Building a Barndominium on a Budget: 6 Expert Tips to Consider To Save Money - Barndominium Homes (2025)

Building a barndominium is a great way to get the home of your dreams. Many people consider building their own house but very few ever go through with it. This is most likely because a custom home build can be very expensive. That’s why knowing how to build a barndominium on a budget can be incredibly helpful.

Building a Barndominium on a Budget: 6 Expert Tips to Consider To Save Money - Barndominium Homes (1)

While building a barndominium is already cheaper than a traditional home, there are ways to save further. By understanding how you can cut costs, you can build your barndo on the cheap. In this article, we have laid out some methods for building a barndominium on a budget. Using some of these tips can help make your barndominium build much more accessible.

How to Build a Barndominium on a Budget

Consider Doing Work Yourself

Perhaps the best way to save money on your barndominium is to do some of the work yourself. One of the nice things about a barndominium is the fact that they are less expensive in general. If you manage to take on some of the labor yourself, you can cut down on that cost even more. Barndominiums are relatively easy to build and much of the work is quite simple.

Some of the things you can do yourself on your barndominium include designing your floor plan, windows, and framing. You can also usually do the barndominium insulation without any issues. However, for things like the concrete slab and other structural jobs, it is best to have a professional do them. This will ensure that your barndominium is safe and that you won’t be in violation of building codes.

Build in the Cheapest States

One of the best ways to build a barndominium on a budget is to build in an inexpensive state. Not all states have the same prices when it comes to labor and materials. Some states, such as Ohio, are very inexpensive for builders of homes. If you want to save as much money as possible, this is going to be your best bet.

While it may not always be possible to relocate just to build a home, it is worth considering. If you can end up saving enough money on your project, you could justify the cost of relocation. In many cases, you could end up paying less than $100 per square foot. This is much cheaper than a traditional home, even in some of the cheaper states.

Use a Barndominium Kit

Building a Barndominium on a Budget: 6 Expert Tips to Consider To Save Money - Barndominium Homes (3)

Barndominiums come in all shapes and sizes and have a lot of different options. One of the options you have available to you is to use a barndominium kit. Barndo kits are completely prefabricated and have all the parts and materials you will need. They get delivered straight to your build site and have detailed instructions for the build process.

One of the nice things about using a barndominium kit is the fact that it can save a lot of time. In the construction business, time is money and it is crucial that you save as much as possible. If you get a kit, you won’t have to worry about things like sourcing materials or parts. Everything will come right to you and you can get started right away.

Check our how affordable a barndominium kit under 50k is.

Hire an Experienced Builder

If you want to build a barndominium on a budget, the best thing you can do is hire an experienced builder. While this may seem counterintuitive, spending more on an experienced builder can save you money. Most construction companies will be experienced with building traditional homes. However, not all of them will know how to build a barndominium, which can be an issue.

Hiring an experienced builder will help you get the job done right the first time. If you hire a builder who doesn’t know all the ins and outs of the barndominium process, you could have problems. This can force you to have work redone, which can be a major expense. By hiring the right builder, you can get the job done right and spend the least amount of money.

Make Your Home Energy Efficient

When building a barndominium on a budget, it is important that you consider the whole project. This not only includes the building itself, but also the appliances and utilities. The total cost of the home will include the price of power and the amount you spend on everyday use. Because of this, making your home energy efficient will reduce the total cost.

Building a Barndominium on a Budget: 6 Expert Tips to Consider To Save Money - Barndominium Homes (4)

One of the best ways to make your home energy efficient is to get efficient appliances. While you may have to spend a little more money upfront, you will save more in the long run. Just like with the builder, spending more can end up saving you more.

Plan Ahead

If you truly want to build a barndominium on a budget, planning ahead is very important. Having a detailed construction plan will help you save money on both materials and labor. Planning for your project will allow you to spend the least amount of money on things like parts and tools. You will know exactly what you need to buy and how much it is going to cost.

Having a complete construction plan will also help save you money on your loan. Any bank that you get financing through will want to know what your plans are. Having the best possible planning package will help you get a better loan. This will save you a lot of money on interest and help you build a barndominium on a budget.

