Written by
Tamatha Hazen
Edited by
Kristen Cramer
Fact-checked by
Tom Grupa
Cost to build a barn by size
The average cost to build a barn is $25 to $100 per square foot, depending on the size and type. Barn construction costs $30,000 to $120,000 for a 1,200-square-foot structure for animals, hay, or agriculture. Building a wood barn costs more than a prefab metal barn or pole barn kit.
| Size | Square feet | Average cost | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16x16 | 256 | $6,400 – $25,600 | 1-car garage, 1-horse barn |
| 20x20 | 400 | $10,000 – $40,000 | 1 or 2-car garage, 2-horse barn, 30 bales of hay |
| 20x30 | 600 | $15,000 – $60,000 | 1 or 2-car garage, 2-horse barn, 50 bales of hay |
| 24x24 | 576 | $14,400 – $57,600 | 1 or 2-car garage, 2-horse barn |
| 30x30 | 900 | $22,500 – $90,000 | 3-car garage, small retail space, 4-horse barn |
| 30x40 | 1,200 | $30,000 – $120,000 | 8-horse stall, small retail space, 100 bales of hay |
| 30x50 | 1,500 | $37,500 – $150,000 | 4-car garage, 125 bales of hay, 10-horse stable |
| 30x60 | 1,800 | $45,000 – $180,000 | 6-car garage, machine shop, 12-horse barn |
| 36x40 | 1,440 | $36,000 – $144,000 | 100 bales of hay, 8-horse stable |
| 36x50 | 1,800 | $45,000 – $180,000 | Multi-office unit, auto or tractor workshop |
| 40x40 | 1,600 | $40,000 – $160,000 | 10 horse stall, 130 bales of hay |
| 40x50 | 2,000 | $50,000 – $200,000 | 150 bales of hay, 12-horse barn |
| 40x60 | 2,400 | $60,000 – $240,000 | 200 bales of hay, industrial workshop |
| 40x80 | 3,200 | $80,000 – $320,000 | 250 bales of hay, 20-horse barn, 2-bedroom house |
| 50x80 | 4,000 | $100,000 – $400,000 | 12-car garage, 2 or 3-bedroom house |
| 50x100 | 5,000 | $125,000 – $500,000 | 3-bedroom house, 400 bales of hay |
| 60x80 | 4,800 | $120,000 – $480,000 | Industrial machine shop or warehouse |
| 60x90 | 5,400 | $135,000 – $540,000 | 450 bales of hay, 4-bedroom house, 35-horse barn |
| 60x100 | 6,000 | $150,000 – $600,000 | Commercial warehouse or storage |
Get free estimates from barn builders near you.
Cost to build a wood barn vs. metal prefab
Wood barns cost $20 to $100 per square foot, while prefab metal barns cost $15 to $40 per square foot. If you don’t mind sacrificing the traditional wood barn look, building a metal barn will save you time and money with faster construction and minimal maintenance.
| Material | Cost per SF installed | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Prefab metal pole barn | $15 – $40 |
|
| Wood barn (dimensional lumber) | $20 – $100 |
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| Timber frame barn | $50 – $100 |
|
Barn costs by style
Barns come in several different styles, and choosing the right style depends on your budget and plans for the space. Pole barns are basic structures for storing hay or farm equipment. Monitor barns have high ceilings for grain storage or living quarters.
| Style | Cost per SF installed | Description & purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Shed row barn | $40 – $60 | A run-in horse shelter with additional storage space for hay, farm equipment, or other supplies |
| Monitor barn | $30 – $100 | Traditional raised center aisle (RCA) barn for livestock, grain storage, or even as a living space |
| Pole barn cost | $15 – $40 | Open cover for storing hay and large farm equipment |
| Post & beam barn | $60 – $160 | Wide-open barn with no load-bearing walls breaking up the space, making them great for storing farm equipment and hay |
| Gambrel barn | $25 – $60 | Large, lofted barns modeled after European-style barns, perfect for storing food for large herds in the winter |
| Bank barn | $30 – $50 | Barn built into the side of a hill or bank allowing both upper and lower floors to be accessed from ground level. The lower level is well insulated for livestock while the upper level is ideal for storing equipment and feed |
| Round barn | $100 – $250 | Circular shaped barn ideal for horse riding rings or hay storage |
Barn costs by construction type & use
Barn costs average $25 to $100 per square foot, depending on the construction type and usage. Simple storage sheds or shops are cheaper than barns designed for housing livestock. Barns used for residential living or wedding venues are the most expensive due to the high finishing costs.
| Barn use | Average installed cost |
|---|---|
| Storage shed or shop | $20 – $100 per square foot |
| Hay barn | $15 – $40 per square foot |
| Cattle barn | $600 – $1,600 per cow |
| Hog barn | $50 – $300 per pig |
| Horse barn | $7,000 – $11,000 per horse |
| Barn house | $50 – $160 per square foot |
| Barn wedding venue | $50 – $170 per square foot |
Small barn shed or shop cost
A barn shed costs $20 to $100 per square foot for a small building used for storage or a workshop. Metal sheds are more popular since they resist mold, pest, and fire damage, and require less maintenance than wood buildings.
