How to Convert a Pole Barn Into a Home

Planning and Preparation

• 1

  Consult local builders and architects. The end result of the home will be the product of careful planning, and evaluating all the available options.

• 2

  Search through online and printed building plan resources to find pictures of similar completed conversions. Pictures are worth a thousand words, and the experiences of other barn owners and pictures of their homes will help you decide which direction to pursue as you complete your barn to home conversation.

• 3

  Set a budget for the project. Any major home project will involve significant financial decisions. Having a firm budget before starting the project will help you guide the conversion to a successful completion.

• 4

  Choose a builder with whom you can communicate clearly, and who has the expertise to complete this type of project, and who sees your vision for your barn. Even if you are completing most of the project yourself, permits will have to be issued, and some stages should be completed by a qualified builder. You can still act as your own general contractor, and then hire out tasks which you are unqualified to complete.

• 5

  Design the home, and have formal plans drawn for the project. By committing the plan to paper, you will answer many important questions before you start. A written plan and drawings are essential to building new home, or successfully completing any major remodeling project.

Foundation, Floors and Framing

• 6

  Pour a new floor if the building does not have a concrete floor. If the building has an existing floor, evaluate the floor to determine if it is level, and satisfactory for a residential structure. Because pole barns are used for equipment storage, even when a concrete floor is present, it may not be a high enough quality for a personal residence.

• 7

  Frame the exterior walls, load-bearing walls, and ceilings. The interior of a pole barn is unfinished, and the structural members of the barn are exposed. This is an advantage for the conversion process. The exterior walls can be built, insulated, and framed with traditional wall construction techniques with ease. After the exterior walls are framed, the interior load-bearing walls are added, and any ceilings and second floor lofts and bedrooms added.

• 8

  Install any new exterior windows and doors while the walls are being framed. Because a pole barn's exterior siding is fully exposed, openings for new exterior windows and doors can be cut through the walls with ease while framing the exterior walls.

• 9

  Finally, frame in and install any interior, partition non-load bearing walls.

• 10

  Install the plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems before applying the wall finishes. While the wall studs are exposed, the mechanical systems can be installed with ease. These systems should be completed by qualified, licensed professional contractors, before installing the drywall and/or wall paneling.

Walls, Ceilings and Floor Coverings

• 11

  Install the new wall board over the completed wall framing, and mechanical systems. Drywall ceilings are installed first, and then the drywall on the walls. After the wall board is installed, it must be finished with three coats of drywall compound, or mud. Each coat is applied, allowed to dry, and then sanded in order to create a perfectly smooth, finished wall.

• 12

  Paint the walls with one coat of high-quality, PVA primer and then two coats of finish paint.

• 13

  Install the interior trim around doors, windows, and baseboard. Apply the stain or varnish ahead of time, and then install the trim over the painted walls. If the wall trim is painted, install the trim before priming and painting the walls.

• 14

  Install the rest of the interior finish fixtures, including light fixtures and wall plates, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, plumbing fixtures, and finally the floor treatments.