Barndominium Raising: How Much Does It Cost To Build This Trendy Home?

In every generation there is a chosen one—an architectural style that rises above the rest in popularity among homeowners. Colonial and traditional American-style homes are the most prevalent in the U.S., comprising roughly half of the for-sale market in May 2025. Within that category, a cost-effective and customizable alternative has captured the attention of buyers: the barndominium.

These barn-style houses are built with steel frames instead of wood, offering faster construction times, lower costs, and endless design possibilities.

"We've seen a massive rise in demand as people look for ... economical ways to combat rising housing prices as more people move out of cities to pursue the peace and quiet of a rural lifestyle," says Liv Berg, co-founder of Back Forty Building Co. in Kennewick, WA, which designs and builds barndominiums.

With housing affordability still a challenge, more homeowners are turning to barndominiums to achieve the space and style they want—but there's a lot to know about this kind of investment.

Barndominium vs. house: What’s the difference?

With some barndominiums hitting the market for upward of $1.2 million, you’d be right to wonder how a barndominium compares to a traditional house. While they offer the same comfort and livability, their construction, materials, and design set them apart.

Unlike standard homes built with wood or masonry framing, barndominiums are typically constructed with steel framing and metal exteriors, making them stronger, more fire-resistant, and better suited to extreme weather conditions. Their open floor plans, soaring ceilings, and barn-style architecture create a spacious, versatile interior that’s easy to customize.

Thanks to their simplified construction process and prefabricated kits, barndominiums can often be built faster and more affordably than traditional homes—and that can translate into huge savings for builders.

First step to building a barndominium: Buying land

Mighty metal barndominiums can be built anywhere and converted into your fabulous custom home. But the first step is to find your perfect slice of buildable land.

"In addition to property, other cost considerations include excavation, pouring a concrete foundation, and installing plumbing," says Stacy Miller, marketing manager for Worldwide Steel Buildings in Peculiar, MO. "The permits you'll need to build all depend on the city and county you live in."

Land cost breakdown

An acre of farmland costs $4,170 on average, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Land Values 2024 Summary.

But how much land do you need?

"Most of our clients build on 2-plus acres of land," says Berg.

Exact property values can vary depending on location, proximity to urban amenities, and how much land is cleared. Remember that the land may also need to be hooked up to local septic systems and utilities. And the price of developing land to a buildable condition averages about $35,000, according to Angi.

Finding barndominium floor plans

Many companies offer predesigned floor plans that you can buy as is or customize. These are the architectural prints you'll use to build your home.

A standard barndominium's floor plan and layout can include multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, hidden rooms, and even safe rooms.

Popular features run the gamut from sliding barn doors and vaulted ceilings to massive great rooms with large fireplaces and windows, according to Stacie Lynn from Our Barndominium Life. It all comes down to your taste, style, and budget.

Floor plan cost breakdown

"Stock plans are usually $1,500 to $2,000," says Berg, who lives in a barndominium herself. "When clients have plans custom-designed, the average price is around $4,500."

While it's easy to get carried away when choosing a plan, Berg advises you to keep in mind that the cost of finishing the interior of a barndominium—think electrical, plumbing, and countertops—will cost the same as a traditional home, so save your pennies where you can.

Getting a barndominium kit

Once you have a floor plan, you need the materials to build your barndominium. Many companies offer kits, which can help save on building erection, foundation design, and labor costs since the structure can be assembled in as few as 10 days. A standard kit includes exterior walls, the roof, framed openings for windows and doors, siding, and steel columns.

A barndominium kit "also includes hardware such as bolts and screws all in one delivery," says Miller. "There is no additional expense for materials since the kits bundle all the needed components like a jigsaw puzzle."

But what if you go with custom doors and windows?

"That's a separate expense," adds Miller.

Kit cost breakdown

Barndominium kits typically range from $50 to $100 per square foot and exclude interior materials such as insulation.

"The final cost all depends on factors including square footage, porch additions, cupolas, interior finishes, and the number of garage doors," says Miller.

But in general, the price of a soup-to-nuts kit can be as low as $150,000 and as high as $350,000, she says.

Cost of labor to build a barndominium

Construction of a traditional home usually ranges from $100 to $200 per square foot, with an average cost of $126. After all, hiring builders, carpenters, HVAC technicians, electricians, and plumbers can add up.

But many barndominium owners prefer to use their sweat equity to build their homes, says Berg.

While costs can vary depending on the home size and finishes, tackling more than 60% of the job yourself—such as laying floors, tiling, painting, and installing cabinets—will save you big bucks.

Labor cost breakdown

If you do the majority of the work, you'll still have to pay around $85 to $95 per square foot for work that requires a licensed professional. And if you prefer to use a turnkey builder or general contractor, expect to pay about $150 to $190 per square foot to get your barndominium into move-in shape.

Bardominium bottom line

A barndominium will run you between $120,000 and $540,000 when all is said, done, and built. 

That price may make a barndominium a less expensive option than building a traditional home, which varies in cost from $138,937 to $531,294, according to Angi.

Can I get a barndominium addition to my house?

If you want to save on the costs of building a barndominium, consider adding it to property you already own. This will save you the expense of purchasing new land and installing separate utilities, making the project more affordable. 

As accessory dwelling units and multigenerational living become more popular, a barndominium addition can serve as a guesthouse, rental unit, or extra living space while keeping construction costs lower than a traditional home expansion.

Barndominium ideas

One of the hallmark advantages of barndominiums is their customizability. If you’re looking for inspiration to help shape your barndominium dream home, look no further than these ideas:

Under $100,000 low-cost barndominiums

For budget-conscious buyers, a low-cost barndominium can offer a simple layout with just the essentials. To keep your project below the $100,000 mark, look for floor plans with modest square footage and use cost-saving materials like prefabricated metal panels and basic insulation. You’ll likely need DIY labor, but the sweat equity will pay off big-time when your total bill is below six figures.

Luxury barndominiums

On the other end of the spectrum, luxury barndominiums offer a seamless blend of rustic charm and modern elegance. These upscale builds often feature custom interiors with high-end finishes, including vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, floor-to-ceiling windows, and chef's kitchens.

Shipping container barndominiums

A shipping container barndominium puts a modern, industrial spin on the traditional barn-style home. By repurposing steel shipping containers and blending them with classic barndominium elements, these homes offer a durable, sustainable, and often more affordable alternative to conventional builds.

Homeowners can get creative with the layout—stacking containers, adding rooftop decks, or opening up spaces with floor-to-ceiling glass doors—resulting in a sleek, minimalist home that stands out in both design and functionality.

Small barndominiums

If you're thinking about downsizing, adding a guesthouse, or building a weekend retreat, a small barndominium can be a smart, space-efficient choice. Most range from 600 to 1,200 square feet, with open layouts, flexible rooms, and built-in storage to make the most of every inch. Thoughtful design elements—like lofted bedrooms, sliding barn doors, and high ceilings—help create a home that feels roomy and functional without wasted space.

Barndominium with garage or workshop

Perfect for hobbyists, mechanics, woodworkers, home-based businesses, and the like, a barndominium with an attached garage or workshop provides the ultimate combination of living and working space. These designs often include oversized garage bays, high ceilings for equipment storage, and separate workspaces, making them ideal for automotive enthusiasts, DIYers, or small-business owners.