You’ve found the perfect piece of land, and now you’re picturing what could go on it. Plenty of room to spread out, a big workshop for all of your projects, and a house that feels a little different from every other new build on the block. A barndominium checks a lot of those boxes.
Then comes the budget.
Barndominiums have a reputation for being cheaper to build than traditional homes, but the final price depends significantly on what you’re building.
So, what does it actually cost to build one in Ohio? There’s a pretty wide range, and a bare-bones shell price won’t tell you much about what you’ll spend on the finished home.
The Cost of Building a Barndominium: At a Glance
Building a barndominium typically costs about $65 to $160 per square foot, putting a 2,000-square-foot build somewhere around $130,000 to $320,000.
That’s a pretty big range, but there’s a reason for it. A cozy barndo with basic finishes is a very different project than a custom barndo with a big workshop, luxury kitchen, and plenty of extras.
Here’s what those numbers look like at a few different sizes:
| Barndominium Size | Estimated Build Cost |
| 1,500 square feet | $97,500 to $240,000 |
| 2,000 square feet | $130,000 to $320,000 |
| 2,500 square feet | $162,500 to $400,000 |
| 3,000 square feet | $195,000 to $480,000 |
Keep in mind that these are broad construction estimates rather than quotes for a specific Ohio property. You might come across prices online that look much lower. Check what’s actually included before getting too excited about the number.
Some prices cover only the shell, leaving the foundation, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and interior work out of the estimate.
What Affects the Cost of an Ohio Barndominium?
That $65 to $160 per-square-foot range leaves quite a bit of wiggle room. Where your project lands depends on a handful of factors, including:
Land and Site Preparation
Before construction can start, the site might need to be cleared, graded, excavated, and prepared for the foundation. A relatively flat, build-ready lot will usually require less work than wooded or sloped land that needs major clearing and grading.
Size and Floor Plan
More square footage generally means a higher price tag, but the layout matters, too. As you’d probably guess, the more elaborate the layout, the pricier it’ll be to build. Multiple wings, large porches, elaborate rooflines, and similar custom features can drive the price higher.
Foundation and Building Shell
The foundation, framing, roof, siding, windows, and exterior doors make up a sizable chunk of the construction budget. Your material choices can have a big effect on pricing, as can details like oversized windows, upgraded exterior finishes, and large garage or shop doors.
Utilities, Well, and Septic
While this part of the process isn’t quite so glamorous, it’s an unavoidable step. If you go with a rural plot, it will probably need some infrastructure before it’s ready. Running electricity, plumbing, and a well or septic system can add tens of thousands of dollars to the project.
Interior Finishes
This stage is the exciting part, where you start to see everything come together, but it’s also where the budget can skyrocket. Flooring, cabinets, countertops, appliances, lighting, bathroom finishes, and similar interior choices can shift the budget into luxury-caliber territory.
Garage and Workshop Space
A big shop is part of the appeal for plenty of barndominium owners, but it adds to the cost of the building. Insulation, electrical work, heating, plumbing, oversized doors, and finished walls in this part of the barndo can raise the price further for something beyond a basic garage space.
Is It Cheaper to Build a Barndominium or a Traditional House in Ohio?
A barndominium can be cheaper than a traditional house, but the difference isn’t always as dramatic as you might expect. Traditional home construction in Columbus, for example, typically runs from about $287,000 to $400,000, with an average around $312,000.
Traditional home builds in Ohio come out to around $105 to $300 per square foot. Compare that to the $65 to $160 per square foot range for a barndominium, and there’s certainly room to spend less.
Much of that comes down to what you build. Keeping the footprint simple can help control barndominium costs and give you more usable space if you keep things simple.
The savings can disappear pretty fast once your wish list grows, though. Adding a custom kitchen, multiple bathrooms, big windows, elaborate porches, and high-end finishes can push a barndominium well into traditional-home territory.
If keeping the budget in check is a priority, the biggest savings usually come from keeping the design straightforward and being selective about where you splurge.
What Do You Need to Build a Barndominium in Ohio?
Before you get too attached to a floor plan, make sure you can actually build it on your property. Barndominiums used as homes have to meet residential building requirements just like other houses, and the exact rules can vary depending on where in Ohio you’re building.
