewed hope!!!

[@98colter]

I'm glad that it helped! I wish you all the luck in the world in building a new home!!

[@ZionRanch]

Right down the road ;)

[@kchstudiophx9843]

👍👍👍👍👍Enjoyed

[@LarrysLeatherWork]

Looks great and we have a barn stored never used that we were thinking of putting up. But zoning here would never hear to making a home in it, or I don't think so. Your place looks great and its got a great view. I'm in Illinois across the river from St Louis, mo.

[@jaredyoung3269]

Thank you, i appreciate it.

[@ericmendez8722]

Very cool

[@johnmurphy8134]

Eric Mendez h

[@lubegarichard7564]

Good home

[@billyandcolette]

Love the Video! thanks for sharing! We would like to do the same thing, but maybe up to 4 bedrooms. It looks great!

[@Jubi316]

I recently built my own shop pole barn style and saved thousands building it my self and not purchasing a kit it was gonna be 10,000 with the slab and I spent a little over 3,000 and did all the work of course . We are going to build are on house haven't decided yet if it will be stick or cinder block but live your video .

[@kaidensma91]

Beautiful!!!so price wise compared to having one build was this way cheaper

[@marig1972]

Wow! You guys did an amazing job! Looks very nice but I can tell it was a lot of hard work! Thanks for sharing! I hope you are enjoying your lovely home...Happy Holidays! #Stayblessed :))

[@mikeb8610]

a 1000 times better than a shed

[@ericsmith8961]

I'm about to do the same thing in the deep woods of my farm. Waiting on the weather to dry up for the bulldozer. Got a builder that put up all metal buildings up drawing blue prints and giving me new ideas. Guess my question is how many square feet is you all home not including the porch and how cold is the floor in the winter time.

[@98colter]

Square ft is 1440. I would say the floor is the same with any concrete floor.

[@mrshaggie810]

I saw that you said it heats and cools well, which is something I was concerned with (we are looking into a polebarn home, or shipping container home and would do blown insulation also) so I was wondering about that. Do you have central air, or use a window unit (or several.) I'd like central air, but I don't know if we'll be able to afford it at first, which is why I'm curious. Thanks! :)

[@joshuaimoe]

2:57 why does his shadow look like a pig standing up on it's back legs? Hahaha! That's awesome! Great work on the house though! We are just about to start ours!

[@manzjane5244]

Nice

[@TnTBLACK95]

We are planning doing something similar. Was getting financed a problem? We were told that it could be because there are few pole/steel buildings that are being used as homes. So it makes it hard to appraise them. Thanks! Awesome job!

[@kaidensma91]

Very beautiful!!Was this way cheaper than getting one build

[@eleanormiller2222]

Thanks! That was very nicely done. We want to build a pole barn house in North Central Florida. Are looking for plans for ideas.

[@kourtmooney5387]

It's a beautiful house

[@jaredyoung3269]

Great video, my wife and i are having the hardest time finding a floor plan that works. The link in the video doesn't work anymore i guess. And tips ?

[@98colter]

jared young The link in the video was just to the company who built the shell. There aren’t any blueprints there. We knew what we wanted in a house and just went from there. My sister and her husband had built a house not long before we decided to build. So we did get some ideas off that. I also checked out a bunch of blueprint books at the library. You could draw a blueprint for yourself. It doesn’t have to be anything special then go from there. Maybe you could find someone that can take what you have drawn to make you a blueprint. We didn’t have a professional blueprint but I highly recommend one. (Lesson learned!) I wish you the best of luck!

[@HoosierVidGuy]

Thanks for the video. Your home is awesome. What is the song?

[@98colter]

Hoosier Video Guy Thanks! No clue what the song is. KZbin made me take my original song off so I just put one on that they allowed. I was losing money so I just picked one.

[@kaidensma91]

thank u

[@mattc5893]

Nice build! How's the heating in the winter and cooling in the summer? Pentecostal?

