Barndominium Kits Made Easy

Stop piecing together your barndo project from scratch. Our kits combine professionally drafted house plans with a fully engineered metal building package — delivered to your job site, ready to build.

Get Your Price Estimate Browse Kit Plans
Red Iron, Post-Frame Coming Soon & Cold-Formed Steel Coming Soon
Delivered Nationwide
Engineered for Your Local Codes

Plans vs. Kits: What's the Difference?

Most of our customers start with a plan. When you're ready to actually break ground, the kit is the next step — and we handle the entire process for you.

House Plans Only

Starting at $849

Everything you need to visualize your barndominium and start planning. Buy instantly and download today.

  • Detailed architectural floor plan drawings
  • Exterior elevation views (all 4 sides)
  • Roof plan and structural notes
  • Electrical and plumbing layout
  • Foundation plan
  • Door and window schedules
  • General construction specifications
  • Unlimited printing rights for personal use
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Complete Barndominium Kit

Plans + Building Package

Your house plan plus a fully engineered metal building structure — manufactured and delivered to your property, ready for your crew to erect.

  • Everything in the house plan (see left)
  • Engineered metal building package for your specific site
  • Stamped engineering drawings for your county/state
  • All primary and secondary structural steel
  • Roof and wall panels (26-gauge steel standard)
  • Trim, fasteners, and closure strips
  • Gutters and downspouts
  • Framed openings for doors and windows
  • Anchor bolt layout and foundation design
  • Delivery to your job site
  • Erection guide and support drawings

Three Ways to Build Your Barndominium

Every barndominium kit uses one of three structural systems. The right choice depends on your budget, your floor plan size, and your local building requirements.

Feature Red Iron Post-Frame Cold-Formed Steel
Also Known As Steel frame, rigid frame, pre-engineered metal building (PEMB) Pole barn, pole building, stick-built post-frame Light-gauge steel, CFS, steel stud framing
How It Works Welded steel I-beams form rigid frames bolted to a concrete slab foundation Large wood or laminated posts set into the ground or on piers carry the roof and wall loads Thin steel studs and joists (like wood framing, but metal) assembled on a slab foundation
Best For Large open spans (40'+ wide), heavy snow/wind loads, commercial-grade durability Budget-friendly builds, rural properties, simpler designs under 60' wide Complex floor plans, residential-feel interiors, areas with strict residential building codes
Typical Span Up to 200'+ clear span Up to ~60' (wider spans need interior posts) Up to ~40' without interior bearing walls
Foundation Concrete slab (monolithic or pier/grade beam) Posts embedded in ground or surface-mounted — slab optional Concrete slab (monolithic or stem wall)
Kit Price Range $35–$55 / sq ft $25–$45 / sq ft $30–$50 / sq ft
Interior Finish Requires framing interior walls inside the steel shell Posts may be exposed inside — plan around them or box them out Steel studs serve as interior framing — most "house-like" finish
Permit Friendliness Accepted nearly everywhere (commercial + residential) Some jurisdictions restrict pole barns in residential zones Treated as conventional construction — easiest permitting in residential areas
Red Iron

The Workhorse

Red iron is the gold standard for barndominiums. Heavy welded I-beam frames create a rigid shell that can span enormous widths without interior columns. This is what most people picture when they think "metal building." It's overbuilt, and that's the point — your building will handle anything your climate throws at it.

$35 – $55 / sq ft

Strengths

  • Widest clear spans available
  • Highest wind and snow load ratings
  • 60+ year structural life
  • Accepted by virtually all building departments

Considerations

  • Requires concrete slab foundation
  • Heaviest option — may need crane for erection
  • Interior walls built separately inside the shell
  • Higher upfront cost
Post-Frame

The Budget Builder

Post-frame construction has been used for agricultural buildings for decades, and it translates beautifully to barndominiums. Large posts (wood or steel-reinforced) carry the structural load, which means you can skip the concrete slab entirely in some designs. This is typically the most affordable way to get a barndominium standing.

$25 – $45 / sq ft

Strengths

  • Lowest cost per square foot
  • Fastest erection time
  • Flexible foundation options
  • Ideal for rural and agricultural zoned land

Considerations

  • Interior posts may limit open floor plans
  • Some counties restrict in residential zones
  • May have appraisal challenges for mortgage
  • Limited to ~60' widths without posts
Cold-Formed Steel

The Residential Look

Cold-formed steel framing uses thin-gauge steel studs instead of wood — same framing technique as a conventional house, but with steel that won't rot, warp, or get eaten by termites. If you want your barndominium to look and feel like a traditional home from the inside (and you want the smoothest permitting process), this is your path.

