Full Answer
Is a Barndominium cheaper than a house?
The truth is hidden in the building costs and added features of the house. Barndominiums are, on average, cheaper than a house. Traditional homes cost around $115-$145 per square foot to build, while barndominiums cost between $70 and $90 per square foot on average.
How much is a Barndominium house in Florida?
This makes Florida one of the more affordable states to live in compared to the rest of the country. However, the cost of a barndominium of the same size in Florida can go as low as $172,000, saving you a significant amount of money.
Can a Barndominium have a crawl space?
In fact, barndominiums can indeed have a crawl space or basement if you choose to have as such, it will just require some modifications and extra work! Basically, instead of building the barndominium over a foundation of cement, you would build it over a crawl space or basement foundation, adding in that extra space underneath before installing the steel structure and the rest of the building.
Can you build a Barndominium in California?
You can build a barndominium in California. Based on the cost of labor, delivery, and the shell kit, barndominiums will cost over $273,000 in the state. You’ll need a construction loan and to be sure that you’re following local regulations. That includes abiding by California’s seismic codes.
How much is a 2000 square foot Barndominium?
$200,000 to $260,000A 2,000 sq ft living area could cost $200,000 to $260,000 to build. We have found most people end up with higher end finishes in their barndominium thus the higher price per square foot.
How much does it cost to build and finish a Barndominium?
Expect to pay from $100 to $130 per square foot to build a complete barndominium that's fully outfitted and ready to move into. For many buyers, the low price point of the metal barndominium shell is the draw.
How much does a 2500 sq foot Barndominium cost?
Barndominium prices (2,500 square feet): $145,000 to $433,000.
What is the average total cost of a Barndominium?
The average cost of a barndominium is $150,700. That's a far cry from the average $295,300 sales price of a home in the United States. Barndominiums — also called “barndos” — are metal or wooden buildings that are fashioned to house living space. They are often more energy-efficient, costing less to run utilities.
Is it cheaper to build a Barndominium or a house?
In a way, a barndominium house is cheaper than a regular house. However, when building a small house, the cost differences are minimal. The difference becomes large when building large 2000 to 3000 square feet homes. The cost differences are down to material and labor costs.
Do Barndominiums hold their value?
Since barndominiums, on average, seem to retain their value well, this might be a great tool to use in determining an asking price.
Are Barndominiums good in cold weather?
The bottom line is that barndominiums are more than suitable for cold climates. A barndominium is likely to provide more energy-efficient housing compared to traditional homes.
How long will a Barndominium last?
Barndominiums are typically built on slab foundations, which can last 80 to 100 years. Full basement foundations can also last 100 years but are more prone to cracking and shifting. Most barndominiums feature metal siding and roofing while traditional homes often have asphalt roofs and wood or vinyl siding.
Are Barndominiums well insulated?
One detail that is easy to overlook is the barndominium insulation. Barndominiums are often metal structures, which makes them easier and more affordable to construct compared to the typical wood home. They are also often more durable compared to their wooden counterparts. However, you still need insulation.
Can you get a loan for a Barndominium?
Traditional mortgage lenders may finance barndominiums, as long as you qualify for a home loan program and the home meets the property requirements for your loan type.
What is a turnkey Barndominium?
With barndos, you have the option to purchase a basic barndominium kit, which only includes the essential components of the walls and roof, or a complete turnkey barndo. Turnkey barndominiums include every detail you would need such as cabinetry, windows and flooring.
How much does it cost to finish the inside of a metal building?
On average, you can expect to spend $4-5 per square foot for the erection. Please note that in most cases this price does not include turkey. (i.e., electrical, plumbing, and interior finish) You can expect to pay $20-$35 for a turnkey solution.
How much does it cost to finish the inside of a metal building?
On average, you can expect to spend $4-5 per square foot for the erection. Please note that in most cases this price does not include turkey. (i.e., electrical, plumbing, and interior finish) You can expect to pay $20-$35 for a turnkey solution.
