Today’s “Ask the Guru” tackles reader questions about whether or not a pole barn is covered with OSB, if Hansen Buildings has crews to build and finished costs, and if we can design a building per their layout and not Hansen’s.

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Do your pole barns get covered with plywood or OSB boards? MICHELE in WASHINGTON

DEAR MICHELE: Most common design solution is through screwed steel cladding applied directly to framing (wall girts and roof purlins). We can provide either plywood or OSB sheathing for walls and/or roof, however there is no structural need for it with through screw panels. For clients choosing standing seam steel roofing (no exposed fasteners) we include a 5/8″ CDX Plywood substrate. If vinyl or cement based sidings are chosen, then we typically provide OSB beneath.

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Do you have crews that assemble it and pour the slab? What is the cost of a finished house ready to move in? WILLIAM in SMITHFIELD

DEAR WILLIAM: Thank you for your interest in a new Hansen Pole Building barndominium. We do not have crews of our own, however we do have an extensive network of independent contractors available to select from: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/builder-terms-conditions/ Fully engineered post frame homes and barndominiums, modest tastes, DIY, budget roughly $75-85 per sft for conditioned spaces, $35 for all others. Does not include land, site prep, utilities, permits. To hire it all done, could run double or triple this amount.

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Can you build a home per our layout design and not one of yours? JAMES in FORT WORTH

DEAR JAMES: Thank you for your interest in a new Hansen Pole Building. As every building we provide is 100% custom, we can most certainly work from your layout design. We also have floor plans specialists in house, should you desire any tweaks to what you have already. Although we do have a plethora of standard plans available, inevitably we make changes to them to suit individual wants and needs of our clients.