Understand Barndominium Pricing

Let’s Clear Up Barndominium Pricing

We get a lot of calls from people interested in building a barndominium, and one of the first things we often hear is:

“I thought barndominiums were under $100 per square foot turnkey.”

We understand why people think that. There are many ads and online posts that make barndominiums sound like a cheap way to build a home. However, in most cases, those numbers don’t tell the full story.

A residential barndominium built correctly is not the same as an agricultural pole barn, equipment shed, or a metal building shell converted into a house.

In Georgia, if a structure is used as a home, it must be built as a home. That means it must meet residential building codes, be designed for residential occupancy, and be constructed to handle the specific conditions of its location.

What “Turnkey” Really Includes

A true turnkey residential build involves far more than just the shell. It typically includes:

• Sitework and preparation
• Foundation and concrete
• Framing and roofing
• Windows and doors
• Insulation
• Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems
• Drywall and interior finishes
• Cabinets, countertops, flooring, and tile
• Trim, paint, and fixtures
• Porches, garages, and covered areas
• Utilities, permitting, and inspections
• Supervision, insurance, and project management

Realistic Barndominium Costs in Georgia

Because of everything involved, a properly built custom home or residential barndominium in Georgia typically ranges from:

$225–$350+ per heated square foot

This depends on factors such as:

• Floor plan and design
• Site conditions
• Engineering requirements
• Material selections and finish level

When including porches, garages, breezeways, and other covered spaces, the average cost may come out closer to:

$165+ per square foot under roof

However, this number can be misleading if not explained clearly. Heated living space costs significantly more to build than porches, garages, and open covered areas.

Not All Structures Are Created Equal

Can someone build an agricultural-style structure for less? Yes.

But that does not mean it is a legal, code-compliant residential home.

There is a major difference between:

• An agricultural building used for storage, equipment, or livestock
  and
• A residential home where a family lives every day

What Many Low Prices Leave Out

One of our biggest concerns is that homeowners are often presented with low square-foot pricing without being told what’s missing.

In many cases, lower pricing may only include the shell—or exclude critical components such as:

• Engineering and structural design
• Foundation and sitework
• Utilities and connections
• Interior finishes
• Code compliance requirements

Questions to Ask Before You Compare Prices

Before choosing a builder or comparing quotes, make sure you understand exactly what is included:

• Is it designed and permitted as a residential home?
• Does it include a full set of engineered, code-compliant drawings?
• Does the quote include disclaimers placing code responsibility on you?
• Is the structure designed for your specific location and load requirements in Georgia?
• Will it pass residential inspections?
• Is the price truly turnkey—or just for the shell?
• What is excluded from the advertised square-foot price?
• Will the home be insurable, financeable, and fully permitted?

Our Approach

We’re not here to discourage anyone from building a barndominium. We build them—and we believe they can be a great option when done the right way.

But we also believe homeowners deserve honest, transparent pricing from the start.

A lower upfront cost can lead to much bigger problems later if the structure is not properly designed, permitted, inspected, and built for residential use.

At Custom View Contracting, our goal is not to be the cheapest builder. Our goal is to build safe, code-compliant homes designed for the families who live in them.

Custom View Contracting
Custom Barndominiums • New Construction • Concrete • Excavation • Metal Roofing • Red Iron Buildings