How Much Does It Cost to Build a Barn? [2024 Data]

Cost Factors of Building a Barn  

Here are all of the different cost factors you should keep in mind when estimating the costs of building a barn.

Size of the Barn

Building a barn costs $15 to $200 per square foot. Depending on how much land you have available and what you intend to store inside the barn, you may choose a barn with more square footage. Below are various common barn sizes homeowners choose to build and the cost range for each. A small, simple pole barn will be on the lower end, while a fully functional “barndominium” living space will be on the higher end.

Material Prices

Barns are often constructed from metal, wood, or timber frames, and some materials are more expensive than others. For example, a metal barn costs $5 to $50 per square foot, compared to $20 to $100 per square foot for wood and $50 to $100 per square foot for timber.

Labor

The number of subcontractors you need to hire will depend on your permitting requirements, the type of barn you are building, and what kind of amenities you will have inside.

For smaller projects, you are likely going to need a general contractor, their helpers, an electrician, a plumber, a carpenter, and a structural engineer. If you are planning on doing a bigger project like building a barndominium, then you may consider hiring a construction manager to help oversee all of the moving parts.

Site Prep 

Site preparation costs include a variety of different tasks, such as permits, a survey, land clearing, excavation, and more. It will cost more to prepare a site that is sloped with heavy shrubbery than an empty, fairly level lot.

Finishes 

Here are the common finishes you will need to account for when building a barn. They cost anywhere from $0.30 to $30 per square foot.

Permits

Depending on the barn’s square footage, you may need a permit to build a structure on your property. Permits often have fees. The typical cost for a building permit ranges from $424 to $2,291, but some areas may charge a percentage of your overall project cost if it is a large barn.

Each city and state has its own costs and requirements for building permits and licenses, so it is a good idea to check with your area’s requirements or inquire with your homeowners’ association, if applicable, before starting your project.

Accessories and Add-Ons

You might opt for some extra features that have an additional cost based on what you plan to use the structure for. Accessories vary by location and the barn’s intended use. If you are building a barn for animals and it gets cold where you live, you may want to consider ways to help keep them warm in harsh winter weather. It is the same in summer; large circulation fans will keep animals cool in the heat.

Even if you are just using the barn as a space to store things and work on projects, consider how the structure needs to be wired with electricity to provide lighting and some sort of heating and cooling options, so that it is comfortable throughout the seasons.

Barn Kit vs. Custom Build 

Barn kits are a good option for DIYers because they provide all building materials and the instructions you need to build. You can expect the kit to cost $10 to $30 per square foot.

Custom-built barns, on the other hand, cost $15 to $200 per square foot including labor. This option allows you to build the exact barn you want, including the floor plan and materials. Also, many custom-built barns come with a warranty, while barn kits usually do not come with any guarantees.

Unless you are building a very simple barn, it is likely better to go with a custom build. Even with a barn kit, you may need to end up hiring pros to help you with different aspects of the project. And doing things yourself is a great way to save money, but you have to know how to do it right to avoid issues down the road.

Barn Cost by Type

Photo: Kristina Blokhin / Adobe Stock

Before you decide which type of barn is right for you, consider barn building costs of each and its intended use.

Pole Barn

Pole barns cost anywhere from $7,000 to $48,000, making the pole barn generally the least expensive type of barn to build. A pole barn gives you a structure within a relatively low budget. This type of barn uses metal or wood posts to anchor the structure in the ground rather than pouring a concrete foundation, making it easier and more affordable to build. A concrete foundation costs $4 to $25 per square foot on average.

Modular Barn

Modular barns are usually made of metal and designed to be easily put together. The modular nature of this type of barn allows for some customization to give you a layout that best suits your needs for the space. They are often prebuilt in a kit, so all the homeowner has to do is assemble the structure.

Storage Barn

A storage barn or shed is less costly than a livestock barn because of its wide-open space to store vehicles like combines, tractors, lawnmowers, trucks, or smaller items like equipment. A storage barn may also feature shelving, wall hooks, and creative storage spaces.

Livestock or Horse Barn

Many barns can be used to house animals, but horse barns in particular cost more than others. This is because horse stalls take up more space than, say, a hog pen, and you will also need room to store hay and other types of feed. To save money, consider purchasing a prefabricated horse barn (similar to a modular barn), which costs $20 to $50 per square foot and comes as a ready-to-assemble kit that you can put together yourself or with the help of a pro.

Barndominium

According to HomeAdvisor, a barndominium, or barn house, costs approximately $73,400 to $228,000, which entails more than an average barn. A barndominium requires electrical, plumbing, insulation, and heating and cooling the same way a home would, since it is used as living quarters. This barn type also requires more interior walls and doors, unlike a typical barn or shed with a lot of open space inside.

Barn Pricing by Use 

There are lots of different reasons why you might need a barn. Here are the average costs you can expect to pay, depending on the usage type.

Storage Shed or Barn

Storage barns cost $20 to $50 per square foot. These are the most basic barns, and you can build something simple and low-cost or add climate control for storing temperature-sensitive goods. Whether it is for an overflow of your household items or for your farming equipment, you can save a lot of money by building your own storage barn rather than renting a storage unit in town.

Hay Barn 

Hay barns cost $20 to $25 per square foot to build. They allow you to store hay properly and keep it dry. A well-designed hay barn provides plenty of ventilation while minimizing moisture buildup.

Hog Barn

Building a hog barn costs $20 to $60 per square foot. These barns usually have features like good ventilation systems and retractable curtains for fresh air and light. In areas with extreme weather, you may need climate control.

Horse Barn  

Horse barns cost $20 to $60 per square foot, while riding rings cost $100 to $250 per square foot. Most horse barns have stalls, as well as a tack room for your riding equipment, a drive bay, a silo, and grain bins.

Cattle Barn 

Cattle barns are specifically designed to house livestock like dairy cows and beef cattle. They usually have single-pitched roofs and may be open or closed. The open cattle barns have three walls, while the closed ones have four. Both barn types keep your cows protected from harsh weather year-round. These barns cost $400 to $1,600 per head of cattle. 

Barn House 

Barn houses, often called barndominiums, are a popular option for those seeking a country-inspired home. Barnodomiums cost $65 to $160 per square foot for materials and labor, while kits cost $20 to $35 per square foot.

Barn Gym 

Are you into fitness? If you would like to upgrade your home gym, building a barn gym could be a great idea. These cost $40 to $65 per square foot and provide you with a high-ceilinged space for your workout equipment.

Cost to Build a Barn Yourself

Photo: Heather / Adobe Stock

Once you decide what type of barn you want to build and how big, you can decide if this project is simple enough to complete on your own or if you need to hire a barn builder near you.

The labor cost for barn construction ranges from $10 to $75 per square foot, depending on the type of work needed. So, if you build the barn yourself, for the most part, you can save on this labor cost.

Even if you build the barn yourself, you will still have to hire a local licensed electrician (which costs $50 to $100 per hour) to ensure the electrical installation is compliant with building codes and to avoid any fire hazards. If you go with a pro, be sure to look at ratings and reviews for any contractors you are considering.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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