Welcome to your Barn Pros planning checklist!
Building your ideal barn structure begins long before the first post goes into the ground. Throughout our decades of engineering and shipping quality barn packages across the United States, we’ve learned that successful projects start with good planning to account for both your immediate needs and the long-term vision for your property.
This planning checklist will help you organize the key elements of your project—from clarifying your goals to securing financing and selecting the right builder. While every project is unique, these steps provide the foundation for a smooth construction experience and a structure that stands tall for generations.
1. Define Your Vision and Outline Your Goals
Understanding what you want your structure to accomplish is the cornerstone of every successful barn project. This clarity guides decisions during the design and engineering phase and throughout construction.
Identify Your Structure’s Primary Purpose
The intended use of your structure affects everything from engineering requirements to permitting processes. Consider which category best describes your vision:
- Equestrian Facilities – Horse barns designed for animal comfort, equipment storage, and daily care routines. These structures require specific ventilation, drainage, and layout considerations.
- Workshop and Storage Buildings – Shops and garages designed for vehicles, equipment, hobbies, or business operations. These structures prioritize accessibility, open clear spans, and flexibility for evolving storage needs.
- Residential Living Spaces – Barn apartments and homes combine barn aesthetics with modern living comfort. These structures require residential building code compliance and engineering for utilities and life safety.
- Multi-Purpose Structures – These barns serve multiple functions, such as combining living space with equestrian facilities or workshop areas. These designs require careful planning to ensure each function compliments the other.
Define Your Wants Vs. Your Needs
Create a wish list of features that are essential to your structure design, as well as features that would be nice to have but are not absolutely vital to the design of your structure, whether for the utility aspect or personal preference.
Essential Features – Components that are necessary for your structure to fulfill its primary purpose. For equestrian facilities, this might include specific stall configurations or wash bay access. For workshops, it could mean clear-span areas or specific door sizes for vehicle and equipment access.
Desirable Additions – Features that would enhance your experience but aren’t critical to basic functionality. These might include additional dormers for extra loft light, timber truss packages for enhanced aesthetics, or secondary shed roofs for expanded covered storage.
Determine Size and Layout Requirements
Space Planning – How much square footage do you need for your intended activities? For equestrian facilities, factor in the number of stalls, tack storage, wash bays and equipment areas. For living spaces, consider room layouts and quantities, and traffic flow patterns.
Height Requirements – Do you need full loft storage, or would you prefer soaring ceilings? For storage spaces, how tall is the equipment or vehicles you’ll be housing? Different roof pitches and sidewall heights create dramatically different interior experiences.
Access and Flow – How will you move animals, vehicles, or equipment through the space? Proper planning of door locations and interior circulation will optimize your experience in the space.
Future Flexibility – Our grid-based post construction allows significant layout flexibility. Consider how your needs might evolve over time and design space that can adapt accordingly.
Our structure pages and galleries are a great way to explore options, uses and capabilities of our building models. Explore our barns, shops and living spaces here.
2. Assess Your Property and Site Conditions
Your land plays a crucial role in determining what type and size of structure you can build, where it can be located, and what site preparation will be required. Thorough property assessment early in the planning process can prevent costly surprises later.
Evaluate Potential Building Sites
Walk your property to identify the ideal location for your barn, considering both practical and aesthetic factors:
Access and Utilities – Consider proximity to existing driveways, electrical service, and water sources. Remote locations may require significant infrastructure investment for access roads, driveways and utility extensions.
Views and Property Integration – Your barn should enhance your property’s overall character. Consider sight lines from your home and how the structure will fit with your landscape’s natural flow.
Topography – Is your build location flat? Or will it require excavation work like driveways, rock walls or grading to prepare it for construction? See our Preparing To Build On Your Land resource article to learn more about potential land prep and excavation needs.
Research Local Building Requirements
Every barn project must comply with local building codes and regulations. Early research prevents delays and helps establish timelines and budgets.
Building Department Consultation – Contact your local building department, often times the county in which you will build, to discuss your project before finalizing plans. They can provide valuable guidance on code requirements, setback restrictions, and permitting processes specific to your area.
Zoning Compliance – Verify that your intended structure use is permitted in your zone. Agricultural buildings, residential structures, and commercial facilities often have different requirements and restrictions.
HOA and Covenant Restrictions – Review any homeowners’ association rules or property covenants that might affect your project. Some communities have specific requirements for building materials, colors, or architectural styles.
Environmental Considerations – Identify any wetlands, flood zones, or protected areas that might require special permits or affect your building site selection.
Understanding these requirements upfront helps ensure your barn project proceeds smoothly through the regulatory process. For detailed guidance on navigating permits, see our Building Permit Process resource article.
3. Establish Your Financial Plan
Creating a comprehensive budget that accounts for all project costs ensures your barn building experience remains exciting and enjoyable.