[@98colter]

Thanks! We heat with an outdoor wood furnace and it works great. Currently we cool with only 1 AC and ceiling fans. Yes, I'm Pentecostal. :)

[@Whitefox-pc7lp]

Nice work!, Also what is that song? I like it :D

[@em2012ish]

Nice video.....1 question. Why not pour the concrete only for the 6x6 poles instead of the entire perimeter? I always thought that the poles took the weight of the structure, so why have real thick concrete where it is not needed?

[@meganbiggs6769]

Does that cost include the slab? Great video, thanks for sharing! The music...lol

[@98colter]

Megan Biggs yes, the cost includes the slab.

[@christinemetcalf7159]

Thanks for posting. We've been wondering if this would be a good option for us. How long did it take after the land was cleared until you were able to move in?

[@98colter]

Sorry it took so long to comment. (KZbin doesn't let me know of everyone's comment.) It took around 6 mths to build. Would have been less but we decided to paint ourselves.

[@mikeb8610]

can you imagine four people in a tiny house or shed

[@mazeygirl2408]

Can you show a 2018 of your home now tour?

[@nayelicollier7544]

If you don't mind, I would love to know more of your costs building your entire home (HVAC, Foundation, Electric, Drywall, ETC) I'm in the planning stage and it would be super helpful since I'm 99% sure we are in the same area!

[@guychou9505]

As tu eu des réponses???????

[@dumbcat]

Nice video. Thanks. There seems to be confusion about pole built buildings. Most people think the poles are placed directly into dirt (which I'm sure they can be I guess) and because of that, pole built structures are not suitable for homes. Looks like you proved them wrong.

[@joemonroe9456]

I have seen people place them directly in dirt because they think concrete traps the water and rots the poles.

[@kylebogus8730]

how much is the cost to heat and cool everything with the high ceilings?

[@d1beard]

Do you mind me asking if the loan was FHA? Or if not, what type? Were you able to get a long term fixed rate? Did you work with a local bank or credit union? I'm talking to a local lender in SE Indiana about building something similar. Thanks so much!!

[@yourwifesboyfriend1948]

If you have time, you should do a walk through so we can see a finished product and what you did with each room. I'm pricing mine now and seeing how many square feet I need. 68,000 seems a bit pricey to me but, I'm a single guy. How much extra did it cost building for you and your kids?

[@joemonroe9456]

If you do the work yourself, I figure it can be done for about $15 per square foot completely finished.

[@AngryBearHomestead]

What did the plumbing and concrete run you?

[@risby2]

Just wondering what the squirrel cage fan does from the ceiling to the outside?

[@98colter]

You would be surprised the difference it makes with the heat outside and it keeps the bugs from bothering you so bad.

[@sgagnon3]

This has been a dream of mine for a little while. It would be nice to get away from renting. For that price, easily doable. What do you use for heat? Radiant floor wouldn't be a bad plan to keep the feet warm however radiant floor worries me as if you have an issue with the in-floor plumbing, you are essentially screwed.

[@98colter]

We use an outdoor wood furnace for our heat.

[@remocres]

Sam Gagnon pex is reliable used in europe for many years before the USA, not like copper or galvanized which was used in levittown pa due to war shortages tat was failing in the 1980s

[@2007lukemarci]

May I ask how much that home cost . As my husband and I are looking to do the same thing

[@jeffhoffman969]

My wife and I love the house! We have 8 acres of land and we want to do the same thing....what is the dimensions of your house?

[@16oaklandave]

This may sound like the craziest idea for the use of one of these arched panel buildings. I am a disabled female veteran and I am looking for ways to build a loft style building which allows easy movement in a wheelchair, and use it as my home. Any ideas? I know I would have to add heat/ac plumbing for a kitchen and a bathroom. Thank you for any ideas and help you may have for me. I have been begging my local VA for handicap adapted home grant, and after 27 plus years, I have given up on my VA doing anything for me.

[@98colter]

I have seen it done. I couldn't give you any good advice on it though. Research it until you find someone that has done it.

[@98colter]

Just about all the info I can give you is in the description box. We had a lot of dirt work done before we poured concrete so that amount would probably throw you off. Most people give free estimates and are glad to answer questions especially if they really want the work. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

[@vaultsoferowid]

Thank you for the information! You provided a lot of information that many people were wondering about. The house looks beautiful. Cheers from Michigan.