How much does it cost to frame the inside of a Barndominium?
Nationally framing a standard 2,100 square foot stick frame house will cost $9,030 – $17,220 or $4.30 – $8.20 per square foot for labor. A crew of five should be able to complete work and pass framing inspection within 2 – 3 weeks.
Can you get a loan for a Barndominium?
Traditional mortgage lenders may finance barndominiums, as long as you qualify for a home loan program and the home meets the property requirements for your loan type.
How do you finish a Barndominium?
How to Finish Out a Barndominium in 7 StepsFrame the Walls.Install Insulation.Install Utilities.Install Drywall.Paint the Rooms.Mount Fixtures.Finish the Flooring. Additional Considerations.Conclusion.
Barndominium Cost Calculator Overview
One of the most challenging aspects of building your own home is figuring out how much it’s going to cost. While no one likes to think about this part of a home build, it’s actually one of the things that enter into the equation the most.
Barndominium Cost Calculator
Get an estimate of how much it will cost to build your own barndominium.
Additional Cost Considerations
There are some things that are not going to be included in any kind of barndominium cost estimate but should be taken into consideration. Things like furniture, electronics, and interior design will all be extra money that you should be including in your budget.
Getting an Accurate Cost Estimate
While the barndominium cost calculator is a useful tool, it won’t be able to give you a 100% accurate estimate on your total barndominium cost. There are many factors that come into play when building your own home and before you start building, you should have accurate quotes from all the major players in your construction project.
Conclusion
By using this barndominium cost calculator, you can give yourself a good initial idea of how much your dream barndominium is going to cost. Having this understanding can give you a baseline, average goal when you are looking for financing or saving to get your construction underway.
How much does it cost to build a barndominium?
The average cost of building a basic barndominium is $180,000 to $360,000. The price is low because it is constructed relatively quickly, saving you money on labor costs. The cost of the kit can also range from $5,000 to $70,000, depending on the style you want and the size. The kit includes the roof, beams, and walls.
What is a barndominium?
A barndominium, or a barndo, is a barn that has been converted into a living space, and barndos aren't just popular for those living among farm animals! They are perfect for those who want space to work, lots of room, and a place to get dirty. This hybrid concept is becoming a big home trend.
How much does a turnkey barndo cost?
The price range varies depending on if you DIY or if you get a turnkey barndo. For a 2,000 square foot turnkey barndominium, the cost can range from $190,000 to $250,000. For a DIY barndominium, you can buy a shell for as little as $10,000.
Why are barndos better than wood?
Barndos, since they are structures that are made of steel, settle less than wood-framed homes, making them less likely to develop air leaks over time. You may also benefit from lower home insurance rates from owning a barndo because they are less likely to burn and can better withstand tornadoes and earthquakes.
What is barndo building?
Most barndos have high ceilings, energy-efficient windows, spray foam insulation, stained concrete floors, and engineered concrete slabs. Like a warehouse, it is a metal building with masonry at the front and a beautiful porch. Also like a warehouse, it is very affordable to construct.
How does market trends affect the cost of building a barndo?
For example, if there is a surge of people renovating or rebuilding their homes at the same time you're building your barndo, the demand for building materials and prices will increase . (Construction materials were up 20-25% in 2021!) While it may be difficult to foresee ...
Where are barndos popular?
Barndos are becoming more and more popular in areas that experience frequent natural disasters, such as the South, with many hurricanes and tornadoes, and the West, which experiences many earthquakes. You can start with an old barn or purchase a barndo kit.
How much does a barndominium cost?
The barndominium cost will be in the $130 per square foot range compared to $200 for a conventional custom home. Most barndominiums have a metal roof included – compare that to the additional cost of adding a metal roof to your custom home.
How much does it cost to build a barndominium?
