Contact Owner

Send a letter explaining the project (see Sample Letter to Owner). Include:

• A copy of the completed Barn Survey form.
• A copy or copies of the photo(s) you took of the owner’s barn.

• An Owner’s Information Sheet that requests that the owner complete the sheet with information about the barn and let you know when s/he is able to meet with you to assess the barn in greater detail.

Record your communications with the owner on the Barn Survey form.

Talk to Barn Owner

The easiest part of the project is talking with the barn owner, because you are bringing something to the owner –- things that most barn owners value: an interest in their barn, recognized preservation status to their barn, the survey information and photo(s) of their barn, and your interest in finding resources to assist owners with barn repairs.

Mount Holly found taciturn old Vermonters, often suspicious of outsiders and government, listened carefully to the description of the project. Some said things like “no one wants barns these days” or “someone will buy this place and tear the barn down”; yet they agreed to a more in-depth assessment; then they agreed to include their barn in a grant proposal for repairs; and finally, after a number of contacts, they confided how pleased their father would have been to see the family barn kept standing.

The best result from contacting the barn owner is to make arrangements to meet and have the owner show you the barn – outside and inside. On the visit you can provide more information about the project, and find out the owner’s plans for the future of the barn – what they want to do with the barn, what work they see is needed, what kind of resources they have; and if they have applied for or have considered applying for a state barn preservation grant.

Barn Assessment

Before you meet with the owner, download and copy the forms for the Assessment of the structure and condition of barns.

The barn exterior is covered on forms Assessment Part I and Assessment Part II. Assessment Part I, the Barn Exterior from Road, does not need the Owner’s permission; so you can do it at any time, and you may have done it as part of the Barn Survey. For Assessment Part II, the Barn Exterior Up-Close, you need to inspect all walls and foundations from the distance of a few feet. You will need the owner’s permission to be on the premises.

The barn interior is covered on the form Assessment Part III, the Barn Interior. The owner’s permission is required to enter the barn.

If the owner isn't available to meet with you, ask for permission to go onto the property to conduct the Assessment. Some owners will gladly agree to your entering the property and barn at any time. Some will give permission to go on to the property, but not into the barn. Others want to be present for any visit.

Barn Owner File

You may find that you need to keep information on your Barn Owners up to date. Old barn owners die. Properties are sold. Family circumstances change.

The file for barn owners can be kept separate from your barn files. The owners are linked to the barn by the unique Barn Site Number +/- Barn Name.

A Barn Owner File (PDF) is available to help you capture information about barn owners.

An Owner Spreadsheet (Microsft Excel) is available for logging and tracking all barn owner information in one place.

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