15 Common Barndominium Mistakes You Don’t Want To Make
Barndominiums are quickly becoming a popular home style that’s affordable and easy to build and maintain. However, it can be hard to find helpful information on barndos if you’ve never built one before.
Building and owning a barndominium can be easy, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t pitfalls that you need to avoid. To make sure you get the perfect barndo without having to fix costly mistakes later, read our guide on the 15 most common barndominium mistakes owners make.
15 Common Barndominium Mistakes You Need To Avoid
Whether it’s your first time building a barndominium or you have some experience, this list of 15 common mistakes will help your next barndo project be the best it can be.
Mistake 1: Forgetting To Follow Local Building Codes
It doesn’t matter if you own the land – if you want to build on it, you have to know and follow your local building codes. Not every area may have codes that apply to your barndominium, but it’s always better to do your research before you begin.
If there are codes that you fail to follow, you could end up facing multiple fines. Or, even worse, you might have to tear down part or all of your barndo, which is costly and time-consuming, not to mention frustrating.
Some of the areas that require code adherence include:
- Square footage
- Building height
- Permits
- Roofing insulation
- Electrical and HVAC
- Plumbing and sewage
The good news is that it’s easy to research your local building codes. In fact, if you’re using a general contractor, they should already know all the local codes and will ensure your building meets or exceeds the minimum requirements.
If you’re handling most of your barndominium project yourself, most areas have their requirements readily available online.
Mistake 2: Not Pulling The Proper Permits For Your Barndo
Obtaining the proper permits for your barndominium is just as important as following your local building codes. Your building can pass all of its inspections with flying colors, but without the right permits, it won’t matter.
You can face fines or even a court order to tear down your barndominium if you don’t obtain the proper permits. But just like with the building codes, it’s not too hard to know which permits you need for your barndo.
Your contractor should know how to pull all the necessary permits, and if you’re handling the job yourself, FEMA has a handy toolkit online to help you get what you need.
You can find the FEMA toolkit here.
Mistake 3: Poor Insulation
Area building codes list the minimum requirements for insulation in barndominiums, but that may not always be enough. If you want your building to be comfortable all year round and avoid moisture problems like mold, you have to properly insulate your barndo.
As always, consulting with a general contractor who’s familiar with your area is a great idea. They can recommend the right type of insulation based on the climate of where you’re building.
It’s also important to consider proper sealing of your windows and doors. Nobody wants a drafty barndominium!
This is especially true of classic metal barndominiums. Metal creates more condensation than wood, so you want to have a good seal around your doors and windows to prevent drips and leaks.
Mistake 4: Inadequate Budgeting
You’ve drawn up your floor plan and you’ve researched how much your dream barndominium will cost per square foot. You submit the drawings to your contractor – and realize that you didn’t factor in laying the foundation or that the price of materials has gone up since you last checked.
It’s important to factor in every step of the building process when you’re planning your barndominium. Not only that, but you should also plan for unexpected costs to pop up.
A good idea is to add another 20% of your estimated costs to your final budget. That way you’ll have a buffer for those unexpected costs.
Mistake 5: Skipping Overhangs Above Doors And Windows
Gutters aren’t always enough to protect your barndominium from heavy rains. Water overflow can cause rust on the seams where your doors and windows meet the frame of your barndo.
If you invest in overhangs, you’ll direct any excess water away from these seams and joints, protecting your builder for longer.
In addition, overhangs can keep your cooling costs down in a way gutters can’t. They can help block direct sunlight coming through your windows, which can raise heat gain. Overhangs could help keep your barndominium cooler, reducing your energy costs.
Mistake 6: Not Financing Before You Start Construction On Your Barndominium
It’s never good to run out of funds right in the middle of building your barndominium. You may think you’ve got all the money you need when you start, but what if those unexpected costs we discussed earlier spring up?
It’s a better idea to look into financing before you start construction on your barndo. That way you’re sure to have everything you need to cover the entire process, including emergency costs.
This also ensures that there aren’t any delays in your schedule. Financing does take some time to finalize, so it’s better to have it sorted out early rather than last-minute.
Mistake 7: Failing To Make A Schedule
As simple as building a barndominium can be compared to other home styles, it still requires some planning. Without following a proper schedule, your barndo could quickly fall behind as deadlines aren’t met.
For instance, you may have to lay a foundation before you can begin building. Clearly that has to be done before any other construction can really start, but if you don’t know how long that step is going to take, how can you know when to schedule the rest of the build?
A good contractor will walk you through each step of their process, so you can make decisions accordingly. Or, if you’re more of a DIY person, use a spreadsheet that includes all of the different tasks you need to get done to finish your barndominium.
Don’t forget to include steps like permit pulling, material delivery, and final inspections.
Mistake 8: Overlooking The Site Works Before Construction
Even if you already know you need to lay a new foundation and have planned and budgeted for it, you can’t forget to examine the actual land on which you’re building. If you lay your foundation on uneven or unstable soil, you’ll face a lot of structural problems down the road.
