Building a house that you have completely designed yourself can be one of the most rewarding things you can do. Being able to move into a home that you have spent time making perfect for you and your family is not something everyone gets to experience, and those who have been lucky enough to achieve it know how fantastic that feeling is. By building a home that is specific to your needs and entirely in your own style, you can make your day to day life easier and keep your family happy for years to come.
However, if you have ever looked into what it takes to build a custom home completely from the ground up, you have probably stopped dead in your tracks. The amount of money and energy that a project like this can take up is enough to take anyone back to the drawing board.
That’s why building a barndominium in Washington is such a great option. These simple and unique homes are much more accessible to people who might not otherwise be able to build a custom dream home of their own. Plus, with the advent of the alternative housing movement, there has never been a better time to start a project like this. Banks and builders are more likely to understand what you’re trying to achieve and will be able to help you throughout the entire process.
In this guide, we have put together everything you need to know about building a barndominium in Washington to help you get started. By knowing what the process is like and what your options are, you can get yourself started on the right track.
What Is a Barndominium and What Are Some of the Advantages?
A barndominium is a home built from the shell of a metal post frame building or pole barn. These buildings are usually used for things like agricultural or industrial purposes. For example, horse stables are generally built from pole barns. However, they can be used as a structure for beautiful custom homes and can be framed up on the inside just like a traditional house. Even though they are built on a metal slab and use poles driven into the ground as the frame, they are just like a normal house in every other way.
One of the main benefits of building a barndominium in Washington is how much less expensive it can be. Barndominiums can be built in about half the time it takes to build a traditional home. Because of this, you can save yourself a lot of time and money on your actual build. This opens up the possibility of building one of these homes to a much wider variety of people.
One of the other advantages of this kind of home is that they are incredibly durable. Because of their all-metal construction, you don’t have to worry nearly as much about things like rot, mold, or mildew. This is especially important in a place like Washington where the weather can be incredibly wet. This can save you a lot of money on repairs down the line.
Cost of Building a Barndominium in Washington
One of the first things you will want to do when deciding to build a barndominium in Washington is figure out your budget. When you are building a home, the cost is figured out by the square foot. This allows you to decide on things like the size of the concrete slab foundation and how many bedrooms and bathrooms your barndominium will have. Knowing the cost per square foot lets you make decisions based on how much home you can actually afford.
The cost of building a traditional home in Washington is around $350 per square foot. One thing that is important to keep in mind is that this does not include things like electronics or utility installation. This will only get you the basic structure of your home, so you will have to put extra money in your budget for all the things that make it liveable.
The cost of building a barndominium in Washington, on the other hand, is an average of $240 per square foot. With this extra money, you could afford to include all the things you would want to include in a custom dream home. Custom cabinets and countertops, electronics, and furniture can all be included in your original budget and you can afford to make your barndo as comfortable as possible.
Barndominium Builders in Washington
After you have decided on a budget, you should then think about choosing a builder for your barndominium in Washington. While you can certainly do some of the work on your barndo yourself, it is very important that you get a professional builder to do the structural work. This will ensure that your home is built to code and that you won’t be out of compliance with any zoning laws in your area. It can be difficult to choose the right builder for your project, but there are a few things you can look for that will help.
One of the most important things to look for in a builder for your barndominium in Washington is experience with steel buildings. Most home builders will only only be familiar with the building of traditional stick frame homes, so it is key that you find someone who knows how to build pole barns and post frame buildings. Luckily, there are quite a few builders who specialize in this particular style of building.
You should also look for a builder who has a good relationship with their previous clients. You are not only paying a builder for their experience, you are also paying them to walk you through the whole process. They should be friendly and personable and they should have good people skills. Look online for reviews for any builder you are considering hiring. The opinions of their previous customers will be a good indication of what kind of customer service experience they can offer. To help you get started, we have put together a short list of builders for your barndominium in Washington.
Solid Structures
Solid Structures is a metal pole building construction company in Washington. They have built over 1,500 buildings since their inception and they always make sure that everything is done right the first time. This makes them a great choice if you want the highest quality possible for your barndominium in Washington.
