Are you considering building a barndo but don’t know where to start? In this video, I’m going to go over some frequently asked questions about everything from raw land to the popular Texas barndominium. We’ll look at this alternative home option closely to see if this is the right choice for you.
The Barndo Foundation
There are so many factors to consider when building a barndo that it can be a bit overwhelming. The first place we’ll start is the foundation. In fact, what makes a barndo not so affordable is the foundation itself.
The foundation has to be set for a metal building—which has steel frames. The amount of concrete needed for a barndo foundation is a lot more than a typical home. Odds are, you’ll probably need an engineered foundation. Of course, some metal companies will say otherwise and tell you that you won’t need an engineered foundation. However, it’s important to listen to an engineer and have the right foundation.
I know it sounds cheaper to choose other foundation routes, but remember: foundation repairs can be costly later down the road. Don’t think cheap when considering the foundation of the barndo.
Budget, Design, And Permits
An important part of building your barndo is planning a budget. Building the metal building first and then turning the metal building into a home needs to be budgeted out. Additionally, I recommend talking with a designer specifically for barndos. You might end up saving money because they already know how to design it with a metal building in mind, so hire a designer who knows barndominiums.
Before you even decide to put together a barndo, be sure to take your plants to your local county to see if you will be able to get permits to build this. Although barndos are popular buildings, it’s not always approved in your specific area.
HOA Restrictions
Additionally, you have to think about HOA restrictions. While nobody likes restrictions, just because the barndo is a home on the inside and the county approves it doesn’t necessarily mean the HOA will approve it. When you purchase the land, you want to confirm the HOA and restrictions.
Check with your local title company to see if there are any build restrictions on the piece of land. You wouldn’t want the HOA to come knocking on your door and tell you to tear it down or you’ll be fined to high heaven.
Insurance And Taxes
Insurance in Texas for barndos is the same as any other housing structure. As long as it meets certain requirements, it will insure like a regular house. So if you have a 2,000 square foot house, it would cost you the same as it would for a 2,000 square foot barndo.
Rates will change, so find out about your specific rates. If you’ll have issues obtaining coverage in your area, one of the biggest advantages of owning a barndominium in places like Texas, Oklahoma, and other states is that it’s considered an agricultural building. So even though it’s technically a house, they still consider it an agricultural building; the property is considered a farm. This allows you to get a tax break.
So if you’re considering this to offset your property taxes, it would be a good idea. However, you’ll have to do your homework and see how many acres of land are required to be with that barndo itself to be considered an agricultural piece of property.
Building Your Barndominium
When it comes to building a barndominium, research and planning are key. I help people just like you buy real estate all the time, and I’d be happy to assist you too. So if you have questions about barndominiums, living in Austin, Texas, or real estate in general, feel free to reach out to me and I’ll be glad to connect.
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