Your Barndominium Cost depends on your specific location for the following: 1 Concrete Slab Cost 2 Metal Building or Exterior Framing Cost 3 Interior Build-out and Finishes Cost 4 Plumbing Cost – Septic System or Tap Fees for Sewer 5 Water well or Tap Fees Cost
Land
Mighty metal barndominiums can be built anywhere and converted into your fabulous custom home. But the first step is to find your perfect slice of buildable land.
Floor plans
Many companies offer pre-designed floor plans that you can buy as-is or customize. These are the architectural prints you’ll use to build your home.
Barndominium kit
Once you have a floor plan, you need the materials to build your barndominium. Many companies offer kits, which can help save on building erection, foundation design, and labor costs since the structure can be assembled in as few as 10 days.
Labor
Construction of a traditional home usually ranges from $100 and $200 per square foot, with an average cost of $115. After all, hiring builders, carpenters, HVAC technicians, electricians, and plumbers can add up.
Bottom line
A barndominium will run you between $180,000 and $360,000 when all is said, done, and built. That price may make a barndominium a less expensive option than building a traditional home, which varies in cost from $165,000 to $480,000.
Accounting for Your Barndominium Project Costs
You have your property purchased and are ready to order your new barndominium (barndo) home, so what's left to account for? At General Steel, we provide you with the building shell which consists of the primary and secondary framing, sheeting and the fasteners.
Steel vs Wood Barndominium
Traditionally, barndominiums have been constructed from timber in an attempt to maintain the long-established barn aesthetic. However, it may be news to you that a steel building kit can be customized easily to mimic the look of a conventional wooden barn.
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Barndominum
These resources will guide you and outline every cost to account for including timeframes.
What can I put in my barndominium?
This isn’t optional in 2020, as you need a source of power to run your appliances and turn on the lights inside your barndominium. Getting electric also means having outlets installed, light switches set up, and a circuit panel fully installed.
How much does a barndominium shell cost?
A barndominium shell kit can cost as little as $20,000 out-of-pocket. But, if buying a brand new home for just 10% of the average home’s price seems “too good to be true,” that’s because it is. Barndominiums need to be “finished out” to officially turn them into your next family home.
What type of insulation should I use for barndominiums?
Closed-cell spray foam insulation is most often recommended for barndominiums. This style of insulation will adhere easily to the interior metal walls and beams, expanding rapidly once sprayed and easily filling in tiny gaps and crevices. In the process, both air and water won’t leak in or out of your new home.
How much does spray foam insulation cost?
That’s because you’ll likely need several layers to meet the recommended R-value in your zone. This insulation costs about $1 to $1.50 per board foot.
How does insulation help with AC?
Insulation also helps keep the heat or A/C from escaping through the walls, ceilings, and flooring throughout the day. This can keep your monthly energy bills low and affordable.
Why do you need to insulate a barndominium?
Insulation makes sense for a barndominium for a few reasons. First, there’s the fact that steel buildings (like barndominiums) attract both heat and sunlight. On a hot and sunny day, this can send your exterior, and eventually interior, temperatures to 90℉ (32.2°C) or higher.
How much does it cost to drywall a 200 square foot room?
A 200 square foot room typically costs about $300 to $500 to drywall completely.

Barndominium Cost Calculator Overview
Additional Cost Considerations
- There are some things that are not going to be included in any kind of barndominium cost estimate but should be taken into consideration. Things like furniture, electronics, and interior design will all be extra money that you should be including in your budget. If you are building a custom home, you will want to have these things since they make the effort of building a home f…
Getting An Accurate Cost Estimate
- While the barndominium cost calculator is a useful tool, it won’t be able to give you a 100% accurate estimate on your total barndominium cost. There are many factors that come into play when building your own home and before you start building, you should have accurate quotes from all the major players in your construction project. One of the best ways to get an accurate e…
Conclusion
- By using this barndominium cost calculator, you can give yourself a good initial idea of how much your dream barndominium is going to cost. Having this understanding can give you a baseline, average goal when you are looking for financing or saving to get your construction underway. Being informed is one of the best ways to ensure that your barndominium build will be successf…