Some words are just fun to say, like barndominium. If you’re not sure what it is, think of a residential building that looks just like a barn. Also known as a barndo, the structures are gaining in popularity. You get plenty of storage space, along with living quarters perfect for guests.
You can even use the living space in a barndominium to house adult children who aren’t quite ready to leave the proverbial nest. This brings us to estimating the average cost of a barndominium. How much can you expect to spend on everything from materials to installation?
What’s the Average Cost of a Barndominium?
Okay, you’re probably going to want to take a deep breath and maybe even sit down. The average cost of a barndominium is around $230,000. Yep, this is about the price of a two or three-bedroom home in some neighborhoods. Before you start gasping at the average cost, remember a barndominium essentially serves two purposes. You get storage or workspace along with living quarters.
The cost of a barndominium also isn’t set in stone. If you want to include all of the possible bells and whistles, like horse stalls and even a riding arena, the cost can easily creep up to $500,000 and more. On the other hand, if you don’t need all of the features, a small barndominium can be relatively cheap at around $112,000. Some new model vehicles cost more than a small barndominium, just to give you some perspective.
Breaking Down the Cost of a Barndominium
Several factors can impact the cost of a barndominium. Some you may be able to reduce or even eliminate, others you’re unfortunately stuck with.
Size
Chances are you’re going to use a barndominium kit. This eliminates the need to pay for blueprints. You’re also not really limited by the barndominium’s size. You can go as small as 30 ft. x 40 ft. This gives you a square footage of around 1,200 feet. Do you need more space? No problem, prefab kits can have square footage of up to 4,200 ft. If this still isn’t enough space, you can also design a custom-sized barndominium. However, this is obviously going to up the cost.
Materials
You always have the option of buying the materials separately. If you go this route, keep your credit card handy; it’s going to see a ton of action. The easier and more cost-effective route is to stick with a kit.
Everything you need is conveniently included. You get the walls, roof, steel support columns, and all the necessary hardware. Even the openings for the doors and windows are included. The only potential downside is that kits only come with exterior materials. It’s up to you to handle the interior. Unfortunately, this is often when you start seeing an uptick in costs. You’re responsible for everything from the fixtures to the insulation and wall coverings.
So, how much does it generally run? You can spend, on average, anywhere from $25,000 to $100,000 on the barndominium’s interior. Yep, this is on top of the kit’s cost. The total cost typically depends on the barndominium’s size.
Labor
Some projects are DIY tasks, but this probably doesn’t apply to your barndominium. Even a kit usually requires bringing in the professionals. At the very least, you’re going to need an electrician and plumber. The living space needs electricity and running water. These are projects you legally can’t tackle unless you’re a licensed plumber and electrician.
So, along with the hourly cost of an electrician and plumber, you’re probably also going to need a general contractor. This is another expense, usually around 10% to 20% of the total project cost. You may be able to skip hiring an interior designer and professional landscaper. If you’re using a barndominium kit, you can also skip paying an architect.
Even though you can reduce overall labor costs, you’re probably not going to be able to get rid of all the associated expenses.
Prepping the Site
Even if the land is perfectly flat, it’s not ready for the barndominium. You’re still going to need to clear away any debris and pack the ground down for the foundation. This may be something you can tackle in the afternoon without paying for outside help. However, if the area is covered in trees and dense thickets, you may not be able to tackle the project on your own.
Some trees, like weeping willows, can have tap roots going down 60 feet or more. This isn’t something you can dig up with a shovel and a few friends. Paying for land clearing isn’t exactly cheap. You should expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a couple of thousand.
Building Permits
If you’re still on the fence about hiring a general contractor, this can be a great reason to bring one in.
You’re probably going to need at least one building permit for the barndominium. You’re also going to need to pass some inspections during and after the installation process. If you get something wrong, fines may be the least of your worries. The building inspector may force you to tear the barndominium down and start over. No, this isn’t covered in your initial costs, so get the credit card ready again.
A general contractor can handle getting all of the necessary permits. They can also ensure the project is staying within area building codes. How much are permits going to run you? These vary by municipality but average anywhere from $1,200 to $2,000.
The Location
Where you decide to install your barndominium can affect the overall cost. You may need to add an access road, but it’s not exactly free. Asphalt roads provide a smoother ride, but the material can run you anywhere from $70 to $170 per foot. Gravel roads may be a little bumpy, but you can see significant savings. Compared to asphalt, you usually only pay between $15 to $25 per foot for a gravel road.
Now that you have a better idea of what you’re going to pay for your barndominium, it’s time to start planning your budget.
