Site prep can be defined as the process of getting the land ready before the actual building begins. For your structure to be stable, the land it is sitting on must be properly prepared. Skipping this step could result in a multitude of issues down the road. Clearing and building up your construction site properly is a very important step in getting ready for your modular horse barn. The site that you choose should be flat, level and well-drained.
The specifics will vary, depending on the type of building you purchase and the requirements of your local township. However, we have put together some basic guidelines you can use to get started.
Questions to Ask When Selecting a Site
When deciding where to build your pole barn, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is my preferred site compliant with county and local zoning requirements?
- How easy will it be to get to this site from my home or the road?
- Is the site set up to easily transport materials and farm equipment?
- Do I have enough space if I decide to expand my building later?
- Are there any weather conditions, low points or other factors that could be an issue?
Answering these questions will help you rule out any problematic barn building sites and narrow down your choices to the best fits.
Finding the Best Location
Just like in real estate, the where you put your prefab barn is all about location, location, location. You want a location with the greatest accessibility for your operation; but when it comes to building you will want to look at a location as it pertains to ease of construction in the project and the overall longevity of the barn.
One of the most important things to think about when selecting a horse barn building site is water drainage—you do not want to choose a site to which water will flow and collect. If you are not sure where water flows on your property, walk around the next time it rains and take note of the places that have large puddles or that stay wet too long. You will ideally want to find a flat space that is elevated enough to drain well. If you only have uneven or sloped land available to you, then you can always increase the grade so that water can drain away from the site.
To prepare your horse barn building site, you must do some excavation work to take all of the top soil off and to level your site. Put all of the top soil aside incase you’ll need to do landscaping around your structure after installation has been completed. When doing excavation, make sure you reach hard ground (native soil). In either case, you should excavate at least 6″ deep to accommodate 6″ of crushed stone. When doing site leveling, try to use a transit and make your site as flat and level as you possibly can.
There are many different terms used but here is the basic process:
- Stake Out the Building Area
Be sure you have found the perfect spot for your structure. Consider the views, sun exposure, distance from surrounding structures, or distance from utility hook-ups. Use 4 markers for the 4 corners of the building. Exact measurements of the width and length of the perimeter are helpful, but do not worry too much if you cannot get it perfectly measured. Optimally, your building pad should have a clearance of 10 feet or more around the building perimeter that is free of obstruction. This allows sufficient room for your builders to bring ladders and large equipment around your barn. A space that does not allow for this open area will make the project more difficult and could end up costing you more in upcharges, depending on the contract between you and your builder.
- Ensure Proper Site Access
A gravel driveway allows builders to bring in the large machinery they need for your project but also allows you access for things like hay delivery and other occasions in which large machinery is needed.In addition to the quality of your driveway, the width is also a consideration. You will likely need to bring large equipment and materials to your barn for construction, and possibly even after the building is up. If the driveway is too narrow for them to do so, they may have to utilize smaller truck or trailer options, which could add to your costs. - Identify Possible Issues with Utility Services (Electrical, Gas, Water, Sewage)
This one is vital for any project. Your builders need to know not only what is around them as they begin your project but what is beneath them. Buried electrical, gas, water, or sewage lines also need to be identified before the construction of your custom horse barn begins. If any of these are damaged during construction, you may create a severe safety hazard and financial liability. They need to be identified, appropriately marked, and explained to your builder before work begins. - Remove Undergrowth
This includes trees, bushes, and shrubs. Clearing the land makes the entire building process easier. Since tree removal is dangerous, it should be handled by professionals. Roots can cause problems later with concrete cracking so stumps should be dug or ground out. - Clear the Top Soil
Surface soil is made of roots and decaying materials which makes for an unstable foundation. If you lay a concrete slab floor and have material disintegrate underneath, it will leave air pockets that will cause the concrete slab to sag and crack. - Mark the Approximate Boundaries of the Building
Before construction begins or a concrete slab is poured for your modular building, it is necessary to mark the approximate locations of each corner of the building. This is ordinarily done by carefully measuring the location and setting stakes in the ground. Your builder will make the final more precise measurements, but staking out the approximate corners of the building will give you a good idea of the building’s location and proximity to other buildings, trees, and property lines. - Time to start digging your foundation and get that barn constructed!
Potential Delivery Challenges:
- Soft Ground
Soft ground conditions can be a big challenge for your horse barn delivery. If your area has experienced recent storms, snow melt or other conditions that have left the ground soft and muddy, you’ll want to communicate this concern to determine if rescheduling delivery is necessary.
- Proper Clearance
Delivery of your new barn requires an extra clearance width in addition to the width of your barn. That means a standard 12 foot wide barn would require 14 feet of clearance, while a 10 foot wide barn would require 12 feet of clearance. These measurements include the overhang at the roof height. Please be sure that your property provides access at the proper clearance width from the entrance of your property to the prepared site. - Gates
If your property is accessed by a gate, the gate will need to be wide enough for a truck to pass through. If the delivery driver is pulling straight into the gate, the clearances listed above will work fine. However, if they will be required to make a turn into the gate or the ground is not level in that area, we may require additional clearance space.
The Castlebrook Difference
Castlebrook’s barns have a warm, inviting look which adds to the beauty and value of your property. All Castlebrook round pens and round pen covers and designed and manufactured on site at Castlebrook’s facility. That is why we can provide you almost limitless choice of sizes and styles. Castlebrook can manufacture a round pen and cover to suit your exact needs.
Castlebrook never misses a ship date. We are so confident in our on-time guarantee that we are willing to guarantee it — in writing! Castlebrook understands how important it is for your project to go as smoothly as possible. This begins with your structure shipping on the date we’ve promised. Castlebrook knows of absolutely no other barn company offering this guarantee. Where other companies disappoint, Castlebrook guarantees to be on time, every time!
Please contact our professional team today at 1-800-52-BARNS. We gladly accommodate Saturday appointments!