Building a Barndominium in Idaho – The Complete Guide

A custom home build is one of the most rewarding but difficult things you can take on as a project. There are so many possibilities when it comes to what you can include and how customized a home can be. If you have ever dreamed about building a house, you know how inspiring and invigorating it is and how you can get carried away thinking about all the things you might want to include.

However, if you have ever really looked into what it takes to get a project like this actually finished, you may have been turned off of the idea. The fact is, it can be incredibly expensive and time consuming to build your own home and it simply isn’t accessible to everyone. 

Because of this, building a barndominium in Idaho is a fantastic alternative. With the popularity of things like tiny homes, shop houses, and shipping container homes, there are more and more banks and builders who are starting to understand the demand for these kinds of homes. Because of that, they are becoming more accessible to experienced home builders and first time buyers alike. 

In this article, we have put together a comprehensive guide to help you build a barndominium in Idaho. By understanding everything that goes into a project like this, you can give yourself the best possible chance at success. 

barndominium in idaho interior

What Is a Barndominium and What Are Some of the Advantages? 

A barndominium is a custom home built using the structure of a post frame building or metal pole barn. These kinds of buildings are usually used for more industrial purposes instead of residential. They generally get used for agriculture, warehouses, and workshops, however, with a little bit of modification and ingenuity, they can be turned into beautiful custom homes that are unlike anything you have ever seen. They can be framed up on the inside just like a traditional home but without all the additional framing that needs to take place to get the structure up. 

One of the major benefits of building a barndominium in Idaho is the cost. A barndominium can be built in about half the time it takes to build a traditional home. Because of this, you can save a lot of money on construction and materials. This is one of the reasons they are so accessible to people who might not otherwise be able to build their own home. 

The other big advantage of building a barndominium in Idaho is the fact that they are so durable and easy to maintain. Their steel construction makes them impervious to some of the harsh weather elements that can wreak havoc on other types of wood homes. Because you don’t have to worry about things like mold, mildew, and rot, you can save a lot of money on general maintenance throughout your ownership of your barndominium. 

Cost of Building a Barndominium in Idaho

Once you have decided to build a barndominium in Idaho, you will want to figure out your budget and how much you can afford to spend. When building a house, this is usually done by figuring out the cost per square foot. This will not only allow you to figure out how much house you can afford, it will also let you decide how big your piece of property needs to be and how many bedrooms and bathrooms you can afford to put in your barndominium in Idaho. 

The cost of building a traditional home in Idaho is around $266 per square foot. However, one important thing to keep in mind with this figure is that it does not include the finishing work that needs to happen in order to make your home liveable. If you want to complete the home and have something more than just a basic structure, you will need to spend more money and include more in your budget. This can cause your construction costs to go up quite a bit. 

The cost of building a barndominium in Idaho, however, is, on average, just $200 per square foot. This $34 difference can make the cost of your construction quite a bit less. When this is spread out over the entirety of your barndominium in Idaho, you can end up saving a lot of money. With this extra money, you can afford all the things you might want to include with your barndominium in Idaho like furniture and custom furnishings. 

barndominium in idaho interior

Barndominium Builders in Idaho

After you have decided on a budget, you will then want to start looking for builders for your barndominium in Idaho. While there are certainly some aspects of the job you can do yourself, there are others, such as making sure the building is up to code, that you will want to make sure you have a professional to work on. The construction business can be generally difficult to navigate no matter what kind of project you are working on. Luckily, there are some things you can look for in a builder. 

One of the most important things to look for in a builder for your barndominium in Idaho is expertise. Most general contractors will not have the knowledge that is necessary to build a project like this one, so it is important that you find someone who has the experience needed to get the job done. If possible, find a builder who specializes in barndominiums who can help you get the exact final product you want. 

One of the other things you should look for is a builder who has a good relationship with their former clients. Look for reviews online of any builder you are thinking about hiring. They former customers will be able to give a good picture of what their customer service experience was like and whether or not they had a good time working with that particular builder. To help you get started on your search, we have put together a short list of some of the best builders for your barndominium in Idaho. 

Morton Buildings 

Morton Buildings has experience with a wide range of custom pole structures and metal pole barns. If you are looking for a builder who can help you get a perfect final product and has experience adapting to your needs, they could be a great choice. 

Steel Design LLC 

Steel Design LLC has been in business since 1974 and in that time, they have learned everything there is to know about designing and building metal buildings. They can work with you to come up with a unique building that is unlike anything else you have seen. 

CDA Structures 

CDA Structures is focused on the experience they can offer their clients. They pride themselves on being able to offer the best possible customer service to the people they work with and will give you their utmost attention throughout the entire build 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 Idaho

If you don’t want to build your barndominium in Idaho from scratch, you have other options. One of these is to purchase a barndominium kit. Barndominium kits come to your build site completely prefabricated and have everything you need already measured and ready to be built. 

Most barndominium kit providers will give you comprehensive support throughout your build. Some of them even have builders that they work with regularly and who know the kits inside and out. They will be able to recommend these builders if there are any in your area. 

Check out these barndominium kits under 50k and barndominium kits under 100k to make building your barndominium even easier.

Barndominium Financing in Idaho

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

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Idaho AgCredit

Idaho AgCredit has been in business since 1934 and they know what it’s like to build a project like this in Idaho. If you want to work with a bank that understands the build process and what it takes, they could be a great option for your barndominium financing

Ireland Bank

Ireland Bank has deep roots in the community in Idaho. They understand the area and the ins and outs of building in the region. If you want that kind of knowledge of the state, they could be a good choice. 

Barndominium Taxes in Idaho

You will need to pay taxes on your barndominium in Idaho just like you would for any other kind of home. However, many barndominiums fall under a category called “dual use construction.” This means that you will need to pay different rates for the sections of your home that are for living in and the sections that are for storage. A tax assessor can help you figure out what you need to be paying. 

barndominium in idaho exterior

Where to Find Barndominium Insurance in Idaho

You should be able to get insurance for your barndominium in Idaho anywhere you get traditional insurance. However, you may have a hard time finding a company that knows how to cover your particular home. This is why it is very important to keep detailed records of what you spend and how your barndominium in Idaho is valued. An insurance agent can work with you and make sure you are covered with the right policy. 

Barndominium Floor Plans in Idaho

Your floor plan is one of the most important things you will put together for your barndominium in Idaho. This is where you will figure out how your rooms will be laid out and how everything will be sized. To get started on this, write down everything you want to include with your barndominium and what you need to make your daily life comfortable. Then, bring this list to a professional draftsman who will turn it into a floor plan that your builder can use to bring it to life. 

Barndominiums for Sale in Idaho

Don’t want all the hassle of building a barndominium from the ground up? Then you may want to buy an existing barndominium in Idaho! 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 Idaho, 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 Idaho now!

Conclusion

By reading this guide, you should now have a good idea of what it takes to get a barndominium in Idaho built. Keeping this information handy will allow you to be prepared throughout the process and know what to expect from it. 

If you would like even more information on building barndominiums, be sure to check out the rest of Barndominiums.co. There, you will find more in-depth guides like this one as well as more information on insurance and costs. You will also find featured barndominiums that will help get you inspired for your own project.