How Much Does It Cost to Build a Barndominium in 2025?
The average cost to build a barndominium is $230,000
Building a barndominium ranges from $112,800 up to $540,000.
Material choices, size, and complexity significantly influence your overall budget.
DIY work can trim expenses, but a seasoned pro safeguards quality and safety.
Barndominiums offer flexible designs and lower overall costs than traditional homes.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
The cost to build a barndominium averages at $230,000, although your final cost can range anywhere from $112,800 to $540,000, with high-end projects reaching $540,000. If you’re eyeing a 2,400-square-foot barndo, budget roughly $225,600 to $288,000.
If you already own land—or you’re converting an existing barn—you’ll shave off a chunk of the budget. On the other hand, high-end finishes or hiring a general contractor can quickly push costs upward. Here’s what you need to budget wisely for your barndominium.
Cost Factors
Building a barndominium is an exciting opportunity to create a custom home that blends style, function, and affordability—but it’s also a major financial undertaking. Costs can vary widely depending on how much work you do yourself, the quality of your materials, the size and layout of your design, and even where you’re building. From purchasing land to installing cabinets, every decision you make affects the bottom line.
Here are the cost factors and ranges associated with building a barndo:
| Cost Factor | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Land | $2,000–$500,000+ |
| Floor plans | $50–$2,000 |
| Barndominium kit | $20,000–$90,000+ |
| Foundation | $4,000–$12,500 |
| Permit | $1,200–$2,000 |
| Materials | $25,400–$100,700 |
| Septic tank | $2,000–$9,500 |
| Siding | $6,000–$16,000 |
| Labor | Highly variable depending on the level of DIY vs. professional construction |
| Finishing the lot | $1,000–$30,000 |
Every sheet of drywall and each cabinet pull adds up quickly, so your material picks play a major role in the final price. Below are material costs:
| Material Cost | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Drywall price | $0.50–$0.75 per sq. ft. |
| Insulation cost | $0.25–$2 per sq. ft. |
| Flooring cost | $0.50–$14 per sq. ft. |
| Plumber fee (hourly) | $180–$500 per hour |
| Staircase cost | $80–$300 per step |
| Painter fee | $25–$100 per gallon |
| Central AC price | $1,900–$5,500 per unit or $0.50–$3 per sq. ft. for ductwork |
| Furnace cost | $2,700–$6,400 per unit |
| Door price | $40–$500 per door |
| Lumber | $1–$5 per sq. ft. |
| Electrical wiring price | $6–$8 per ft. |
| Kitchen cabinet price | $2,000–$24,000 |
| Lighting fixture cost | $20–$4,500 per fixture |
| Appliance cost | $200–$10,600 per appliance |
Square footage matters, too. Handle most of the work yourself, and you’re looking at roughly $85 to $95 per square foot; bring in a general contractor, and that figure often jumps to $150 to $190 per square foot. Here’s how those numbers shake out for popular sizes:
| Sq. Ft. | Average Barndominium Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 1,200 | $112,800–$144,000 |
| 2,400 | $225,600–$288,000 |
| 3,000 | $282,000–$360,000 |
| 3,600 | $338,400–$432,000 |
| 4,200 | $394,800–$504,000 |
DIY Barndominium Construction vs. Hiring a Pro
Thinking about building your barndominium yourself? A DIY approach can significantly cut labor costs, but it requires extensive planning, skill, and time. You’ll need to budget not just for materials and permits, but also for specialized tools, equipment rentals, and safety gear. Expect to dedicate several months (or more) to the build, depending on your experience level and the availability of help.
Hiring a local general contractor comes with added costs, but it can also prevent delays, code violations, and expensive rework. A contractor manages the entire project, schedules subcontractors, sources materials, and oversees timelines. This expertise can save you money in the long run by avoiding costly missteps.
For a budget-friendly balance, many homeowners choose a hybrid approach—leaving major construction and system installations to the pros while tackling finish work, such as trim, flooring, or painting, themselves. This strategy keeps costs manageable while still ensuring your barndominium is built safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
With solid construction and routine upkeep, your barndominium can last 50 to 150 years. Steel framing and metal siding resist rot and pests, but you’ll still need to reseal the roof annually, inspect fasteners, and schedule regular checks for HVAC, plumbing, and the foundation. Those quick maintenance tasks keep the structure durable, safe, and weather-tight for generations to come.
Yes. When a qualified crew builds your barndominium, the steel frame and metal siding can handle wind loads up to 150 mph. Strong anchors, reinforced concrete footings, and tough roofing panels stop uplift and leaks. Partnering with experienced engineers and contractors ensures the storm-ready details are locked in and keeps your barndo tight in extreme conditions.
They can be. Pack high-R insulation into the walls and roof, choose energy-rated windows and insulated doors, and seal every gap around framing and ducts. Combine those upgrades with a well-planned HVAC layout, and you can trim your utility bills by as much as 50 percent compared to a conventional home.
You can absolutely build a two-story barndominium. Engineered steel framing supports multiple levels and vaulted ceilings, maintaining strength without compromise. Partner up with an architect and contractor to create a custom, multi-level layout that offers open sightlines, smart design, and generous headroom—perfect for combining function and style in your dream home.
Yes, a barndominium can have a basement. Start with a custom blueprint, and you can add a full or walk-out basement instead of the standard slab. A designer and structural engineer will map out footings, drainage, and access so the extra square footage is safe, dry, and ready for storage or living space.
Get our Angi-powered app