[@carmenmunoz5938]

98colter This gives me a good idea on how to start my own.

[@crystalgilliam3006]

Did you use a layer of bubble reflective insulation under the metal? I'm asking because of the heating up.

[@98colter]

Crystal Gilliam Yes we did.

[@KATHERINEWILLIAMS]

Are these type of houses legal in Fl? Also is it the same as turning an AG building into a house?

[@baron8107]

Does anyone know the track used in this video?

[@CraftedChannel]

With post frame the poles go in first, floor poured inside. Not sure how you put the poles in after unless they are somehow bolted to surface and it does not look that way. ??

[@98colter]

It can actually be done either way. I believe we bolted the poles to the concrete.

[@ThunderCleese-tl1ny]

What is the music title used for this video??

[@Jubi316]

I was looking back at the video and I see that once the shell was up you then framed in the interior walls ? So actually double work ! So why build it pole barn style and then frame that wall also 16 inch on center ? It would have been cheaper to just frame it 16 inches on center to start with and no pole barn . Sorry not trying to be rude or anything just trying to figure the way we're gonna build are house . We thought about at first doing a log she'll and building it are selves but decided to go with cinder block built house , I know a lot of people say no they are to hot or to cold cost more on heating and cooling but I grew up in one and I can tell you that was not the case if it was it was not much of a difference to notice . So I think that is the way we're going to go is cinder block house and the only wood would be separating the rooms that is how my childhood home was it was stucco on the exterior of the blocks and some kind of stucco on interior and you couldn't even tell it was cinder block built , it was also on a cement slab and the water lines were all in the ceiling don't think I will do that thou .

[@98colter]

We did the framing for two reasons: 1) to add extra support (not to say that it wasn't well supported) and 2) it would be easier for hanging sheet rock. In our minds it was worth whatever extra cost for these two benefits.

[@basicallyhell4150]

Intro song?

[@Bbendfender]

I would like to have something similar but I'd like to have a bigger metal building with only part of it walled in for the house part. I like stuff like this.

[@dirtbikeman2535]

This is very cool. I'm looking at doing something similar. I live in northwest arkansas. If you dont mind me asking how much was the total project and when was the house actually built. Thanks.

[@98colter]

Around $68,000. There is lots of info in the video description. :)

[@dirtbikeman2535]

Okay thank you. I seen that after I already asked.

[@mr19924hill]

Can you please send me a email on the size of the barn an info on what to prepare myself for when doing this thanks for posting the video though nice work

[@jaredyoung3269]

We are having such a hard time finding what we want on paper, id luv to talk to you guys more about your home,

[@98colter]

jared young Just about all I can tell you is in the description box and then I added more in the comment section. Get as many free estimates as you can. Talk to people. Talk to builders. Talk to blueprint drawers. Hope this helps.

[@TriggerTube243]

Enjoyed watching your video. I have to ask. are the posts sitting on the cement foundation or did you set them on footings. I'm trying to understand why if the poles are on the cement floor, why you couldn't have just built a stick wall and cut the price of having the post and cross members. Not being critical, just trying to figure the advantages to what looks like a double wall. Nice music and video..

[@98colter]

The posts are bolted to the cement foundation. The cross members are there to attach the metal siding and for support. We were going for a pole barn house which in the long run is cheaper. Thicker walls, better insulation and lower electric bill. It has to be pretty cold before we have to heat our house and pretty hot before we have to cool it.

[@dharter100]

How many bedrooms and bathrooms?

[@brittnibaker6943]

Can you tell me what y'all did for air conditioning? If window units were used, how many and what btu.

[@98colter]

Currently we only have one air conditioner. Sometimes when it gets really hot I feel we could use another. Not sure of the BTU. But it's a bigger one.

[@fatheremmons85]

Where at do you live? And did you have any issues getting home owners insurance?

[@Sfk887]

How thick was your slab, and what size rebar did you use?

[@98colter]

I'm guessing 8 inches and not sure on the rebar. We didn't order anything special.

