Congratulations! You’ve decided to take the exciting step to build a pole barn on your property. You have a vision for what it will look like, how it will function, how big it will be, and ideally, what timeline you want it completed in. There’s only one problem: who’s going to build it? 

With such a big decision, I probably don’t need to tell you that choosing the right contractor is extremely important. There are a lot of options out there: some good, some bad, and some superior above the rest. How do you find the right one? I’ve got a few checklist items that will help you find the right contractor who can provide you with a seamless building experience.

Licensed, Insured, and Bonded

Making sure your potential contractor is licensed, insured, and bonded is the first thing you should do when weeding out potential candidates, and don’t just take their word for it. You should verify their business is fully licensed within your state, ask what type of insurance they carry, and find out if their bonds are large enough to cover the cost of your project, if required. 

This step is the most important because if you hire an unlicensed contractor in Tennessee and there’s an issue with your project, there is no one to hold them accountable if they don’t fulfill their end of the contract. Additionally, most homeowners don’t realize that if a contractor or member of a contractor’s crew is injured on your property and they don’t carry worker’s comp insurance, the liability would fall on the homeowner’s insurance plan, and that could be very costly. Lastly, bonding for large projects is important because the bond company will step in and pay to complete that project if for some reason the contractor cannot. If your contractor candidates are unable to produce proof of these items for you or are making excuses, that’s a red flag that you will want to avoid because they might be less than reliable.

Memberships 

Moving on, another thing that can set an excellent contractor apart from the rest is if they are involved in professional memberships within their industry. In the pole barn industry, the National Frame Building Association (NFBA) is one of the most prestigious memberships to be a part of, and The Barn Store prides itself in being an active member within it. Additionally, great contractors will have a membership with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A rating or above. We are proud to have an A+ rating there and have been accredited since 2015. 

Prior Work Examples

If your potential contractor has made it through the tests of the first two items, the next thing you will want to ask for is examples of their work similar to what you are hoping to build. Ideally they will have many photos and blueprints to show you in an extensive online portfolio. These photos should impress you and look consistent to one another while still being uniquely different from project to project.

Past Client Referrals

If their work looks good, it’s time to hear from their past clients. An excellent contractor should have excellent and recent Google Reviews, and there should be more than just a few on there. Additionally, you can ask the contractor to put you in contact to speak over the phone with a past client, or if the opportunity arises, speak with a past client in person and see their pole barn in person too. If the contractor is unable to provide referrals, this is another red flag. This could show that they have not been able to provide great customer service in the past. 

Communication

Throughout this interview process, if your potential pole barn contractor has been communicative, friendly, and great at explaining their process, those are all good signs that choosing them to build your pole barn will be a great decision. If communication has been unclear or inconsistent, then it’s likely that is how the entire building process will be as well. 

Price

At this point in the process, I’m sure you are wondering how much your project will cost. If you still have multiple contractors you’re considering, it’s worth your time to get quotes from each of them. It’s extremely important that you price out the same sized barn with the same features to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. If one quote is considerably cheaper than the others, that could mean that their quality or materials are not superior. The least expensive option is rarely the best option—especially with an expensive purchase like this one. 

The Barn Store has been a leader in the pole barn building industry in Middle Tennessee for over 20 years with over 13,000 happy clients. We pride ourselves in using the highest quality materials and have professional crews who are trained to build the most sturdy and beautiful pole barns around. If you’re interested in learning more about what we offer, give us a call. Our sales team is ready to prove to you that we can meet all of your qualifications and make this the best process possible!  

About the Expert:

Austin Christian lives in Gallatin, TN and is a fourth generation barn builder and owner of The Barn Store and The Barn Depot. He studied Business Entrepreneurship at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. The Barn Store is licensed, bonded, insured, and has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau under our parent company name, Three Boys Consulting, LLC.

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