About Us

Started in 1994 by a dairy farmer and his wife, Vic and Lynn Brown were slowly selling off their farm to make ends meet because price of milk had dropped so severely. At that time, they had three children in school — the youngest was in fourth grade. Through a close family friend, Vic was introduced to the shed-building business, by displaying a shed at a home show in Portland, Oregon. Following that show, he built his first shed in Portland, Oregon.

In the beginning, the company’s total resources included: borrowed tools, a 1984 Ford Pickup, a red Ford Escort station wagon, and just enough money for the materials to build one shed. The shop facility was a double-car garage in the house Vic and Lynn rented in Dallas, Oregon. In its first year, Better Built Barns averaged one to two sheds per month. In the second year, Vic, along with his son and daughter, moved the “shop” to an RV bay storage rental facility in Salem, Oregon.

Shortly after moving into the new “shop,” Better Built Barns expanded into as many home shows and fairs as possible. The Oregon State Fair was one of the first fairs that Better Built Barns would exhibit, and they have been there every year since 1996, and eventually becoming a fair sponsor. Television advertising was the next marketing agenda; this would help to get the company’s name recognized. The most important marketing type for Better Built Barns was by word-of-mouth from satisfied customers to their families, friends, and neighbors. Sales doubled from 2006 to 2007 — four times the annual sales in 2001.

In 2003, Better Built Barns moved to its current manufacturing location on 37th Avenue, a space suitable to our immediate production needs as well as our future needs. Better Built Barns continues to add new display and sales/manufacturing locations in the Pacific Northwest.

In January 2009, we will open our newest location in Tacoma, Washington. In 2007, we formed a partnership with the Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in Oregon and Washington, which has greatly expanded our markets. We also a enjoy a partnership with Jerry’s Home Improvement stores in the Eugene/Springfield area.

Although Vic Brown no longer hand-builds the sheds, he is the President of the corporation, which still thrives as a family-owned and operated company with eight family members showing up for work each day. Better Built Barns provides superior craftmanship, quality materials, and exceptional service — at an unparalleled value.

Better Built Barns has been greatly blessed, and through God’s grace, we look forward to the future.