What is a Barndominium?
In short, a barndominium is a combo home & work space. Or, it can simply be a home without a separate work space. Our barndominiums are created to your needs, and shipped to you in a nicely bundled package. You put it together. For even more information see “Barndominium 101“.
How much does a barndominium kit cost?
Barndominium kits from Absolute Steel range in price depending on style, size and floor plan. Costs for finishing the home are comparable to what you’d pay for more traditional home construction. Your big savings are in the house’s frame, siding and roofing – and in the ease and speed of construction. Over the years you’ll save big on maintenance costs, too. Your steel-strong frame, siding and roofing can far outlast other home kit material options. Visit “ROI and Savings” for details on how you save money.
What is included in a barndominium kit?
Your barndominium kit includes the complete steel exterior frame, all siding and roofing panels, all trim and fasteners. Everything needed to erect the basic structure, and anchor it to its foundation. If purchased, all necessary engineering calculations and specifications are there too, signed and sealed by a licensed engineer in your state.
What is not included in a kit?
Your kit does not include building materials for your foundation, interior walls, wiring, plumbing and other elements.
Where can my kit be shipped?
We can ship your barndominium kit almost anywhere in the world. Of course, we’re most experienced in shipping to locations in Texas, where we’ve delivered a whole lot of building kits over the years. Name the place, and we’ll work with you to make the arrangements.
How long does it take to install?
The basic “shell” of your barndominium – exterior frame, siding and roof, all anchored to your foundation – can be completed in a matter of a few days, up to several weeks. It depends on the scope of your building, and amount of help that you have.
For smaller structures, a few days installation has been achieved many times over, by people with little or no construction experience, using common tools. How can that be? We’ve worked hard to make our assembly as easy as possible.
We show you how with easy-to-follow instructions, and our staff are always happy to help you out, if you run into questions along the way.
Can I get a tax credit for building a barndominium?
Tax credit on any new house is dependent on so many factors that we couldn’t give you a definite answer to that here. However, many of the roofing and siding panels you’ll have to choose from in selecting your kit home carry an Energy Star rating.
Choosing such panels would be a significant step toward qualifying for tax credit.
What about a foundation?
Most often our buildings are erected on a concrete slab with a “footing” of thicker, reinforced concrete around the slab’s outer edges. Building codes vary from place to place, though, so you’ll need to check into your local requirements to find out exactly what’s needed in your area.
What about waste water (sewage)?
Consult your contractor or local building department for waste water handling requirements in your area (connection to municipal sewage system, septic tank, or other options). Local contractors will be familiar with what is needed, and with how to set you up most economically.
What about plumbing?
Your home kit will not include plumbing parts and fixtures, though. It works out to be more economical for you to obtain plumbing supplies locally.
Do I need a permit to put up a barndominium?
In some areas in the US, yes – you will need a building permit. Consult your local building authority for the details of what’s needed to obtain a permit. We’ll work with you to ensure the plans we provide you will help you meet or exceed all requirements.
What sizes are available?
Your barndominium shell can be ordered in any one of a thousand sizes. Whether you need a basic structure, or need customizations like lofts, basem*nts, second story framing, or anything else. Talk to us – we’ll get you squared away.
Can I customize my barndominium kit?
Yes, you can definitely customize your barndominium. The exterior framing is standard in all our styles and sizes. The plans we provide are standardized for each style, size and floor plan. From there, there are endless opportunities to make your home distinctly, uniquely yours. Our siding and roofing panels are available in a wide range of colors. Decorative faux stonework panels are also available in several styles and colors, to give your house’s exterior a distinctive look. And when it comes to your interior, the possibilities are huge – colors, textures, cabinets, counter tops, flooring, fixtures, lighting – it goes on and on.
Can I have a fireplace?
Certainly. Though none of our floor plans includes a fireplace, a local builder’s supply store or contractor can show you how one can be added. There are kits available these days that can make installing a fireplace a fairly simple proposition.
