Print one copy per bid. Write the number each proposal gives for every line — or "excluded," "by owner," or "not stated." The bid with the most "not stated" entries is the one to call first, not the cheapest one.
Most horse-barn proposals are not comparable as written: one prices a shell, one prices a shell with stalls, one prices the whole job. Builders' own price pages list what they leave out — the cost guide quotes them. This sheet puts every bid on the same scope so the totals mean something.
A. The building (shell)
| Line | Bid 1 | Bid 2 | Bid 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Footprint (W × L) and eave height | |||
| Construction type (post-frame / steel-frame / modular / kit) | |||
| Posts: treated laminated (retention level) or precast concrete columns; embedment depth; footing size | |||
| Truss spacing and design loads stated (wind mph, exposure, roof snow psf) | |||
| Roof and wall steel gauge; paint warranty years | |||
| Drip-control / condensation layer under roof steel (type, R-value) | |||
| Overhangs (which sides, how deep); porch or lean-to | |||
| End doors (size, sliding/overhead), walk doors, windows (count, size, grilles) | |||
| Eave and ridge ventilation openings; cupolas (count, size, powered?) | |||
| Wainscot / kick-plate on exterior | |||
| Interior liner panels or insulation (where) | |||
| Engineered, sealed drawings included? (required for post-frame in Johnson County, KS) | |||
| Shell subtotal |
B. Concrete
| Line | Bid 1 | Bid 2 | Bid 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aisle slab: thickness, reinforcing, finish (broom) | |||
| Tack / feed / wash room slabs | |||
| Stall floors: concrete, or compacted stone base (depth) | |||
| Aprons at doors | |||
| Wash-stall trench drain and slope | |||
| Concrete subtotal |
C. Equine fit-out
| Line | Bid 1 | Bid 2 | Bid 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stall count and size (e.g., 4 × 12 ft × 12 ft) | |||
| Stall fronts: brand/style, door type (sliding/hinged), grille spacing, lumber species and thickness | |||
| Partitions: height, lower solid height, upper grille or mesh | |||
| Dutch doors to exterior (count) | |||
| Stall mats (thickness, interlocking?) and base | |||
| Tack room (size, insulated, heated, ceiling) | |||
| Feed room (size, sealed floor, rodent-proofing) | |||
| Wash stall (size, non-slip floor, drain, hot water) | |||
| Hay storage: in-barn day supply only / separate building (priced?) | |||
| Waterers (brand, heated?) or hydrant locations | |||
| Fit-out subtotal |
D. Sitework
| Line | Bid 1 | Bid 2 | Bid 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who does the pad (builder / excavator / owner) | |||
| Pad: strip topsoil, compact, rock depth, height above grade | |||
| Grading and drainage away from building; swales, French drains | |||
| Gutters and downspouts, discharge routed where | |||
| Rock excavation: allowance or unit price per cubic yard | |||
| Construction access and driveway rock; culvert | |||
| Dry-lot heavy-use pad at doors and gates | |||
| Final grade and seeding / restoration | |||
| Sitework subtotal |
E. Utilities
| Line | Bid 1 | Bid 2 | Bid 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical service to barn: amperage, trench length, conduit, subpanel | |||
| Interior electrical: fixture count and type (sealed/ag-rated), GFCI receptacles, switches, fan circuits, exterior lights | |||
| Electrical permit and licensed contractor named | |||
| Water line: source (well / rural water / house), depth (≥36 in here), length | |||
| Frost-free hydrants (count, inside/outside) | |||
| Wash-stall plumbing and water heater | |||
| Septic or drain for wash water / bathroom (permit required?) | |||
| Plumbing permit and licensed contractor named | |||
| Utilities subtotal |
F. Engineering, permits and paperwork
| Line | Bid 1 | Bid 2 | Bid 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who pulls the building/zoning permit | |||
| Permit fees included or passed through | |||
| Agricultural-exemption or use affidavit handled by | |||
| Site plan / boundary survey requirement handled by | |||
| Land-disturbance or floodplain permit (if ≥1 acre disturbed or in floodplain) | |||
| Entrance / driveway permit | |||
| 811 locates scheduled by |
G. Schedule and terms
| Line | Bid 1 | Bid 2 | Bid 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start window (month) and total duration | |||
| Sequence stated (engineering → permit → pad → erect → concrete → stalls → trades) | |||
| Payment schedule (e.g., deposit / at start / at completion) | |||
| Price validity (days) and materials-escalation clause | |||
| Change-order pricing method | |||
| Warranties: structure, roof/wall steel paint, workmanship (years, who honors) | |||
| Insurance: general liability and workers' comp certificates offered | |||
| References, or a visit to a completed barn, if offered |
H. The two lines that matter most
| Bid 1 | Bid 2 | Bid 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total as written | |||
| Total after you fill every "excluded" line with a real number |
Compare the second row only. The cost guide gives sourced ranges for filling the blanks; the planning guide explains what each line should say. When you are ready for a proposal that comes with every line already filled in, request one here.