Building A Barndominium – Step By Step (2024)

Step 1: Choose a Location for Your Barndominium

Before you can start the process of building a barndominium, you will need to choose a location. Location can affect certain aspects of the construction process. Consider both the features of the environment and building codes for the area. You may have to get a permit to build a barndominium, even if you are doing so in a rural area.

Step 2: Prepare Your Barndominium Building Site
If you need to make any modifications to the property before you construct your barndominium, that is the next step. You might need to run utilities to the site, for example. A few weeks before construction starts, an excavator will need to prep the building site. This is very important for a level and stable foundation. If you are using a builder or general contractor, they may be involved in the process of making sure the building site is prepared.

Step 3: Planning, Permits and Approval
Once you have selected and prepared a building site, you can move onto the next step, which is either creating or choosing an existing floor plan.
While taking care of this step, also see if you can come up with a realistic schedule for constructing your barndominium. Again, this step is where you can get your builder or general contractor involved. They may be able to give you a start date and estimate how long each step in the process will take.

Once you have a floor plan and a timetable, you can bring both to your local regulators and apply for building permits.
At this stage, you can also bring your floor plan and schedule to your bank to obtain financing.
Some people attempt to procure financing before coming up with a building plan, but your chances of approval for a loan increase the more concrete your plans are.

Step 4: Ordering Materials
At this point, you have decided on all the major aspects of your barndominium. Your materials will be ordered and delivered to your building site.

Step 5: Build Your Barndominium
Once construction begins, framing usually happens quickly. The exterior siding will be finished, and you will have the shell of your barndominium completed. Now begins the interior finishing. At this time is when you may feel like the project slowed down quite a bit. Contractors, plumbers, electricians and interior finishers and painters will have to be scheduled to work around each other in the proper order. This step in the process can take up to a few months. However, this is still much less time than traditional built homes.

Step 6: Move into your new home.
This is the step you will look forward to the most. Once the interior of your barndominium is completed, it is time to move in and enjoy living in a big house for way less money than you probably imagined was possible!
If you are interested in your own barndominium, contact Alpine Builders today for a free quote.

Building A Barndominium – Step By Step (2024)

FAQs

How to build a barndominium yourself step by step? ›

How to Build a Barndominium in 10 Steps: the Ultimate Guide to a Metal Building
  1. Planning and Budgeting. ...
  2. Land Acquisition. ...
  3. Interior Design Elements & Exterior Too. ...
  4. Obtain Permits. ...
  5. Foundation and Framing. ...
  6. Building Installation. ...
  7. Interior Finishing. ...
  8. Install Utilities.
Aug 3, 2023

What do I need to know before building a barndominium? ›

Here are five key factors you'll want to know before breaking ground and turning your dream barndominium into a reality.
  1. Research your ZIP code. ...
  2. Look into financing. ...
  3. Interview builders. ...
  4. Plan for extra costs later. ...
  5. Consider insurance.
Jan 29, 2024

What questions to ask when building a barndominium? ›

Questions to Ask Potential Builders
  • Their experience with barndominiums.
  • Construction loans.
  • Any relevant certifications.
  • Their past projects.
  • Materials and techniques used.
  • The warranties they offer.

Is it possible to build a barndominium for under 100k? ›

Crafting a Barndominium on a $100k Budget

To answer the title right out of the gate, A small one, With a budget of only $100k assuming you have property cleared prepped and ready you would most likely be looking at a 1000sqft barndominium or depending on the material you use maybe a sub 1000sqft dwelling.

How to build a barndominium on a budget? ›

5 Ways to Save Money on Your Barndominium Build.
  1. Be strategic about where you put your framed openings: ...
  2. Use concrete floors. ...
  3. DIY finish work (Stairs, Barn Doors, Light Fixture Installation) ...
  4. Ask for “builder grade”/“build program” or scour the remnant yard for countertops.

How long does it take to build a barndominium from scratch? ›

Interior + Exterior Design

All the finishing touches – drywall, paint, built-in furniture, moulding, roofing, siding, and fascia – can take 1 or 2 months, depending on the level of extravagance and detail. Minimalists will save time in this stage! All in all, most barndominiums take about 6 months to build.

What is the downside to a barndominium? ›

Pros of barndominiums include a cheaper cost, fully customizable space, and lower maintenance. They're also highly durable with lots of extra room and are a more eco-friendly housing option. Meanwhile, cons include higher upfront costs, difficulties finding financing, and not all cities allow them.

Is it hard to get a mortgage for a barndominium? ›

Getting a home loan for a barndominium can be tricky since many lenders are unfamiliar with these types of structures. However, it is far from impossible. You just need to be able to fulfill your lender's requirements as well as the stipulations set out by your particular loan program.

What does a barndominium kit include? ›

Our standard steel frame kits include everything you need to build your home. Err … barn. That means all main framing, secondary framing (for all steel), exterior metal siding, metal roofing, trim, closures, fasteners and stamped building plans.

What is the most expensive part of building a barndominium? ›

The biggest cost of building a barndominium comes from purchasing and building the metal shell, including the roof, doors, and windows. Other major exterior features that can affect the building cost include: Metal siding.

What is the best foundation for a barndominium? ›

Properly executed, an embedded perimeter beam concrete slab foundation formulated from high strength 5,000 PSI concrete mix designs provides ideal structural support for the tremendous clear spans and dynamic live loads generated over generations of family life within your barndo.

How thick should a barndominium floor be? ›

For barndominiums up to 1,500 sq. ft., most recommendations fall between a 4” and 6″ thick slab. This accommodates moderate traffic and furnishings adequately without excessive concrete use. The steel perimeter beams of barndominium kits require less internal slab support than wood framing.

How big of a barndominium can I build for 200K? ›

How big of a barndominium can I build for $200K? On the high end, barndominiums have an average cost of $150 per square foot. At that price, you can estimate a building of around 1,333 square feet for $200,000.

What is the lifespan of a barndominium? ›

Depending on the materials used, a well-maintained barndominium can last anywhere from 50 to over 100 years. 2. Foundation: A solid foundation is essential for the longevity of any building, including barndominiums.

What is the most cost effective barndominium? ›

Generally the most cost-effective barndominium size falls between 1,500-2,500 square feet. The Average size Barndominium in the US falls around 2500sqft as well.

Is it cheaper to build a 1 or 2 story barndominium? ›

Single-story barndominiums are generally perceived as less expensive due to several factors: – **Foundation Costs**: The foundation of a single-story barndominium typically costs less than that of a two-story structure since it bears less weight. This can lead to savings in both materials and labor.

Do you need a foundation for a barndominium? ›

Absolute Steel barndominiums and kit homes are designed to be anchored to a concrete footing or slab. While technically, our buildings can be installed on bare earth, because someone will be living in the barndominium or kit home local building codes will apply.

How thick is the slab for a barndominium? ›

For barndominiums up to 1,500 sq. ft., most recommendations fall between a 4” and 6″ thick slab. This accommodates moderate traffic and furnishings adequately without excessive concrete use. The steel perimeter beams of barndominium kits require less internal slab support than wood framing.

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