Building a home is something that everyone dreams of doing. Being able to design a house to your specific tastes and style is incredibly rewarding and can set you and your family up for a lifetime of happiness. However, it is not always easy to get a project like this off the ground. There are so many things that you need to consider and so many hoops to jump through that many people give up on the prospect before they even get a chance to start it. Not to mention, the cost of a project like a home build is enough to put anyone off at first glance.
That’s why building a barndominium in Michigan is such an interesting project and can be worth taking the time to do. With the popularity of alternative housing on the rise, there has never been a better time to get a project like this going. There are more opportunities, lending outlets and builders for homes like this popping up everyday and if you are interested in building a barndominium in Michigan, there will more than likely be enough resources for you to get the help you need.
In this guide, we have put together all the information you need to build a barndominium in Michigan. By understanding what it takes to get a home like this built and what you need to prepare for, you can start yourself off on the right foot and increase your chances of success.
What Is a Barndominium and What Are Some of the Advantages?
A barndominium is a custom home that has been built from the shell of a new or existing metal pole structure. Pole structures use post frames that are driven into the ground instead of a traditional wood frame. Unlike traditional homes, they sit on top of a concrete slab and require a lot less work to get up off the ground. Barndominiums first started showing up in the late 1980s, but they reached the public consciousness when they started being featured on popular television programs in the 2010s. Since then, they have become more and more common, and many more people are starting to see the benefits of this unique type of home.
One of the main advantages of building a barndominium in Michigan over a traditional home is that it takes a lot less time to get the structure built. Because they can come prefabricated, there is a lot less design and creation that goes into the build process. This can save you both time and money when you are doing your initial build and takes a lot of the stress out of the entire job.
One of the other major benefits of building a barndominium in Michigan is that they are very durable. Because they have an all-steel construction, barndominiums are very resistant to things like moisture, snow, and ice. This is especially important in a state like Michigan which sees fairly heavy winters and where homes can suffer because of that. Wood has a tendency to rot and deteriorate when it is exposed to moisture and dried out. Barndominiums don’t have that problem and are much less susceptible to large repairs and structural problems due to exposure to wet weather and other elements.
Cost of Building a Barndominium in Michigan
When you are working out your budget for a home build, one of the best ways to do it is to figure out the cost per square foot. There are many benefits to this, but the main one is that it will give you an idea of how much home you can actually afford. Once you figure out the size of the lot you can get, then you can start working out how many bedrooms and bathrooms you can fit inside this space.
The cost of building a traditional home in Michigan is around $230 per square foot. This will include all the liveable space that is in the house itself. It will not include spaces like garages, attics, basements, or outbuildings. It will also not include any of the things that are inside the actual house. Countertops, electronics, and appliances are not a part of this cost per square foot. It will only cover the initial build and everything else will have to be added to your budget after the fact.
A barndominium in Michigan is quite a bit cheaper to build. At $195 per square foot on average, a barndominium can save you quite a bit of money. Even though this is just $35 less per square foot, when this is spread out over the entirety of the home, it will add up rather quickly. With that extra money, you can include all of the things you would like your home to have that make it worth the trouble of building and designing yourself. Custom cabinetry and appliances can improve your quality of life in your custom home and being able to afford them is incredibly important.
Barndominium Builders in Michigan
One of the most crucial decisions you will make while building your barndominium in Michigan is who you are going to hire to do the actual building. While some of the work can be done on your own, other work will have to be done by a professional contractor who is licensed and bonded by the state. By choosing the right builder, you can keep your barndominium built in compliance with all codes and safe for everyone involved.
When choosing a builder for your barndominium in Michigan, there are a few things you should look for. One of the most important things is experience. Not all builders will know how to put up a metal post-frame building. If at all possible, find a builder who specializes in steel buildings and can help you build a home that will last for years and years.
You should also look for a builder that has a lot of good reviews from their previous clients. Building a home is a very personal thing and if a builder has a good relationship with the people they have worked with in the past, this means that they will be able to deliver a quality product and experience to you as well. To help you get started, we have put together a short list of some of the best builders for a barndominium in Michigan.
KAB Construction
KAB Construction is a BBB registered company that has been building steel structures for many years. If you want a barndominium in Michigan that is built to the highest standards, they could be a good option.
Orchard Construction
Orchard Construction is a builder for your barndominium in Michigan that is dedicated to helping you see your vision through to the very end. They can help make your home attractive and energy-efficient and specialize in many different types of construction. If you would like your barndominium to be unique and customized, they are a good choice.
Burly Oak Builders
Burly Oak Builders specializes in post-frame buildings that are completely customized to the specifications of their customers. They don’t work with prefabricated kits and will instead build you a barndominium in Michigan that is completely from scratch.
Barndominium Kit Providers in Michigan
If you are not interested in building a barndominium in Michigan from the ground up, a barndominium kit could be the solution you are looking for. Barndominium Kits come completely prefabricated and arrive at your build site in one complete shipment.
Many barndominium kit providers will provide detailed instructions and some will even offer support throughout your entire build process. Many kit providers will work exclusively with local contractors who are familiar with the kits and can see your whole build through to the end. Check out these barndominium kits under 50k and barndominium kits under 100k
Barndominium Financing in Michigan
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
Farm Credit
Farm Credit is one of the largest agricultural banks in Michigan. They have lent out over 7.2 billion dollars to over 27,000 customers since its inception. This makes them a great choice if you want to work with a bank that is highly experienced.
Eastern Michigan Bank
Eastern Michigan Bank is localized to the Michigan area and understands the needs of the people living and working in the area. They can help you with any locally specific issues and walk you through the whole lending process professionally and easily.
Barndominium Taxes in Michigan
You will have to pay taxes on your barndominium in Michigan just like you would for any other type of home. However, because barndominiums are unique, a tax assessor will have to come out to your home and figure out what category it falls under.
Many barndominiums fall under dual-use construction. This means that you will pay different taxes for the liveable parts of your home and the parts that you use for storage or utilities. The assessor will let you know how your barndominium in Michigan is categorized and what the right steps are.
Where to Find Barndominium Insurance in Michigan
For insurance, your barndominium will fall under many of the same categories as a traditional home. For the most part, you can get traditional homeowner’s insurance for your barndominium in Michigan. However, you should get the right coverage for what you have inside your home as well as outside your home.
As barndominiums become more popular, insurance companies are starting to understand what they are and how to insure them. Talk to an insurance agent to make sure that your new home will be protected in the event of an unforeseen emergency.
Barndominium Floor Plans in Michigan
Your barndominium floor plan will dictate what kind of flow your home has as well as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. There are all kinds of floor plan ideas online that can give you some inspiration. Take a look and start sketching up some ideas for what you want to include in your home, or you can have fun designing your plan with a barndominium design software.
After you have done this, take your ideas to a professional draftsman. They will be able to turn those plans into a detailed floor plan. This can then be given to your builder who can take your ideas and turn them into a reality.
Barndominiums for Sale in Michigan
Don’t want all the hassle of building a barndominium from the ground up? Then you may want to buy an existing barndominium in Michigan! 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 Michigan, 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 Michigan now!
Conclusion
Now that you have a good idea of what it takes to build a barndominium in Michigan, you can start planning out your home. By knowing what goes into a project like this, you can be prepared when the process actually starts. That will get you going on the right track and make your barndominium build go smoother and be more successful.
Check out the rest of barndominiums.co for more ideas and information on building a barndominium. Having as much information as you can is always a good idea for a project like this and our experts have put together some comprehensive guides on everything you need to know to get your custom dream home built.
