Affordable Financing for Your Pole Barn Project
Don't let upfront costs hold you back. We work with two trusted lending partners — HFS Financial for fast personal loans and Shoreham Bank for FHA-backed home improvement loans — so most customers can get approved in days, not weeks.
Personal loans available up to $300,000 through HFS
Government-backed home improvement loans through Shoreham Bank
Funds available within 2 days of approval (HFS Financial)
Why Finance Your Pole Barn?
Most of our customers finance their pole barn projects. Here's why it makes sense:
Preserve Your Cash
Keep your savings intact for emergencies, other investments, or business operations. Don't drain your accounts for a building project when financing is this affordable.
Start Building Now
Don't wait years to save up. Get the building you need today and start using it to generate value immediately. Time has value.
Fixed Payments, No Surprises
Lock in a fixed rate and predictable monthly payment you can budget for. No variable rates, no payment shocks, no prepayment penalties.
Potential Tax Benefits
If used for business, interest may be tax-deductible and the building may qualify for depreciation under Section 179. Consult your CPA.
What Will My Payment Be?
Here are typical monthly payments for common pole barn sizes (illustrative example based on a 9.5% APR personal loan with a 15-year term)
30×40 Garage
Financed Amount: $31,000
- Materials + Installation + Tax
- 1 Overhead Door
- Gravel floor included
- 1,200 sq ft
40×60 Shop
Financed Amount: $70,000
- Materials + Installation + Tax
- 2 Overhead Doors
- Concrete Floor
- 2,400 sq ft
60×100 Commercial
Financed Amount: $149,000
- Complete turnkey package
- Multiple Overhead Doors
- Concrete Floor + Insulation
- 6,000 sq ft
*Payment examples are illustrative estimates only, based on a 9.5% APR fixed-rate personal loan with a 15-year term. Actual rates, terms, and payments will vary based on your credit profile, the lender you choose (HFS Financial or Shoreham Bank), and current market rates. Pre-qualify with either lender (no credit impact) to see real numbers for your situation.
Our Two Trusted Lending Partners
Most customers fall into one of two camps: they want money fast with no equity required (HFS Financial), or they want the lowest rate possible through a government-backed home improvement loan (Shoreham Bank). We work with both so you can pick what fits your situation. After helping hundreds of customers finance their pole barns, these are the two we trust most.
HFS Financial
⚡ Best for SpeedBest when you need money fast and don't want to use home equity. Personal loans up to $300K, no appraisal needed, funded in 48 hours after approval.
Key Features:
- ✓ 120% Financing Available - Cover materials, installation, and unexpected costs
- ✓ Up to $300,000 - Finance your entire project
- ✓ Competitive fixed rates - Lock in a predictable monthly payment
- ✓ Terms up to 20 years - Lower monthly payments
- ✓ No prepayment penalties - Pay off early without fees
- ✓ No home equity required - Personal loans, not HELOCs
Why We Love Them:
- ✓ Same-day pre-qualification - Know your options fast
- ✓ Funds in 48 hours - Get money quickly after approval
- ✓ No credit score impact - Check rates without hurting credit
- ✓ Direct-to-consumer funding - YOU control the money, not us
- ✓ Thousands of 5-star reviews - Proven track record
- ✓ Pole barn specialists - They understand our projects
How It Works:
Get Pre-Qualified
Fill out simple online form (no credit impact)
Review Your Options
See rates and terms same day
Upload Documents
Securely submit basic verification docs
Get Your Funds
Money available within 48 hours
No impact to your credit score • Takes 5 minutes • Same-day answers
A Real Example: HFS Financial in Action
We recently helped a customer in Kendallville, IN finance a 40×100 barndominium project through HFS Financial. The process was smooth from start to finish:
- ✓ Customer got pre-qualified same day with no credit impact
- ✓ 120% financing option meant they could cover materials, installation, concrete, AND a $10K buffer for changes
- ✓ Funds arrived 48 hours after final approval
- ✓ We started building within a week of customer signing with us
- ✓ Fixed rate and no prepayment penalty gave them peace of mind
When speed matters and you don't want to put your home up as collateral, HFS is hard to beat.
Shoreham Bank
Best for homeowners who want the lowest possible rate. FHA-backed loans for outdoor structures with no equity or appraisal required. Government-insured product means lower fixed rates than typical personal loans.
