How Long Does It Take to Build a Pole Barn in Utah?
The question we get asked on almost every estimate call: "How fast can you get started, and how long will it take?"
Here's the honest answer, broken down by phase so you know what to expect.
The Total Timeline
From your first call to a finished structure, plan for 10 to 20 weeks. That might sound like a lot, but most of that time is permitting, not construction. The actual build goes faster than people expect.
Phase 1: Estimate and Design (1 to 2 Weeks)
After you call us, we schedule a site visit to assess your property and talk through your needs. We come to you, measure the site, discuss your use case and budget, and follow up with an itemized estimate.
If you want to move forward, we finalize the design including dimensions, door placement, roof pitch, and finish specifications, then get a contract signed.
This phase is usually 1 to 2 weeks depending on your schedule and how quickly decisions get made.
Phase 2: Engineering and Permits (4 to 8 Weeks)
This is where most of the waiting happens, and it's largely outside our control.
Once the design is locked, we submit for engineering stamps and file the permit application with the appropriate county or city building department. Review times vary:
Weber County: typically 4 to 6 weeks
Davis County: 4 to 6 weeks, varies by city
Salt Lake County: 4 to 8 weeks depending on jurisdiction
Morgan County: often faster, 3 to 5 weeks
Summit County: varies, plan for 5 to 7 weeks
We stay in contact with the building department throughout and follow up on your application. Permit review timelines are set by the county, not by us.
Phase 3: Scheduling and Materials (1 to 2 Weeks)
Once the permit is approved, we schedule your build into our production calendar and order materials. Lead times on steel, lumber, and hardware fluctuate, so we account for this in our scheduling with a week or two of buffer built in.
Phase 4: Construction (1 to 3 Weeks)
This is the part that moves fast.
A standard pole barn with posts, framing, roofing, siding, and doors typically takes our crew 1 to 2 weeks on-site for a mid-size build like a 40x60. Larger or more complex structures with additional finish work can run 2 to 3 weeks.
Weather is the main variable. Utah winters and early spring can cause short delays, but we schedule builds with that in mind and work through most conditions.
When to Start Planning
If you want a pole barn done by a specific date, work backwards.
Want it finished by late summer? Start the conversation now. Permit timelines mean the sooner you get the application in, the sooner you can break ground.
We've had customers call in January expecting a March start and run into permitting delays that pushed them to June. Not because the build itself took that long, but because the permit took 8 weeks and they didn't account for it.
| Phase | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Estimate and design | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Engineering and permits | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Scheduling and materials | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Construction | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Total | 7 to 15 weeks |
Start the Clock Now
The best time to call is before you think you need to. Getting the estimate and permit process started early means your build happens on your timeline instead of waiting in line.
(385) 389-9592
Sam Tams Company — Wasatch Front Pole Barn Builders