Is Financing available?
The barndominium kit itself could be included in any overall financing package you might obtain from your local lender. When it comes to a primary or secondary home, you are best off dealing with your local lender or mortgage company—they know your area.
Can you help me find a contractor?
Although we won’t recommend specific contractors, we’re happy to provide you with guidelines for finding one who can do the jobs you need competently and economically.
Is there a warranty on my barndominium kit?
Our frame systems have a lifetime warranty and the steel panels we use have a paint warranty against fading, chalking or peeling for 20, 30 and even 40 years depending upon which panels you select.
What about insurance?
To find a homeowner’s insurance policy, a local insurance agent is your best bet. These days, you can often obtain special home coverage rates from the same company that insures your car.
Wil I be able to add on to my barndominium later?
Certainly. Additions could be as simple as putting up an adjoining storage building, or extending a patio cover out from your original house’s roof. More elaborate additions, such as new rooms, would require a bit more advanced design and planning, but any reputable local contractor could help you with these.
What about a garage or carport?
A garage or carport can definitely be added, and we build those as well. It’s a simple matter to add a separategarage building or carport, adjoining the main building. Attaching a garage or carport to your house’s structure is a bit more involved, so naturally the best time to make such plans is right at the beginning. Get in touch with us about this early, so we can help you make the right decisions.
Does a barndominium have an attic?
Yes, each of our home kit and guest house styles includes attic space. The Gambrel and Alpine styles, with their steeper roof lines, offer the most upper-level space. If you need a loft, or upstairs living space, we can help you with that too. If you need a livable attic space, or loft, we can do that. Just talk to us.
Is roofing included?
Yes. Your kit includes a complete roof – quality metal roofing panels. Metal roofing is now recognized as far superior to traditional asphalt shingle roofing, and ready to keep your home secure for decades. It also includes all your home’s siding, with a number of material, color and design options available.
What about doors and windows?
Your house kit includes standard framing for windows and exterior doors. The doors and windows themselves are not ordinarily included, though. We’ve found that you can save significantly by purchasing them from local suppliers. This also avoids the risk of damage during shipping. (If you prefer that we ship doors and windows along with your kit, just let us know – we’ll be happy to do so.)
Will you install my barndominium for me?
We are a manufacturer and not a general contractor. We do not install building kits.
What about inspections and permits?
Metal building inspection and permit requirements vary from location to location. Before you build, you’ll need to contact your local building authority to learn the specific requirements in your area. We’ll be happy to supply you with drawings, engineering calculations or other documentation needed.
The Foundation
Note: Requirements for residential foundations vary from area to area. Theengineered drawingsprovided with your cabin kit will include foundation specifications that meet or exceed your local requirements.
Barndominiums from Absolute Steel are designed to be anchored to a concrete foundation. This is accomplished with a concrete floor, combined with either footers or stand-alone concrete piers.
Floor and Footers
In most areas, a standard foundation for this class of building consists of a concrete slab at least 4″ thick, with a perimeter footing at least 12″ wide and 12″ deep. Conditions and requirements vary from area to area, though, so you might consider phoning us and speaking to one of our building consultants – they’ve dealt with this issue many times. If you’re doing the job yourself (or just in case you’re interested in some of the technical details) the pad should be 2500-psi concrete (minimum), with either #3 steel reinforcing bars set every 24”, or fiber mesh reinforcement added to the concrete mixture. Expansion joints should either be saw-cut within an appropriate time after the pour, or troweled in as part of the finishing process.
Footing Requirements
At the same time you pour the floor, you are going to pour the perimeter footings. This is called a “monolithic pour” or “monolithic slab.” Perimeter footings need to be 12″ deep (you can include the 4″ of floor as part of the 12″) and 12″ wide.* The footings will have to have two #4 rebar lengths top and bottom, in a continuous run around the entire perimeter. *(Subject to your area’s frostline requirements/issues)