Conclusion

By understanding how you can build a barndominium on a budget, you can get your home built cheaply. Since many people gravitate towards these homes for the price, it is important to know how you can save. Getting the best possible price for your barndo will make it much more accessible to you.

If you would like even more guides like this one, be sure to check out the rest of Barndominiums.co. There, you will find helpful tips and tricks from the pros as well as featured barndominiums, and a detailed guide on barndominium insurance. These featured homes can get you inspired and get you thinking about your own custom barndo.

Building a Barndominium on a Budget: 6 Expert Tips to Consider To Save Money - Barndominium Homes (2025)

FAQs

Building a Barndominium on a Budget: 6 Expert Tips to Consider To Save Money - Barndominium Homes? ›

Pros of barndominiums include a cheaper cost, fully customizable space, and lower maintenance. They're also highly durable with lots of extra room and are a more eco-friendly housing option. Meanwhile, cons include higher upfront costs, difficulties finding financing, and not all cities allow them.

What is the downside to a barndominium? ›

Pros of barndominiums include a cheaper cost, fully customizable space, and lower maintenance. They're also highly durable with lots of extra room and are a more eco-friendly housing option. Meanwhile, cons include higher upfront costs, difficulties finding financing, and not all cities allow them.

What is the most expensive part of a barndominium? ›

What is the most expensive part of building a barndominium? The most expensive part of building a barndominium is often the interior finishes. Customization, high-end materials, and intricate designs can significantly impact the overall cost.

What is the most cost effective barndominium? ›

Generally the most cost-effective barndominium size falls between 1,500-2,500 square feet. The Average size Barndominium in the US falls around 2500sqft as well.

Why are barndominiums so cheap? ›

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 do I wish I knew before building a barndominium? ›

Here are the most important things to know about building a barndominium.
  • Obtain a permit for your project. Photo by Bridger Steel, Inc. ...
  • Test the paint. Photo by Justin Doyle Homes. ...
  • Prepare for surprise costs. ...
  • Plan for electrical work. ...
  • Choose your windows and doors wisely. ...
  • Add insulation—it's important.
Mar 14, 2022

What is the problem with the barndominium? ›

Without adequate insulation, these structures can become uncomfortably hot in the summer and chilly in the winter, resulting in increased heating and cooling costs. 2. High Maintenance: Barndominiums often feature metal exteriors, which can require more maintenance than traditional siding materials.

Are barndominiums prone to mold? ›

Barndominiums offer a blend of rustic aesthetics and modern living that appeals to many homeowners. However, like any other type of construction, they are susceptible to mold growth if not properly designed, constructed, and maintained.

How much does a 30x40 barndominium cost? ›

Barndominium kit prices
DimensionsSquare footageUnfinished kit costs*
30x401,200$36,000 – $60,000
40x401,600$48,000 – $80,000
40x602,400$72,000 – $120,000
40x702,800$84,000 – $140,000
6 more rows
Oct 13, 2023

Are barndominiums safe in a tornado? ›

Constructed with metal, a barndo offers superior protection from severe weather. The steel structure of a steel barndominium has a higher wind resistance than a conventional wood frame home. While the metal integrity of your home can endure a tornado, the windows and doors may not.

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.

How big of a barndominium can I build for 200K? ›

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.

Do you save money building a barndominium? ›

Is A Barndominium Cheaper Than A House? Barndominiums can be cheaper than traditional homes as a future barndominium owner has the option to be their own general contractor and buy a barndominium house plan directly online, saving anywhere from 15-20%.

What are the pros and cons of a barndominium? ›

The benefits of barndominiums encompass their lower cost, customization flexibility, reduced maintenance, robustness, spaciousness, and eco-friendliness. On the flip side, they come with certain drawbacks like increased initial expenses, potential hurdles in securing loans, and restrictions in certain urban areas.

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.

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.

Is building a barndominium a good investment? ›

A barndominium is a wise investment if you plan on entering the Los Angeles real estate scene. Barndominiums are cheaper and easier to build than conventional houses, are low maintenance, and are more durable against earthquakes and fires. They are also unique and will set you apart from other real estate investors.

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