Should You Build or Buy a Barndominium?

April 4, 2022

What Is a Barndominium?

Also known as a "barndo", a barndominium is living space for a private residence that is built in a barn or another similar outdoor structure. While many assume a barn is only known for storing outdoor equipment, animals, or for the upkeep of a farm, interest in making them into affordable homes has ballooned rapidly in recent years. While a barn may appear boring from the outside, a barndominium includes many of the modern conveniences that you’ll find in a home, can be built to your specifications, and are relatively inexpensive to build and own. Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of barndominiums.

What Are the Pros of Owning a Barndominium?

From a price per square footage perspective, building a barndominium is cheaper than a traditional home or condo. In fact, because the structure is already in place, an ambitious and handy homeowner may be able to do much of the work themselves. Other advantages include a quicker timeline to completion and cheaper labor costs that enable you to move in far faster than it would be for a new construction property. With plenty of light and ceiling heights that are likely far higher than in a home, barndos offer additional flexibility to be creative with designing the interior space. If these aren’t already enough advantages, barndominiums use spray foam insulation that offers extra layers of insulation that keeps energy bills low while also blocking harmful pollutants from entering. 

What Are the Cons of Owning a Barndominium?

Although owning a barndominium offers numerous advantages, it is not without cons. For example, prospective buyers may struggle to find conventional financing because lenders are unwilling to offer a mortgage for a non-traditional home. Furthermore, the interior of your barndominium can be designed to meet your dreams, but the outside is likely to continue resembling a barn unless substantial investment is made in uplifting the exterior. Lastly, selling a barndo can be a challenge because it takes a unique buyer to purchase one. 

Are Barndominiums Worth It?

Ultimately, owning a barndominium is a very personal choice. Still, it can prove to be a very worthwhile investment because of the low initial cost to purchase, the ability to design the interior to your exact specifications, and much more. To learn more about building a barndominium or to ask questions about whether it may work for you, contact the team at Perry House Plans in Oklahoma City, OK. 

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