And your question is...?

It's more expensive to make it a legally habitable building than just designing a simple ranch or Colonial built with conventional building techniques.

A pole barn is an economical structure to keep the wind and rain off animals. It has no continuous foundation, walls are not insulated or finished on the interior, and there's no provision for any building systems. It's for animals. Houses are for people. There's a big difference.

If it's a new build, check out Barn Pros. That's what we were going to do until our plans took a 180.

A 6-foot porch is not really usable. Double that and you have something you and your friends can use for visiting.

Do you know anyone in Minnesota who lives in a pole barn structure?

Will you be financing the project with either a construction loan and/or a permanent mortgage? If so, you'd better talk to lenders about whether or not they will finance such a structure as a permanent residence. If you have to have a building permit (or other approvals) before you can begin the project, you better talk to your local building department.

I suspect both of these entities may have real reservations about building a pole barn for a residence.

And you understand that the price you have been given is a dirt floor shell with no foundation, flooring, interior partitions, finishes; no fixtures, fittings or equipment; no systems for lighting, heating/cooling, plumbing, sanitary, etc.?

Perhaps you need to do some more research?

What, specifically, do you have questions about? Have you got actual bids for that price? We are currently building a barndominium (metal barn) and looked at pole barns as well before we started. The cost between a pole barn and a frame house was about the same. It was the long term savings that sold us on the idea, and we went with metal to have less maintenance.

I've heard of a lot of interest over in WI too, but haven't really seen one in person. Seems to me like more of a redneck dream that would cost the same as a typical house. Hard to sell to a limited market... I'd always suggest just doing a budget house for what you need, then a separate pole bar (could be insulated/heated/etc) if you want crazy shop space

It has been done before, check out this thread for some inspiration:

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/garage-forum/190631-project-garage-condo.html

Barns are barns and houses are houses. Adapting one to function as the other may well cost more than designing and building to a single purpose.

Any kid born there may have trouble closing doors.