Cattle barn cost
A cattle barn costs about $600 to $1,600 per head to allow at least 20 square feet of space per cow. A free-stall barn requires more space to let cows to move around freely.
Horse barn cost
The cost to build a horse barn averages $7,000 to $11,000 per stall. Each stall should allow about 100 to 150 square feet of space per horse. A run-in barn that allows horses to move around freely requires more space.
Hay barn cost
A hay barn can cost as little as $15 to $40 per square foot for a simple pole barn. The hay barn size is determined by the number and type of bales you need to store, with round bales needing more space than square bales.
Hog barn cost
A hog barn costs $50 to $300 per pig for a finished space. The shelter should have at least 8 square feet of space for each growing pig, allowing them to turn around without touching the sides of the enclosure. A well-ventilated, dry shelter with a floor will keep pigs healthier.
Barn house cost
Barn houses cost $50 to $160 per square foot of finished space, not including the land. Most often built in rural areas, these affordable homes have large open floor plans, exposed beams, and a gambrel roof.
A pole barn house costs $50 to $150 per square foot for a finished post-frame construction with wooden or metal posts driven into the ground.
A barndominium costs $65 to $160 per square foot for a finished home designed to look like a barn.
Building a barn wedding venue
Get free estimates from barn builders near you.
The cost to build a barn for weddings is $50 to $170 per square foot, depending on the level of finish. Barn wedding venues with a natural, rustic space are cheaper to build than glamorous, modern barns with high-end lighting and finishes.
Material and labor costs to build a barn
| Factor | Pole barn cost (per square foot) | Post & beam barn cost (per square foot) |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $10 – $30 | $50 – $100 |
| Labor | $5 – $10 | $10 – $60 |
| Total cost per square foot | $15 – $40 | $60 – $160 |
Barn materials & kit prices
A pole barn kit costs $15 to $40 per square foot for materials and installation labor. Constructing a pole barn without a foundation is the cheapest way to build a barn.
A post and beam barn costs $60 to $160 per square foot for materials and installation labor. Post and beam barns are strong, durable, and customizable for use as a garage, workshop, or for agricultural purposes.
Labor costs to build a barn
The labor costs to build a barn are $5 to $10 per square foot for a pole barn or $10 to $60 per square foot for a post & beam construction. Additional labor costs may include:
Professional help
A general contractor costs $50 to $150 per hour.
A structural engineer costs $100 to $220 per hour.
A plumber costs $45 to $150 per hour.
An electrician costs $50 to $130 per hour.
A carpenter charges $40 to $100 per hour.
Site prep and foundation
Land clearing costs $1,200 to $3,700, depending on how heavily wooded the lot is.
Excavation costs $2.50 to $15.00 per cubic yard.
Land leveling or grading costs $0.40 to $2.00 per square foot.
A land survey costs $200 to $1,200, depending on the difficulty of the terrain and the time spent accessing official property documents.
Pouring a concrete slab floor costs $5 to $10 per square foot, depending on the reinforcement and thickness.
A gravel driveway costs $1 to $3 per square foot or $540 to $1,000 for a 100’ gravel road.
Additional costs
Metal roofing costs $5 to $16 per square foot installed.
Siding costs $3 to $13 per square foot installed.
Barn or metal building spray foam insulation costs $1.00 to $4.50 per square foot of surface area.
Exterior painting services cost $1 to $4 per square foot of surface area.
Building permits cost $500 to $2,000 for new construction or building renovations.
Barn building FAQs
How long does it take to build a barn?
A simple pole barn can be built in a few days, while a larger enclosed barn takes 6 to 12 weeks or longer when adding utilities and specialized agricultural equipment.
How long does a barn last?
A well-maintained barn built with quality materials will last for 40 to 60+ years. Anyone who has driven through an agricultural area dotted with beautiful old barns can tell you barns last a long time.
Can you get a loan to build a barn?
Yes, you can get a loan to build a barn. Look for a lender with experience financing agriculture barns to help you obtain a construction, personal, or farm loan.
Get free estimates from barn builders near you.
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Do I need a permit to build a barn?
Yes, you will need a permit to build a barn, even in rural areas zoned for agricultural use. A building permit protects your property value, ensures the building is up to code, and helps you if you have an insurance claim in the future.
Getting estimates from barn builders
Here are some guidelines to help you find the right barn builder near you:
Search for licensed, insured, and bonded builders with experience building barns.
Get multiple estimates with similar barn types and materials to compare.
Find builder reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Try to visit an active job site or recent completion to see their work in person.
Select a builder that works within your budget and timeline.
Ask for a written contract that includes the timeline, payment schedule, and warranty details.
Arrange a payment schedule that avoids large down payments. Make the final payment when the barn is finished.
Questions to ask
To find the best metal home builder for your project, ask these important questions:
Is your business licensed, bonded, and insured?
How many barns have you built this year?
Do you have a barn build nearby I can visit?
What does your estimate include?
Will you get the necessary building permits and include those in the final price?
What site prep is required for my barn?
How long will the barn take to build?
How much of a deposit do you require? What are your payment terms?
Do you have a list of preferred financial lenders with barn loan experience?
