A new barn is a practical addition to any farm but can also add huge value to your property. In this series, we’ll tell you how to get the barn of your dreams.
Click to read part one, part two, part three, part four, part five and part six
Barn or future house?
Many people build a barn thinking they will save time and money by converting it into a house later on. But with changes to building consents and the rules tightening all the time, if that is your plan Michael Anselmi of Customkit has some sage advice.
“That’s a pretty common question. If you are thinking that there is an opportunity or a likelihood of turning it into a residence at a later stage, you need to upgrade certain aspects of it from the start.”
That upgrade starts at ground level – the preparation and pouring of foundations for a barn doesn’t come under as much scrutiny as it does for a house. Council building inspectors must see the foundations at certain stages when you build a house. No inspection means no validation that the job has been done properly, and you probably won’t be able to get it retro-permitted. Concrete slabs for a home must also be 100mm above ground level whereas barns tend to be lower.
Then there is the issue of cladding. For example, if you choose to clad a barn in plywood, you can use thinner sheets but for a home it must be thicker and it usually becomes part of the bracing so may require extra nailing. The framework may also need to be re-engineered to bring it up to a residential standard.
It all costs more and takes more time warns Michael.
“If you do that, it’s on its way, other wise you have to pull the whole thing apart and you’re stuffing it up for yourself. You’re better off to go and spend the money from the start, it’s just a hell of a lot easier!”
Nadene Hall
NZ Lifestyle Block magazine