Key Features:
- ✓ Loan amounts up to $100,000 (combined: $25K FHA Title 1 + $75K Advantage Loan)
- ✓ Low fixed rates — typically below personal loan rates
- ✓ No equity or appraisal needed
- ✓ No prepayment penalties — pay off early without fees
- ✓ Flexible payment terms
- ✓ FDIC insured, federally chartered bank — operating since 1959
Best For:
- ✓ Homeowners with an existing primary residence
- ✓ Borrowers who want the lowest fixed rate possible
- ✓ Projects under $100,000 total
- ✓ Customers who value working with an actual bank vs. an online platform
- ✓ Direct contact with a dedicated rep, not a call center
Important: The FHA Title 1 portion requires that your home has been completed and occupied for at least 90 days. This makes Shoreham ideal for adding a structure to an established residence — not for brand-new home construction.
Your Direct Contact at Shoreham Bank:
Jason Potrzeba
Sr. Account Executive | NMLS# 49493
📱 Cell (preferred): (401) 580-7612
📞 Direct Office: (401) 773-9625
✉️ Email: jpotrzeba@shoreham.bank
🌐 Apply online: Loan App Elite
Shoreham Bank | One Shoreham Way, Warwick, RI 02886 | NMLS# 478275 | Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender
Which Lender Is Right For You?
⚡ Choose HFS Financial if you:
- Need money fast (48 hours after approval)
- Want a larger loan amount (up to $300K)
- Don't own a home yet, or are doing new construction
- Want the simplest online process
- Need 120% financing to cover overruns
🏛️ Choose Shoreham Bank if you:
- Want the lowest fixed rate possible
- Already own and live in your home (90+ days)
- Need $100K or less
- Prefer working with a dedicated rep at a real bank
- Aren't in a huge rush (slightly longer process)
Not sure? Call us at (269) 308-5883 and we'll talk through which option fits your situation.
If Your Building Is Strictly Agricultural
If your pole barn is for genuine farm use — equipment storage, livestock, hay/grain, commodity storage tied to a working farm operation — Farm Credit lenders typically beat both HFS and Shoreham on rate and term length. They specialize in farmers and understand ag operations.
Greenstone Farm Credit Services
Member-owned cooperative serving Michigan, Wisconsin, and northeast Ohio. Best option for working farms — competitive fixed rates and long repayment terms (15-25 years). Requires documented agricultural use.
Website: greenstonefcs.com
📞 800-968-5753
Other Ways to Finance Your Project
Our two trusted partners cover most situations, but here are other financing paths that might fit your needs. Some customers prefer working with their existing bank or have specific situations (business use, large project, ag operation) where another option makes more sense.
🏦 Your Local Bank or Credit Union
Always worth a call, especially if you have an established relationship. We respect existing banking relationships and want you to make the choice that's right for you.
Worth Considering When:
- You have a long-standing banking relationship
- You have substantial home equity available
- Your local credit union has competitive HELOC rates
- You're not in a rush
What To Expect:
- Approval typically takes 2-4 weeks (vs 48 hours through HFS)
- Most banks won't finance "outdoor structures" as a personal loan — they'll push you to a HELOC requiring home equity
- Smaller community banks often don't have a specific pole barn product
- You'll need to bring our detailed itemized quote for underwriting
Our advice: Get pre-qualified with HFS or Shoreham first (no credit impact, takes minutes), then call your bank to compare. If your bank can beat what we offer, take it. If they can't, you've already got a backup ready to go.
💳 Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
If you own a home with significant equity, a HELOC may offer slightly lower interest rates than personal loans.
Advantages:
- Typically lowest interest rates available
- Interest may be tax-deductible (consult CPA)
- Borrow only what you need
- Extended repayment terms
Considerations:
- Requires substantial home equity
- Your home is collateral if you default
- Longer approval process (2-4 weeks)
- Variable rates can rise over time
Best path: Talk to your existing bank or credit union about HELOC options. Be prepared for a longer process than HFS Financial.
🏢 Business Equipment Financing
If your pole barn is for business purposes, equipment financing or business loans may offer tax advantages.
Advantages:
- May qualify for Section 179 deduction
- Builds business credit
- 100% financing often possible
- Interest is a business expense
Considerations:
- Must be used for business operations
- Requires business documentation (tax returns, P&L)
- Rates vary widely by business profile
Consult your CPA about tax benefits. HFS Financial can also work with business borrowers, and SBA loans are an option through Shoreham Bank for qualifying small businesses.
🏗️ Construction Loan
For larger projects or barndominiums with living quarters over $150K, construction loans provide staged funding tied to build progress.
Advantages:
- Pay interest only during construction
- Funds released as work progresses
- Can convert to permanent mortgage
- Ideal for barndominium projects with finished living space
Considerations:
- More complex application process
- Requires detailed plans and stamped engineering
- Typically requires 20-30% down
- Approval can take 4-8 weeks
Best for projects over $150K or with living quarters. We can provide the engineered plans and detailed quotes lenders require.
Financing Questions Answered
How do I decide between HFS Financial and Shoreham Bank?
