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At the start of any big construction project, a question at the forefront of a homeowner's mind should be how long the project will take to complete; building a barndominium is no exception.
You may be wondering if building a barndominium is actually worth the wait.
In this article, you’ll discover how long it takes to build a barndominium, which factors can impact the construction timeline, and how planning, customization, and permits can affect completion time.
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How Long Does It Take To Build a Barndominium? 4 Factors That Affect the Timeline
Barndominiums have seen a sudden surge in popularity since the pandemic, but building a barndominium is no simple task. Most projects take 6 to 12 months from the initial planning to construction completion, though timelines can vary.
DIYing or building your new home on your own can significantly extend the time it may take to complete your project. Here are four other big factors that may affect your specific timeline.
#1: Size and Custom Features
As with any building project, the bigger and more complicated it is, the longer it will likely take to complete. Adding customizations like the ones listed below can also extend your construction timeline.
- Larger floor plans
- Workshops
- Garages
- Lofts
- Custom interiors
- Speciality finishes
- And more
#2: Permitting and Local Building Requirements
Depending on where the building is being constructed, regulations, inspection requirements, and permit approval timelines may significantly influence how long it’ll take to finish your barndominium. Your construction timeline will need to align with your county government’s scheduling process, which can alter an initially expected completion date.
#3: Weather and Site Conditions
The weather is a major factor in how long it will take to construct your barndominium. The Pacific Northwest is well known for its inconsistent, damp weather, which can wreak havoc on even the most well-planned timelines. Heavy rain, snow, or difficult terrain can delay excavation, concrete work, and framing, all of which need to be completed in clear, favorable weather to ensure it’s done right.
#4: Material Availability and Scheduling
The time of year you schedule material delivery to your building site may also delay the completion timeline. During busy construction seasons, material lead times are often longer than expected because of high demand, especially for steel packages, windows, roofing materials, and custom components.
The 5 Main Stages of a Barndominium Build
#1: Planning and Budgeting (2 to 4 Weeks)
The first stage is deciding what features you need for your barndominium and establishing how much you are willing to spend on the project. By determining your priorities and the likely square footage, you’ll have a better chance of establishing a budget that works for your goals and will get an idea of the financing you’ll need to secure. With that budget in hand, you'll be able to decide between a simple or a highly customized layout.
Securing financing for your new barndominium may be challenging. Many banks have varying requirements to secure barndominium loans.
Some require you to have a general contractor and hire licensed subcontractors, while others allow DIY builds and let you be your own general contractor as long as you hire licensed subcontractors. However, this is rare and may have strict stipulations for DIY barndominiums.
#2: Design and Engineering (8 to 16 Weeks)
Next comes the fun stage, designing your barndominium just the way you want it. This is where you’ll choose the floor plan, approve the engineered drawings, and determine the best structural plan for the building.
But, as part of the design process, you’ll also need to work within the confines of your local building requirements.
If you’re thinking of starting a barndominium project and have questions, contact us by phone or email, or fill out the online form at Pacific Pole Buildings to learn about the process and create your own custom building.
#3: Permitting and Approvals (4 to 12 Weeks)
Building permits, inspections, and approvals can be a headache, but they are necessary to ensure everything is legal and up to code. It’s important to consider these when determining your construction timeline, as approval times and inspection schedules can vary significantly by your location.
#4: Site Preparation (2 to 6 Weeks)
Not all building sites are created equal, which means your property will need a unique plan for site preparation. This typically includes:
- Clearing land
- Grading
- Excavation
- Utility planning
- Driveway access
- Drainage
- Foundation prep work
- And more
Each of these takes time, can be heavily affected by poor weather, and can affect the overall construction timeline.
#5: Construction and Interior Finishing (5 to 12 Months)
Foundation (2 to 4 weeks)
Your barndominium will need a foundation; this can be a concrete basement, crawlspace, or pad. Basements and crawlspaces will extend the timeline because your concrete contractor will need to dig the necessary footings, set concrete forms, fill the forms, allow the concrete to cure, and backfill the footings. A slab, while easier to pour, still needs to cure before any building can begin.
Structural Shell (2 weeks to 3 months)
Here is when the building materials will be delivered, the frame built, the roof installed, and any building wrap added. The simpler the design, the faster its structural shell can be built. An experienced steel building team can complete a typical bardominium frame in as little as seven to ten days. More complex designs can take teams several weeks to erect. The number of stories can also significantly affect the amount of time required.
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Installation (4 to 6 weeks)
Once the outer shell is complete, it’s time to install the electrical wiring, plumbing system, and HVAC ductwork. Each will likely require an inspection and approval from your local building authorities. Coordination between your trade subcontractors is crucial at this point and is often the most common cause of delay in the construction phase.
Insulation and Drywall (3-5 weeks)
This phase includes installing insulation and vapor barriers, hanging and taping the drywall, and then finishing. Each of these must be done in a specific order and at the same time, which is why it can take up to five weeks.
Interior Fit-Out (8 to 14 weeks)
This usually takes the longest because it is when all the interior elements are installed for you to enjoy once your barndominium is complete and you’ve moved in. These elements can include:
- Fooring
- Cabinetry
- Millwork
- Tile
- Paint
- Plumbing fixtures
- Lighting
- Appliances
- Trim
- And much more!
Final Inspections and Walk-Through (1 to 2 weeks)
The final phase may be the most important, as it includes official building inspections to ensure everything is up to code, to your satisfaction, and ultimately ready for you to move in!
How Long Does It Take To Build a Barndominium Home?
A barndominium can take anywhere from five months to a year to build. One that’s built primarily as a workshop or utility space with basic living spaces will generally have a shorter construction timeline than one designed primarily as a home. Adding customized home finishings to suit your lifestyle will increase the overall project timeline.
However, some common issues can pop up and extend your intended timeline, like
- Weather setbacks
- Permit/inspection delays
- Material shortages
- Shipping delays
- Mid-project design changes
- And more
Here are some tips to keep in mind to keep your barndominium build on track:
- Ensure you work with builders experienced in pole barn construction.
- Consider hiring a project manager.
- Finalize decisions early.
- Build contingency plans into the project plan/timeline.
While the building process may take more time than you’d like, having a detailed set of designs, engineered plans, and the exact materials needed, all provided by a specialized pole building company like Pacific Pole Buildings, can move the whole process along faster than if you try to go it alone.
Is Building a Barndominium Worth the Planning Process?
Absolutely! The barndominium planning process may appear daunting at the beginning of your building journey, but it’s well worth it. When you combine expert designs and engineered plans with the ease of kit building and the right company that knows its way around pole buildings, the process should be smooth sailing.
Start Your Barndominium Build With Pacific Pole Buildings
At Pacific Pole Buildings, we sell complete plans and custom designs for our Pacific Northwest neighbors. We’re industry experts and understand the complexities of building in this part of the country. We are also one of only a handful of companies that engineer buildings to meet or exceed California Title 24 Energy Standards.
Barndominiums are a great alternative to a traditionally constructed house, and our kits include:
- Flexible, customizable designs meet your needs and lifestyle
- Budget-friendly options
- Modern, energy-efficient amenities
- Quick and efficient build times
- Quality, safety, and strength with metal siding and steel framing
- Highly adaptable for multiple uses
We offer our custom design services throughout:
So, if you’re ready to build your barndominium dream home, call Pacific Pole Buildings today to learn more and get started.
