Best Prefab Barndominium Kits & Top Builders to Buy From in 2024
A fantastic barndominium starts with an excellent kit. This underscores the importance of getting a prefab barndominium kit from a reliable supplier. With so many suppliers claiming to deliver the best kits in the country, how do you identify the real ones from those just faking it? This article focuses on some of the best barndominium kit providers and why you should consider buying your kit from them.
Table of Contents
- 1 What Do Barndominium Kit Providers Include in Their Kits?
- 2 The Best Prefab Barndominium Kits Manufacturers & Builders Who Sell Kits Online
- 3 Honorable Mentions – Not Your Standard Barndominium Kit Manufacturers
- 4 Frequently Asked Questions
- 5 Are Prefab Barndominium Kits Worth It?
What Do Barndominium Kit Providers Include in Their Kits?
If you are building a barndominium, the first thing you need to do is buy a kit. Using a kit can drastically bring down barndominium costs. When assembled, this kit will form the framework of your barndominium. Think of it as the backbone of your structure.
Once you have assembled the kit, you have free reign over how you want to complete your barndominium—however, the kit you purchase limits the finishing touches and design options you can explore. For example, if your kit has provisions for two doors, it will be difficult to add a third one without ruining the kit. This emphasizes the importance of choosing the right barndo kit from the get-go.
What exactly is included in a barndominium kit? The most basic kits include the exterior walls, metal sidings, roof trusses, roofing, and trim. These are what’s included in the basic barndominium shell. Some suppliers have packages that include matching doors and windows. Different suppliers have different kits, so read about everything included in a kit before purchasing.
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The Best Prefab Barndominium Kits Manufacturers & Builders Who Sell Kits Online
Now that we know what to expect in a barndominium kit, let’s look at some of the best manufacturers and builders of prefab barndominium kits that sell online.
General Steel Buildings
General Steel Buildings is a Colorado-based company that started as a supplier of steel buildings and evolved as a provider of full-service construction services. Aside from manufacturing steel buildings, the company also provides project consultation services. General Steel Buildings also has an extensive network of local general contractors to help with their customers’ construction needs.
Contractor’s Pros
Provides custom plans
Although the company has basic pre-made plans available, customers can customize plans to make them more suitable to their needs. This is a plus for customers since they are not limited to the basic design plans that General Steel Buildings offers. If customers want to, they can also work with the company’s designers to develop a custom floor plan from scratch for a fully customized barndominium.
Offers a wide range of additions
Aside from a list of its kits’ basic features, General Steel Buildings also lists the additions that customers can take advantage of. Common additions include roll-up doors, insulation, gutters, downspouts, and insulated stucco panels. This can greatly help DIY builders because it minimizes the work they need to complete.
Contractor’s Cons
Barndominium designs look dated
The design of General Steel Buildings’ barndominiums looks dated. Most of them look like actual barns, which may turn off some customers who want to build barndominiums but want them to look more or less like residential buildings.
What Others Have To Say About General Steel Buildings
“Without a doubt, General Steel was the most professional, responsive, and willing to work with me than any of the others.”
– Joshua Silveous Source: Google Review
Kodiak Steel Homes
Kodiak Steel Homes is a provider of pre-engineered housing solutions based in Little Rock, Arkansas. Unlike other manufacturers that build wooden barndominiums, Kodiak Steel Homes only manufacture steel buildings.
Contractor’s Pros
The company has a wide range of models
Kodiak Steel Homes offers a wide range of models so customers can easily find a barndominium kit that will suit their needs. What’s impressive is that their collection of models features a great variety of design choices. Aside from the usual barn-like designs, some models look like A-frames, country homes, colonial homes, and coastal homes.
They have detailed floor plans
Kodiak Steel Homes’ floor plans are very detailed, which can help prospective homeowners choose a kit easily. Aside from the detailed floor plan drawings, the company also offers other pertinent information, like the total square footage and the dimensions of the various sections of their barndominiums. The descriptions include ceiling height, overall length, overhang, and the total porch area.