Both are great options — they just fit different situations. HFS Financial is best if you need money fast (funded in 48 hours), need to borrow more than $100K, or don't yet own/occupy your home. Shoreham Bank is best if you already own and live in your primary residence (90+ days), want the lowest possible fixed rate, and don't mind a slightly longer process. The good news: pre-qualifying with either has no credit impact, so many customers check both and compare offers. Call us at (269) 308-5883 if you want to talk through which fits best.
What credit score do I need for HFS Financial?
HFS Financial works with a range of credit profiles. While higher credit scores (680+) get the best rates, they often approve borrowers with scores as low as 620-640. The pre-qualification process is free and won't impact your credit score, so you can see what you qualify for with no risk.
What's this 120% financing option?
HFS Financial's 120% financing means you can borrow MORE than just the project cost. For example, if your pole barn costs $60,000, you could finance up to $72,000. The extra 20% covers unexpected costs, site prep, concrete upgrades, or other improvements. This prevents you from scrambling for cash mid-project.
How much down payment is required?
HFS Financial typically requires NO down payment for personal loans up to $100,000. For larger projects ($100K-$300K), down payment requirements vary but are often 10-20%. This is much better than construction loans that typically require 20-30% down.
What documents will I need?
For HFS Financial: photo ID, proof of income (pay stubs or tax returns for last 2 years if self-employed), recent bank statements, and our detailed project quote. For Shoreham Bank's FHA Title 1: similar documents plus proof of homeownership and 90+ days of occupancy. Both lenders will guide you through exactly what's needed once you start the application.
What's an FHA Title 1 loan and why might it have a lower rate?
FHA Title 1 is a federal program that allows banks like Shoreham to make home improvement loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration. Because the federal government insures part of the loan against default, the bank takes on less risk and can offer lower fixed rates than a typical unsecured personal loan. The catch: it's only available for improvements to a primary residence that's already been completed and occupied for at least 90 days. If you qualify, it's typically a better deal than a personal loan — but it's not for everyone.
How long does HFS Financial approval take?
Pre-qualification happens the same day (often within minutes) with no credit impact. Final approval typically takes 1-3 business days once you submit documentation. Funds are available within 48 hours of final approval. Total timeline: 5-7 days from application to money in your account.
Can I finance the entire project?
Yes! HFS Financial offers up to $300,000 in personal loans, which covers 99% of our pole barn projects including materials, installation, concrete, site prep, and more. Most customers finance 100% of their project cost.
What if I'm self-employed or own a business?
HFS Financial works great for self-employed individuals and business owners. They'll review your business tax returns (last 2 years) and bank statements instead of W-2s. If the building is for business use, you may also qualify for business equipment loans with tax advantages.
Are there tax benefits to financing?
Potentially yes, especially for business use. Interest on business loans is typically tax-deductible. Buildings used for business may qualify for Section 179 depreciation or bonus depreciation (up to 100% of cost in year 1!). Always consult your CPA—we're happy to coordinate with your tax advisor to maximize benefits.
Can I pay off the loan early?
YES! HFS Financial has NO prepayment penalties. You can pay extra each month, make lump sum payments, or pay off the entire balance early without any fees. This flexibility is huge if you come into extra money or want to reduce interest costs.
How does the money get paid out?
With HFS Financial's direct-to-consumer funding, the loan proceeds go directly to YOU, not to us. You control when and how the money is spent. This gives you flexibility and peace of mind. Many customers prefer this over construction loans where the lender controls disbursements.
How Great Lakes Post Frame Helps You Get Financed
Detailed Quotes for Lenders
We provide professional, itemized quotes that lenders need to process your application. Our quotes break down materials, labor, sales tax, and all project costs so there are no surprises during underwriting.
Direct Lender Relationships
We work closely with both HFS Financial and Jason Potrzeba at Shoreham Bank. If they need additional information about your project or want to verify something with us, we respond fast to keep your approval moving.
Flexible Timeline
Once approved, we work around your financing timeline. We can schedule your project to align with when funds become available, making the process seamless from approval to completion.
Honest Guidance
We'll tell you straight up which lender we think fits your situation best — and we'll respect it if you want to use your own bank instead. No high-pressure tactics, no kickback-driven recommendations. Just our honest take based on hundreds of projects.
Ready to Get Started?
Two paths, both fast. Pre-qualify with either lender below in minutes — no credit impact, no obligation. Then get your free quote so we can start designing your building.
Questions? Call or text us at (269) 308-5883 — we'll talk through which option fits your situation.
Our Commitment: We don't get paid more for steering you to one lender over another. We'll tell you our honest take, give you both options, and respect whatever you decide — even if that's using your own bank. No credit impact to check, no obligation to proceed.