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Last Updated on August 22, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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Here is why Barndominiums are more cost-effective than Traditional Homes
It’s no secret that building a home and preparing to move can be a pretty costly experience. One of the ways to split those costs in half is by going with an alternative housing option to traditional homes, barndominiums more cost-effective. Barndominiums are relatively cheap when it comes to homes, but how are they able to help cut costs? Keep reading to find out how and why barn homes might be the key to your dream home on a budget.
What Are Barn Homes?
Before deciding if they’re your best conventional home alternative, let’s go over what exactly barn homes are. They are usually steel, metal, or wood barn structures with converted inside living quarters. Known as barndominiums or barndo, these structures provide a fresh, natural space for all those lucky enough to visit.
Cost of Barndominiums
While their rustic feel and sturdy materials make for a great living space, most people gravitate towards barndominiums for their money-saving costs. Building a traditional home can run you upwards of $600,000, while a cheap barndominium can usually be built for under $150,000. Any home is a major investment, but why not reduce these costs for a space that’s just as great?
Let’s review some of the barn home-building steps and how much east can cost. The first element of cost that needs to be considered is the price of land. It’s pricy, its location is crucial, and you’ve got to have it before you can build. While barndominium prices vary from state to state, the average cost for land is around $12,000 an acre.
Another component that can vary costs is the building materials, and labor workers used. If you’re using a steel barndominium build, expect to pay between $7-25 per square foot. Wood is known as a cheaper alternative, although it can contribute to quicker wear and tear. Steel costs more upfront but will provide you with 50+ years of life in the barndo with little to no maintenance.
Other elements of the cost for barn-style homes include plumbing, wiring, and insulation. Typically, installing wiring and plumbing will be the same price as any conventional home. However, insulation is a bit cheaper at $2-7 per square foot. Reviewing all these costs, it’s clear that an inexpensive barndominium can assist builders in creating a realistic dream home.
Barndominiums on a Budget
Just because barndominiums are more affordable compared to traditional homes, doesn’t mean they’re a quick trip to the dollar store, right? Building a home is a huge investment, so let’s find some ways to cut costs even more. While there are special barndominium builders, the best way to go about saving money is to go the DIY route. There are tons of different cheap barndominium kits to choose from.
Certain stores even have customizable kits, so making the perfect home has never been easier! Customization allows builders to cater to your style, stay within the budget, and utilize your space. Most kits range within the $20,000 to $40,000 range. Still pretty pricy, but who doesn’t want to customize their barn home?
Aside from DIY kits to make barndominium cheap, there are a few other things you can do to reduce the cost of barndos. Take advantage of what’s already out there and check out some premade blueprints. Perhaps your perfect home layout already exists and is just waiting for you to find it. Another thing is if you’re not DIY’ing it, consider buying your own materials instead of having builders supply them.
Lastly, flooring options can play a role in how much money your metal barn homes end up costing. While wood floors can offer a beautiful vibe, they aren’t the cheapest option. Consider going with laminate flooring, because it looks like wood, but costs much less.
Cheapest Ways to Build a Barndominium
Now that we’ve gone over what steps to take so this project doesn’t break the bank, let’s get into the steps of building barn-style homes. There are three main sections to consider when starting this process. After planning out your build, it’s essential to start with the foundation.
1. Choose a Location
Before you can get to pouring the foundation and picking furniture, it’s important to choose a primal location for your home site. Location can affect certain aspects of the construction process. Also mind that in some places, you will likely need a permit to build a barndominium.
2. Prepare the Building Site
Once the kit arrives, it’s not time to dive into the building just yet! When all the materials are ready, barndominium builders and homeowners should make any last-minute land modifications. You’ll need an excavator to come in and even out the land for a stable, level home foundation.
3. Planning, Permits, and Approval
Now that your plot of land is ready, it’s time to plan out that perfect home. Either browse for existing floor plans or create your affordable barndominium plans. If you’ve got builders helping along the way, they’ll be a part of this process as well. While executing this step, it’s also a smart idea to talk to everyone on board with the project about a timeline. Builders may be able to give you a building start date and an estimate of how long each step of the building process will take.
Floor plans and timelines can then be presented to local regulators and apply for permits. While you’ve got all that barndominium house paperwork, head over to the bank to obtain financing. These two steps will ensure that you’ve got the funds and the permission to keep going. This is a great time to check barndominium kit prices before it’s time to build.
4. Constructing the Barndominium
Upon the beginning of construction, you’ll start to notice your money being saved. The process moves quickly, and before you know it, your barndo will go from a concrete foundation to a stunning home. After the slab or foundation, the house gets framed pretty quickly. Then, the exterior siding gets completed, and that’s it for the shell!
Here’s where the fun part comes in: assembling and customizing the inside of your barn home! You may feel discouraged since it’s a slow part of the process, but that’s only because you need experts’ help. Plumbers, contractors, electricians, painters, etc., will have to be scheduled around each other in the proper order. For a cheap barndominium interior, check out deals from local companies or put some of your expertise to work! This part of the process can take up to a few months, so be prepared because unfortunately, barn home kits don’t come for plumbing.
5. Move Into Your Barn Home!
Now that all the hard work is complete, all that’s left to do is celebrate the accomplishment. Once the interior of the space is completed, it’s time to move in and enjoy. Bring in furniture and barndominium designs that show the sparkle of your personality. Whether you’re bringing a U-Haul from the old house or going on an Ikea shopping spree to furnish the place, everything will feel so fresh and beautiful in your new space.
If you’re not DIY barndo kit shopping, what are you waiting for? The opportunity to build a beautiful house at a more affordable price awaits you! Hopefully, this guide helped set a budget so that cultivating a new, beautiful space doesn’t feel impossible. Wishing you the best of luck on your barn home-building journey! PS. Don’t forget to browse Crow Survival for more content on all things barndominium life.
