Building a Barndominium in Kansas | Best 2024 Guide

Kansas is known by the nickname the Sunflower State because of the abundance of wild sunflowers throughout the state, thanks to its fertile land. If you’re looking for a place to build your barndominium, nothing beats an agricultural powerhouse like Kansas. 

We aim to cover everything you need to know about barndominiums to help you build your dream barndo. 

Can You Build a Barndominium in Kansas?

Yes, Kansas is an ideal location for your barndominium. It has vast plains where it is easy to build a barndominium. You can also build your barndo in northeast Kansas, near gentle hills surrounded by pastures and lush forests. 

Kansas Barndominiums Overview

Barndominium is the term for a barn-type building that can be a house, workshop, office, or garage. Although most barndominiums have steel frames and sidings, there are also barndominiums made of wood. If you want to know more about the different types of barndos, you can use our Ultimate Barndominium Guide as your reference. 

Advantages and Disadvantages

No matter how attractive barndominiums are, they also have disadvantages. Knowing not just the advantages but also the disadvantages can help you fully appreciate your barndo. 

Advantages

• They are quicker to build – A barndominium is quicker to build than conventional structures. This makes a barndominium an excellent option if you are looking for a new dwelling quickly. You can cut the construction time even shorter by getting a pre-fabricated barndo kit. 

• They can be more affordable – It costs less to build a barndominium because it needs fewer building materials. A barndominium takes less time to build, minimizing the labor cost. 

• They look unique – A barndominium doesn’t look like a conventional building. A barndo’s distinct appearance makes it ideal if you prefer a building that will stand out in your community. 

Disadvantages

• Financing can be challenging – Some banks don’t finance barndominiums, so getting a loan may be problematic. It might be best not to use the term barndominium while applying for a loan. Call your barndo a custom house on a slab foundation in your loan application. 

• They can be difficult to sell – Barndominium buyers make up a small portion of the market, so selling  yours may take longer than expected. By joining our Facebook group, you can connect with other barndo enthusiasts and potential buyers. 

Regulations

You need to get a building permit to build a barndominium. Unfortunately, not all counties impose the same building permit requirements, so check with your county’s building department to ensure you have all the required documents to approve your barndominium construction. If you’re building in Franklin County, you need proof of public water supply or well with your application. This is not required when applying for a building permit in Johnson County. 

Taxes

Kansas is ranked 26th among all states regarding property taxes, with a median property tax rate of 1.29% of a property’s assessed value or around $3,225 per year for a $250,000 property. Although the barndominium taxes in Kansas are not cheap, they are far from being the most expensive in the country. 

Insurance

The average amount that Kansas residents pay in home insurance premiums is around $2,694 per year. Insuring a barndominium may not be legally required, but it is best to get one for your barndo to cover repairs in case of damages. Homeowners’ insurance also covers rebuilding efforts if your barndominium is declared a total loss. 

Financing

Barndominium financing is an essential step in building your barndominium because it eases the financial stress of the project. You can apply for a loan with a bank or a lending company.   

First Federal Bank of Kansas City

First Federal Bank of Kansas City has a barndominium financing plan specifically for borrowers building barndominiums, ranch homes, cabin retreats, or hobby workshops.

Arvest Bank

Arvest Bank is a financial institution that serves Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri and offers a construction loan to finance construction, materials, home plans, or land. 

New Century Bank

A Kansas-based bank offering post and steel-frame mortgages for building barndominiums. 

Builders

Hiring the best local builder should be a priority if you want a barndominium built just the way you want. Experienced builders also know where to source competitively-priced building materials to help you save money. 

MRSK Buildings

An Emporia-based contractor specializing in metal, steel, and wood-frame houses and buildings. 

The Barn Guys

This is a company that specializes in constructing barndominiums, garages, and shops in Central Kansas. 

Yutzy Custom Structures

Post-frame building company that serves the states of Kansas and Missouri. 

Aside from the local builders listed above, you can also work with the top barndominium companies that build barndos in several states.  

Kit Providers

Instead of hiring a builder, some homeowners choose to build their barndominium on their own. If you want to go this route, you need a kit provider to manufacture and install the shell of your barndominium. 

Quality Structures

Quality Structures is a Richmond-based designer and manufacturer of post-frame buildings. 

Mid-Kansas Pole Barns

Mid-Kansas Pole Barns sells building kits nationally but can handle the installation if you are within a 50-mile radius of El Dorado, Kansas. 

Morton Buildings

Morton Buildings is one of the largest suppliers of barndominium kits in the country, and they have several branches in Kansas, including Salinas, Holton, and Garden City. Read our Morton Buildings review to know more about their products and services. 

We also have a list of suppliers of barndominium kits that manufacture and ship to most states, including Kansas.

Cost

If you plan to build a house in Kansas, the price to build a 2,500-square-foot traditional home is between $225,000 and $500,000. A more affordable option is to build a barndominium because a 2,000-square-foot barndo will only cost you between $125,000 and $143,000. Barndominium pricing estimates can go up or down depending on the materials you will use, the size of your barndom, and the intricacy of the design. You are free to use our barndominium cost calculator to compute how much your planned barndo may cost. 

Where Can You Build a Barndo in Kansas?

Although there are many beautiful areas in Kansas, try building your barndominium in a small rural area like Wamego, Lindsborg, Council Grove, or Abilene. Small towns allow you to live in a quiet, tight-knit community without the soaring living costs of urban areas. 

3 Things to Consider Before Building a Barndominium in Kansas

The quality of living that your barndominium offers depends on several factors. Considering these factors while planning your barndominium can increase your chances of successfully building a functional barndo.

Type of materials

Do you want a metal or wood barndominium? This is a crucial decision because your choice of material affects how much your budget will be. Before deciding, seek the advice of your contractor for advise you on materials are recommended depending on your location or the features you want for your barndo. 

Improvement opportunities

Think of the features you want in your dream barndo to include during the design phase. If you want a barndominium with a great room, be sure to leave sufficient space. Are you planning to add a guest room in the future? Make sure you have provisions for a new bedroom and plumbing system. 

Your lifestyle

Your barndominium is all about your needs, so design it to suit your lifestyle. If you love poker nights with your buddies, why not add a man cave where you can enjoy a quiet game night with friends? Love spending movie nights with your family? Build a sound-proofed home theater with a surround system. 

Is it Worth Building a Barndo in Kansas?

Building your barndominium in Kansas is one of the best decisions you can make. Kansas has large swaths of plains perfect for building barndos. There are also areas with hills and forests perfect for constructing a barndo with a view. Kansas’ fertile land is also excellent if you want a lush garden with your barndominium. 

We know that designing a barndominium can be stressful, so why not check our Pinterest account or our barndominium floor plans gallery to get your creative juices flowing? 

Read our barndominium construction guide for an in-depth discussion on the process of building a barndominium.