How To Build A Barndominium On A Budget - Barndos.com (2025)

Building a barndominium can be a great way to have your own space without breaking the bank. There are a few ways you can build a barndominium on a budget and let’s explore those options.

Contents hide

1 10 Ways To Build A Barndominium On A Budget

1.1 Use Recycled Materials

1.3 Choose an Inexpensive State.

1.4 Use A Barndominium Kit Provider

1.5 Build It Yourself

1.6 Hire an Experienced Contractor

1.7 Choose Energy-Efficient Appliances

1.9 Keep A Budget: Track Spending

1.10 Savings Account for Barndominium

2 Conclusion

10 Ways To Build A Barndominium On A Budget

How To Build A Barndominium On A Budget - Barndos.com (1)

If you’re thinking of building a barndominium, chances are you’re looking for ways to do it on a budget. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to save money while still getting the quality home you want. In this blog post, we’ll outline some of the best tips to build a barndominium on a budget that is just right for you. So read on to learn more!

How To Build A Barndominium On A Budget - Barndos.com (2)

Use Recycled Materials

One way to build a barndominium on a budget is to use recycled materials. This can include using reclaimed lumber or salvaged metal from other buildings. A great way to gather used materials is to look for homes that are doing remodels and gather their unwanted items.

Look for sales on Facebook or even yard sales. Many people sell unwanted cabinets, counters, and even bathroom vanities. Even though they don’t want them anymore doesn’t mean they still aren’t of good use to someone else.

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Choose a Floorplan Right For You

Another way to build a barndominium on a budget is to build smaller by choosing the right floor plan for your family and budget. This means building a smaller footprint for your overall structure to stay on budget then that is the best plan for you.

You can still have all the amenities you want, but by building smaller, you will save on construction costs, including materials and labor.So when picking your floorplan, be sure it fits your budget.

Choose an Inexpensive State.

A great way to save money when building your barndominium is to build a barndominium in an inexpensive state. Texas is a popular choice for building a barndominium because the land and construction costs are relatively low. Other states that offer affordable options for building a barndominium include Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.

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Use A Barndominium Kit Provider

When using a barndominium kit, you can help save on the cost of building your barndominium. Many companies sell barndominium kits that have everything you need to build your own space.These barndominium kits under 50k are delivered right to your home and come with everything you need to build your new barndominium. This can be a great option if you are not interested in doing all the construction yourself.

Build It Yourself

Building your barndominium yourself can help you stay on budget. This means you can take your time as well as take on some of the construction tasks yourself instead of hiring contractors for everything. If you are handy and have some experience with building, this can be a great way to save money.

You can save a lot of money when it comes to installing flooring and painting. Those jobs are not cheap, but if you do them yourself, then there’s more cash left over for other things that might be important in your home such as accessories or furniture pieces- which will allow you to stay on budget!

Hire an Experienced Contractor

Hiring an experienced contractor can help save money in the long run and avoid unnecessary expenses when building if you are not building your barndominium yourself. By working with a contractor who has experience building barndominiums, you can get the home you want without spending too much money that wasn’t budgeted.

Choose Energy-Efficient Appliances

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Choosing appliances that are energy efficient is a great way to not break the bank when building your barndominium. You will find that purchasing energy-efficient appliances will not only likely help with a tax write off, it will also help cut down on your electric bill each month. Some other energy-efficient appliances that you can use in your barndominium include LED lighting, low-flow toilets, and Energy Star appliances.

Add Solar Panels

If you are looking for more ways to save money after building your barndo, be sure to price how much it would cost to add solar panels to your home. Solar panels can help you save money in the future as well by saving on your electric bill each month by generating your own electricity.

Keep A Budget: Track Spending

Having a budget is by tracking your spending. Knowing what you can spend and have spent is a great way to stay on budget. This means keeping track of all the money you are spending on your barndominium project. This can help you stay on budget and avoid overspending.

There are several ways to keep track of your budget. You can create a simple spreadsheet or use an online program that will help you stay within limits set by yourself financially while staying updated on all expenses so they don’t go unnoticed.

Budgets are important when it comes time for remodeling apartments, but what if there was no such thing as overspending? Tracking where every penny goes helps avoid any surprises down the road.

Savings Account for Barndominium

Having a separate bank account and a place to keep money designated for your new build is a great way to stay on budget. This means you will be more successful at setting aside money each month to put towards your barndominium project when you have a safe, secure place to keep it. By doing this, you can avoid going into debt and stay on budget.

