A farm is never just a single structure, and the most common buildings required for the raising of livestock and the production of produce include a general purpose barn, hay storage, a dairy barn, a machine shed, a poultry house, and a greenhouse.

Building a farm is not a "DIY" project, and several contractors will be necessary for the job (concrete, carpentry, electrical, well drilling, etc.).

To construct a farm the typical costs will include:

• General purpose barn of 1200 square feet
  • Continuous concrete foundation and floor, wood framing with 10' eaves, sturdy wood siding that has been stained or painted, roof of medium to high pitch with wooden trusses, standard corrugated roofing, and connection to a 200' well with 2 HP pump and pressure tank - Average construction costs - $45,000 or $38.00 per square foot.

• Hay storage barn of 3200 square feet
  • Continuous concrete foundation and floor, wood framing with 20' eaves, sturdy wood siding that has been stained or painted, roof of low to medium pitch with wooden trusses, standard corrugated roofing, motor truck scale of 30 ton capacity, and connection to a 200' well with 2 HP pump and pressure tank - Average construction costs - $72,300 or $23.00 per square foot.

• Walk-through dairy barn of 5500 square feet
  • Holding corrals, milk lines, refrigeration compressors, refrigerated holding tanks, vacuum pump system, corrals, water systems, livestock scales, bulk feed tanks - Average construction costs - $348,500 or $63.00 per square foot.

• Machine shed of 2400 square feet
  • Continuous concrete foundation and floor, wood framing with 10' eaves, sturdy wood siding that has been stained or painted, roof of medium to high pitch with wooden trusses, standard corrugated roofing motor truck scale of 30 ton capacity - Average construction costs - $71,400 or $30.00 per square foot.

• Poultry house of 3600 square feet
  • Using only "Best" quality cages and feeding systems, 2" concrete slab flooring, steel frame, corrugated roofing, plywood siding, lighting fixtures spaced accordingly, heating units, fogging units, bulk feed tanks, and a water system. - Average construction costs - $189,000 or $52.00 per square foot.

• Greenhouse of 3000 square feet
  • Using heavy steel framing, 8' walls of weathered glass, finished concrete floors, lighting to code, running water systems, automated roof vents, and an independent well with a 2HP pump. - Average construction costs - $74,000 or $25.00 per square foot.

• Arrange any required demolition, excavation, or site preparation - Average costs are going to vary according to the level of work necessary;

• Provide plumbing to code - The average plumber is going to base their pricing on each individual element of the project. For example, the average cost is $45 to $65 per hour, plus materials.

• Provide any electrical wiring and lighting to code - Electricians average from $65 to $85 per hour. This project might be priced on a per item basis, or the electrician might simply base it on the square footage;

• Provide carpentry to code - This is going to depend upon the amount of work required, but carpenters average $70 per hour. This project might be priced on a per item basis, or the carpenter might simply base it on the square footage;

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

• Bulk Feed Tanks - can be found in five to sixty ton capacities;

• Motor Truck Scales - can be found in twenty to fifty ton capacities and with platform sizes from 24'x10' by 70'x10';

• Sliding barn doors and hardware - Average hardware set will cost $290 plus roughly six hours to install;

• Install 3'x6'8" exterior doors with half-glass and lockset - Average of $250 to $500 depending upon the style of the steel door;

• Installation of stables and bays as needed;

• Construction and installation of a workbenches;