800-964-1550

What's This Going to Cost

We can tell you, right off the bat that a Graber Pole Building is going to be a lot less than a conventionally built building.

Compare a Graber Pole Barn to the Conventional Build for a 20 foot by 40 foot structure:

	Graber Post Construction	Conventional Built
Cost of Material (wood)	$10,000	$10,000
Cost of Footing	$0	$2,000
Labor	$4000	$8000
Total	$14,000	$18,000

Why do Graber Pole Barns cost less?

The savings is in the labor. With a traditional construction project, almost half the charges are to pay the crew who work hard to build it. But the nature of pole buildings requires far less labor. You'll find that the materials Graber Pole Buildings uses are about the same as other builders, both Pole Barns and conventionally built. And, they are both just as secure and reliable.

"Pole barns get their lateral strength because the poles are set deep, down into the ground. The deeper the set, the stronger the building's resistance to the horizontal loading caused by the wind. Our standard is a full 4 feet", explains Graber Designer, Ira.

For your own guaranteed to the penny estimate, drop us a simple email telling us:

• The Size You Want
• The Location of the Building
• Your phone number
• The best time to call you
• Anything else?

The 3 main things that go into the price of any pole building, garage, or horse barn are:

1. The Size
2. The Siding and Roofing Material
3. Any non standard options, like any extra doors you want

A Good rule of thumb for figuring out the price of a pole building, from a quality builder, is to estimate about $18 a square foot, for a basic project. On a 40 x 60 building, the price can drop to about $7.50 a square foot. "The larger the project, the lower the price per square foot. The reason for the drop in cost is we're able to pass along many of the materials savings onto the customer."

Graber buildings come with a standard metal roof material, but we do give you a choice of upgrading to asphalt shingles, with plenty of choices in colors for either.

Whether you select our standard material, or upgrade, rest assured that the framing for each and every building is all the same.

Graber buildings come standard with many of the popular features without any hidden charges. All of our structures come with 1 entry door and 1 large door, either garage or sliding door.

During your consultation with one of our designers, together we may discover you have a legitimate need for

• extra doors
• added storage, like an attic loft
• increased insulation
• or maybe a different material like wood or vinyl
• Wainscoting, for a richer look on the inside, and nearly 100 other options to choose from

Depending on your location in our "Vermont to Virginia" service area, you would be wise to invest in some structural additions to handle heavier snow loads. If near the seashore, a material that can better withstand the salt air, like Cyprus boards, could do a better job. Just 2 examples why it's in your best interest to speak with a design professional before you build.

How Payment Works:

1. After your free initial consultation and interview, a deposit of 25% is due to continue moving forward.
2. The balance of your project will depend upon the size of the job. Just give us a call with questions how your specific building terms would work.

For bigger structures its 25% when we begin construction, 25% when the trusses are up, another 20% when the siding and insulation begins and the final 5% upon completion.

Graber does accept payments from Visa, MasterCard and Discover.

Thinking About Taking out a Home Equity Loan? This may help...

A home equity loan is probably the most realistic measure for many of our customers. Most people we talk to have a home that they have been paying on for quite a few years, and the value of that property is more than it was when they originally purchased it. If you have good to very good credit, you can get the bank to lend you money, using the equity of your home as collateral. Now is a good time to consider this with housing rates at very high levels, and the potential for the government to step in and lower home values, you can look to capitalize on the equity that you have spent years building before it gets adjusted away.

If you do choose to take out a home equity loan you will still want to make every effort to pay your loan off as quickly as possible. Here is a chart showing the cost of a home equity loan at 9% if it is paid off in 3,5,10, or 15 years.

Amount	Term	Required Monthly Payment
$5,000	3 years	159
	5 years	104
	10 years	63
	15 years	51
$10,000	3 years	318
	5 years	208
	10 years	127
	15 years	101
$15,000	3 years	477
	5 years	311
	10 years	190
	15 years	152

Take a mortgage out on the property.

If you are looking to use the building as a vacation home or even as a primary residence, you may be able to get a home mortgage, at a very good rate. Mortgage rates are at near record lows with some at 5.25% and even lower. Take advantage while the rates are low.

Thinking about Building Your Pole Barn Yourself? Some Friendly Advice...

1. Be sure you work with high quality material. Lumber, for example, comes with a rating system that can be confusing. Be sure to understand this rating system to identify the quality of the lumber. Most lumber sold on lumber yards is actually substandard by Graber's requirements.
2. Stay away from cheap, used or 2nd hand material sold as surplus. It's great to find a bargain, but cheapening your trusses, for example, just invites disaster.
3. Be sure to place reinforced storm clips at the pressure points of the buildings. A very common (and costly) mistake.
4. Measuring is critical with pole barns. A mistake of less than one degree can result in a construction flaw of 4 feet
5. Just using a simple sketch of a pole barn can cause big problems. Instead, have an actual design that includes ALL the detailed dimensions.
6. Pay special attention to preparing your site. Some excavation work may be needed so the building will be completely level.

