Keeping Your Barndominium on Budget: Expert Tips To Keep Your Build Affordable (2024)

Building a barndominium can be an affordable way to create a delightful living space for your family. However, it’s important to keep your budget in mind while you’re planning and building. Here are some tips on how to keep your barndominium on budget.

Keeping Your Barndominium on Budget: Expert Tips To Keep Your Build Affordable (1)

Building a barndominium can be a great way to get the home of your dreams while staying on budget. Here are a few tips to help you build your barndominium on a budget:

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Get Creative With Your Design

There are a lot of ways to save money when designing a barndominium, so get creative and explore all your options.See what different floor plans would best fit your needs and then price them out. You may have to switch up your floor plan options due to the cost that would go into building the layout. An open floor plan tends to cost less because it requires fewer materials for walls and dividing out room space.

Use A Kit

Building a barndominium on a budget can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. One of these tricks is purchasing a barndominium kit instead of starting from scratch. Building a barndominium on your budget can be very rewarding and give you the chance to pick out some great designs, Buying all those expensive materials you’ll need for an entire project can become costly as well as take up hours or even days! By purchasing a kit you are not only saving money but you are also saving time.

Most Kits include the following:

  • Framing
  • Exterior sheeting
  • Trim
  • Fasteners
  • Closures
  • Interior layouts

Shop Around For The Best Prices on Supplies and Materials

When you shop around for the best prices on materials you can really help keep your spending on budget when building your barndominium. This includes everything from lumber to roofing materials.

Build A Modest Barndominium

Keeping Your Barndominium on Budget: Expert Tips To Keep Your Build Affordable (2)

Choosing a smaller size barndominium is an easy way to help reduce the amount of money you spend on materials, supplies, and even land. With all homes, the pricing is typically determined by the amount of square footage.

On average, you will find that to build a barndominium you are going to spend on average 30 to 40 dollars per square footage. By reducing your square footage and building a more modest barndominium, you will definitely see a reduction in the final cost. A lower amount of money needing to be spent can really help you stay within your projected budget.

Hire a Reputable Builder

A good builder will be able to work with you to create a barndominium that meets your needs and budget.

The best thing you can do when building your home on a budget is to avoid redoing work. If possible, try doing things right the first time so that money isn’t wasted in later stages of construction and helps get costs down for a successful project!

Building a barndominium is not an easy task. You need to make sure that you hire the right builder for this kind of job as there are many homebuilders out in today’s market who specialize only in single-family homes and don’t know much about building barndominiums at all! If possible, try looking up builders by location because if they have experience working with projects like yours then they would be the best fit for you.

Do Work Yourself

There are many ways to save money and build your barndominium on a budget. One of the best is doing some work yourself, such as any structural or carpentry jobs that require professional assistance but not much more than patience and research for those simple tasks you can handle! Taking these responsibilities will help cut down thousands in long-term expenses.

Something to consider doing yourself that can save you a lot of money is the landscaping after your home is built. Landscaping is hard work but it isn’t that costly when you buy all the supplies yourself. Hiring this out can get costly. So if you are looking to save money when it comes to building your next home, consider doing a lot of the work you are capable of yourself.


Just remember for things that really do require a professional, just do it! You will be less stressed and your home will be completed faster.

Track Expenses

Stay on top of your budget. Be sure to track all your expenses throughout the building process so that you can stay on budget.

You can create a barndominium budget by tracking all spending. Make sure to keep an up-to-date spreadsheet with everything that is spent, so you will know what’s going on every step of the way.

Also, keep a ledger of what was expected to be spent and what was spent so far. That way you can see if you need to possibly make a different decision in flooring or even as simple as window shades for your home. Knowing where you are in your spending can really help you stay on track.

You’ll want to make sure you keep track of all your receipts, both for purchases and services rendered for your build. Some of your purchases can be tax-deductible and you want to make sure you have a record when it comes to filing your taxes.


Also, when it comes to getting insurance for your barndominium they may ask about your plumbing and wiring. Having proof of what was installed can really help you secure your home insurance.

By following these tips, you can build the barndominium of your dreams while staying on budget. So don’t be afraid to dream big, just be sure to plan accordingly and you’ll be well on your way to barndominium success.

