Skip to content 
A barndominium is a piece of property that has been designed and built to be both a home and a barn.
Barns were especially popular among horse owners for the facilities to house their animals while also giving them a place to live.
But now with barns to live in have become all the rage for their amazing open floor plans called barndominiums, where do you start?
- You can buy a barndominium that someone else owns, just like any other house.
- You can find land and have a barndominium built on it from scratch.
- You can find land and convert an existing barn into your home.
- You can have a barndominium built on your own land, but have it designed in such a way that it’s not immediately clear that it’s a home and a barn.
- You can also hire someone to design and build you a custom-made barndominium if you want something that’s truly unique.
With that in mind, we have to consider several things when buying a Barndominium.
One major consideration is the cost and the budget is the question many have been wondering.
We have the answers to this, So let’s find out how much does a Barndominium cost.
How much does a Barndominium cost?
The cost of a Barndominium varies depending on the size, style and location of the Barndominium.
A good place to start is to estimate the cost of building a traditional single family home.
The average price for building a new home in 2021 was around $200 per square foot, or $350,000 for a 2,000 square foot house.
This is just an estimate and will vary depending in what state or country you reside and what you want your Barndominium to look like.
A custom-built Barndominium can cost anywhere from $100 per square foot up to $500 per square foot depending on what options are included with the construction.
The average estimated price for building a new home in 2023 was around $200 per square foot, or $350,000 for a 2,000 square foot house.
Another consideration for the cost of a Barndominium is the cost of the land that it is built on.
The price of land varies based on its location, size, shape and other factors.
It can range from $100,000 up to $1 million per acre in some areas.
This means that if you want to build a 2,000 square foot home with a two-acre lot then the cost of that property would range from $200,000 up to $2 million dollars.
Other costs to consider are the cost of the building materials and labor.
One thing we know for sure is that it will cost less than building a traditional home because you won’t need as much material and you won’t need to hire an architect or a contractor.
How to Save Money When Building a Barndominium
There are several ways to save money when building a Barndominium.
At this point, we are going to discuss some of the best ways of saving money while buying a barn.
Use the land wisely
The biggest way to save money is to use your land wisely.
It is possible to build a smaller house for less money but it will be more expensive to build a larger house because more material will be needed.
If you don’t need 3,000 square feet of living space then you can get by with 1,500 square feet and save yourself a lot of money.
You can also choose not to have as many features in your home or add them later if you decide that you want them after the home is built.
Repurpose Materials
Another way to save money is by using inexpensive building materials such as wood instead of metal or stone for the exterior siding, metal rather than wood for the roofing and concrete blocks instead of bricks for the foundation and interior walls.
Look for old homes in the area that are due to be demolished, this is your opportunity to salvage wood, old doors, furniture and even staircases to go into your build.
Purchase a readymade Barn kit
There are many companies that sell barn kits for as little as $20,000.
Barns are easy to assemble and you can save a lot of money by building your own barn.
You will also be able to customize the size and shape of your home and you won’t have to worry about the quality of the work because it will be done in a factory.
Barndominiums can cost anywhere from $100,000 to $1 million or more depending on where you live and what features you want in your home.
Consider DIY Barns projects
In most instances, if you have the right knowledge and skills, you can save a lot of money on barns.
It is not easy to design and build your own barn but you can do it if you have the right plan.
This method will not only help you save money on the initial cost of building a barn but you will also save money on maintenance in the future.
Buy Ready-to-Assemble Cabinets
Buying ready-to-assemble cabinets may be the most cost effective way of building a barn.
The cabinets are easy to assemble and you can save money by buying pre-assembled cabinets instead of assembling them yourself.
This is an excellent option if you want to build a small barn or a cabin with limited space.
Buy Barns from Second Hand Stores
If you are looking for pre-owned barns for sale, then you should check out your local second hand stores.
These stores usually have barns that were built in the late 2000s or late 1900s and they are usually in great condition because they have been well preserved over the years.
Purchase Building Materials and Supplies in Bulk
Buying building materials and supplies in bulk is another way of saving money.
You can also buy used materials and supplies from second hand stores, auctions and online stores such as craigslist.
Choose Inexpensive Building Materials
The cheapest building materials are usually the most durable and long lasting ones.
For instance, wood is a great choice for both interior and exterior siding, flooring, roofing, doors and windows while metal is ideal for gutters and downspouts.
Buy Wood Siding
Wood is one of the most popular siding options because it is easy to install on a barn or a cabin.
Cedar wood is one of the best options because it has excellent insulation properties that help in keeping your home cool in summer while helping keep it warm during winter.
Buy Metal Roofing
Metal roofs are also very popular choices because they are durable, lightweight, attractive and eco-friendly.
Metal roofs come with a variety of colors that can be painted to match the exterior color of your barn.
Buy Metal Gutters and Downspouts
Metal gutters and downspouts are also popular choices for both new construction and remodels because they are long-lasting, easy to install and durable.
They are also available in a variety of colors that can be painted to match the exterior color of your barn.
Use Used Materials or Salvage Materials
Buying used materials or salvaged materials is another way of saving money on building a barn.
You can buy used wood from your local second hand stores or you can choose wood that has been salvaged from other construction sites.
You can also purchase used metal roofing, gutters and downspouts from salvage yards or you can buy them directly from other contractors who have finished their jobs.
Use Standard Sizes for Windows and Doors
Standard sizes for windows and doors will save you a lot of money because they are cheaper to purchase than custom made ones.
Standard sizes are also easier to install and they will fit perfectly in your home.
Use Insulated Windows and Doors
Using insulated windows and doors is another great way of saving money on heating and cooling costs.
Insulated windows and doors cost more than non-insulated ones but they have excellent insulation properties that will help you save a lot of money on heating or cooling bills in the long run.
Choose the right location
As we had earlier stated, the cost of the barndominium will vary depending on the location.
The best place to build your barn is in the country where the cost of labor, materials and land is much lower than in a city.
Use Appropriate Materials
When building your barn you need to choose the right materials for each part of your home.
For example, you should use wood for the exterior and metal for the roof because they are more durable than other materials.
You should also use metal gutters and downspouts because they are more durable than other types of gutters.
Long lasting materials will not only save you money in terms of maintenance but they will also save you money on energy costs because they will help keep your home cool during summer while helping it stay warm during winter.
Plan ahead
If you have decided to build a barndominium on your property then it is important to plan ahead and make sure that you consider all aspects of building a barndominium including the cost and the time you need to salvage and repurpose materials for your project which will save you a lot of money in the long run.
FAQs
Are barndominium illegal structures?
BARNDOMICLES are not illegal structures.
They are legal as long as they meet all local building codes and zoning laws.
The owner of a BARNDOMICLE must obtain all necessary building permits and comply with all required local zoning laws before constructing the BARNDOMICLE.
What is the cost of a barndominium?
Where you live determines how much it costs for you to build a BARNDOMICLE.
In general, you will spend about $5,000 to $15,000 to build your own barn depending on the size and complexity of your project.
Where can I purchase a Barndominum kit from?
There are countless companies building and providing Barns kits online.
You can choose from Green Building elements, worldwide steel, General steel, Metal depots and many others.
Conclusion
The Barndominium is a great way for you to live in a tiny house without having to sacrifice any of the luxury that you are used to.
However, it is important to remember that building a BARNDOMICLES is not an easy task and you need to be willing to put in the work if you want your home to be built properly.
Therefore, you need to plan ahead and make plans that will save you money, labor and time.
