Our old barn from the 1800's had to be torn down or rebuilt when we moved here in 2004.  We really wanted to restore it so we did.

We put $30,000 in a barn that has no function but beauty and some storage.  3 sides need painted again as I only put steel on the west or weathered side.

For that amount of money I could have had a new shop.  I could have even built the shop to resemble the old barn.  I didn't think my plan through or look to the future enough as I was 54 then.

At your age I would say tear it down unless the old barn really adds character to the farmstead.  It's a hefty price to keep the past and money is made by functional space.

I am not a shop man but I know enough who are, I could have saved a lot of money or repairs with a better shop than I have, one that is functional every day of the year.  We are more mechanized than we think we are and machinery is big money and repairs and preventive maintenance is a really big deal.

I have pondered these questions many times in my blog.

https://www.google.com/#q=hymark+old+barns

I think you should probably tear it down and start over.

Ed Winkle

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