Welcome to Ask the Pole Barn Guru – where you can ask questions about building topics, with answers posted on Mondays. With many questions to answer, please be patient to watch for yours to come up on a future Monday segment. If you want a quick answer, please be sure to answer with a “reply-able” email address.
Email all questions to: PoleBarnGuru@HansenPoleBuildings.com
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Is there favorable tax treatment for a pole barn built in 2014 for use in a construction business (similar to that for agricultural buildings, per your 12/21/11 post)? HAVEN IN HERBSTER
DEAR HAVEN: The Federal and State tax codes have become increasing complex, in recent years. At the close of 2013, the Federal tax code alone amounted to 73,954 pages! (It was 8,200 pages in 1945 and 26,300 in 1984) There are no special tax breaks which we are aware of as a pole barn tax deduction. However you should consult with your tax adviser, as they should be up on all of the latest tax rulings.
There was a tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot available to owners or designers of new or existing commercial buildings which save at least 50% of the heating and cooling energy of a building which meets ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2001. Partial deductions of up to $.60 per square foot can be taken for measures affecting any one of three building systems: the building envelope, lighting, or heating and cooling systems. These tax deductions were available for systems placed in service from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2013, so your building would not be eligible. Sorry – I don’t currently know of any but ask your tax advisor for the latest on a pole barn tax deduction.
Mike the Pole Barn Guru
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: We just moved in to a place that has a 20 x 20 pole building. It was used it for horses but I want a workshop there instead. There is an opening at the rear of the building that measures 5 ft. wide and 8 ft. tall. Should I: A take 3-20 ft panels and just wall it in or, B… put another door there? All I need is a 8 foot tall by 5 foot roll up door and that is all! Thanks for your input. NEARLY NEW
DEAR NEARLY: A five foot wide by eight foot tall overhead or coil door is going to be a special order due to the width being less than eight feet. Unless you have a need for a door of this size, at this location, you would be economically ahead to close the opening in. If the building is very old, you may want to just order new steel for the entire wall, so the color is all uniform – as paint fades.
Mike the Pole Barn Guru
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hi, I was wondering if you have any electronic brochures that you could email with pricing. When I click on your residential link it shows a small picture of a Cape Cod style home with a garage. We got pricing from another pole building company and they were very pricey! We are looking for at least 4 bedrooms. We like a craftsman style look. Any assistance would be great!
Thank you for your time HOTMAIL HOUSING
DEAR HOTMAIL: We have brochures which are downloadable on our website at: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/product-guide.php
In order to print our pricing, onto 8-1/2″ x 11″ pages, they would more than fill up a semi-trailer – so probably not the best way to start! All of our buildings are custom designed, so your choices are almost limitless….and pricing varies from state to state mostly because of changes in wind and snow loads.
What IS the best way, is to find an existing house plan you like – from any website, then send us the link, or scan and email to us. One of our Building Designers can work with you to determine the best combination of features and make changes which you desire, and get the project scaled properly to a price which is within your budget. I believe our price will beat any other for same size and features, and comes with your own personal designer to help you. The entire quote process and design time – is FREE.
Mike the Pole Barn Guru
