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A "shell" is just what it sounds like, a metal roof, metal walls, and all the roof trusses, posts, and lumber to frame a building. Current pricing as we look toward 2024, lumber costs have come back to reasonable pricing from the massive spike we had during the pandemic period. On average, smaller buildings under 2000 square feet will cost approximately $30 to $35 per square foot for the shell and concrete floor. Large buildings over 3000 square feet will cost approximately $25 per square foot for the shell and concrete floor. If you are looking to build a 30x40 at 1200 SF, you should expect the cost to land between 35K to 45K. Larger buildings like a 50x80 at 4000 SF will land around the 100K price point. Building features and options on "good-better-best" building materials will affect costs.
That all depends on why you need a new building. We have yet to see the overall cost of a barn decrease after being in business for over five years. Although lumber costs went up and came back down, metal costs increased as well and then dipped slightly, and concrete and labor costs have only steadily risen. As northeast Indiana gains thousands of new residents every year from around the country the construction industry has been growing with high demand for builders. Those factors indicate that prices will only continue to slowly rise, therefore, clients who waited for a "better deal" have not been something we've seen work favorably in saving money.
Electric is very simple to get into a building. This is added after the building is erected. An electrician will determine the best location to connect power (either from your home breaker panel / or from the nearest transformer) and they will trench a line under ground and connect a new breaker panel inside your new barn. On average, smaller buildings cost between $5,000 to $8,000 for hook up, outlets, and sufficient lighting inside. We work with several electricians and can help walk you through the best options for lighting and your power needs.
As big as you can afford when you build it. This is a repeated statement from people who have built barns over the years. Although it is nice to have a completely finished building, you may want to consider the long-term use of the barn and doing things in stages, starting with the shell and a usable floor, then liner panel, electricity, insulation, etc. We have never once heard anyone tell us their barn was "too big".
The big names in the Barn world are regional or national companies with salesmen who get paid commission on selling your barn. Just like some other products, you pay for the "name brand". Larger companies often work with suppliers and subcontract crews in your area to put up your building. Smaller "mom-and-pop" barn builders often shop around for the cheapest metal, lumber, and trusses and purchase from multiple sources to get the best deal. Every company has different expenses for overhead and operations, and some builders operate unlicensed and uninsured. We have dealt with hundreds of clients over the years and sadly had to help a few of them "clean up" or mitigate problems from unscrupulous contractors. The other key factor in barn pricing are the "ingredients" in your construction. The types of posts, quality of windows, quality in metal, grades of lumber, foundation work, overhead doors, etc all play into the cost of your barn. We encourage clients to ask lots of questions to feel comfortable and informed about the process.
If you build with a reputable company that is registered in your state, has some history, and is not "fly by night" then yes. Indiana and Ohio law requires your building be free from reasonable defects pertaining to the construction for two years after completion. Your trusses and some other components will have longer warranties from those individual manufacturers. If you work with a builder who does not have a strong public presence with legitimate reviews you run the risk of them changing addresses, phone numbers, or going out of business. This happens often when people contract with a single builder who offers the "best" price but changes their phone number months later. Some name-brand builders offer a "life-time" warranty and will charge an additional ten-thousand plus dollars for this piece of mind. Reputable barn builders should state upfront the warranty they offer and provide any documentation needed to verify.
The simple answer is: not really. If you want to build a "barndaminium" or a "barn-house" - the question is, Do you want a barn to live in, or do you want a house that looks like a barn? What makes a barn a barn? Barns are usually constructed with metal walls and metal roofs and attached to the ground using poles spaced every 8 feet. Another key difference is roof trusses are pre-engineered and span the whole distance from the outside walls. When building a home to live in, most builders will suggest building on top of a solid foundation with concrete as opposed to using posts. Any home can use metal siding and a metal roof and build with full-spanning roof trusses. These trusses allow for all interior walls to be non-load-bearing. Therefore, you can easily remove or move walls in the future without affecting the roof. There are definite advantages to building a barn-style home, but in the end, all homes require HVAC, insulation, electricity, plumbing, drywall, paint, flooring, trim work, and utilities.
If you have land or are looking for land to build a new home, check out our partner company www.295living.com where you can shop for very reasonably priced blueprints. 295 Living offers complete blueprints of many home styles from small ranch homes to 7000 square feet barn homes. Use the code B&SFW when purchasing blueprints and receive an additional 15% off!
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Bower and Sons LLC - Fort Wayne, IN 260-205-6218