Building a Barndominium on a Budget: 6 Expert Tips to Consider To Save Money - Barndominium Homes (2024)

Building a barndominium is a great way to get the home of your dreams. Many people consider building their own house but very few ever go through with it. This is most likely because a custom home build can be very expensive. That’s why knowing how to build a barndominium on a budget can be incredibly helpful.

Building a Barndominium on a Budget: 6 Expert Tips to Consider To Save Money - Barndominium Homes (1)

While building a barndominium is already cheaper than a traditional home, there are ways to save further. By understanding how you can cut costs, you can build your barndo on the cheap. In this article, we have laid out some methods for building a barndominium on a budget. Using some of these tips can help make your barndominium build much more accessible.

How to Build a Barndominium on a Budget

Consider Doing Work Yourself

Perhaps the best way to save money on your barndominium is to do some of the work yourself. One of the nice things about a barndominium is the fact that they are less expensive in general. If you manage to take on some of the labor yourself, you can cut down on that cost even more. Barndominiums are relatively easy to build and much of the work is quite simple.

Some of the things you can do yourself on your barndominium include designing your floor plan, windows, and framing. You can also usually do the barndominium insulation without any issues. However, for things like the concrete slab and other structural jobs, it is best to have a professional do them. This will ensure that your barndominium is safe and that you won’t be in violation of building codes.

Build in the Cheapest States

One of the best ways to build a barndominium on a budget is to build in an inexpensive state. Not all states have the same prices when it comes to labor and materials. Some states, such as Ohio, are very inexpensive for builders of homes. If you want to save as much money as possible, this is going to be your best bet.

While it may not always be possible to relocate just to build a home, it is worth considering. If you can end up saving enough money on your project, you could justify the cost of relocation. In many cases, you could end up paying less than $100 per square foot. This is much cheaper than a traditional home, even in some of the cheaper states.

Use a Barndominium Kit

Building a Barndominium on a Budget: 6 Expert Tips to Consider To Save Money - Barndominium Homes (3)

Barndominiums come in all shapes and sizes and have a lot of different options. One of the options you have available to you is to use a barndominium kit. Barndo kits are completely prefabricated and have all the parts and materials you will need. They get delivered straight to your build site and have detailed instructions for the build process.

One of the nice things about using a barndominium kit is the fact that it can save a lot of time. In the construction business, time is money and it is crucial that you save as much as possible. If you get a kit, you won’t have to worry about things like sourcing materials or parts. Everything will come right to you and you can get started right away.

Check our how affordable a barndominium kit under 50k is.

Hire an Experienced Builder

If you want to build a barndominium on a budget, the best thing you can do is hire an experienced builder. While this may seem counterintuitive, spending more on an experienced builder can save you money. Most construction companies will be experienced with building traditional homes. However, not all of them will know how to build a barndominium, which can be an issue.

Hiring an experienced builder will help you get the job done right the first time. If you hire a builder who doesn’t know all the ins and outs of the barndominium process, you could have problems. This can force you to have work redone, which can be a major expense. By hiring the right builder, you can get the job done right and spend the least amount of money.

Make Your Home Energy Efficient

When building a barndominium on a budget, it is important that you consider the whole project. This not only includes the building itself, but also the appliances and utilities. The total cost of the home will include the price of power and the amount you spend on everyday use. Because of this, making your home energy efficient will reduce the total cost.

Building a Barndominium on a Budget: 6 Expert Tips to Consider To Save Money - Barndominium Homes (4)

One of the best ways to make your home energy efficient is to get efficient appliances. While you may have to spend a little more money upfront, you will save more in the long run. Just like with the builder, spending more can end up saving you more.

Plan Ahead

If you truly want to build a barndominium on a budget, planning ahead is very important. Having a detailed construction plan will help you save money on both materials and labor. Planning for your project will allow you to spend the least amount of money on things like parts and tools. You will know exactly what you need to buy and how much it is going to cost.

Having a complete construction plan will also help save you money on your loan. Any bank that you get financing through will want to know what your plans are. Having the best possible planning package will help you get a better loan. This will save you a lot of money on interest and help you build a barndominium on a budget.

Conclusion

By understanding how you can build a barndominium on a budget, you can get your home built cheaply. Since many people gravitate towards these homes for the price, it is important to know how you can save. Getting the best possible price for your barndo will make it much more accessible to you.

If you would like even more guides like this one, be sure to check out the rest of Barndominiums.co. There, you will find helpful tips and tricks from the pros as well as featured barndominiums, and a detailed guide on barndominium insurance. These featured homes can get you inspired and get you thinking about your own custom barndo.

