Are you looking to add a building to your property? Do you need a new storefront or warehouse? Pole barns or pole buildings are a great choice. Also known as post frame construction, these buildings get their name from the building technique that is used to create them.
They can be built in about a month, offer the same structural integrity as traditionally built buildings and offer cheaper maintenance costs. So, if you are looking to add an ADU for your mother-in-law, to build a garage, or need a barn for your livestock – pole barn buildings are a great option – no matter what you are building.
Choosing to build a pole building can be exciting, but also daunting. We have created a step-by-step guide for people that are interested in building pole barns but are not sure where to start.
Planning Utilities for Your Pole Building
Depending on the planned function of your building, you may need to plan access to power, water, septic, and HVAC. Some buildings, such as smaller storage sheds, can function without connecting to utilities, but we recommend carefully considering your current needs and potential future needs when deciding what utilities to add. This is why Pole Barn 101: Part 1 – Things To Consider When Building A Pole Building – is so important. Knowing what your Pole Barn will be used for is key to knowing what utilities need to be included. If you have not read that article yet, we recommend starting there.
For this article we will focus on another common utility – water.
Running Water to Your Pole Building
Not every building will need running water, but it could come in handy in the future which is why it can be helpful to plan for the future by adding a water line now that can later be built upon. The first thing to ask yourself is – does my building need water?
Here are common reasons you would want to run water to your building:
- Hoses
- Fire Suppression
- Kitchen Sinks and Appliances
- Bathroom Facilities
- Slop Sink
- Livestock Watering
- Plant Watering
- Washing Vehicles and RVs
- General Cleaning and Maintenance
Things to Keep in Mind with Water:
Water Needs a Place to Go:
If you are plumbing water to your pole building, you also need to consider how you are getting water out of the building. For instance, a bathroom will need access to a septic system, a hose may need drainage installed into the floor, and everything in between. This is key to set your new building up for success.
Where is Your Water Coming From?:
Most people either get their water from a well or from the city connections. Depending on your location, it is important to do research to see where your water will be coming from. If you already have an existing water connection, that will tend to be where water will come from for your new pole building. If there is no water connection, you will need to consider digging a well or connecting to existing city/county water lines.
Cost:
The cost can vary depending on what your existing water hook-up is. If there is already water routed to the building site, that will be cheaper than a site you need to connect to the city water or build a well.
Costs vary based on where water comes from, but the cost to drill a new well can be about $5,000 – $9,000 and the cost to connect into a city water line can be about $25 – $200/square foot depending on your location.
Permits:
Depending on your location and where you get your water from the permits required will vary. The best place to start is finding out if there are existing water connections to the property and then using that information to figure out how to connect in your new pole building. For example, if you are building an ADU in your backyard and your house already has a water connection to the city. Reaching out to the city will be the easiest option to figure out how to get your ADU connected as well.
If you are using well water you need a permit to drill the well. If an existing well is on site, more than likely you will need a permit to connect a new line into the well for your new pole building.
When it comes to connecting water to your new pole building, it can be intimidating. That is why you want an expert on your side. Our team of experts has been doing this for over a decade, and we would love to connect and discuss your project. No matter what you are building we have the experience to work with you every step of the way to make sure you have a great building that will endure for years to come.
Reach out now for a free quote.
Look out for our article: Pole Barn 101: Part 6 – Planning for Sewage and Septic in your New Pole Building