You may need to level the ground, compact the dirt, or add soil with better drainage. Taking the time to really examine the terrain of your plot will help you determine what needs to be done even before you lay your foundation. After all, a house is only as strong as its foundation!
Mistake 9: Not Researching Good Contractors
A contractor can make or break your barndominium dreams. There are plenty of contractors advertising their services online, but you can’t just choose the first one you come across. A bad contractor can cause schedule delays, source shoddy materials or labor, or overcharge for their services.
It’s important to really research every contractor you’re considering to help you build your barndo. Make sure they’re properly licensed and have references you can check.
And of course, finding contractors that have previous experience with building barndominiums should be at the top of your list.
Once you find a pool of reputable general contractors, then you can start comparing their pricing and availability. You don’t want to set your hopes on a particular contractor only to find out they’re completely booked.
Mistake 10: Skipping On Rust And Rot Protection
Building a barndominium can be a lot cheaper than other homes, but you don’t want to skimp on the important details. Post frame barndo often bury their framing posts directly into the ground. If you don’t choose quality materials or proper sealing for your posts, you could end up with rot.
On the other hand, metal buildings run the risk of rust. Without the proper rust protection or material warranties, you could end up with a costly maintenance problem.
Consider paint for your metal panels specifically designed to combat rust. You should also compare the warranties offered on the different types of rust protection so you’re not taking care of things yourself five years down the road.
For wood frame buildings, make sure your contractor is using treated wood, or use a framing method that has no post-to-ground contact.
Mistake 11: Forgetting That Metal Roofs Are Noisy
Traditional barndominiums often use metal roofing for durability and an overall cohesive design. But one thing new barndo owners might not expect is how noisy a metal roof can be!
Rain can seem very loud on a metal roof, and wind can blow debris over your roof that clatters and annoys. If you fail to add the proper insulation for your roof, you’ll hear everything that lands overhead.
To avoid a noisy metal roof, don’t opt for the bare minimum. Instead, invest in extra foam board or even foam spray insulation. You can also include an empty cavity between your roof and ceiling and fill it with loose fill insert to create a better buffer.
Another option to consider is the actual roof material. A textured roof will scatter raindrops, reducing how much noise they make. You can achieve the same effect by using a raised roof profile with an underlayment.
Mistake 12: Poor Drainage
Good drainage is especially important for metal buildings like barndominiums. Too much water contact directly with the building can cause problems with rust and condensation buildup.
But some new builders don’t realize that drainage doesn’t just include the foundation; it also includes good drainage systems on the building itself.
Carefully consider the roof pitch for your barndominium; you don’t want water pooling on your roof whenever it rains. You should also install good gutters that can help divert water away from the foundation of your barndo.
Overhangs above your doors and larger windows can also help divert water away from seals and joints. Then, of course, there’s your foundation.
Before you even begin construction, make sure your soil has good drainage and consider water diversion options like a dry stream.
Mistake 13: Underestimating Your Barndominium Dimensions
One of the most important parts of the planning stages of your barndo project is understanding how much room you need. If you’re working with a designer and realize you need another bathroom or a bigger bedroom after they send you their design, you could end up paying extra for modifications.
On top of that, you don’t want to start building and realize that your roof isn’t the right pitch for drainage or that your ceilings are too low. These aren’t just frustrating setbacks; they can be costly to fix as well.
There are a lot of sample floor plans you can look at online to help you determine the right layout and dimensions for your own barndominium. Another good idea is to find a demo barndominium that you can walk through.
Finally, double-check all your measurements and the size of your plot of land before you finalize your design.
Mistake 14: Choosing Subpar Materials
Nobody wants to spend more than they have to, but you shouldn’t cut corners with your barndominium materials. It may save you some money up front, but in the long run could cost you a lot more.
Cheaper materials could wear out faster, make your barndo less energy efficient, and compromise the integrity of your entire home.
Talk to a local and respected contractor to get an idea of which materials provide the best value without compromising on the long-term quality.
Mistake 15: Skipping Electrical Engineering And Plumbing
Not only is having a licensed professional install your plumbing and handle your electrical systems a good idea, in many states it’s required by law. Even if you’re a long-time DIY-er, handling plumbing yourself is risky, and electrical even more so.
If you do either system incorrectly, you could end up with a flooded barndominium or a hazardous electrical system. Budget for a professional plumber and electrical engineer from the start, and make sure to have the plans signed for your final inspection.
What Next?
Barndominiums are popular for a reason: they’re cost-effective, quick and easy to build, and very sturdy. But even with all of these benefits, it’s still important to carefully plan and execute your barndominium build.
Avoiding the 15 common mistakes in this guide is a great way to start your project off on the right foot. Take your time, do all of your research, and use all of the resources at your disposal to build the perfect barndominium you can enjoy for years to come.
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