Barndominium Building 101: The Complete Guide for First-Time Homeowners

Everything you need to know—from floor plans to engineering to installation

Buckeye Plans

5/8/20241 min read

If you're building your first barndominium, welcome to one of the most rewarding journeys in residential construction. Barndos are efficient, durable, customizable, and perfect for acreage living.

But like anything worth doing, they require planning—smart planning.

This guide will walk you through the entire process and connect you with the top Buckeye Plans designs homeowners love.

Step 1: Choose the Right Floor Plan

Your plan controls:

  • your budget

  • your timeline

  • your build difficulty

  • your ability to expand later

  • your mechanical efficiency

Buckeye Plans offers hundreds of options, including:

⭐ BD019 Barndominium w/ Guest House
⭐ BD021 Lakehouse Barndo
⭐ Midnight Bayou
⭐ Oak Hollow Farmhouse
⭐ The Ashwood
⭐ The Marquis

If none match your vision, Buckeye Plans drafts complete custom plans in days.

Step 2: Decide on Structure Type

You can build your barndominium with:

  • Post Frame

  • Steel Frame

  • 2x6 Stud Frame

  • Hybrid systems

Most Buckeye Plans can be engineered in any structure type.

Step 3: Engineering for Your State

Every state requires different:

  • wind loads

  • snow loads

  • seismic ratings

  • foundation thickness

  • code compliance

Buckeye Plans provides engineering in 47 states, making the process turnkey from day one.

Step 4: Material Sourcing

Buckeye Plans sources:

  • metal siding

  • roofing

  • windows

  • doors

  • trusses

  • interior materials

  • lumber

  • and more

You receive consolidated pricing instead of hunting down suppliers.

Step 5: Installer Bids

Homeowners rarely know who to hire.
Buckeye Plans sends your design to their vetted installers in your state for bids.
Then we present the final number.

No guesswork.
No chasing contractors.
No mismatched pricing.

Step 6: Build Preparation

Before groundbreaking, you’ll prepare:

  • land grading

  • slab height

  • water, septic, and power

  • driveway layout

  • porch orientation

Buckeye Plans can overlay your home design on your land to show exact placement.

Step 7: Construction Begins

Once the slab is poured, the home goes up quickly—especially with steel or post-frame systems.

From here:

  • framing

  • roof

  • windows

  • interior framing

  • drywall

  • mechanicals

…fall into place.