[@janetmonsivais2464]

Is this cheaper?

[@toddfagan7703]

Beautiful house .loved the music way complicated .proubly made house building so easy .i hope this dosent sound like im bashing cus i am not. living should not take a life time to payfor a house.music should be where all the detasils are .loved your vid thanks ..todd f

[@snduncombe3224]

Can I ask you about your ceiling height? They look taller than the standard 8'. How high are the ceilings? I'm tall & I prefer higher ceilings. Also, do you know if the pole barn style of home usually has high ceilings?

[@98colter]

SN Duncombe our finished ceiling is about 9' 3". I'm sure you could modify your plans to any height but I'm not sure. We love the tall ceilings because it make the house feel bigger.

[@riversjk]

How many bed and baths did you end up having? Do you have a link of a basic floor plan of your pole barn house? What is the actual living area sq footage?

[@Freebird83]

im interested in this information too

[@98colter]

There are three beds and 2 baths. I have no link to a basic floor plan. My husband and I came up with it ourselves. I do recommend having a blueprint company draw up a blueprint, tho! 1440 sq. feet is the living area.

[@teedub68]

@@98colter Where are y'all out of? Looks like wonderful West Virginia?

[@98colter]

Tank we are in MO.

[@tyleroswald2283]

Hi, I've been doing a lot of research on different builds and price comparison. I think pole house is going to be my best bet. Would you be willing to share how much it cost to build the rough building. I can paint and drywall little by little. thanks in advance!

[@98colter]

The rough building was $15,300. That was with labor and installing windows and doors (not the purchase of windows and doors).

[@tyleroswald2283]

Thats not bad at all. yal did a great job. thanks again!

[@ericnelson2558]

did yall do the construction your selves?

[@98colter]

Eric Nelson no, we hired someone.

[@11219tt]

Thanks for sharing! I have 2 questions 1. Why the cement foundation if your doing a pole style, if you do slab, couldn't you just build the normal way? 2. How are the poles attached to the foundation? Thanks!

[@98colter]

Most people build the pole barn first then pour the concrete. We just didn't want to do it that way. The poles are bolted to a metal tab that's cemented in.

[@jaredyoung3269]

Hmm ok thank you for responding, so you guys didnt have a floor plan ?

[@98colter]

jared young I had drawn one that my husband liked.

[@danheaterdesertlife]

how much did it end up costing sorry 16k nice

[@michaeloneil6750]

Who did you buy your barn kit from?

[@98colter]

+Michael O'Neil Spears Barn Company out of Stillwell, OK.

[@bf1001]

How long did this take from start to finish?

[@98colter]

Brittany Fredenburg I would say roughly 6 months.

[@melissastewart247]

How expensive was it to build your home? I want to own my own home but really not sure if it's affordable

[@98colter]

Melissa Stewart Everything I can tell you is in the description box.

[@ryancriswell9089]

How tall are the walls in this building?

[@98colter]

Ryan Criswell I think they are 9ft 2in.

[@georgewashington938]

nice project. what were the costs?

[@98colter]

John P All the information I can give you is in the description box. 😃

[@georgewashington938]

I see them now - thanks

[@kathleendaughter]

how much was the final cost of the conversion?

[@98colter]

Kathleen Medwar we built it as a house so there wasn't a conversion. Price is in the description box.

[@mmc1891]

Were you able to obtain a homeowners insurance policy for a pole barn home and if so with which company?

[@98colter]

Yes, we were. We use a local company, Arnsburg.

[@KeepingItDutch]

m mc State Farm

[@TheDricks2007]

May i ask how much you have in it without Appliances..?

[@98colter]

Darren Ricks I would say roughly $65,000.

[@CutestHeidi]

what was the final cost?

[@98colter]

CutestHeidi check out the description box. All info that I can give you will be there.

[@lehnhardtdevonek.8479]

New subbie..Wih land. .how much total cost?

[@98colter]

Lee Plays our total cost is found in the description box. We already owned the land. That's not part of the total price.

[@luckydoghomebrewsupply6838]

Daniel's came out at $56 per s.f. no land, water, or septic.