Contractor’s Cons
They do not have partner contractors
Unlike other manufacturers or suppliers, Kodiak Steel Homes doesn’t have partner contractors you can hire to complete your barndominium. This means that you need to search for a local general contractor if you are not doing a DIY build. However, this can be advantageous since it allows you to look for a local contractor with competitive rates.
What Others Have To Say About Kodiak Steel Homes
“LOVE my steel home! No worries about windstorms or roof replacement or termites. Very energy efficient too.”
– Ellen C. Source: BBB
Elite Metal Buildings
Elite Metal Buildings is a national supplier of pre-fabricated metal buildings based in Mesa, Arizona. Aside from barndominiums, the company also designs and manufactures other building types, including shops, garages, riding arenas, aircraft hangars, and horse barns.
Contractor’s Pros
3D Design Tool
Elite Metal Buildings has an online 3D design tool that customers can use. You can use this valuable resource to develop a floor plan for your dream barndo. If you are not too adept at designing your barndominium, you can use this program to create a rough design and get the help of the experts in Elite Metal Buildings to finalize it for you.
They manufacture other building types
As mentioned; Elite Metal Buildings doesn’t limit itself to barndominiums. This can be helpful if you plan to build additional structures on your property since you can source all kits from the same manufacturer. This can help you save time since there is no need to research another company for your planned additional structure.
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Contractor’s Cons
They do not have kits
Elite Metal Buildings doesn’t sell barndominium kits. However, the company can manufacture a barndominium frame and shell using your design.
What Others Have To Say About Elite Metal Buildings
“The quality of the building materials is top notch.”
– Brian Glover Source: Google Review
Worldwide Steel Buildings
Worldwide Steel Buildings is a manufacturer and supplier of steel buildings that’s been operating since 1983. Worldwide Steel Buildings is based in Peculiar, Missouri, and, true to its name, supplies steel buildings anywhere in the world.
Contractor’s Pros
DIY-friendly
Worldwide Steel Buildings’ barndominium kits are perfect for DIY builders because they are easy to build. Their kits come with simple assembly manuals you can use as a guide to ensure that you build everything correctly. This is an excellent resource for DIY builders embarking on their first build. Aside from the manual, homeowners can also call the company if they have questions during the building process.
They make custom-designed kits
If you have a specific design in mind, you can ask for a custom barndominium kit instead of ordering a pre-made one. Even better, the company also helps homeowners by supplying them with preliminary drawings, elevation blueprints, foundation details, floor plan layouts, and electrical plans. These are useful documents since you need them in applying for a building permit or barndominium financing.
Contractor’s Cons
Availability of local contractors
There were several reviews on their Google page wherein customers complained about the difficulty of finding an approved local contractor in their area. However, this might not be an issue if you are going for a DIY build.
What Others Have To Say About Worldwide Steel Buildings
“From the very beginning stages of planning until final installation the people with World Wide Steel were there for us with their customer service, expertise, and hard work.”
– Mark Korb. Source: Google Review
LTH Steel Structures
LTH Steel Structures is a supplier of commercial and residential steel buildings, like garages, homes, and commercial structures. The company has been operating since 1995. Its customer service office is located in Cumming, Georgia, and they have several affiliated fabrication and roll-forming factories nationwide.
Contractor’s Pros
They have a massive collection of available kits
We do not use the word massive lightly, and this is a word that aptly describes LTH Steel Structures’ collection. They have a catalog of more than 100 types of kits and floor plans. This gives you a wide variety of choices and ensures that you can find a kit or floor plan that’s exactly what you are looking for. If you cannot find a kit you like, you can also send your custom floor plan to LTH Steel Structures, who will manufacture a custom kit for you. You can even send them a floor plan for a conventional house, and they will convert it into a steel building kit.
They are eco-friendly
If you want to make sure you are using an eco-friendly barndominium kit, LTH Steel Structures is the company for you. They have an eco-friendly manufacturing process, and over 60% of the steel they use is made from discarded steel products.
