Building the horse barn of your dreams is a big project, and to do it right, you want to make sure that you’ve planned properly. Barn building isn’t a project that you want to get deep into, only to discover new challenges or obstacles. Before you start building your barn, make sure that you’ve done the following preparation.

Check Zoning Laws

It can’t be stressed enough – check and double-check your local zoning laws before planning your barn. You don’t want to invest the time and effort that planning a barn requires, only to discover that the barn you’re planning is too large to meet your local zoning laws.

Additionally, if your property isn’t yet zoned for horses, you will have to go through the zoning approval process, which can be lengthy. If you’re thinking about building a horse barn on your property, it is best to start investigating zoning first before beginning your planning.

Work with an Experienced Contractor

When you’re building a horse barn, you want to do it right. Working with an experienced barn contractor can help ensure that the project goes well and that the end result is safe, functional, and in line with your dream barn.

It’s so important that when you choose a contractor, you look for someone who is not only experienced in building barns, but who is experienced in building horse barns. The specifications for and inner workings of a horse barn are very different from an average barn, and simple mistakes such as making stalls too small or aisles too narrow can have major implications on the barn’s functionality and safety.

Additionally, you may want to work with an equine architect who can help you to plan and envision your entire facility’s layout. A good equine architect can look at the entire facility’s functionality, ensuring that other buildings and pastures are located in a way that will keep your facility running smoothly.

Develop Detailed Plans

Good, detailed planning is key to your barn building project’s success. In addition to having a master plan for your property, you will want more detailed plans of the barn itself. When planning your barn, think about which amenities and features you want, and be sure to plan for them accordingly.

As you plan, start with more general plans outlining the location of stalls, doors, and aisles. Then, get detailed – calculate measurements and identify where smaller features, such as tack systems, feed storage bins, stall corner feeders, electrical outlets, and other elements will be found.

Thanks to our firsthand experience with and knowledge of a wide range of barn equipment, we at Classic Equine Equipment are happy to provide you with advice and help during your barn building process. We can create a 3-D rendering of your barn’s layout, allowing you to see what the interior of your barn will look like before you ever start to build. Let us help you bring the barn of your dreams to life.

Photo source: www.classic-equine.com

Original source: Preparing to Build Your Horse Barn