Choose an Inexpensive State

Building your barndominium in the right state can help you save money and keep things running smoothly. For example, if you live somewhere that has higher construction costs like California then building elsewhere will prove more affordable overall because of their lower average margin rates per square foot. Also, land pricing should be a factor when choosing which state to make your home in.

Conclusion

No matter your budget when it comes to building your barndominium you can use these tips to help you build your barndominium on a budget. Ready to get started building your own barndominium? Then check out our complete guide on how to start your build ASAP and avoid costly mistakes.

Amanda Armendariz

Amanda Armendariz is an accomplished writer with a passion for all things home design and renovation. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Amanda has established herself as a leading voice in the world of barndominium living. Her work has been featured in a number of prominent publications, including Barndominium Life, where she currently serves as a contributing writer.

Amanda’s expertise extends beyond the page as well, as she has hands-on experience in the renovation and design of barndominiums. Her ability to blend practical knowledge with creative flair has made her a sought-after consultant for those looking to transform their own spaces into stunning and functional homes.

When she’s not writing or designing, Amanda can be found exploring the countryside with her husband and kids, seeking out inspiration for her next project. Her passion for the beauty and simplicity of rural living is evident in everything she does, and her commitment to helping others achieve their barndominium dreams is unmatched.

Keeping Your Barndominium on Budget: Expert Tips To Keep Your Build Affordable (2024)

FAQs

What makes a barndominium cheaper to build? ›

Barndominiums have a quality that often makes them very customizable, which is that typical barndominiums are often constructed from a metal building. Metal structures are usually less expensive to construct than traditional buildings, which is one reason why they are used so much in commercial construction.

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.

Do barndominiums hold their value? ›

Barndominiums normally retain their resale value and may even increase in value gradually, although more slowly than a standard home. However, these homes are still rare in some parts of the country, and it may be challenging to get an accurate appraisal in an area where there are few.

What is the downside to a barndominium? ›

Financing for a Barndominium Can Be Difficult To Acquire

One of the most significant drawbacks of purchasing a Barndominum instead of a traditional house is how difficult it can be to acquire financing for this type of home. If you have enough cash to front this kind of project, then that's great!

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. That is the cost of doing it yourself.

Why are barndominiums hard to finance? ›

Many USDA lenders are unfamiliar with these structures and may be reluctant to finance their purchase. Borrowers may also experience added difficulty when seeking a USDA construction loan to build a new barndominium, as some USDA lenders, including Neighbors Bank, do not offer this loan type.

Are barndominiums hard to insure? ›

Overcoming Barndominium Insurance Hurdles

Some insurers classifying barndominiums solely as agricultural barns rather than primary residences risks coverage gaps or policy denials. Providing detailed documentation clarifying intended full-time occupancy uses simplifies securing tailor-made homeowners insurance.

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.

How much does it cost to build a 2000 square foot barndominium? ›

A 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.

What is the best state to build a barndominium in? ›

Texas – Texas continues to lead the barndominium boom by a substantial margin. The state's abundance of sprawling rural land, existing agricultural buildings, and contractor expertise contribute to the heaviest concentration of new barndo builds in the country, predominantly scattered around central/hill country Texas.

What is the lifespan of a barndominium? ›

This is a common question people ask when looking into barndominiums as a housing option. When you find the right builder, use the right materials in construction, and keep up with the maintenance barndominiums can last more than 50 years, sometimes even up to 100 years, if appropriately managed.

Are barndominiums hard to resell? ›

The design and layout of a barndominium can significantly impact its resale value. A well-designed barndominium with distinct features such as exposed beams or custom finishes will have higher resale value. On the other hand, poorly designed barndominiums may be harder to sell or have lower resale value.

How many years do barndominiums last? ›

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.

Why can't you finance a barndominium? ›

Many USDA lenders are unfamiliar with these structures and may be reluctant to finance their purchase. Borrowers may also experience added difficulty when seeking a USDA construction loan to build a new barndominium, as some USDA lenders, including Neighbors Bank, do not offer this loan type.

How big of a barndominium can I build for 100k? ›

Maximizing open communal areas and minimizing hallway footage amplifies perceived space too. With pragmatic design selections, $100k gives hope for wonderfully livable 900-1,000 sq ft barndos in rural regions.

Are barndominiums actually cheaper? ›

In general, a barndominium costs less to build than a traditional home. In the world of home construction, it's typically accepted that barndominiums tend to come with a lower price tag than traditional houses.

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