Get Cash For Timber Frame Barns

Get Cash For Timber Frame Barns BUILDINGS Livestock 25-6-5 Long-time FARM SHOW readers probably remember reading about Ken Andre, the man who's spent years traveling across North America taking down old barns for farmers and ranchers. Ken called recently to tell us about his new venture. He buys up timber frame barns, disassembles them, and then reconstructs them elsewhere, for use as homes, office buildings, or other structures. "In most cases, I'm looking for barns that are over 100 years old, have straight gable roofs, and are built with big hand-hewn beams measuring 10 by 10 in. or more. The barns must be standing straight and they must have been well-maintained," he notes. Andre will travel almost anywhere to get a barn. Most structures become available because of spreading urban development or because of widening of roads. Other times the barns are just too expensive to maintain. "When I first sit down with people, they get very excited that their barn might be used for something special elsewhere. I recently worked with a family that had a 150-year-old barn. We took it down and reassembled it hundreds of miles away as an office building. When it was finished, the family went to see how it looked. They were thrilled to see the reconstructed building and enjoyed the idea that the barn might now be around for another 150 years." Andre says many people don't know what they have in an old barn. And people who are aware of how special the buildings are don't know how to capitalize on their value. "In many cases, an old barn can be worth thousands of dollars. Plus, we save the farmer the expense of taking down a big old barn." Andre generally takes just the frame of the barn but he cleans up the rest, even burying the concrete foundation where necessary. When he's done with a job, the area is totally cleaned up and the farmer has some money in his pocket. "In many cases, it would cost thousands to have a big barn taken down," he notes. If you have a timber frame barn that you think would qualify, call Ken at 219 879-2199. He's usually somewhere out on the road so you'll have to leave a message. Or, you can write to: Magnificent "Old Barn" Frameworks, 4327 Franklin, Michigan City, Ind. 46360.

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