Building a barndominium costs $230,000 on average, but prices can go between $112,800 and $504,000. Prices depend on the size of the barndominium, the cost of materials, and labor expenses.
A barndominium costs $230,000 on average, though your actual cost will vary depending on the size of your home and the features you choose. Often referred to as “barndos”, they are typically defined as metal residential houses that resemble barns. Some even double as a living space and a working barn—including stables, riding arenas, and tractor supply storage. For a small, simple barndominium, you may pay as little as $112,800. But if you want to build a large one with all the bells and whistles, a barndominium could cost upwards of $504,000.
As with any home build, a variety of factors contribute to the total price.
Barndominiums are often built using kits that provide the metal shell for the home. These kits come in a variety of standard sizes that increase in price as the square footage increases. Below is a look at average price ranges for various kit sizes.
| Dimensions | Square Footage | Average Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| 30 ft. x 40 ft. | 1,200 sq. ft. | $112,800 – $144,000 |
| 40 ft. x 60 ft. | 2,400 sq. ft. | $225,600 – $288,000 |
| 40 ft. x 75 ft. | 3,000 sq. ft. | $282,000 – $360,000 |
| 60 ft. x 60 ft. | 3,600 sq. ft. | $338,400 – $432,000 |
| 60 ft. x 70 ft. | 4,200 sq. ft. | $394,800 – $504,000 |
Building material costs for barndominiums are less than for most new homes, thanks to the availability of kits. Standard kits cost between $5,000 and $350,000 and can be assembled in 10 days. Everything for a home’s exterior is included, such as the walls, roof, framed openings for windows and doors, siding, structural elements like steel columns, and hardware.
Even with a kit, you will still need to account for all the materials needed to finish the interior, which can run you anywhere from $25,400 to $100,700 in total. You will also pay separately for custom doors and windows.
| Construction Task | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Foundation | $4,000–$12,500 |
| Insulation | $1,100–$2,400 |
| Plumbing | $400–$1,900 |
| Sewer and Septic | $2,000–$9,500 |
| Electrical | $600–$2,200 |
| HVAC | $2,600–$13,500 |
| Roofing | $5,400–$10,700 |
| Flooring | $7,000–$28,500 |
| Drywall and Interior | $5,000–$30,000 |
| Total | $32,000–$266,200 |
Even if you plan to do much of the interior work yourself, there are still several parts of a barndominium build that will require licensed professional labor. Exact prices vary based on where you live, but below are average cost ranges for each subcontractor you may need to hire.
General contractor costs: 10% to 20% of total project cost
Architect cost: $125–$250 per hour
Interior designer cost: $50–$200 per hour
Landscape designer cost: $50–$150 per hour
Electrician cost: $50–$100 per hour
Plumber cost: $180–$500 per hour
Hiring a general contractor to oversee your barndominium project can ensure you get quality professional labor and stick to your planned timeline. Expect to pay a contractor an additional 10% to 20% on top of the project total.
Land costs range widely depending on the lot size and location. On average, it costs $75,000 to buy a piece of land, but it may range anywhere between $2,000 to $500,000 or more. When looking at land to buy for your new barndominium, consider things like road access, property zoning, and land topography. Additionally, keep an eye on the availability of public utilities, land tax costs, easements, and mineral rights.
Before you can start building on your land, you need to clear the land. If your lot is already vacant, you will not have to invest any money to get this done. Otherwise, you can expect to pay an average of $3,000.
Residential zoning rules in your city or county may require you to obtain specific building permits for a large metal structure like a barndominium, to add a new building to a property, to excavate or pour a concrete foundation, or to install plumbing. Permit prices are usually based on square footage or estimated building costs and tend to range from $1,200 to $2,000.
Part of the barndominium building process is choosing where to build. Erecting large metal structures in developed residential areas can be difficult due to zoning laws, so you may wish to purchase land. Your home will also need access from a public road. If you purchase land with no road, you will need to build one. Asphalt roads cost $70 to $170 per foot, while gravel roads are only $14 to $25 per foot.
Once you know whether you want to use a barndominium kit or go with a custom build, you will have a better idea of your project costs. Here are the three main options.
Building a barndominium from scratch involves multiple steps, including securing your own blueprint, sourcing all building materials, and hiring a contractor.
