Over the last few years, barndominiums have been making waves. Starting as a trend in the southern U.S., they’ve worked their way up to Canada, capturing the attention of people looking to build out acreages or unique homes.
On the surface, a barndominium seems like a great idea—a combination of home and shop under one roof. But when you dig a little deeper, the “savings” and benefits might not be as big as they seem.
Here’s the deal:
Cost Savings? Not Really.
People often think barndominiums are cost-effective. Sure, you can save a little on the roofline by combining your shop and home, but the added complications of this type of build can quickly cancel those savings out.
Limited Functionality.
Despite the name, you can’t legally use a barndominium to house animals. So, if you’re dreaming of living alongside your horses or cattle, it’s not an option.
A Smarter Alternative.
If cost savings are your main focus, consider an RTM (Ready-to-Move) home with a shop built beside it. RTMs are efficient, affordable, and allow you to allocate more of your budget toward a quality shop. Plus, this approach avoids some of the design and construction challenges that come with barndominiums.
At the end of the day, barndominiums are more of a design trend than a practical solution for most people. If you’re planning to build your dream acreage, it’s worth looking at all your options to get the most bang for your buck.
If you want to chat more about this or need help planning your next project, let’s connect.
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