Cordis LLC
Cordis LLC has been designing and building metal post frame structures for over ten years. In that time, they have learned everything about building in the state of Washington and can help you ensure that your barndominium is up to code.
Spane Buildings
Spane Buildings has been in the business for almost 80 years and they work to build a lifelong relationship with the people they serve. This makes them a great choice for your barndominium in Washington if you want to work with somebody who will be a partner to you throughout the whole process.
Ironwood Structures
Ironwood Structures specializes in metal buildings like post frame structures and pole barns. They have years of experience building these types of projects. If you want that kind of expertise from your builder, they could be a great option for you.
Barndominium Kit Providers in Washington
For people who don’t want to build their barndominium in Washington from scratch, there is another option. Barndominium kits come completely prefabricated with everything you need to get your home up off the ground. If you don’t want to spend time sourcing parts and getting materials together, this could be a good option for you.
One of the nice things about getting a barndominium kit is that providers will offer comprehensive support. This means that you will never be alone throughout the build process. Many of them will also have contractors they can recommend who have worked with the kits in the past.
Check out these barndominium kits under 50k and barndominium kits under 100k to make building your barndominium even easier.
Barndominium Financing in Washington
BarndominiumLoans.com
One of the best resources for getting barndominium financing is by using BarndominiumLoans.com. They are a quote service that takes down your information and works behind-the-scenes with vetted lenders who are best for your location and financial situation.
Whether you have a perfect credit score or a subpar one, and whether you’re located in South Carolina or South Dakota, you can submit your information to get a quote within 24-48 hours.
Barndominium Financing Request
WaFd Bank
WaFd Bank is dedicated to the community of Washington state. They love to work with people like you who are looking to build interesting and exciting projects in the community.
Farm Plus Financial
Farm Plus Financial understands the diversity of Washington and will be much more sympathetic to the particular needs of your project than another bank might be. This makes them a great choice for financing your barndominium in Washington.
Barndominium Taxes in Washington
You will need to pay taxes on your barndominium Washington just like you would for a traditional home, but with one subtle difference. Many barndominiums fall under something called dual use construction. This means that you will pay a different tax rate for different areas of your home. The areas that are residential will be different from the areas that are for storage. A tax assessor can help you figure out what you need to be paying for each.
Where to Find Barndominium Insurance in Washington
You can find insurance for your barndominium in Washington in many of the same places you can find it for a traditional home. One thing you should consider when getting insurance for a barndominium is where you live. If you are in a place like Washington where floods are common, it is important that you get flood coverage. Work with an insurance agent to make sure you get the coverage you need for your barndominium.
Barndominium Floor Plans in Washington
The floor plan for your barndominium in Washington is one of the most important things you will put together. A floor plan lays out where everything is arranged on your concrete slab foundation including bedrooms, bathrooms, and living areas. To get this put together, write out a list of all your requirements and bring them to a professional draftsman. The draftsman will use that list to put together a workable floor plan that you and your builder will turn into your perfect barndominium in Washington. There is also a software that allows you to design your own barndominium.
Barndominiums for Sale in Washington
Don’t want all the hassle of building a barndominium from the ground up? Then you may want to buy an existing barndominium in Washington! With our Barndominiums for Sale Marketplace, you can browse to your state and find a barndominium for sale near you.
The beauty of buying an existing barndominium is that it can be really easy to customize the floor plan to your liking. The previous owners’ setup is just a starting point! Also, by buying a barndominium in Washington, you bypass the potential troubles of the building process – delays, dealing with contractors and subcontractors, and city or county bureaucrats trying to make your build process a nightmare.
Don’t delay – find a barndominium for sale in Washington now!
Conclusion
By reading this guide, you should now have a good understanding of what it takes to build a barndominium in Washington. Understanding the process and knowing what to expect can help you make your build process as smooth as possible.
If you would like even more helpful information, check out the rest of Barndominiums.co. There, you will find more in-depth guides like this one and some more tips and tricks from the pros. You will also find some beautiful featured barndominiums that will inspire you to start thinking about your own custom dream home.
