In 2011, AJ Portable Buildings Owner Pat Dykes was approached by the owners of Marten Builders out of Southern Illinois with the idea of selling buildings. After some back and forth, Dykes sealed the deal and has since been offering the Northern Indiana and surrounding regions customizable Yoder’s portable buildings and structures to best suit their needs.
Today, AJ’s has 11 lots that run from Lafayette to Mishawaka with a large inventory that not only provides extra space, but also a place for the community to grow with the team's ability to create specialized projects unique to each city, area, and customer.
AJ’s versatile clientele has ranged from school sports teams to local churches, universities, parks, and everyone in between. No matter the need, AJ’s is ready to provide the extra storage space their customers require.
“We’ve done some chicken coops and dog and horse shelters,” Dykes said. “We do a lot of custom projects with office buildings, pool houses, children's play houses, and pretty cool stuff like that. We insulate the buildings, we set them up, and we do everything except for plumbing.”
Other projects have included structures meant not just for storage but also for fun, entertainment, and making quality memories.
“We’ve also done utility pavilions,” Dykes said. “You can make storage in the front of it, like a screened-in porch. That can be used for a kitchen area. We can build a little bar inside with windows, a counter, and things like that. They can put the refrigerator, grill, or whatever they want in both the back part and the front part for entertaining.”
AJ’s also has something for all ages, with charming playhouses that spark imagination and endless joy for the kids.
“We've always been into it, and we’re glad to do anything for the kids,” Dykes said.
It’s very likely to come across an AJ’s project while driving through many parts of the Northern Indiana region. A quick jaunt through Valparaiso University and some of the local parks, for example, can give an inside look at some of the unique, customized projects throughout just Porter County alone.
“We've built buildings for Valparaiso University and a lot of the parks. We put big pavilions up where people can get out of the office for a little bit and go outside,” Dykes said.
Another unique option popular among AJ’s customers is the lofted barns, a particular favorite for Dykes. With summer just around the corner, they can make for a nice outdoor hangout for events and get togethers.
“Our lofted barn and our utilities are our best sellers. Our side lofted barn is a favorite, especially in the summertime,” Dykes said. “We have a nice inventory, and we keep it on the lot so people can look at different colors and styles of building. Everybody always gets excited and wants to check out the new fancy one that comes in, but I want to make them one that matches their needs.”
AJ’s buildings aren’t just about extra space — they’re about improving everyday life. Dykes often hears from customers who appreciate how a new storage building helps them reclaim their garages while tidying up their outdoor spaces.
“Having a building of ours also helps make for a cleaner yard,” Dykes said. “They can get stuff out of their garages so they can park their cars for the wintertime. I get many times the wife comes in with the husband and says, ‘Hey, let’s buy that building; I'm parking my car in the garage.’”
Whether it’s a pavilion, a shed, or any other custom structure, every AJ’s building comes with more than just quality craftsmanship—it comes with top-notch customer service. With a Shed Doctor always on call for repairs or questions, and lifetime craftsmanship warranties on every structure, AJ’s ensures its customers are covered for the long haul.
For more information on AJ Portable Buildings, please visit ajportablebuildings.com.