Barndominium blueprint cost: $50–$2,000
A barndominium blueprint is a detailed design plan created by a professional architecture company. You will need a blueprint if you decide to build your barndo from scratch. Blueprint costs will vary depending on its size and the level of customization you request.
Materials cost: $25,400–$100,700
Materials for a barndominium construction project include siding, roofing, structural elements, etc.
Contractor cost: $29,000–$58,000
A general contractor oversees the entire building process. They use their knowledge and network to hire the best builders and construction professionals in your price range while making sure everything goes according to the project plan and timeline. You can typically expect to pay a contractor an additional 10% to 20% percent of the project total.
DIY kits involve fewer steps when compared to building one from scratch. This option also tends to be less expensive, especially if you choose to do the build on your own instead of hiring installers.
DIY barndominium kit: $20,000–$90,000+
This cost will vary depending on the barndominium size and complexity. Location and delivery distance can cause the cost to fluctuate as well.
If you lack the construction skills or tools required to build out your barndominium kit, there are installation services available to do the assembly for you.
Barndominium kit: $20,000–$90,000+
Barndominium kit prices tend to be much less expensive than other new-build options. Small barndominiums can start as low as $20,000 and increase in price with size and complexity.
Professional assembly: $25,000–$50,000 extra
While kits provide all the materials needed to build the barndominium shell, they still require time, tools, and construction skills you may not have. If you hire a professional to build your barndominium kit, expect to spend $25,000 to $50,000 on their labor alone. Save time and stress by hiring a local general contractor to assemble your barndominium kit for you quickly.
| Barndominium Type | Materials Cost | Labor Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Build From Scratch | $25,450–$102,700 | $29,000–$58,000 |
| DIY Barndominium Kit | $20,000–$90,000+ | $85–$95 per square foot for specialized work |
| Barndominium Kit With Professional Assembly | $20,000–$90,000+ | $25,000–$50,000 |
If the cost to build a barn is more than you were hoping for, you can save on labor costs by going the DIY route. Many kits are pre-engineered with instructions that allow you to assemble the shell for your home like a jigsaw puzzle. If you have the proper skills and tools, you can do many of the finishing tasks such as laying floors, tiling, painting walls, and installing cabinets.
Keep in mind, however, that you will still need to leave much of the specialized labor to licensed professionals, including electrical, HVAC, and plumbing work. Working with a skilled local contractor can help you coordinate all these service providers and ensure that your home meets all local building codes, structural regulations, and safety standards.
Even if you do much of the work yourself, expect to pay $85 to $95 per square foot for specialized services that require a licensed pro. If you hire a general contractor, you will pay about $150 to $190 per square foot to get your barndominium move-in ready.
Since building a barndominium requires a lot of work and different skill sets, it may be a job best left to the pros. If you have decided to skip the DIY this time around, you can hire a barn builder near you to make sure the job gets done right.
Average barndominiums last between 50 and 150 years depending on the materials they are made from, how well they are maintained, and the environment they are built in. Barndominiums are very durable and have a much longer lifespan than traditional wood homes. With proper care and maintenance, well-built barndominium homes can last generations.
Yes, barndominiums can be two stories. Blueprints for barndominiums can safely support multiple stories or vaulted ceiling heights of 14 feet or more. Barndominiums are prized for their ability to be modified and customized to suit the builder’s preferences, and many barndominium construction companies offer a variety of different floor plans to choose from.
Yes, barndominiums can have basements. Barndominiums are typically built over concrete slabs, so barndo basements are not very common. However, it is possible to include a basement in a barndominium blueprint as long as you’re building completely from scratch. Barndos can have the same types of basements as traditional homes, including full or walk-out basements.
Yes, barndominiums are designed to withstand strong weather and severe storms if they are built properly by trained professionals. Most barndominiums are made up of a steel structure that can protect a building from winds of up to 150 miles per hour and resist a variety of weather conditions without a major risk of structural damage to the exterior, foundation, or frame.
Yes, barndominiums are energy-efficient as long as insulation professionals properly install quality insulation, windows, and doors. Utility bills for barndo living can be up to 50% lower than those for a traditional home. Make your barndo more energy efficient by working with contractors and HVAC professionals to strategically place windows, doors, and heating/cooling systems.
