Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Property Projects & Construction Pole Barn Build, Phase-1

I wanted to share some pix from my pole barn build I started last month. I still have to enclose it, with the hot weather almost upon us, that may have to wait until the fall. The pix are self explanatory but I’ll share a few lessons learned.

1. The steel trusses weighted about 130 #’s each and I had planned to set them using three ladders. This was a mistake and I don’t believe it could be done safely. Fortunately my nephew’s crane truck was available and we got them set in about 1 hour.

2. I anticipate needing a power auger for future project so I bought one off Amazon for $249. It is a 62cc/3HP model turning a 12” auger and I was concerned that it would lack the power for the job, my concerns were unfounded. My helper I hired is in the construction biz and his hobby on the weekends is MMA fighting, so he is very fit. I’m not as fit, but I’m bigger than him. This auger was all we could handle, even running at low speeds. I pity the fool who runs one of these wide open and hits a rock or root.

3. After pouring the concrete flooring, my lean-to for storing outside equipment is looking more like a rocking chair porch in need of a few rockers. I’ll likely have to add another lean-to on the south end of the building for that purpose. My cost thus far is about $4.7K.

4. The 4 poly lines you see in the foundation is for my aeration project....which is next.

If you see room for improvement please chime in.

Love the picnic table, is there a source online? I imagine shipping costs is astronomical so probably best to find a precast place that casts them locally?

I just scored the picnic table last month near Clemson SC. It came out of a Chic Fila during a reset. It weighs 1100 #'s and retails for $1000-$1200, I got it for $200 and I had to go get it. They still have 5 or 6 remaining, before I got back to the state line my wife said "we probably should have got two". As soon as she decides what color she wants that red painted I'll put it in it's final location and level it. If anyone is close enough and is interested in one, PM me for their name and number.

Very nice job, gonna be a fine building.

Great work. Love it when a plan comes together Eh.

For anyone else running poly lines through concrete, I would use a 4" or a 6" dia piece of PVC pipe, then put the poly lines through it. That way if a line has to be changed for any reason (critters chewing on it, etc.) it can be done easily.

Other than that, it looks great!!!!

2O2S, $4,700? That seems like a very fair price for something that nice. Is that with you and your friends/helpers providing the labor?

Awesome! If all goes well I hope to have one up by fall down by the road. One more after that... And I'm almost there. Nice looking set up you have!

Thanx for the positive feedback and the suggestion on putting poly in concrete. I plan to have 3 airline runs to the pond, so I did plan for 1 spare.

Fireishot; At my wife's insistence I did hire a helper for 3 days @ $15 per hour, I'm sure glad I listened to her. Some other mitigating factors regarding price;

-I had a 12x30 slab already in place so I had to pour the other 12x30 right next to it as well as the 12x20 slab under the lean-to. 8 yds @ $110 per and $1.35 per SF for prep, pour and finish.
-We are ground-zero for the yellow pine timber industry so it's cheaper here than anywhere else due to very little transportation cost.
-My local Lowes price matched a quote from a local supplier.
-10% discount for being a retired GI.
-In general, I'm a pretty frugal SOB.

2O2S

2O2S, I like the way you shop. Saving a hundred here, and a hundred there, will add up PDQ.