Frequently Asked Questions

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The short answer is yes, you need a permit.  Most cities and counties require permits for buildings bigger than 200 square feet and need engineered plans for application requirements.  This means there will likely be some requirements related to building such as placement and setbacks.  A possible exception is if your city or county allows for Agricultural exempt permits, but even these have some requirements such as building placement setbacks and land use permit.  Let North Star Buildings help you navigate these requirements so there are no unexpected surprises or obstacles in getting your building started right.

There are a few options when it comes to insulation.  A basic (economical) option is a radiant vapor barrier that helps prevent condensation buildup inside your building.  An upgraded option is a six inch thick R19 fiberglass batt insulation, which is installed inside the wall and at the roof line between the purlins.  A premium option would be a urethane expanding spray foam that can be sprayed on the inside of the steel.  R19 can be added on top of the urethane, as well.   Our team can help you determine which insulation option will work best for your building.

Nothing beats the look of a well built pole building.  Some favorite custom options include overhangs with soffit and facia, a flying gable or bird peak on the front roof overhang, decorative hay door, cupolas, windows, eve light panels, and covered lean-tos on one or both sides of your building.  We can help you choose the colors and options that will make your building truly beautiful.  

Pole buildings have a wood structure with pressure treated posts, trusses 10-12 feet apart, and roof and wall spacing between 24-32 inches on center. Pole buildings have steel siding and do not need a traditional concrete foundation.  This type of building can be installed by one contractor (we highly recommend North Star Buildings).  Red iron steel buildings have a steel skeleton with posts and trusses about 20 feet apart and roof and wall spacing between 3-4 feet on center.  These buildings have steel siding and need a standard concrete foundation, which is not typically included in building quotes.  As a result, this type of building typically requires coordination between several contractors to ensure proper installation of the various required components.

We recommend you consider building location and requirements of your local city or county prior to getting started.  In addition, it is important to secure your financing (savings, home improvement loan, or HELOC are three of the most common options).  A third consideration is construction access and a good, strong, level site for building (engineered compacted soil, gravel, or our preference, road base).  If you can manage the financial requirement, North Star Buildings can help you with everything else from building codes and permits to site prep and beyond.  You'll be able to watch your building take shape knowing you have an expert with over 25 years experience on your side every step of the way.

There are a lot of steps in putting together a pole building, but it can be broken down into three major phases.  First, there is the pre-building phase that includes everything from acquiring financing, deciding on size and location, securing plans, and fulfilling building permit requirements.  Next comes the building phase which includes ensuring construction access, site prep, procuring materials, standing up posts, raising the roof, and installing steel siding and roofing.  The final phase is the walk through where we go through your building together to ensure you are happy with every part of the finished product. The best way to make sure you get the building you deserve is to simply hire North Star Buildings, and then sit back and relax while we take care of the details.