Pole Barn Financing: Best Loan Options for 2025

To learn more about this growing sector, we talked to two experts from the field. Calvin Nissley is the founder and CEO of CMT Components in southeastern Ohio. Nissley has been in the pole barn business since he was 23. At that age, he bought a piece of raw land and built several buildings for his business. He was impressed enough with the construction method to begin offering it to the general public. Gabriel Mitchell is the assistant manager of Troyer Post Buildings in Monterey, Tennessee. Since 2014, Troyer has been building everything from simple structures to cover hay and equipment up to fully-featured barndominium houses. 

Best Personal Loan For Pole Barns

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$1,000-50,000 Loan Amount

8.49-35.99% APR

3–7 years Terms

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Personal loans made through Upgrade feature Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) of 8.49%-35.99%. All personal loans have a 1.85% to 9.99% origination fee, which is deducted from the loan proceeds. Lowest rates require Autopay and paying off a portion of existing debt directly. Loans feature repayment terms of 24 to 84 months. For example, if you receive a $10,000 loan with a 36-month term and a 17.59% APR (which includes a 13.94% yearly interest rate and a 5% one-time origination fee), you would receive $9,500 in your account and would have a required monthly payment of $341.48. Over the life of the loan, your payments would total $12,293.46. The APR on your loan may be higher or lower and your loan offers may not have multiple term lengths available. Actual rate depends on credit score, credit usage history, loan term, and other factors. Late payments or subsequent charges and fees may increase the cost of your fixed rate loan. There is no fee or penalty for repaying a loan early. Personal loans issued by Upgrade's bank partners. Information on Upgrade's bank partners can be found at https://www.upgrade.com/bank-partners/.

Pole Barn vs. Post-Frame: What’s the difference?

When you are exploring options, don’t get confused by the multiple terms used by construction companies. Mitchell says that both terms are correct and basically interchangeable. “You are going to have some people who get really worked up about it, but when you get down to the basics of it, they are referring to the same product,” he says. 

You will also often find more elaborate buildings marketed alongside pole barns for code-compliance reasons.

“Post-frame construction in most counties does not meet building code to turn it into living space,” Mitchell says. “There really is very little code written around building this way, so it makes it hard for the code inspector to make a call without involving an engineer. 

“That is why you see a lot of barndominiums (including ours) using stud framing to meet the building codes for dwellings, which is a good thing.” He goes on to say barndominiums are copying the siding, roofing, styling, and open floor plan from pole buildings, but are changed to meet code requirements.

What does a pole barn cost?

Important

The cost of a pole barn will depend on factors that include the size and the features.

The cost will depend on factors that include the size and the features. “Generally, $30 to $50 per square foot is a good number to go with for budgeting purposes,” says Nissley. “The cost will depend a lot on the doors and windows that are installed, how the interior is completed, and whether or not HVAC and plumbing is needed in the building.”

Mitchell added that a concrete pad beneath the structure can dramatically increase costs. “A lot of the time, it can cost almost as much as the building shell,” he says. 

Nissley also cautions that material prices can change rapidly, driving costs up or down without much notice. Barden Building Products estimated in their 2025 Pole Barn Construction Industry Outlook and Trends that steel prices are likely to increase between 5% and 7% in 2025, and that lumber prices will remain high. 

What does this mean for the total cost to the individual customer? Expect something in the low five figures. Mitchell says, “two of our most popular sizes are a 30×40, which starts at $15,000, or a 40×60, which starts at $23,000.”

How to pay for a pole barn

Once you’ve set a budget for your pole barn or barndominium, it’s time to figure out how to pay for it. The best option depends on your personal finances, the size of the building, and how you plan to use it. 

Cash

Tip

This is the option that will cost you the least in finance payments since you are using your own funds.

If you are looking for a small and simple structure, you may be able to pay for it with savings. This is the option that will cost you the least in finance payments since you are using your own funds. “A lot of people will have the money to pay outright for the building,” Mitchell told us.

However, not everyone has enough cash on hand to pay for larger or more complex pole barn projects. Even those who do may not wish to tie up all their funds in a building and possibly be left without savings for emergencies and other expenditures. 

Credit Card

Credit cards are another easy option, particularly if you have a high enough credit limit to cover the cost of your building. 

A new credit card with a 0% interest offer might be especially helpful to pay for your new pole barn. But be sure you can afford to cover the balance before interest payments kick in. 

In the absence of an interest-free promotion, you are likely to pay a higher interest rate on a credit card than you would with any other loan option.

Agricultural Loans

If you meet certain criteria, you may qualify for federal agricultural loans to pay for your pole barn. Two loan programs in particular can be the key to funding your pole barn: 

The Farm Service Agency offers loans that enable farmers and ranchers to start or maintain their family farms. You can use their Loan Assistance Tool to find out if you are eligible and what the requirements are for the relevant loans. 

The USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant program can be used to fund a budding agricultural business. The grants can be used for expenses that include buildings like pole barns. 

Home Equity Loans

If you currently own a home and are adding a pole barn to your property, your home’s equity can be your funding tool. Home equity loans are based on the difference between your home’s value and the money you still owe on it.

Home equity loans typically offer lower interest rates than personal loans or credit cards. But, there are also some hurdles and drawbacks. Because your home is used as collateral, there is a risk of foreclosure if you are not able to pay back the loan. The lending requirements for a home loan tend to also be stricter for these reasons. You’ll typically need to have at least 20% equity before you can apply. You will also be limited in how much of your equity you can draw on. Most lenders cap your loan at 80% of your current equity.

Personal Loans

Unlike home equity loans, personal loans are unsecured. This means lenders make an offer based on––among other things––your credit history, debt-to-income ratio, and current income, instead of hedging their risk with collateral. They are available from local banks and credit unions, as well as through online portals like Acorn Finance. 

Because they are unsecured loans, personal loans can fund more quickly than other types of loans. Most borrowers who start at Acorn Finance have their funds in just a few days. This means you can get your pole barn project started right away. 

Find pole barn financing options at Acorn Finance

Comparing all your funding options is a must. Acorn Finance makes it easy to look at lender offers side by side to ensure you are getting the best interest rate and loan terms for your circumstances. We work exclusively with vetted, trusted lenders so you can feel safe. Best of all, you can start your search with a quick preapproval that will not affect your credit. This means you can get a general idea of what terms lenders are likely to extend before taking your next step. Get started today!