Post-frame construction was born on farms, and it's still the standard for machine sheds, hay barns, horse barns and livestock buildings around Des Moines and central Iowa.
Machine sheds and equipment storage
Wide clear spans and tall sidewalls let tractors, combines, sprayers and trailers move in and out without posts in the way. Angi lists 60 by 100 foot agricultural buildings at about $60,000 to $120,000. Big doors on the endwall or sidewall, a gravel or concrete floor, and good drainage around the building matter more than finishes.
Hay and bedding storage
Open-front or partially enclosed buildings keep hay dry and ventilated. Plan clearance for loaders and stacking height, and keep hay storage separated from livestock and machinery to reduce fire risk. Wet hay can heat and ignite, so dry storage is a safety issue as well as a quality one.
Horse barns
Horse barns need stalls, aisles wide enough to lead horses and move equipment, tack and feed rooms, ventilation (ridge vents, eave vents, open gable ends) and durable kickboards or liner. Many owners add a lean-to or overhang for run-in shelter. Ask builders for barns they've built and talk to the owners.
Livestock buildings
Cattle, sheep, goat and poultry buildings depend on airflow, manure handling and moisture control. Corrosion-resistant fasteners and treated lumber hold up better around animals. Your county extension office is a good source for layout guidance.
Riding arenas
Indoor arenas are some of the largest post-frame buildings, with clear spans and high eaves. Footing (the riding surface), lighting, dust control and ventilation are as important as the structure. These are engineered buildings; expect detailed drawings.
Permits for agricultural buildings
Many jurisdictions treat bona fide agricultural buildings differently from residential garages, sometimes with exemptions from certain building code requirements. Definitions vary, and zoning, setback and floodplain rules usually still apply. Check with your county before you assume an exemption.
Designing for loads
Central Iowa gets real snow and strong winds, and much of the acreage around Des Moines is open ground. Ask every builder for the design snow and wind loads in writing and make sure they meet what your city or county requires. Suburbs like Ankeny, Waukee and Grimes have zoning rules on accessory building size and materials; acreages in Polk, Dallas, Warren and Madison counties are often more flexible. Larger agricultural buildings have bigger roofs, so snow drift and wind uplift are serious design issues. Ask for engineered drawings.
Site and drainage
Build the pad up above surrounding grade, slope it away, and plan where roof water goes. A wet floor in a livestock or machine building is a constant problem. An excavator can build the pad and handle drainage; 811 locates come first.
Ventilation basics
Animal buildings and hay storage need steady air exchange to control moisture, ammonia and heat. Natural ventilation uses an open or vented ridge with eave or sidewall inlets, so warm moist air rises and exits at the peak while fresh air enters low. Curtain sidewalls that roll up in summer are common on livestock buildings. Fans help in larger or more enclosed barns. Poor ventilation shows up as condensation dripping from the roof, rusted fasteners and respiratory problems in animals.
Floors for farm buildings
Not every farm building needs concrete. Machine sheds often start with compacted gravel, with concrete added later in a shop area. Horse stalls may use compacted stone dust topped with mats. Livestock alleys and feeding areas usually need concrete for cleaning. Hay storage needs a dry base raised above grade, sometimes with pallets or a vapor barrier.
Planning for growth
Farm buildings tend to get extended. If you might add length later, ask the builder to plan the endwall so it can be removed and extended, and leave space on the site. Put large doors where equipment will move in and out, and think about how snow will drift around the building in winter so it doesn't pile in front of doors.
Cost-share programs
Some conservation and agricultural programs offer cost-share for specific practices, such as manure storage or high tunnels, but not for general storage buildings. Your local USDA service center or county extension office can tell you what applies.
Working around livestock and crops
Schedule construction around your operation. Crews and delivery trucks need access, and equipment noise can stress animals. Many owners build machine sheds after harvest and before ground freeze, or in late winter for spring use. Keep animals fenced away from the work area and debris, especially screws and metal scraps, which can injure livestock if they're left in pastures.
Before you request quotes: a checklist
- Use. Garage, shop, storage, animals or a mix.
- Size, including width, length and eave height, plus your largest door opening.
- Site. Is it level, cleared and reachable by delivery trucks? Are there power lines overhead?
- Floor. Gravel now, concrete now, or concrete later?
- Finish level. Bare shell, insulated, or fully finished with power, heat and plumbing?
- Extras. Wainscot, overhangs, lean-to, loft, windows, gutters and cupolas.
- Zoning. Setbacks and any HOA or city limits on size and height.
- Timeline and budget range.
Builders can price a standard building from these details and refine it after a site visit.
Serving Des Moines and nearby
We take requests from property owners across Des Moines and central Iowa, including Des Moines, Ankeny, Altoona, Bondurant, Pleasant Hill, Grimes, Waukee, Adel, Norwalk, Indianola, Carlisle, Winterset. Coverage depends on contractor availability; tell us your town or ZIP. Before any digging, your contractor contacts Iowa One Call (811) to get buried utilities marked.
Common questions
Do farm buildings need permits?
It depends on the county and how the building is used. Some agricultural buildings are exempt from parts of the building code, but zoning and setbacks usually still apply.
How big should a machine shed be?
Measure your largest equipment with implements attached, add room to walk around it and for future equipment, then size doors first.
What door works best for a machine shed?
Large sliding doors are economical; hydraulic or bi-fold doors cost more but open wide and seal better. Size for your largest implement plus clearance.
Should hay be stored with equipment?
It's safer to separate them. Hay fires can spread quickly and destroy equipment.
Is a riding arena a pole barn?
Many are. Large clear-span post-frame arenas are common, with engineered trusses and taller eaves.