How Much Does a Pole Barn Cost in 2026? (Complete Price Guide)

The Short Answer

A pole barn materials package in 2026 typically costs between $10 and $25 per square foot, depending on size, wall height, and features. A standard 30x40 garage package starts around $18,900, while a large 60x120 agricultural building can run $67,000 or more.

But materials are only part of the picture. Total project cost — including site preparation, concrete, labor, and finishing — can push the all-in price to $30 to $65 per square foot or more.

Let us break down every cost factor so you can budget accurately.

What Is Included in a Pole Barn Materials Package?

When you purchase a pole barn kit or materials package from PoleBarnes, you are getting the structural components needed to build the shell:

• Pressure-treated columns (rated for ground contact)
• Engineered roof trusses (designed for your local snow and wind loads)
• Steel roof panels (26 or 29 gauge with 40-year paint warranty)
• Steel wall panels (matching gauge and warranty)
• Trim (corners, eave, base, door frames)
• Overhead doors (sized per your design)
• Walk doors with hardware
• Fasteners (screws, nails, brackets, connectors)
• Engineer-stamped plans (required for permits)
• Assembly instructions

What is typically not included: foundation/concrete, site preparation, electrical, plumbing, insulation, interior finishing, and erection labor.

Pole Barn Cost by Size

Here is a breakdown of typical materials package pricing in 2026:

| Size | Square Footage | Starting Price | Per Sq Ft | | ------ | -------------- | -------------- | --------- | | 24x32 | 768 | $12,400 | $16.15 | | 30x40 | 1,200 | $18,900 | $15.75 | | 40x60 | 2,400 | $28,000 | $11.67 | | 40x72 | 2,880 | $34,900 | $12.12 | | 48x60 | 2,880 | $38,000 | $13.19 | | 60x120 | 7,200 | $67,200 | $9.33 | | 80x150 | 12,000 | $124,500 | $10.38 |

Notice that the per-square-foot cost generally decreases as the building gets larger. This is because engineering, delivery, and fixed overhead costs are spread across more area.

Factors That Drive Pole Barn Pricing

1. Wall Height

Taller walls require longer columns, taller trusses, and more wall steel. Moving from 10-foot walls to 14-foot walls on a 40x72 building can add $3,000 to $5,000 to the materials package.

If you plan to install a car lift in a garage, you need at least 12-foot walls. For shops with overhead cranes or tall equipment, consider 14 to 16 feet.

2. Roof Style

A standard gable roof is the most economical option. Monitor roofs (raised center ridge for ventilation), gambrel roofs (barn-style with more loft space), and single-slope designs each have different truss engineering requirements that affect price.

3. Doors

Overhead doors are a significant cost driver. Each 10-foot overhead door adds $1,200 to $2,000 to the package. Larger doors (14 or 16 feet wide) cost more. A building with six 16-foot overhead doors will cost substantially more than one with two 10-foot doors.

4. Snow and Wind Loads

Buildings in areas with heavy snow loads (northern states, mountain regions) or high wind zones (coastal areas, plains) require heavier engineering — larger columns, stronger trusses, and additional bracing. This can add 10 to 20 percent to the materials cost compared to a mild climate zone.

5. Steel Gauge and Quality

The two most common panel gauges for post frame buildings are 29 gauge (lighter, more affordable) and 26 gauge (heavier, more durable). Commercial and agricultural buildings typically use 26 gauge; residential garages and sheds can use 29 gauge. The difference is approximately $0.50 to $1.00 per square foot of panel coverage.

6. Add-Ons

Common add-ons and their approximate cost impact:

• Wainscot trim (two-tone look): $800 to $2,000
• Insulation package: $2,000 to $8,000 depending on type and building size
• Lean-to addition: $3,000 to $10,000+
• Loft or mezzanine: $2,000 to $8,000
• Cupola: $500 to $1,500
• Overhangs (1 or 2 foot): $500 to $2,000
• Gutters: $500 to $1,500

Beyond the Materials Package: Total Project Cost

The materials package is typically 40 to 60 percent of the total project cost. Here is what else you need to budget for:

Site Preparation ($2,000 to $10,000+)

Clearing, grading, and compacting the building site. Cost depends on existing conditions — a flat, cleared lot is cheap; a wooded, sloped site with poor drainage is expensive.

Foundation and Concrete ($5 to $12 per square foot)

Most post frame buildings do not require a continuous foundation. Columns are set directly in the ground (or on concrete piers). However, many owners pour a concrete floor slab, which typically costs $5 to $8 per square foot for a standard 4-inch slab, or $8 to $12 for a reinforced slab with thickened edges.

A 40x72 building with a concrete floor adds roughly $14,000 to $25,000.

Erection Labor ($3 to $8 per square foot)

If you are not building it yourself, a professional erection crew typically charges $3 to $8 per square foot. A 40x72 building would cost $8,600 to $23,000 for labor. Many post frame buildings are DIY-friendly — the column-and-truss system goes up faster than conventional framing.

Electrical ($2,000 to $15,000+)

Basic electrical (panel, circuits, lighting, outlets) for a shop or garage runs $2,000 to $6,000. A full electrical package with 200-amp service, subpanel, heavy-duty outlets for welders and compressors, and LED lighting can exceed $10,000.

Plumbing ($0 to $10,000+)

Only relevant for barndominiums and buildings with bathrooms or wash bays. A basic bathroom roughin is $3,000 to $5,000. A full barndominium plumbing package runs $8,000 to $15,000+.

Total Cost Examples

| Project | Materials | Site + Concrete | Labor | Utilities | Total | | ------------------------ | --------- | --------------- | ------- | --------- | --------- | | 30x40 garage (DIY) | $18,900 | $8,000 | $0 | $3,000 | ~$30,000 | | 40x72 shop (contractor) | $34,900 | $18,000 | $14,000 | $6,000 | ~$73,000 | | 48x60 barndominium shell | $52,400 | $22,000 | $18,000 | $12,000 | ~$104,000 | | 60x120 ag building (DIY) | $67,200 | $15,000 | $0 | $4,000 | ~$86,000 |

How to Save Money on Your Pole Barn

1. Build bigger in one project rather than adding on later. Expansion projects cost more per square foot than building it right the first time.
2. DIY the erection if you have help. Post frame construction is more DIY-friendly than stick-built.
3. Choose standard sizes that align with common truss spans and steel panel lengths to minimize waste.
4. Get multiple quotes from different manufacturers. Pricing varies significantly by region and season.
5. Use our configurator to compare options and see exactly how each choice affects your price before committing.

Get Your Exact Price

Every building is different. The best way to get an accurate price for your specific project is to configure your building on PoleBarnes and submit it for a quote from a rated local manufacturer. You will see a real price based on your size, features, location, and local material costs — not a generic estimate.

Browse building designs to get started.