INDIANAPOLIS — Years ago, there might have not been as many different decisions to make when constructing a new building on the farm. Today, however, farmers have a variety of options that can make the process much more difficult.

To ensure the construction will be as smooth as possible, FBi Buildings presented tips on planning a farm building at the recent Indiana-Illinois Farm and Outdoor Power Equipment Show in Indianapolis.

As there are fewer farmers in the industry, larger equipment is needed to increase the amount of work individual farmers can do, said Chris Hartter with FBi Buildings. In turn, he said, larger buildings are needed to store that equipment.

Hartter said his first tip to producers who are thinking about constructing a farm building is to learn from others. He suggested asking other farmers who recently have built a barn or other structure what they would have done differently.

He then suggested thinking through the plan of the building thoroughly, including the floor plan, what the building will look like with the doors open and closed and if the location will be appropriate in comparison to the rest of the property.

“As with any new building project, the biggest key is good planning up front,” Hartter said.

There are several important principles to think about while doing this planning. First of all, Hartter said, determine what all of the building would be used for, especially considering future uses of the building.

Adding to the building or making changes to the inside of the building should be considered during the planning stages, if possible. In addition, making the building bigger than needed always is a good idea, Hartter said.

“I have never heard someone say they made their building too big,” he joked.

He added a farmer also should think about the resale value of the building. Deciding where the building should go is probably something the whole family should discuss. Foremost, think about where the doors will go, Hartter said.

“A south facing door is always better in the winter,” he said, admitting this may not always be possible because the door needs at least 60 feet of open space in front of it to guarantee equipment can get in and out.“

You are going to need at least that much room when backing out your combine or maneuvering your planter.” “

It is better to have 100 feet,” he added. “You don’t want to lock yourself into a tight situation.”

When considering the site, Hartter said thinking about the future. If the building or another area of the farm would be added onto, would the building still be in a good location, he asked.

Also before the building is constructed, the farmer should look at how drainage works on the farm. Hartter said some buildings could be built in a low spot and cause problems during heavy rains.

Another tip from Hartter is for farmers to check with local authorities before planning the building to verify what kind of building permits are needed. However, he added, getting construction permits for an agricultural building should not be a problem.

Building configuration is an important issue to think about when building, Hartter said. Two doors in the machinery storage area always is a good idea, he said. However, deciding whether the doors should be sliding or overhead is something most farmers struggle with.

An advantage to overhead doors is that they keep the weather sealed out of the shed. They also may be easier to use during snowy and icy conditions.

However, along with this comes added cost, Hartter said. They also can only be made as wide as 30 feet and take away two feet of headroom. A sliding door, on the other hand, can be 40 foot wide and does not take away any headroom.

The sliding door, however, needs some sort of concrete backing because it can blow in.

Inside the building, the farmer has to decide on concrete, drainage, electric wiring placement, heating, lighting, pits, decks and offices. All of these could depend on the builder’s needs and budget.

Hartter said the bare minimum of concrete he would recommend is six inches. There are many different thoughts on drains, Hartter said.

“It all boils down to how you want your concrete sloped,” he said.

There are two choices with electrical wiring placement. It can go on the inside of the shop or it can go behind the liner.

If a farmer ever thinks he or she may add on another line, outlet or fixture, locating the wire can be difficult if it is behind the liner. However, this option tends to look cleaner than mounted on the inside of the shop, Hartter said.

He said he recommends either infrared radiant from the ceiling or hot water in the concrete for heating. However, forced air also is an option in the farm building.

Hartter said he does not see too many pits anymore because they are expensive. However, he said, decks still are a popular option.

He recommended farmers let their builder know if they are going to add on a deck at a later date so there are no structural problems.

Offices in a farm buildings are another trend Hartter said he now is seeing, especially since so many farmers have a sideline business.