# what to do with an old barn **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 16, 2017, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972 "2017-02-16T13:49:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972/1 "2017-02-16T13:49:37Z")
Here is a picture of a barn that is in need of repair. [old barn - Album on Imgur](http://imgur.com/a/rFLNO) The roof is obviously an issue as is probably a bunch of things. I don’t think there is any use for the barn so I’m thinking it has to come down. Is it possible that there is some value in the wood and materials so that I can have someone take it down for very little/no cost. I’m not versed in these things and need to decide if this is a cost that is prohibitive. Any advice will be appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972/2 "2017-02-16T14:00:47Z")
Old wood and fixtures are in demand. No idea where you are, but salvage is alive and well. At a minimum, you should be able to find someone who will haul it all away. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972/3 "2017-02-16T14:01:59Z")
Depending on the age–older the better–some of that wood could be reclaimed for other remodeling projects. Ask your local woodworker enthusiast, he might know someone. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972/4 "2017-02-16T14:05:32Z")
Look for a local architectural salvage yard, as they might pay you for the old barn boards and the timbers. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972/5 "2017-02-16T14:05:58Z")
Call you local fire department and ask them if they can use it for a practice burn. Around here at least they do that sometimes–burn an old structure and use it as an opportunity to teach/practice techniques. (A relative’s house was burned this way in the early 2000s–I was photographing it from the outside when they invited me to come _inside_ to photograph them at work. So I was inside a burning house in my street clothes photographing firefighters in their full gear playing with fire.) ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972/6 "2017-02-16T14:33:14Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Look for a local architectural salvage yard, as they might pay you for the old barn boards and the timbers. This. Especially if it’s wood species not around so much any more like chestnut or elm. Even weathered old pine is valuable. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972/7 "2017-02-16T14:37:50Z")
Has anyone done this before? Is it a situation where salvage will haul it away for free, or do they charge for removal? Or do they, possibly, even pay a bit for it? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972/8 "2017-02-16T14:43:50Z")
No, I’ve never done it but in the little Connecticut town in which I grew up, one old barn was converted to a very nice house. There are even people who will buy old barns, disassemble them and rebuild and reconstruct them elsewhere. On the other hand, if you want to preserve the barn, you may be able to get grant money and assistance to do so, at least in [Connecticut](http://cttrust.org/services/barn-restoration). Where is this barn? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972/9 "2017-02-16T14:44:32Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > Has anyone done this before? Is it a situation where salvage will haul it away for free, or do they charge for removal? Or do they, possibly, even pay a bit for it? Oh my god - they’ll pay you a bundle. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972/10 "2017-02-16T14:52:09Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > Here is a picture of a barn that is in need of repair. > [old barn - Album on Imgur](http://imgur.com/a/rFLNO) BTW, I see two buildings in the photo; a gambrel-roofed barn on the left and a less interesting shed on the right. Which do you want to get rid of? Obviously the barn on the left is more interesting and valuable. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972/11 "2017-02-16T15:26:55Z")
The house I grew up in and the adjacent barn were demolished at no cost to us. The local firefighters used the house for practice. They refused the barn–too high of a chance that any fire would become uncontrolled. Then a local builder we knew tore them down for the salvage value. The metal content was worth something for its weight (there was metal piping for both water and gaslights), but some hardware and things like glass panes and tiles had value as artifacts. And of course the timbers (parts of the house were built of hardwood 12x12"s log-cabin style) and the barn’s siding were very valuable. If your goal is simply to be rid of it, talk to some local builders. Someone will likely to be willing to remove for the salvage value. If you can get someone to pay you, so much the better. But be _sure_ to get a firm agreement that they leave the site clear of all structure and debris. You don’t want them to pull out the valuables and leave you with a worthless mess. Our demo guy was someone we knew and could trust on a handshake (advantage of being in a small town). Otherwise you’ll want a signed contract and for _them_ to pay _you_ a deposit that will be returned when the site is clean. If your goal is to extract maximum value out of it, you’ll have to pay for the skilled labor to demolish it without damaging the valuables. And then store and sell the valuables yourself. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972/12 "2017-02-16T15:27:56Z")
I’d do minimal repairs to the structure and use it for boat storage; my own, and maybe renting space out. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972/13 "2017-02-16T15:29:10Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > I’m thinking it has to come down. Yes - a barn whose roof has been leaking for some time (as this one looks to have been) will be enormously expensive to restore to sound condition. Definitely start chasing down wood-salvage folks in your area. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972/14 "2017-02-16T15:30:50Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Oh my god - they’ll pay you a bundle. This. If you decide to get rid of the building, call around asking for paying bids. Don’t leave the matter open so they start with charging you and then generously go to free or some token payment. It’s a commodity; put it up for auction. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972/15 "2017-02-16T15:42:18Z")
it is the structure on the left. I’m keeping the shed on the right as its in better condition and is being used for storage. I would like to keep the barn if there is some value in having it, but I don’t see how I can get value from it if I have to spend 10s of thousands of dollars to fix it up. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972/16 "2017-02-16T15:51:24Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > Has anyone done this before? Is it a situation where salvage will haul it away for free, or do they charge for removal? Or do they, possibly, even pay a bit for it? That depends entirely on the age of the barn and the type/condition of the wood. The barn would have to be pretty old for the wood to have any value beyond someone needing similar lumber for a project. Weather rotted wood is good to no one. Here is [a good place to start](http://www.barngeek.com/what-is-barn-wood-worth.html). ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972/17 "2017-02-16T15:58:00Z")
Free Barn? ~Obligatory Far Side Quote~ “Bobby, you get your Dad’s movie camera. Sue, you help make the costumes. C’mon Kids, lets Make A Porno…!” ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972/18 "2017-02-16T16:45:56Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Depending on the age–older the better–some of that wood could be reclaimed for other remodeling projects. Ask your local woodworker enthusiast, he might know someone. Or contact an outfit like this [http://www.diynetwork.com/shows/barnwood-builders](http://www.diynetwork.com/shows/barnwood-builders) They are on Facebook and could hook you into local operations that could buy and reclaim the lumber. Burning is an option ------ but I would put that way down on the list. (Anyone else click the next post button hoping for more images of the barn? :smack: ) ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972/19 "2017-02-16T17:42:53Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > (Anyone else click the next post button hoping for more images of the barn? :smack: ) Thanks for the link I didn’t realize it was interesting enough to warrant more picts. If I’d have known that, I would have been more diligent in taking pictures ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972/20 "2017-02-16T18:45:18Z")
This hurts my head. :smack: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-an-old-barn/779972.md?page=2)