The Building Process

SOLID · RUGGED · BEAUTIFUL

We never cut corners. Ever.

Lamale Interior with Fireplace

Our ultimate goal at Big Timber Barn Company is to preserve the heritage and nostalgia of the American barn by erecting modern barn homes, storage and livestock barns, and event barns that combine the time-honored post-and-beam construction framework style with board and batten siding for added solidity. Our unique and skillful construction provides a classic appearance with unbeatable structural integrity.

The use of real wood to erect each barn allows for phenomenal versatility in design, as the strong framework of post-and-beam construction carries the structure’s load, including the roof. The result is an open-air structure that allows you to customize your floor plan and showcase the architectural beauty of your barn.

Dedicated to each barn project

From the moment you contact Big Timber to help design your barn, you have an expert partner walking alongside you.

1. Design

We’ll visit your building site and listen as you describe your dream barn in detail. Draw from our experience as we discuss the barn rooflines and styles that will result in a barn that will fulfill your vision. When we put your plans on paper, we’ll work with you until each and every detail is finalized. We provide both blueprints and 3D drawings. This phase of the project typically takes three to five weeks, and costs will be about $5,500.

2. Build

Now, we’re ready to order your wood. Your plans will be used to calculate the material costs for your project. At this point, you’ll pay half down. Your wood will take up to eight weeks to arrive. Once it’s delivered, you’ll pay the second installment, and we’ll begin construction. Typically, our barn structures are completed in three to four weeks, although more complex projects may take longer.

3. Finish

At this point, we turn the barn over to you for finishing. Our customers generally find it takes several more months to finish a barn home or event barn.

Our barn projects include:

  • Initial site visit to ensure position of building is ideal for the features of your site
  • Complete set of plans
  • Complete pre-cut frame
  • Board and batten siding
  • Roof sheathing and roof felt
  • One walk-out door
  • Heavy-duty stair package

Our barn projects do not include:

  • Labor
  • Site preparation
  • Concrete pad and footings
  • Final roofing materials such as shingles, tin, shakes, etc.
  • Electrical or plumbing
  • Paint/stain
  • Windows

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get started?

Once you have your land ready, give us a call! Our team can answer any questions you may have about the different design options. An initial payment of $5,500 is required to prepare the custom plans. A final estimate of cost will not be available until after the plans are completed. 

I have a specific barn style in mind. How much will it cost to build?

The base prices on the barn styles pages give you a place to start. A set of plans are needed to know exactly what we are building (how tall, how long, what roofline, how many windows and doors – and which kind of each, interior walls, stone fireplace or foundation, how the space is finished, etc.) as all these factors affect final cost. Once we have your dream barn on paper, complete with floor plans and elevations, we will know what resources are needed to build it, allowing us to compose a figure. 

What kind of foundation is required?

Because it is a post and beam frame, a pier foundation or concrete slab may be chosen. 

Do you have a crew to build each barn?

We do have a crew, though most commonly we partner with one of your local crews to erect each barn. Actively sharing in the community and using its resources are vital to keeping the small towns and farmland of America thriving for future generations.

Big Timber Barn Company’s main focus is on building new barns. Because we want to focus on what we do best, our teams do not focus on interior finishing work on our home builds. We would be happy to assist you in finding a contractor that can take over after the building construction is complete. 

Do we have to use your construction crew?

Our construction crew is available to build barns in Iowa and the surrounding area, however, you can use your own team if preferred or out of our service area. Big Timber Barn Company will provide a comprehensive construction manual and technical support throughout the building process. 

Do you provide financing through your company?

We do not personally offer financing, however, we can recommend some financing companies that have experience working with timber frame construction. 

Barn Kits

Have a team that can assemble your barn? Get one of our kits. Complete with plans, instructions, and all the timber needed to build a great barn. Need customizations? No problem!

1

Select Kit

2

Customize

3

Recieve Kit

Our Team in Action

Follow along as our team builds exquisite barn homes, elegant spaces for hosting weddings and events, unique commercial structures, and functional storage or livestock barns.

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Spring and Summer are great times for barn builds! ... See MoreSee Less

Minnesota, 1892...

Caption
Ann River Logging Company, Kanabec County, Minnesota...
A photograph of a load of logs. Containing a total of 31,400 feet. 21 feet high with an estimated weight of sled chains, and logs is 5 tons. Being pulled by four horses...

Source
Kanabec County Historical Society
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