Understanding Project Costs
Barn projects typically involve several distinct cost categories, each requiring separate planning and budgeting:
Structure Package – Your Barn Pros kit includes the delivery of all lumber, hardware, engineered components, blueprints, and handcrafted elements needed for construction. This represents the foundation of your investment and includes our payment schedule designed to align with project milestones. You can learn more about our payment schedule and different funding options in our How to Finance Your Barn Project resource article here.
Construction Labor – Building costs vary significantly by region. Our Project Cost Calculator tool here is a great place to start exploring potential labor costs for your project.
Site Preparation – Land preparation requirements depend entirely on your site conditions and can range from simple clearing to complex excavation and utility work.
Interior Finishing – For structures with living spaces, interior finishing represents a significant portion of your total investment. The level of finishes you choose directly affects both timeline and budget.
Permits and Professional Services – Building permits and other professional services vary by location but are essential project elements that should be budgeted from the beginning.
Financing Your Barn Project
While cash payment offers the simplest approach, many clients use various financing strategies to manage their project:
Agricultural and Utility Financing – Structures used for farming, equestrian activities, or equipment storage may qualify for agricultural loans with favorable terms and rates.
Construction and Residential Loans – Barn apartments and residential structures typically require construction loans that convert to permanent financing upon completion.
Home Equity and Personal Loans – Many clients use existing equity or personal credit for barn projects, offering flexibility in timing and terms.
The financing approach that works best depends on your structure’s intended use, your financial situation, and your timeline preferences. For comprehensive guidance on financing options, explore our How to Finance Your Barn Project resource article.
4. Select Your Construction Team
Finding Qualified Builders
Barn Pros ships nationwide, however because of the diverse geographic locations and state building regulations, we entrust the actual construction of your structure to local builders who understand your region and government requirements. Plus, this gives you control over who you work with.
Starting your search early in your project timeline will allow for better opportunities to contact and choose a builder and get on their schedule in a way that aligns with your desired project timeline.
If you have a builder identified, we are happy to speak with them to answer any questions they may have about your project and package.
See our How to Find and Choose a Barn Builder resource article for how we recommend finding a builder for your project.
Bringing Your Planning Together
This planning checklist provides the foundation for a successful barn project, but it’s just the beginning of your journey with Barn Pros. Each element—from your initial vision to your chosen builder—works together to create the framework for bringing your dream structure to life.
Next Steps in Your Barn Building Journey
Once you’ve worked through this planning checklist, you’re ready to begin the design and engineering phase of your project. Our project specialists combine decades of experience with comprehensive knowledge to help translate your planning work into detailed designs and accurate project estimates.
During your consultation, we’ll review your planning work and help refine your vision into specific detail. Our grid-based engineering approach offers flexibility in creating layouts that serve your exact needs while maintaining the structural integrity and aesthetic appeal that defines Barn Pros quality.
Whether you’re planning an equestrian facility, workshop, barn apartment, or multi-use structure, this planning foundation ensures your investment delivers both the functionality you need and the quality you deserve.
If you have more questions or are ready to start choosing your structure, visit our frequently asked questions page, or contact a Barn Pros Project Specialist today.
Reach us at 866.844.2276 or barns@barnpros.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t own land yet?
This planning checklist is still valuable as a forecasting tool while searching for property. Understanding your structure requirements helps you evaluate potential properties and their suitability for your barn project.
Can Barn Pros help me find a builder?
While we don’t directly recommend specific builders, our team can provide guidance on what to look for in a post-frame contractor and what questions to ask during your selection process. Our Build Support team works with your chosen builder throughout construction.
How early should I start the permitting process?
Begin permit research and applications as soon as you’ve identified your preferred building site and general structure requirements. Permitting timelines vary significantly by location, and early starts prevent delays in your construction schedule.
Related Resources
Project Planning Tools:
- How to Create Your Structure Estimate – Gather information needed for accurate project quotes
- Understanding Your Project Investment: Barn Pros Cost Calculator – Explore project costs and financing scenarios
Site and Legal Preparation:
- Preparing to Build on Your Land – Complete site assessment and preparation guidance
- The Building Permit Process – Navigate regulatory requirements with confidence
Financial Planning:
- How to Finance Your Barn Project – Explore financing options and payment schedules
Builder Selection:
- How to Find and Choose a Barn Builder – Guide to selecting qualified contractors
Structure Education:
- Barn Anatomy: Essential Terms and Timeless Styles – Learn key terminology for effective communication
- Understanding Post Frame Construction – Benefits of post-frame building methods
Ready to move from planning to action? Our project specialists are here to help transform your vision into detailed plans and then the structure that will enhance your property and lifestyle for generations.
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How to Find & Choose a Barn Builder
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