Building a Barndominium on a Budget: 6 Expert Tips to Consider To Save Money - Barndominium Homes (2024)

FAQs

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.

What's the cheapest you can build a barndominium? ›

The cost to build a barndominium is $65 to $160 per square foot or $130,000 to $320,000 on average for a 2,000 SF home. Barndominium prices depend on the size, materials, and interior finishes chosen. Barndominium kit prices are $20 to $35 per square foot for materials only.

What is the most expensive part of a barndominium? ›

Steel framing, popular in barndominium construction for its durability and resistance to pests, can be more expensive than traditional wood framing. Framing costs can range from $20 to $50 per square foot, making it one of the most significant portions of the construction budget.

What do I wish I knew before building a barndominium? ›

Here are the most important things to know about building a barndominium.
  • Obtain a permit for your project. Photo by Bridger Steel, Inc. ...
  • Test the paint. Photo by Justin Doyle Homes. ...
  • Prepare for surprise costs. ...
  • Plan for electrical work. ...
  • Choose your windows and doors wisely. ...
  • Add insulation—it's important.
Mar 14, 2022

What is the lifespan of a barndominium? ›

How Long Do Barndominiums Last? As long as you keep up with the occasional maintenance of the roof and siding, you can expect to enjoy your barndominium for 50 years or possibly even longer.

Why are barndominiums hard to finance? ›

Banks require appraisals to determine the property's value, which in turn, informs their lending decisions. Because barndominiums are relatively unique and fewer in number compared to traditional homes, finding comparable sales (comps) necessary for accurate valuation is difficult.

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 state is the best for barndominiums? ›

Where Are Barndominiums Most Popular in the U.S.? Barndominiums have become most popular in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, and Mississippi, but Texas is the number one place you'll find them.

How big of a barndominium can I build for 300k? ›

Written by HomeAdvisor. Barndominiums cost between $120,000 and $540,000, with an average 2,400-square-foot barndominium costing $300,000 to build. The total cost to build a barndominium can vary significantly depending on the size, how much of the work you do yourself, and the finishes you choose.

Is it possible to build a barndominium for 100K? ›

It is not an impossibility that you can build a barndominium for 100K. However, it is not too common. If you seek to go that route, you need to cut down on expenses and do most of the work yourself. You will need to find the right piece of land to erect your barndominium.

Are barndominiums worth the money? ›

Many barndominiums are luxurious and well-built, using high quality materials and incorporating modern design elements. In fact, the strength and longevity of a barndominium can often exceed that of a traditional house due to the use of steel framing.

What are the negatives of barndominiums? ›

If you're considering building or buying a barndominium, consider this list of downsides before you sign your name on a dotted line:
  • Location Limitations. ...
  • Financing. ...
  • Corrosion. ...
  • Noise. ...
  • UV Exposure. ...
  • Wiring Challenges. ...
  • Reselling.
Oct 19, 2022

Do barndominiums have mold issues? ›

Due to the nonporous nature of steel buildings, barndominium owners often note increased condensation around the interior of their windows. This condensation can also penetrate drywall. If that happens, you will have a bigger problem on your hands: mold.

Are barndominiums hard to insure? ›

Insurance can be complicated for barndominium homes. According to Barndominium.org, not all insurers cover barndos, especially if they're mixed-use instead of residential only, and those that do might have barndo-specific policies.

Why shouldn't you build a barndominium? ›

List of the Cons of a Barndominium
  • Barndominiums are not immune to corrosion. ...
  • There is still a cost element to consider with barndominiums. ...
  • Some cities may not allow you to build a barndominium. ...
  • Most barndominiums are single-story homes. ...
  • You don't receive the same perks as you would with the typical condo community.
Dec 30, 2023

Are barndominiums bad investments? ›

In summary, barndominiums make wise value investments thanks to lower initial costs per square foot, flexible use cases, and rising property demands over upcoming years as inventories remain limited. Position your unique barndominium advantageously to reap financial returns for the decades ahead!

Is it cheaper to build a barndominium or a house? ›

The most common estimate asserts that a new barndominium with basic amenities will cost about $30 to $40 per square foot to build, compared to the cost of building a traditional home is around $100 to $200 per square foot.

Are barndominiums hard to sell? ›

**Selling Challenges and How to Overcome Them**

Initially, barndominiums faced skepticism from traditional homebuyers and real estate professionals due to their unconventional nature. Concerns about financing, insurance, and resale value were prevalent, potentially making them harder to sell.

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