These Questions Can Help You Find the Right Fit
Your barn builder is your close partner in your barn construction project. They play a key role in its success, and a talented barn builder can help keep your barn’s construction running smoothly. As a result, it’s essential to very carefully choose a barn builder and general contractor who’s the right fit for your horse barn project, and asking some initial questions will help you evaluate potential builders. Consider asking these 10 questions when interviewing barn builders to get the essential information you need before choosing a builder and signing a contract.
1. What similar projects have you previously worked on?
Building horse barns comes with unique challenges, so it’s essential to find a barn builder experienced in horse barns and equestrian properties. It’s even better if you can find a builder who’s completed similar projects. Equestrian projects involve numerous considerations, including horse safety, manure management, and pasture management. While these details may seem small at first glance, proper construction and planning allow for a successful barn. For example, if you’re building a large-scale equestrian facility with an indoor arena, look for a builder who’s done projects of the same type and scale.
2. Do you address permits and zoning issues?
Clarify the barn builder’s responsibilities throughout your project. Ask specifically whether they will apply for and manage permits, handle zoning issues, and attend required town meetings. A builder who’s willing to take on these responsibilities can help ensure your permitting is done correctly, and they can be an asset if you’re unfamiliar with the ins and outs of permitting and zoning.
Thinking about building your dream barn? Learn how to choose the right partner, "How to Find and Choose a Barn Builder".
3. Do you work with subcontractors or have a hired team?
Some builders have a team they hire and send from site to site, so they’re familiar with the quality of the team’s work. Other builders may work with subcontractors, so ask for details on how they select subcontractors and whether they work with the same individuals repeatedly. Subcontractors may be necessary for some builds, depending on requirements and location, but you’ll want to make sure the builder hires and oversees subcontractors who deliver quality, timely work.
Our American Stalls team also offers installation services to our client's general contractors and builders. We always provide this as an option if our client's builder and architect would prefer for our expert team to handle the specialty installation of our horse stalls, barn doors, stall mattresses, and other components.
4. Can I select my own custom finishes and barn components?
Discuss how much control you’ll have over the barn’s design and components. Most barn builders are willing to work with custom components, such as European Stall Fronts and stall systems, but have this conversation early in the process to verify. This is also a good time to start outlining the process of selecting, designing, and ordering custom components so they’ll be ready when the builder is ready to install them.
Our team is to support you and your builder every step of the way - from design consultations to installation questions and much more. At American Stalls, we custom-manufacture all of our horse stalls, barn doors, and more to ensure optimal fit and function in your barn. 
Learn about convenient feeding and watering solutions for Horse Stall Systems in 3 Feed and Water Options for Your Horse Stalls.
5. How will we communicate during the project?
Ask about the builder's communication style and frequency. You’ll want to find a builder that you can reach for progress updates and with questions, so discussing communication methods can help clarify the process from the beginning. Keep in mind that you’ll need to be responsive, too, so make sure you're available to approve any plan changes or answer other questions.
6. What is your payment schedule?
Get details on the barn builder’s payment schedule, including how much your deposit will be and when each subsequent payment is due. It’s also a good idea to ask about accepted or preferred payment methods. Make sure that you’re comfortable with the payment schedule before you sign a contract, since late payments could pause or delay progress on your barn.
7. What warranties do you offer?
Be sure to also ask about any warranties that the builder offers, including what is covered and the warranty’s duration. You’ll also need to specify whether the builder includes any subcontractors’ work under that warranty. It is always important to work with professionals who stand behind their work. At American Stalls, we offer peace of mind to our clients and their builders by offering a five-year limited warranty on our structural horse stall components and a lifetime warranty on our track and trolley systems. 
8. What are your barn’s wind and snow load capacities?
If you live in an area that sees high winds or significant snow loads, make sure that the builder you choose is capable of designing barns to withstand those elements. Discuss the wind and snow load ratings that they’ve met for previous projects, and verify that the builder can design your barn to withstand the extreme weather you might see.
9. Can you share references?
Ask the builder for references, ideally from clients who have built similar barns. Then, make sure that you contact those references. Ask them about their experience, what went well, what they would change, and whether they would work with the builder again. Be sure to also ask whether the builder came in under budget and whether they encountered any unexpected timeline delays.
In addition to contacting the references the builder provides, do some research to see if you can find clients that the builder hasn’t shared with you. Try posting on local forums or groups to ask others about their experiences with the builder. No barn builder will have completely perfect references, but if multiple clients have similar complaints or encountered similar issues, you might want to consider choosing a different barn builder.
10. Do you work with barn component builders?
At American Stalls, we can custom-design and build barn components to meet your specific vision and needs. That includes building Horse Stall Systems, Barn Entry Doors, Barn Windows, and other essential components to your custom dimensions.
To ensure we custom-build components that will perfectly fit within your dream Horse Barn, we encourage you and your team, including your barn builder, to get in touch with us as early on in the process as possible. Starting that collaboration early can help us ensure your products are ready when you need them.
Work with American Stalls
Check that your barn builder is willing to work with us throughout the project. Then, contact us today at (855) 957-8255, email us at sales@americanstalls.com to schedule a sales and design consultation or complete our inquiry form.