Contractor’s Cons
They have a limited gallery of sample builds
Although the company has many kits and floor plans on its website, they have a limited gallery of sample builds. This is important as it allows prospective buyers a glimpse of what their kits look like when finished.
What Others Have To Say About LTH Steel Structures
“I’m very pleased with LTH steel the products are great and the shipping was right on time!”
– Sandra Adney Source: Google Review
Absolute Steel Texas
Absolute Steel is a company founded in 1999. It has a manufacturing facility in Terrell, Texas, that produces kits for carports, farm and ranch buildings, equestrian structures, and other steel building kits.
Contractor’s Pros
They provide a warranty for their products
Absolute Steel Texas provides a lifetime warranty for its frame systems. They also have a paint warranty against fading, chalking, or peeling for their steel panels. Depending on the chosen panel, the paint warranty can be for 20, 30, or 40 years.
They deliver anywhere in the country
The company delivers anywhere in the country. This is good news for customers who plan on building barndominiums but cannot find local barndominium kit suppliers.
Contractor’s Cons
They do not have recommended local contractors
Unlike other manufacturers, Absolute Steel Texas doesn’t have a list of recommended local general contractors.
What Others Have To Say About Absolute Steel Texas
“Great Building and wonderful people to work with”
– Roger D. Paschal Source: Google Review
Sunward Steel Buildings
Sunward Steel Buildings is a Colorado-based company that’s been manufacturing steel buildings for more than 50 years. They manufacture barndominiums, riding arenas, horse stables, recreational structures, aircraft hangars, and others.
Contractor’s Pros
They sell custom pre-engineered barndominium kits
If you don’t like any of their barndominium kits, you can buy a custom pre-engineered one. This can ensure that you will have a barndominium with all the features you need.
They provide detailed information about what’s included in their kits
Their kits contain all the information you need. They tell you what’s included in the kits, like engineer-certified drawings, porches, bracing, gutters, downspouts, walls, and roof sheeting. In addition, their plans also contain information about the dimensions of the barndominium and its rooms upon completion.
Contractor’s Cons
There were some complaints about their prices
Some customers complained about sudden price changes on their Google Reviews. However, what’s good about this is that a company representative reached out to the ones who left reviews to resolve the issues.
What Others Have To Say About Sunward Steel Buildings
“The product is of the highest quality and the service has been the best.”
– Robert Hottinger. Source: Google Review
Honorable Mentions – Not Your Standard Barndominium Kit Manufacturers
Below are some more barndominium kit manufacturers. Although they don’t sell standard barndominium kits, they are worth considering because they can still help you build your barndominium.
Mueller Inc.
Mueller Inc.’s Homestead Series Kits are excellent options for customers who want to build metal buildings with living spaces. These kits are available in three sizes and an array of color combinations.
SteelMaster Buildings
If you are looking for a unique-looking steel building, SteelMaster Buildings might be the company for you. They sell kits for Quonset Hut Houses that you can finish to look like a barndominium, a modern house, a lake house, or a winter log cabin.
DC Structures
What sets DC Structures apart from the others on this list is that their barndominiums are made of timber, not steel. DC Structures is an excellent option if you are looking for an excellent provider of pole barn home kits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a barndominium kit cost on average?
It is challenging to give a definite answer to this question because the cost of kits periodically changes. This is because of the fluctuating cost of steel and other building materials. The cost of a kit also depends on the size of the barndominium you want to build. Getting a quote from a reputable supplier for more accurate pricing is best.
How long will a barndominium kit last?
A barndominium can last up to 50 years, or even longer, depending on how much care you put into it.
How long does it take to build a pre-engineered barndominium?
It takes around three to six months to build a pre-engineered barndominium. However, it can take longer depending on your structure’s size and the finishing touches’ complexity.
Are Prefab Barndominium Kits Worth It?
Yes, prefab barndominium kits are worth it. They make building a barndo easier. A barndominium kit can also help you save money because it is faster to build. However, ensure you have the DIY skills to complete the building or hire a general contractor. Make sure you like and follow our Facebook page for more articles about the differences between a barndominium and a house, DIY tips, and various metal building home-related ideas.