$30 – $50 / sq ft

Strengths

  • Most "house-like" interior finish
  • Easiest residential permitting
  • Termite and rot proof
  • Conventional mortgage-friendly

Considerations

  • Smaller clear spans than red iron
  • Requires experienced steel stud crew
  • Thermal bridging needs proper insulation detail
  • Mid-range pricing

Kit Price Estimator

Get a ballpark estimate for your barndominium kit. This covers the metal building package only — see what else you'll need to budget for below.

Estimated Kit Price Range
$72,000 – $108,000
For a 2,400 sq ft red iron kit in the Southeast
This is the building package only. It does not include foundation, interior finishing, MEP, or site work.
Get an Exact Quote — $5,000 Engineering Deposit

Estimates are approximate and based on current market averages. Actual pricing depends on engineering requirements, local building codes, steel market conditions, and specific design features. Your exact quote will be provided after the engineering process.

Plans Available as Kits

These house plans have been designed and validated for kit construction. Select a structure type to filter, or browse all available kits.

Plan Image

PL-61303 Brookvale

2,400 sq ft 3 Bed / 2 Bath 40' × 60'
Red Iron Post-Frame Cold-Formed
Plans from $849 · Kits from $60K
View Plan & Kit Options
Plan Image

PL-62105 Ridgeline

3,200 sq ft 4 Bed / 3 Bath 50' × 64'
Red Iron Post-Frame
Plans from $999 · Kits from $80K
View Plan & Kit Options
Plan Image

PL-61840 Copper Creek

1,800 sq ft 3 Bed / 2 Bath 30' × 60'
Red Iron Cold-Formed
Plans from $749 · Kits from $45K
View Plan & Kit Options
Plan Image

PL-60522 Hayloft

2,800 sq ft 3 Bed / 2.5 Bath 40' × 70'
Post-Frame
Plans from $899 · Kits from $56K
View Plan & Kit Options
Plan Image

PL-63010 Summit

3,600 sq ft 4 Bed / 3.5 Bath 60' × 60'
Red Iron Post-Frame Cold-Formed
Plans from $1,199 · Kits from $90K
View Plan & Kit Options
Plan Image

PL-61205 Aspen

2,000 sq ft 3 Bed / 2 Bath 40' × 50'
Cold-Formed
Plans from $799 · Kits from $50K
View Plan & Kit Options

How It Works: From Plan to Building on Your Property

The whole process typically takes 10–16 weeks from deposit to delivery. Here's what to expect at each stage.

1

Choose Your Plan

Browse our kit-ready house plans and select (or customize) the design that fits your needs and your property.

2

Engineering Deposit

Pay the $5,000 engineering deposit. This covers getting your building professionally engineered for your specific site and local building codes.

3

Engineering & Design

Our engineering team produces stamped structural drawings, foundation plans, and a detailed material list tailored to your location. (2–4 weeks)

4

Final Quote & Order

You receive an exact, all-in quote for your kit. Approve it, and your building goes into production. (6–10 weeks manufacturing)

5

Delivery & Build

Your complete kit is delivered to your job site on flatbed trucks with an erection guide. Your crew stands it up.

What's NOT Included in the Kit

A barndominium kit gives you the shell of your building. These are the other major costs you need to budget for to complete your home. A realistic all-in budget is typically 2.5× to 3.5× the kit price.

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Foundation & Site Work

Concrete slab, grading, drainage, septic, driveway, and utility connections. Budget $15–$30 per sq ft depending on your site conditions.

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Electrical

Wiring, panel, outlets, lighting fixtures, and service connection. Typically $8–$15 per sq ft for a full residential electrical package.

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Plumbing

Water supply lines, drain/waste/vent system, water heater, fixtures, and connections to well or municipal water. Budget $8–$15 per sq ft.

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HVAC

Heating, cooling, and ductwork. A typical barndominium runs $5,000–$15,000+ depending on the system type, size, and climate zone.

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Insulation

Spray foam (recommended for metal buildings), fiberglass batts, or rigid board. Budget $3–$7 per sq ft for walls and roof.

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Interior Finishing

Drywall, flooring, cabinets, countertops, paint, trim, doors, and all fixtures. This is your largest variable cost — $30–$80+ per sq ft depending on your finish level.

⚗

Windows & Exterior Doors

The kit includes framed openings, but you'll source your own windows and entry doors. Budget $8,000–$25,000+ depending on quantity and quality.

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Erection Labor

The crew that actually stands up the metal building. Budget $5–$10 per sq ft, or $3–$8 per sq ft if you're hiring locally.

