I want to build a barn but I have no idea where to start. I have a sawmill and I have logs. What I really need is a plan so I can make the boards I'll need. Do I contact someone to draw a plan or what is the best way to go about this?

Hire some help

Amish

What type of barn are you looking to build ? what size and what will be its use?

I've got a timberframe barn that I'd like to sell.

How big would you like it,? do you need hay storage? How are you going to clean it? Water or electric? 16”-24” centers on joist and studs? If you can answer these questions, find a good builder and they can come up with a list of materials for you.

I want to do a horse barn with stalls and a tack room. I was thinking 36' long x 30' wide.

I don't need to store hay though some storage would be nice. I want 4 12x12 horse stalls and an alley wide enough to drive a skidloader in.

I’m in the same boat. I have a sawmill coming this September and I plan on doing it all myself. I’m planning on teaching myself how to timber frame and I’m just going to go for it. Mine is going to be the monitor barn style with the raised center isle with a loft in the middle. We had big storms come through this area last spring and I just got done cutting some massive oaks that the tops broke off so I plan on using those mainly. If anyone on here has timber frame experience please let me know!

start with what size , type and what you plan to do with your barn

people mean lots of different things by barn

then a book on how to frame that type of structure

Amish sell them the logs and let them build you a metal building

That wouldn't be hard to build. Someone you know should be able to get you started and coach you along. I wouldn't hire anyone way to expensive ask and do it yourself.

You may want to build a pole barn with pole set in increments but some 1x4's horizontally and tin. Rafters you could build or do a one pitch roof.

Do a little research and studying and save yourself some dough. Good Luck!!

you can sometimes find plans to purchase on the internet for different structures. My neighbor just had a metal horse barn built. I think he bought a preplanned kit and had the company that sold the kit build it. It may be cheaper and faster to go down that route even with making your own lumber. You could use your lumber to finish the inside if you wanted.

a lot of the land grant colleges in the Midwest have plans for all sorts of livestock and outdoor buildings with material lists, specs etc. I don't know the cost today but while I was teaching they were extremely reasonable.
Knowing the livestock you plan to have in species and size and also do you want it to have 2nd story hay storage or ground level etc. UMN would be a members school for the MidWest plan service so contacting them should give you the leads you need. You may be able to start with your local UMN extension office.
I just copied the link.

https://www.mwps.iastate.edu/

Bryce

I have over 50,000 square feet of metal buildings. I want something I'm proud of that I took from tree to finished product.

I appreciate all the suggestions.

You can do it !

Just a little more research , no problem

nobody has built a barn till they built the first one. you already know how familiar you are with the basic tools you need and your ability to use them. the information you want is available. start by looking at drawings of barn construction. figure out what kind of foundation and floor. dirt? plywood on joists or planks on joists, concrete? a good level and square foundation your halfway home.

I built a 16 x 20, 2 story barn for under $800 with scrounged, recycled material. Cost almost nothing to go up a 2nd story, that will give you plenty of storage space!

so , what you should have done, 30 years ago,is have a son ,let him grow up, and marry a nice young woman who was on her way to becoming an engineer/ architect.

Then , once you have that plan in place, wait til the grandsons start showing up, and offer to watch them for the weekend once in awhile, so son and daughter in law can have a weekend to themselves.

Finally, once you need some plans/material lists, etc. it usually only takes a small mention about what you're thinking of doing and that stuff all just shows up.

Pro Tip: if you can work in the phrase " for the boys" stuff happens quickly. example . I was thinking of putting up a small shed, for the boys to put some of their stuff in when they are here.

this plan did require some advanced planning , but has worked pretty well in my case.

I built a 30 x 40 some years back for my workshop, it has 10' ceilings 1st floor (might need higher for horses?)- you could utilize the 2nd story for a hay mow, mine is a bar and Gameroom. I added the shed dormer for more room. I probably have the plans laying around somewhere- if interested PM me and I can send them to you -to copy and return,

Wow. That's a very nice shop.