The Average Cost To Build A Barndominium In Michigan

Barndominiums have captured the imagination of many homebuyers across Michigan, and for good reason. With their flexible layouts, spacious interiors, and potential for creative features like workshops, gyms, or entertainment spaces, barndominiums offer a unique opportunity to build a home that fits your lifestyle.

But there’s also a lot of confusion surrounding what a barndominium actually is, and how much it really costs to build one. At Snowden Builders, we’ve seen everything from modest structures that resemble a classic barn to high-end barndominiums with vaulted ceilings, luxury kitchens, and expansive garage-workshop hybrids.

At Snowden Builders, we’ve built high-quality, timeless luxury custom homes across Western Michigan for over 25 years. If you’re considering building new, here’s what you need to know about the cost to build a custom barndominium.

What Is a Barndominium?

A barndominium (or “barndo”) is a style of home that blends residential living with a barn-like structure, but that can mean very different things depending on the build. Some are steel-framed, others post-frame or stick-built. Some resemble simple farm buildings, while others are sprawling, high-end homes with rustic charm and modern finishes.

What makes them popular is their versatility. Many barndominium owners use the space for more than just living – they incorporate workspaces, car collections, home gyms, or even sports courts. It’s a style that emphasizes open-concept living, often with high ceilings, wide-open rooms, and fewer interior walls.

Differences Between A Barndominium & A Traditional Home

Because the term barndominium can be applied to a wide variety of homes and means different things to different people, the lines between a barndominium and a house can be blurred. Barndominiums typically differ from traditional custom homes in a few key ways:

• Construction Materials: Barndos are often built with steel or post-frame exteriors, while custom homes are traditionally stick-built with wood or masonry framing.
• Exterior Appearance: Many barndominiums feature metal siding and roofing, giving them a more industrial or modern farmhouse look.
• Foundations: Most barndominiums are built slab-on-grade, meaning they typically do not include basements.
• Design Flexibility: Open truss systems allow for wide open spaces and multi-use areas inside barndominiums.

That said, these are just common characteristics, not limitations. A high-end barndominium can include luxury features and detailed craftsmanship every bit as stunning as a traditional custom home.

What Is the Average Cost to Build a Barndominium in Michigan?

When it comes to barndominiums, there isn’t really an average cost because the options vary significantly. There is a common misconception that a barndominium is a much less expensive alternative to building a traditional house (some sources will tell you the average cost is between $150,000 to $225,000), but that isn’t always the case. Even if you DIY the project, the materials and related expenses can still add up quickly.  

The truth is, a quality barndominium, especially one with finished living space and added features, often costs more than expected.

Land Purchase Cost

First, you will need to purchase the land where you will build the barndominium. The cost of land varies significantly based on location and features of the land. In Michigan, the average cost for an acre of land is $16,500. However, if you want to buy land in a more populated area, along the waterfront, or in a place popular with heavy tourist traffic (like Saugatuck or Grand Haven), then you can expect to pay a lot more for the property.

Development Costs

Many people choose to build barndominiums in more rural locations. This style of house looks great in the woods, and the large windows and doors give homeowners the ability to look out at beautiful natural vistas. However, if you choose to build on undeveloped land, then you may also need to factor in the cost of hooking the house up to electricity, gas, water, internet, sewage (or septic), and more. You might even need to put in a driveway or access road to get to the property.  Even on developed land, you will have to account for the expense of clearing and preparing the land, which might be as much as $35,000.

Architectural Design Costs

The second cost associated with barndominiums is paying for a design. You might work with an architect or designer to come up with a floor plan. Alternatively, you can purchase a barndominium design from a company that offers pre-designed floor plans that you can customize. Stock plans may cost $1,500 to $2,000, while custom plans can exceed $5,000, especially when incorporating large windows, porches, or fireplaces.

However, because barndominium kits may limit your design flexibility, achieving a truly customized feel may be harder or more expensive than expected.

Material Costs

Once you have a floor plan, the third big expense will be the materials needed to build the barndominium. Some companies offer kits that include the exterior walls, siding, the roof, framed openings for doors and windows, and steel columns. It will also include the hardware, such as bolts and screws. If you add any custom elements to your design, then that will be an added expense on top of the basic kit cost.

Barndominium kits can cost anywhere from $50 to $100 per square foot. The actual cost will vary based on the size of the home, the design of the home, the number of garage doors, porch additions, and other features. If purchasing a kit, most homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000. Importantly, these kits only include the exterior materials, so any interior materials (from insulation to appliances) will be an added expense.

You can generally expect materials to account for 30-40% of the total costs. So, if you were to build a custom barndominium, the total cost of materials could be anywhere from $225,000 to $320,000 or more, depending on the size of the barndominium and the quality of the materials. 

Labor Costs

Fourth, you will need to pay for labor to construct the house. On average, you might spend $150 to $190 per square foot in labor. Barndominiums may seem simpler to build, but steel construction can actually be more specialized and more expensive than traditional stick-built homes.

Interior Finishing Costs

The fifth and final expense of building a barndominium is a big one: finishing the interior. You will still have to pay for both the materials and the installation of everything from the interior doors and walls to kitchen cabinets to flooring. Depending on the finishes that you choose, this could easily cost $50,000 to $100,000 or more.

Total Average Cost

Overall, the average cost to build a barndominium may range from $350,000 for a small, very basic model to more than $650,000 for a larger barndominium with a more complex design. Luxury barndominiums with custom interiors, high-end finishes, exposed beams, and floor-to-ceiling windows might cost $750,000 to over $1,000,000. 

Building A Custom Barndominium Vs. a Custom Home

When you compare the cost to build a custom barndominium with the cost to build a custom house, you’ll find that the price difference is actually somewhat negligible. While the pricing is often similar, the decision between building a barndominium or a traditional custom home comes down to lifestyle, layout preferences, and personal style. Some key differences to consider:

• Architecture & Style: Barndominiums tend to have simpler exterior designs, while custom homes offer more architectural flexibility.
• Basements: If storm safety or extra storage is a priority, a traditional home with a basement might be better suited to your needs.
• Acoustics & Privacy: The open concept in barndos can mean echoing sound and less privacy, which is an important consideration for families.
• Multi-Purpose Spaces: If you want a garage, shop, home gym, or even a home business space integrated into your living space, a barndominium may be ideal.

Our team can help you weigh your options, along with the pros and cons, to help you build a living space you can truly call home. 

Building a Custom Home Or Barndominium in West Michigan with Snowden Builders

Whether you’re drawn to the rustic-modern style of a barndominium or the timeless elegance of a custom home, our team is here to help you explore your options. If you’re considering building a custom home or barndominium in Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, Allegan, Ionia, Barry, or Kalamazoo Counties, our team can provide you with a free estimate. By personalizing the estimate based on your needs, we can help you understand what it will cost to build the home of your dreams.

Based in Grandville, Snowden Builders has crafted gorgeous luxury custom houses for homeowners throughout Western Michigan. We are committed to helping our clients achieve their vision when it comes to their custom home and to helping them stick to their budget. To learn more or to schedule a consultation with a member of our team, give us a call at 616-532-1800 or fill out our online contact form.