Top 10 tips: Buying a farm building

Buying a farm building can be a daunting task, but the RIDBA/NFU farm building buying guide can help make it easier. Here are some tips from the guide, which is available on the RIDBA website (www.ridba.org.uk)
1
Agricultural buildings are exempt from Building Regulation Control provided they are more than 1.5 times their own height away from any building with sleeping accommodation and have a fire exit less than 30m from any point in the building.
2
Agricultural buildings smaller than 465sq m may not require full planning permission.
3
In 2013, the Construction and Products Regulation (CPR) comes into force and requires all construction products to be CE-marked. A CE mark on a building product is a declaration by the manufacturer that their product is compliant with the CPR and the minimum requirements of EU countries.
4
If you construct a building yourself, you still have to have safeguards such as safety nets and edge protection. You also need to check with the frame manufacturer whether the fact that you (or a subcontractor) are putting up the building affects the warranty.
5
If you are considering a new build, you need to talk to your insurance company about construction and siting.
6
Consider snow loading, especially if the building is in an exposed or high location.
7
If you are considering putting solar PV panels on the barn roof, check that the building can support the extra weight. It may need strengthening.
8
Only use contractors who are reputable and competent in health and safety matters.
9
Both you and the contractor have legal obligations for health and safety and these cannot be passed to each other by contract. Ask your contractors to provide you with information on what safety precautions they are taking and a copy of their method statement.
10
Even if you are employing a contractor, you still have a responsibility to provide relevant site information (like the presence of asbestos or electrical cables) and to check that suitable management plans are in place.