You’ll typically need to account for:
- Zoning: Local zoning rules can affect where you can build, how you can use the property, and how far the barndominium needs to sit from property lines or roads.
- Building Permits: Your project may require permits and inspections for the structure, electrical work, plumbing, and other parts of the build.
- Ohio Residential Code: A barndominium used as a residence will need to meet applicable requirements for structural safety, insulation, electrical systems, plumbing, and other residential components.
- Well and Septic: Building on a site without municipal water and sewer service may mean getting additional approvals for a private well and septic system.
It’s a good idea to check the requirements for your specific property early. Finding out that you need additional site work, engineering, or utility improvements after you’ve already settled on a design can make for an unpleasant budget surprise.
Barndominium Costs: Frequently Asked Questions
Once you whip out your math skills and start calculating some real numbers for your barndominium, a few more questions might pop up. Here are some of the ones we get most often from our clients.
How much does a 2,000-square-foot barndominium cost in Ohio?
At $65 to $160 per square foot, a 2,000-square-foot barndominium could cost roughly $130,000 to $320,000 to build. Your actual price will depend on the site, floor plan, finishes, utility needs, and other details of the project.
Can you build a barndominium for $200,000 in Ohio?
Possibly. If your barndominium plan has a smaller footprint, simple design, and modest finishes, it might be possible to build it for less than $200,000.
At $65 to $160 per square foot, a $200,000 construction budget falls within the range for some barndominium projects. Land, site preparation, utilities, size, and upgrades will determine how much house that budget can realistically cover.
How long does it take to build a barndominium?
It usually takes several months to build a barndominium, but the exact timeline can vary based on design, permitting process, site work, material availability, and complexity of the interior.
Permitting timelines can be a bit unpredictable, so the time it takes to finish your build may not follow the exact projected timeline.
Are barndominiums expensive to heat in Ohio?
They don’t have to be. Insulation, air sealing, window quality, ceiling height, and HVAC design all affect how efficiently your barndominium holds onto heat through an Ohio winter. Investing in a well-insulated building envelope can make a big difference in comfort and heating costs.
Can you finance a barndominium in Ohio?
Yep, barndominiums can usually be financed, though your options might look different from those for buying an existing house.
Construction loans are commonly used to finance new builds, and lenders may want detailed plans, a construction budget, an appraisal, and information about the contractor before approving the loan.
Do barndominiums hold their value?
A well-built barndominium can hold its value, but resale depends on the property, location, condition, local housing market, and demand for this style of home. Highly customized layouts may appeal to a smaller group of buyers, so if you plan to resell, it’s worth keeping that in mind.
Do you need a permit to build a barndominium in Ohio?
Yes, you’ll typically need building permits for a barndominium used as a home. Depending on the property and location, you may also need approvals related to zoning, electrical and plumbing work, a private well, or a septic system.
Plan Your Ohio Barndominium With DM Customs
You’ve probably already got a few nonnegotiables in mind. Maybe it’s the oversized garage, a workshop with room to actually work, or an open kitchen where everyone inevitably ends up hanging out. Now you need to figure out how those ideas fit together and what they’ll cost to build.
DM Customs builds custom homes and barndominiums throughout Northeast Ohio. We can help you create a home that fits your property, your priorities, and the way you want to use the space.
Ready to start planning your Ohio barndominium? Contact us today to talk about your build.
Sources & References
- The Spruce – “How Much Does It Cost to Build a Barndominium?”
Provides typical barndominium construction costs per square foot and explains how size, materials, labor, site preparation, and interior finishes can affect the total cost of a build.
https://www.thespruce.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-build-a-barndominium-5216518 - Angi – “How Much Does It Cost to Build a House in Columbus, OH?”
Provides local home construction cost estimates for Columbus, including the typical cost range and average price for building a new house.
https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-build-house/oh/columbus - City of Ashland, Ohio – “Permits”
Outlines local permitting requirements and provides information about building, zoning, electrical, plumbing, and other permits that may apply to residential construction projects.
https://www.ashland-ohio.com/page/permits - International Code Council – “2019 Residential Code of Ohio, Chapter 1: Administration”
Provides Ohio Residential Code requirements related to permits, inspections, construction documents, approvals, and other administrative requirements for residential building projects.
https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/OHRC2019P2/chapter-1-administration
