Barn Home FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about converting our barn designs into homes.
Do you sell Barn Home Kits?
We do not sell barn home kits. However, any of our barn designs can be converted into homes. We have many barn style house plans to choose from.
When converting a barn kit into a barn home, you will need to inquire with your local building department. We provide construction plans, but your barn home may need a floor plan and mechanicals for the building permit. You may need to hire a local architect to do that work.
I love the idea of living in a barn. How do I get started?
The best place to start is with some great Barn Style House Plans.
How can I convert my new post and beam barn kit into a barn home?
There are many possibilities when doing a barn style house.
You may choose to finish off just the loft area or convert the whole barn into your dream barn house. With the big timber frame of your new barn you are not limited by load bearing walls. Window and door placement can be changed or added even after your post and beam barn kit is raised so you can get that perfect view.
How much does it cost to turn a barn into a home?
A barn dwelling conversion costs about the same as conventional construction. Costs vary depending on your choice of materials. Check with your building contractor to get a estimate for labor cost. Be wary though, if your quote for the post and beam barn comes in a great deal higher than your quote for conventional construction it may be because your contractor is inflating the cost of the post and beam construction. They would do this because they have a higher profit margin with conventional construction. This is why it is always important to get at least 3 quotes from different contractors.
Read More about Post and Beam Barn Kits below.
The Ideal Horsebarn
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Cutting Timbers in Advance: What is the best size to cut?
Question: Aaron- Thank you for all the helpful info on your website. I just recently purchased a bandsaw mill and am going to start cutting timbers for later use. I am years away from thinking about a specific barn design but know I want to create these post and beam...
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Barn Plans and Outbuildings | by Orange Judd Company, published in 1886
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Barn to Barndominium, The Secret’s in the Loft
Hey guys, Barn Geek here. This knee wall is one of those difficult things to translate from plans to real-world scale. That knee wall on the plans looks short, and people might think they won't have much room. I am approximately 5 foot 10, or 5 foot 8. This is our...
Taming SPRING POLE Widow-Makers for a Safer Timber Harvest
As you harvest timbers for your barn project you will inevitably encounter a very dangerous situation in the woods called a Spring Pole. There are videos on youtube that discuss spring poles but most of them approach it by using two different cutting techniques. DO...
