Timber Framers Guild Forums General General Forum Questions cost of..old vs new

Has anyone an idea of the cost associated with moving an old barn vs the cost of building a new structure? I am looking at buying an old barn located two states away but I have reservations about the associated costs of having it disassembled/moved/reassembled on a new site. Not to mention dealing with the building inspector, any repairs to the old frame etc etc...

jroy

Your post did not mention the style of a new barn ? Is it timberframe ?

The cost trade off exercise is pretty straight forward.

Consider the foundation a fixed number.
Cost the new construction from a reputable builder on a turn key basis including all necessary permits. This give you a number to work with in addition to the foundation figure.

Get the old barn surveyed by a competent TFramer to fix any repair costs and see if it is worth the price asked before you commit to buy. Find out from your permit authority what you need for reassembly of an existing structure.
Add a 5 man crew for a week for disassembly plus probably 2 crane days. Fix the rental cost of two big box trailers and their movement to the new site. If in the process of disassembly you tag each stick then reassembly is facilitated.
Add the cost of the same five man crew for a week and two crane days. Don't forget to insure the world until the barn is up on the new location. Add the cost of new roofing. Compare the aggreate costs and you have your answer.
If a new barn is 50% or more costly then your decision is kinda self forming.

the building inspector is a good first stop to make. I'll add to Emmett's post that surveying an old barn can be a tough job even for an experienced framer. untill dismantling you won't really see the condition of the all the timbers, especially the main floor timbers. You are right to have reservations.... in my opinion, moving an old frame requires time, patience and money, not neccessarily in that order(money will probably be 1st). BUT they are beautiful, inspiring, and often stronger due to use of old growth trees.