Some Ball Park Pricing on the More Popular Options
(The complete list of choices you have is on our "Options and Color Chart" page.
Price Range: $$$ ($=Lowest, $$=Medium, $$$=Most Expensive)

Option	Price Range
12" overhang that improves ventilation; better appearance, less "boxy" fits in better in residential settings	$
Barn Style Sliding Windows or House Style double hung windows that use grids and are insulated like those in your home	$
Garage Doors -- in a range from a modest door to a fancier coach style door; seen on newer homes	$$
Wainscoting on the interior that breaks up the look of the siding	$
Insulation either our "Vapor Barrier" on the roof or in the steel linear Panels - ideal when your structure will be used for a shop or a commercial building	$
Cupolas that add a visually pleasing ornamental touch	$
Extra Entry doors or "house doors" for easier access	$
Extra Windows can be placed anywhere you'd like as long as they don't compromise the structure	$
Concrete flooring can be added to any of our structures for a More substantial floor and finished look	$$$
Decorative Concrete in a custom color or design	$$$$
Wood flooring over the gravel with sleepers over it for a warmer, finished look	$$
Resin Tile can be added atop the concrete; we can tile it, point it, and ensure that it's set	$$$
Pavers, popular with our horse barn customers, for a richer look	$$$$
Dry wall can be added to any of our structures	$$
The trick is to know which options work best for you. Call Graber at 1-800-964-1550 today for an informal chat with one of our designers and to learn which ones make sense for you.
Interior walls to divide your space into separate areas for a shop, an office, or workspace	$$
Side lights or sky lights to bring natural light into the space	$
Vinyl Siding in a choice of colors, for an upgraded look from metal	$$
Wood Siding in our Board-n-Batten style is another upgraded look from our standard metal; popular with Horse Barns	$$
Asphalt shingles in place of the standard metal roof in your choice of colors	$$
Stone or brick exterior facades over the metal are still MUCH cheaper than a traditionally all-brick built structure	$$$
Exterior Outside Gutters to drain off rain and melting snow	$
Snow Guards that goes on top of the roof metal that breaks the Snow up and prevents from falling down	$
"Lean-to's" provide even more square footage apart from the pole building for an office or your private "man cave" retreat	$$

For a complete customization of your project, be sure to check out our "Customize Your Project page."

Looking For a Cheap Pole Barn?

We can guarantee you that Graber does not offer the cheapest in pole barns, but give some thought to what actually goes into a "cheap pole barn." "We've known for a long time how to build a really cheap pole barn, but it would require cutting way too many corners. And the result would be a lousy product for our customers" says Rosita, from Graber Pole Barns.

Some examples of corners NOT to cut in pole barn construction:

• No bracing systems on the trusses that will add much needed support for winds as mild as 10 miles per hour.
• Graber actually has a one of a kind "Bracing Class" where we teach our crews how to brace correctly and work them in with the trusses.
• Foundation holes not dug deep enough. Patrick, from Graber: "It is hard work, and it's practically impossible for a small 2 man crew to get that 4 feet depth we look for. That's why we only send out larger, experienced crews to make sure it's done right."
• Poles that are not thick enough. Smaller sized poles are out there and are cheaper than the standard poles Graber uses, but the savings are short lived when the roof system gives way.
• Poles that are not reinforced. Graber uses 4x6 solid poles on buildings up to 28' wide. On anything 30' wide or greater, a Glu-Lam pole is used.
• Lower grade metal that will eventually rust. Not only is rust an eye sore that screams "cheap pole barn", but will also shorten the life of your structure. Graber use a better grade of steel and they actually pay a bit more for the steel to be treated that keeps the metal rust free, longer.
• Skimping on the 2 x 4's used. For a little bit more, this added structural necessity will keep your building long-lasting and sturdy.
• High quality lumber. "We only use a #2 grade, or better, as our standard stud. There are cheaper grades out there, but it's another example of simply not being worth it. I had a customer who recently was comparing us to another Lancaster county based post frame builder. The prices were about the same but they weren't using the quality lumber we do", recalls Dave.
• Short cuts on the workmanship, like sloppy fittings which will prevent the trusses from holding the load of the roof. Poor fitting work will eventually mean you have to tear out your siding and replace it.
• Metal that will rust after painted. The paint on nearly all pole barns is good, but it's what underneath the paint that matters. Patrick, from Graber advises, "Any paint warranty will be voided if the rust was caused by the metal. And for 10 years, we've only been using a Galvalume coating on our metal. That is the best way to prevent rust out there."