hay storage... a.k.a lowes-type mini barn questions

[dmalbone]

We only have two horses so we were contemplating just getting a smaller mini-barn type building which was suggested to me on here to store our hay. We will also have room in the barn to store a little bit to feed from. I drove past lowes and home depot and was shocked at the cost of some of them! :eek: Has anyone just made one of these by buying your own materials? I've googled around and found a lot of small mini barn/shed type plans that don't seem super difficult (says the lady who's never built a thing in her life:D). My father and father in law have adequate building skills but I didn't want to ask them before seeing if they're as "easy" as they seem compared to the high cost of buying a normal storage shed.

[Bluey]

I know some people that buy an old salvage trailer, those that go down the road as part of trucks and use it to store their hay and feed.
If you take the wheels off, it is low enough to get on it just with a step.
You can also buy or rent shipping containers and those are mouse and snake proof.;)

If you want to make one of those little utility buildings, they come in kits, some metal, some wood, where you just have to put them together.:)
Some are very pretty and can be made to match your house or barn.:cool:
Ask about those at the big box stores like Home Depot and Loewes.:yes:

[shakeytails]

It's definitely cheaper to build it yourself if you're not paying labor. Example #1-DH just built a tack room/wash rack/office addition (pole barn style) that was about 40' x20' x11' tall. Materials cost, including concrete for about 2/3 of it, was roughly $5500. Example #2- Last summer we built a run-in shed, 12x24, materials cost about $800.

Small buildings really aren't much of a challenge. Houses aren't much of a challenge, but i digress... I don't know about Lowes and Home Depot, but most of the regular lumberyards will sell you a package that includes plans to build many types of small storage buildings, or will price you a package if you already have the plans (or a drawing on a napkin, LOL!). You're best bet is to just ask your Dad if he loves you and would he pretty please build you a hay barn...

[dmalbone]

You're best bet is to just ask your Dad if he loves you and would he pretty please build you a hay barn...
ahaha! That's the key right there!

[mkevent]

I have a 12X24 hay storage shed that I love. I bought it from Stoltzfus Structures and I think it was around $1500 delivered from Pa to NJ. It can hold about 200 average size bales of hay. This may seem like overkill for 2 horses, but it frees up where you can purchase your hay. You may get a great savings buying a years supply, etc. I get my hay delivered from NY and it's so much nicer than what I've been able to find locally-the supplier doesn't mind delivering a larger load to me because I have the storage space.

[Zu Zu]

You could use a flatbed trailer - go pick up hay and then cover with tarps - not ideal but a suggestion. Building a shed is not always easy - I have a construction crew working now - should have taken 10 days to complete the project - into the third month AAUUGGHHH!!!! Bait and Switch of products and workers who do show up *or who arrive late and leave early !!! EVEN in this Economny it is difficult to find people who want to work and take pride in their work. I am thoroughly disgusted and it is only 9:00 am.!!! Good- Luck!

[shakeytails]

You could use a flatbed trailer - go pick up hay and then cover with tarps - not ideal but a suggestion. Building a shed is not always easy - I have a construction crew working now - should have taken 10 days to complete the project - into the third month AAUUGGHHH!!!! Bait and Switch of products and workers who do show up *or who arrive late and leave early !!! EVEN in this Economny it is difficult to find people who want to work and take pride in their work. I am thoroughly disgusted and it is only 9:00 am.!!! Good- Luck!

Good Lord, how big is the "shed"??? Our little shed went up in 2 days, and that's only because it was wicked hot out and we weren't in any hurry. DH just built a 16 stall barn including stalls -basically by himself- in about a month, and that included weather and material delivery delays.