Building a Pole Barn Home in Missouri – The Complete Guide

Looking for an affordable alternative to a traditional home that can be built in under half the time? Then a pole barn home in Missouri could be the perfect solution. Designed around your specific requirements, these custom timber homes can feature any layout and fittings you choose, without breaking the bank. They also offer a warmer and more traditional look compared to steel barndominiums, making them ideal for the rural Midwest.

Keen to learn more? Keep reading as we cover the essentials of building a pole barn in Missouri, from finding reputable builders to obtaining financial support and insurance.

What is a pole barn home and what are the benefits?

The primary support structure of a pole barn home consists of multiple timber posts pieced together to create a frame. Like a wooden barn, this self-supporting design holds the roof up too. As a result, you’ll have lots of flexibility when it comes to creating spacious floor plans, as you won’t need to worry about adding load-bearing walls inside.

While pole barn homes share a similar look to barndominiums, the main distinction between the two is the material used. Along with their wooden post frame shell, many pole barns also feature timber siding, while barndos are almost exclusively made from steel. With that in mind, pole barns have a more rustic finish, are easier to insulate, and are more eco-friendly.

Furthermore, barndominiums require a concrete foundation to stop them from shifting. However, you can keep your pole barn home in Missouri in place simply by driving the posts into the ground. Of course, you can add a concrete base for extra strength, but it isn’t a necessity.

Why build a pole barn home in Missouri?

Named after the Missouri River that runs through it, this midwestern state is a great place to live for a number of reasons. For instance, the cost of living is relatively low compared to the national average and there are plenty of job opportunities across various sectors.

Missouri also has a rich cultural heritage when it comes to music, art, and food. Enjoy some of the US’s best BBQ dishes and locally brewed beers in St Louis, or visit Branson’s theatre-lined boulevard for live entertainment year-round. Meanwhile, Kansas City is known for its unique shopping plazas, spectacular fountains, and large Major League Baseball stadium.

However, one of the best reasons to build a pole barn in Missouri is the abundance of outdoor activities on offer. As a largely rural state, Missouri boasts a huge collection of national forests, state parks, glacial lakes, and the renowned Ozark mountain range to the south. This makes it a great place for anyone who enjoys hiking, fishing, canoeing, and more.

Plus, with farmland covering over half of the state, Missouri is ideal if you’re seeking a quiet, rural area to set up a home. Yet you’ll never be far from the city if you want to venture out.

How much does a pole barn home in Missouri cost?

One of the most common questions when building a pole barn is how much does a pole barn cost?

Another major benefit of building a pole barn home in Missouri over a brick-and-mortar property is the price. According to a recent report, semi-luxury homes in the state – i.e. those built from pre-existing designs with minor alterations – will set you back $239 per sq foot on average. Similarly, bespoke barndominiums built from scratch cost around $210 sq foot.

Alternatively, you could build a fully custom pole barn property in the same location for $15-35 sq foot. And although this doesn’t include the fixtures and fittings, the substantial savings you’ll make mean you’ll have plenty of money left over to tailor the interior however you like.

Pole barn home builders in Missouri

Durabarn

Based in Troy, Durabarn creates custom pole barns and other post-frame buildings. You can choose a home of any size, shape, and color, and their expert carpenters will construct it for you. They can also add underground electrical and interior framing and set your property into the ground or lay a foundation – it’s entirely up to you. Either way, all plans are checked by a structural engineer, and the posts used during the build are guaranteed for at least 50 years.

Martin Structures

Covering the Versailles and central Missouri region, Martin Structures specialize in building shophouses – also known as shouses – that combine a living and workspace. With over 10 years of experience, they also build a range of pole barns, garages, and agricultural buildings. All designs are tailored to your needs, with free, no-obligation estimates available.

Or do it yourself…

If you want to save money and gain the satisfaction of building your own pole barn home in Missouri, why not try a DIY kit? Reputable suppliers like Missouri Pole Barns provide custom kits with everything you need to bring your home to life. This includes first-rate timber and detailed plans to follow, along with your preferred roof, windows, and doors.

And if you’ve never constructed this type of property before, you can find further tips and advice in our expert guide, plus key things to watch out for if you want to avoid costly errors.  

Financing for Pole Barn Home in Missouri

Need a loan to help fund the development of your dream pole barn home in Missouri? Then you have several different options when it comes to financing your pole barn home.

Firstly, you could seek help from an agricultural lender such as FCS Financial, which provides various land, construction, and rural home loans. And if you’re on a low income, you may be eligible for a USDA rural development loan.

However, if you want to skip the hassle and have someone else find the best options for you, Barndominium Loans is the obvious choice. They will ask a few simple questions about your proposed build and then get to work. Get started by checking your eligibility for free online.

Pole Barn Home Insurance

You should get insurance for your pole barn home.

Although Missouri isn’t technically located in Tornado Alley, it is right next door, and as such, the state regularly experiences stormy weather – especially in the spring. With that in mind, shoring up your home against strong winds is vital, and so is securing the right insurance.

To do this, book an expert appraiser and get a realistic valuation to give to your insurer. The figure will be based on everything you’ve spent on the build and anything you’ve done to improve its structural stability, so keep accurate records throughout the process!

Conclusion

Ready to learn more about building your dream pole barn? Be sure to check out how to insulate your pole barn, unique pole barn storage ideas to help maximize the space you have, as well as great pole barn front porch ideas that boost curb appeal to a whole new level. Get started designing your own pole barn with the best pole barn software to start turning your dreams into a reality! 

If you would like more guides like this one, check out the rest of BarndominiumLife.com. There, you will find more helpful tips and tricks from the pros. You will also find featured barndominiums, barndominium floor plans, and information on financing and insurance. Knowing as much as you can help you get the best results for your dream home.