Barndominium vs. House in Texas: What's the Difference? (2024)

FAQs

Barndominium vs. House in Texas: What's the Difference? ›

Barndominiums are usually much larger than a house. Due to the nature of steel, you can have a lot more open space and achieve some design shapes and options that are difficult to do with a wooden structure.

The exterior is where you see the main difference between the barndominium and a traditional home since the barndo is intended to look like a barn. You can add any number of finishes to the exterior of your barndominium, to make it look as much or little like a barn as you would like.

The most common estimate asserts that a new barndominium with basic amenities will cost about $30 to $40 per square foot to build, compared to the cost of building a traditional home is around $100 to $200 per square foot.

Pros of barndominiums include a cheaper cost, fully customizable space, and lower maintenance. They're also highly durable with lots of extra room and are a more eco-friendly housing option. Meanwhile, cons include higher upfront costs, difficulties finding financing, and not all cities allow them.

The cost to build a barndominium is $65 to $160 per square foot or $130,000 to $320,000 on average for a 2,000 SF home. Barndominium prices depend on the size, materials, and interior finishes chosen. Barndominium kit prices are $20 to $35 per square foot for materials only.

Constructed with metal, a barndo offers superior protection from severe weather. The steel structure of a steel barndominium has a higher wind resistance than a conventional wood frame home. While the metal integrity of your home can endure a tornado, the windows and doors may not.

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.

How big of a barndominium can I build for $200K? On the high end, barndominiums have an average cost of $150 per square foot. At that price, you can estimate a building of around 1,333 square feet for $200,000.

Barndominiums offer exceptional value on a per square foot basis, and are exceptionally beneficial for large families or when a business requires a large workspace. They also have lower insurance rates and taxes.

Barndominiums are not immune to corrosion.

If you have a home with the traditional wooden frame, then you will need to manage the issue of rot at some point in that structure's life. When you opt for a metal-based barndominium, then there are corrosion issues that you'll need to manage.

Is it hard to insure a barndominium? ›

Insurance can be complicated for barndominium homes. According to Barndominium.org, not all insurers cover barndos, especially if they're mixed-use instead of residential only, and those that do might have barndo-specific policies.

Longevity: Although they may not last as long as traditional homes, a well-maintained barndominium can provide comfortable living for around 50 years. 5. Durability: Barndominiums are built to withstand the elements, ensuring they remain sturdy and reliable over the years.

Written by HomeAdvisor. Barndominiums cost between $120,000 and $540,000, with an average 2,400-square-foot barndominium costing $300,000 to build. The total cost to build a barndominium can vary significantly depending on the size, how much of the work you do yourself, and the finishes you choose.

Local Tax Rates

The total property tax rate applied to a barndominium in Texas is the sum of the rates set by each local taxing unit where the property is located. These rates can vary significantly from one area to another, affecting the overall tax burden.

The construction time can vary based on size and complexity, but generally, barndominiums can take anywhere from 6 months to a year to build, which is often faster than traditional homes due to prefabricated elements.

Barndominium kits are prefabricated, which means less on-site labor is required. This leads to reduced labor costs, faster construction times, and lower construction costs. Lower costs, combined with the efficiency of the building process, make barndominiums an attractive option for budget-conscious homebuyers.

Durability. Barndos have metal or steel shells which make them resistant to mold, rot, termites, and the elements, which means they'll likely last longer than a typical home made from wood. Open Floor Plan.

Since they are made of steel, barndominiums don't require the same repairs and maintenance as traditional wood-framed homes. If they are properly maintained, their steel structures are also less susceptible to common home issues including standard deterioration, rot, and termites.

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.