Conclusion

Building a barndominium can be a great way to have your own space without breaking the bank. By using recycled materials, building smaller, and choosing an inexpensive state, just to name a few, you can build a barndominium on a budget. By following these tips, you can build the barndominium of your dreams without breaking the bank.

If you are ready to start building the barndo of your dreams, check out ourbarndominium floor plansto help you create the barndominium of your dreams or use abarndominium design software programto help you plan out your space for your new home. When in the planning stages, be sure you also check out thebarndominium financingandinsuranceoptions that are available. For more helpful tips, visit ourFAQ barndominiumsection to get answers to all your barndo questions.

How To Build A Barndominium On A Budget - Barndos.com (2025)

FAQs

What is the cheapest barndominium to build? ›

To start, consider barndominium kits which often cost $30 to $50 per square foot for the shell and assembly only. However, you should expect to pay on average $120 per square foot to build a complete barndominium that's fully outfitted and ready to move into.

Is it possible to build a barndominium for under 100k? ›

Crafting a Barndominium on a $100k Budget

To answer the title right out of the gate, A small one, With a budget of only $100k assuming you have property cleared prepped and ready you would most likely be looking at a 1000sqft barndominium or depending on the material you use maybe a sub 1000sqft dwelling.

How big of a barndominium can I build for $250,000? ›

A moderately sized 2,000 square foot barndominium would therefore range from $250,000 up to $600,000 or beyond. In summary, conservatively project $200,000+ for a modest barndominium abode built from a cleared lot.

What is the most expensive part of a barndominium? ›

Steel framing, popular in barndominium construction for its durability and resistance to pests, can be more expensive than traditional wood framing. Framing costs can range from $20 to $50 per square foot, making it one of the most significant portions of the construction budget.

What is the downside to a barndominium? ›

High Maintenance:

Barndominiums often feature metal exteriors, which can require more maintenance than traditional siding materials. Metal siding may rust or require repainting over time, adding to the long-term upkeep costs.

What is the lifespan of a barndominium? ›

Proper insulation and high-quality roofing materials can also extend the life of the structure. Depending on the materials used, a well-maintained barndominium can last anywhere from 50 to over 100 years.

Is it cheaper to build a barndominium or buy a house? ›

Cost Savings from Building

The biggest appeal of barndominiums is they can be much cheaper per square foot than a conventional home. Metal barn materials are inexpensive and barn-style layouts skip expensive finishes. If you act as a contractor yourself, you save hugely on labor.

What flooring is best for a barndominium? ›

Polished concrete floors in a barndominum provide maximum durability and sustainability with minimal maintenance, especially when compared to alternative flooring options that may be suggested for your barn build.

Do barndominiums have to be built on a slab? ›

The short answer is no, barndominiums do not have to be built on a slab foundation, but this option often proves to be advantageous. Let's delve into the various foundation options available for barndominiums, with a particular focus on slab foundations, exploring their benefits, drawbacks, and alternatives.

How long does it take to build a barndominium from scratch? ›

Conclusion:In total, you can expect the construction of a barndominium to take around 5 to 9 months from start to finish. However, this is a rough estimate, and the actual time can vary based on several factors such as design complexity, weather conditions, and material availability.

How many bedrooms can you put in a barndominium? ›

It isn't uncommon to see plans that have anywhere between two and four bedrooms. Some particularly spacious barndominiums, like our Cedar 4 plan, have more than four bedrooms. The Cedar 4 Plan in particular is built with a growing family in mind.

How many square feet is 40x60 barndominium? ›

Just like a traditional home, a barndominium floor plan can be made to be any size and customized to your specifications. However, there are sizes that are more common for barndos: 40x30 (1200 square foot) 40x60 (2400 square foot)

Is it cheaper to build a barndominium or a house? ›

The average cost of a barndominium is $150,700. That's a far cry from the average $295,300 sales price of a home in the United States. Barndominiums — also called “barndos” — are metal or wooden buildings that are fashioned to house living space. They are often more energy-efficient, costing less to run utilities.

What state is the best for barndominiums? ›

Barndominiums have become most popular in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, and Mississippi, but Texas is the number one place you'll find them. However, that doesn't mean if you don't live in any of these states, you can't build one!

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.

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