Realistic Total Budget Example

For a 2,400 sq ft barndominium with a mid-range finish level: Kit: ~$84K + Foundation: ~$48K + MEP (Electrical/Plumbing/HVAC): ~$72K + Insulation: ~$12K + Interior Finishing: ~$120K + Windows/Doors: ~$15K + Erection: ~$17K = All-in estimate: ~$280K – $370K. Your actual cost depends heavily on your market, finish level, and how much work you do yourself.

Barndominium Kits by State

Kit availability, pricing, and building code requirements vary by state. Select your state for specific information about building a barndominium where you live.

Frequently Asked Questions

If your question isn't answered here, reach out — we're happy to help.

A barndominium kit is a pre-engineered metal building package that includes all the structural steel, roof and wall panels, trim, fasteners, and hardware needed to erect the exterior shell of your building. Think of it as everything from the foundation up to (and including) the roof — but not the foundation itself, and not the interior finishing. It arrives on flatbed trucks with an erection guide, ready for a crew to assemble on your prepared site.
A kit gives you the building materials and engineering — you or your contractor handle the actual construction. A turnkey build means someone handles everything from dirt to doorknobs. Kits are significantly less expensive because you're managing the construction process (or hiring a local GC to do it). Most of our kit customers either act as their own general contractor or hire a local builder to manage the project using our plans and materials.
The engineering deposit kicks off the process of getting your specific building engineered for your site. This includes structural engineering stamped by a licensed PE in your state, foundation design based on your local soil conditions, and a detailed material list and quote for your complete building package. The deposit is applied toward your total kit cost if you proceed. If the final quote doesn't work for your budget, we'll work with you on alternatives.
Absolutely — in fact, we encourage it. Your kit comes with detailed erection guides and engineering drawings that any experienced metal building contractor can work from. We recommend finding a crew that has experience specifically with metal building erection (not just general construction). We can also help connect you with erectors in your area if needed.
You don't need a permit to order, but you will need one before you start building. The stamped engineering drawings included with your kit are specifically designed to satisfy your local building department's requirements. We engineer to your county's specific wind speed, snow load, and seismic requirements. Many of our customers submit for permits while the kit is being manufactured so both arrive around the same time.
The kit itself is typically paid for in stages (deposit, then balance before shipping). For financing the overall project, most barndominium owners use a construction-to-permanent loan through a local bank or credit union. Some lenders are more familiar with barndominiums than others — we recommend starting with farm credit lenders and local community banks, which tend to be more flexible with non-traditional construction. Having stamped engineering drawings (which come with your kit) makes the loan process significantly smoother.
From engineering deposit to kit delivery, plan on 10–16 weeks. Engineering and design takes 2–4 weeks. Once you approve the final quote, manufacturing takes 6–10 weeks depending on the manufacturer's backlog and the complexity of your building. Delivery is typically 1–2 weeks after manufacturing is complete. Erection of the shell usually takes an experienced crew 1–3 weeks depending on size.
No problem. We offer plan modification services and can adjust bedrooms, bathrooms, dimensions, porches, garages, and more before the kit engineering begins. In fact, it's better to finalize all changes before the engineering phase so your kit is built exactly to your specifications. Modification quotes are free — just submit a request from any plan page.
It depends on three things: your budget, your floor plan, and your local building codes. Post-frame is the most affordable and works great in rural areas with lenient codes. Red iron is the most versatile — it handles any span width and any climate, and it's accepted by virtually every building department. Cold-formed steel is ideal if you're in a residential subdivision or need to meet strict residential building codes, and it gives the most "house-like" interior. Scroll up to our comparison section for a detailed breakdown, or get in touch and we'll help you decide.
A realistic all-in budget (land not included) is $100–$150 per square foot for a mid-range finish in most markets, and $150–$200+ per square foot for a higher-end finish or in expensive markets. For a 2,400 sq ft barndominium, that's roughly $240K–$480K total. The kit itself is typically 25–35% of the total project cost. The rest goes to foundation, interior finishing, MEP (mechanical/electrical/plumbing), and labor. See our "What's Not Included" section above for a detailed cost breakdown.

Ready to Build Your Barndominium?

Start with the $5,000 Engineering & Design Deposit. We'll engineer your building for your specific site, get it stamped by a licensed PE in your state, and deliver an exact quote for your complete kit package.

Pay Engineering Deposit — $5,000 Browse Kit Plans First

Not sure which plan or structure type is right for you? Contact us — we're happy to walk you through the options before you commit.