I have some friends who sold their home and are planning on building a new home in a rural area.
The husband wants a large shop for his tools and toys, and the wife wants to be in the new home before the kids start school.
They came up with a brilliant idea - to build a barndominium.
That was a new word for me.
They basically want to build a barn that will be half shop and half living quarters where they can live while their main house is being constructed.
That seemed like a great plan to me!
Here are some of the advantages to building a barndominium:
photo courtesy of Elizabeth Anderson flickr.com/photos/steelmastersteelbuildings/4194453789
1) Barndominiums can be constructed in a fraction of the time that it takes a regular home to be built.
They are typically built with the shell of a prefabricated steel building then customized to the homeowners' specifications.
The interiors can be finished out with modest materials that are available at most home improvement stores or they can be finished out with more designer materials if you want your barndominium to be your permanent house.
photo courtesy of Elizabeth Anderson flickr.com/photos/steelmastersteelbuildings/7740993026/
2) Barndominiums can be very cost effective.
Though they may not be the best looking architecturally, they are quite affordable.
Depending on the options you select, you can have the shell of your building built on your site for as little as $20,000 (maybe even less).
They typically cost 25% to 50% less than a comparable stick built house.
Barndominiums come in many different shapes and sizes to suit your particular needs, climate, building codes, and site requirements.
photo courtesy of Elizabeth Anderson flickr.com/photos/steelmastersteelbuildings/7742279310/
3) If you build a barndominium on your land prior to building your new home, you will be on site to monitor the progress of your new home every day while it is being built.
You will be aware of the progress (or lack of progress) and you can get a daily update from the construction manager.
photo courtesy of Elizabeth Anderson flickr.com/photos/steelmastersteelbuildings/4203701950/
4) If you live in your barndominium while your main home is being built, you will not be throwing money away paying for an apartment or rental home to live in while your new home is being built.
photo courtesy of Elizabeth Anderson flickr.com/photos/steelmastersteelbuildings/5012075299/
5) Your barndominium could end up being a guest suite so you don't have to build a larger house with a guest room.
It could also be used as an office, game room, a home that you rent out to make extra income, or a home for someone who works for you (ranch hand, nanny, etc).
photo courtesy of Elizabeth Anderson flickr.com/photos/steelmastersteelbuildings/4222742966/
6) Barndominiums are very low maintenance.
You don't have to worry about leaking shingles on the roof, rotten wood on the exterior, or termites.
If your barndominium was insulated with spray foam, it is likely more energy efficient than a traditional home.
photo courtesy of Elizabeth Anderson flickr.com/photos/steelmastersteelbuildings/4203701950/
