As with other states across the country, barndominiums in Kentucky have been growing in popularity among homeowners. Alternative housing options, such as tiny homes and shipping container homes, have recently become popular for people looking for unusual and quirky residences. Barndominiums are a favorite for those looking for a budget solution to customize their home.
Table of Contents
- 1 Can You Build a Barndominium in Kentucky?
- 2 Kentucky Barndominiums Overview
- 3 Where Can You Build a Barndo in Kentucky?
- 4 3 Things to Consider Before Building a Barndominium in Kentucky.
- 5 Is it Worth Building a Barndo in Kentucky?
Can You Build a Barndominium in Kentucky?
Absolutely! Building a barndominium in America’s southeastern gem has many advantages. You can live the dream of building your home in a state with so much to offer. With its reasonably priced homes, low cost of living, top-notch national and state parks, southern friendliness, and, did we mention, the wonderful bourbon? Kentucky is a great spot to call home!
For inspiration and ideas on building barndominiums, take a look at our Facebook page, where we share barndo content daily! Also, if you want to be part of our community of barndo owners where you can learn more and ask questions, go ahead and join our Facebook Group.
Kentucky Barndominiums Overview
Also known as the “Bluegrass State”, Kentucky is home to wholesome folks enjoying cheap living. Kentucky is one of the most affordable places to live in America. With housing prices well below the national median listing price, the cost of building a barndominium in Kentucky is certainly something any future barndo owner should look into.
Barndominiums are often considered multi-purpose; first and foremost, they serve as your home. However, barndos often offer more space than is needed for a home, so people often use the extra space to serve other purposes, such as an office, a workshop, storage, or business.
It is also worth mentioning that the materials for constructing a barndominium in Kentucky are readily available; hence sourcing materials isn’t inconvenient. We have only touched on how building a barndominium can add value to you and your family. To get more insight on that, check out our Barndominium 101 Guide.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of building a barndominium is essential in knowing what to expect. Below are important points you should know.
Advantages
- Cost – Building a barndominium is cheaper than traditional houses, even though they have all the features of a modern home. This is because they are made with fewer materials, and you get a lot of cheap options like buying pre-fab kits.
- Quick build time – Because of its construction and materials, barndos are faster to build. The average barndo takes half the time to build compared to traditional homes because of their simple construction of metal frames and ready-made kits.
- Longevity – Barndos are known to be more durable and resilient to common issues like mold and rot. The mostly-metal construction and concrete slab make barndos able to withstand any weather condition.
- Maintenance – They are far cheaper to maintain and easier to repair compared to traditional homes. This is due to the fact that the material is more resistant to issues like rot and mold. Such materials are also robust and durable.
- Customizability – Barndominiums are popular because of their significant leeway for customizability. With the main structure being independent, you can choose how to partition the interior walls.
- Energy efficiency – These buildings are excellent at regulating temperatures when fitted with good insulating material. Staying warm in the winter and cool in the summer, bardos are a sure way to cut energy costs.
Disadvantages
- Distance – The daily commute might not be very fun if you work in the city. Barndominium living is best for people looking for cheaper open spaces, but not if you work in the city and don’t have a car.
- Insurance rates – Due to the extreme weather the state experiences, Kentucky has higher-than-average insurance premiums.
Regulations
Like any structure, building a barndominium in Kentucky requires a state permit to ensure you adhere to Kentucky’s building code. Before you proceed with your project, getting a permit from Kentucky’s local government is essential. Generally, here is what you need to get a building permit:
- Property address
- name and contact information of the owner
- The names, contact information, and information on the contractors hired
- Description of the proposed build
- Cost of the build
- The dimensions of the structure
In addition, you will also need permits for electrical wiring, septic tank, plumbing, and occupancy. We recommend discussing these with a local contractor to ensure you adhere to the requirements.
Taxes
Kentucky has one of the lowest median property tax rates in the United States. Only seven states across the country collect less than the median property taxes in Kentucky.
Barndominium taxes are calculated on a county level, and each county has its system for assessing and collecting taxes. This makes it impossible to offer a single property tax rate that would apply to all properties in Kentucky uniformly.
The value of your property and the tax rates assessed at the State, and local levels determine how much you pay in property taxes annually. It is imperative to consult a local tax assessor to get accurate calculations on your property tax.
Insurance
Kentucky does not have a law requiring homeowners insurance, but your mortgage company will probably need barndominium insurance to grant you a loan. According to Quadrant Information Services, Kentucky has insurance rates that are 32% higher than the national average. This is mainly because of the extreme weather the state experiences.
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Financing
Financing a barndominium helps greatly when starting a project as massive as building your dream home. It alleviates the cost and stress involved surrounding finance. Below are the financial institutions we recommend.
Excel Mortgage
With great reviews and recommendations from previous clients, Excel Mortgage can help you with financing needs when starting your barndo Project.
AG Credit
Since 1934, Ag Credit has offered credit to farmers and those living in rural Central Kentucky. They promise you the resources necessary to secure financing for your Kentucky barndominium.
Builders
The best way to build your new barndominium is to work with a trustworthy and skilled construction company experienced in building barndo-type construction. It is also important to look into reviews from their previous clients. With that said, we have a few recommendations that you can look into.
Bluegrass Barndominiums
They create custom buildings according to their clients’ desires. With more than 25 years of experience, they are adept at transforming a customer’s idea into a reality.
KY Pole Buildings
They mix high-end materials, contemporary construction techniques, and plain hard work to give their clients state-of-the-art residential buildings. They are one of the state’s leading providers of post-frame construction. Their staff will work with you to develop your project and turn your ideas into reality.
Keystone Construction
The Keystone Construction team has been putting in a lot of effort to distinguish itself as a premium provider of post-frame construction since 2005. They emphasize the durability of their builds.
For more suggestions on builders, we have compiled the best barndominium builders that deliver to almost all states across the US.
Kit Providers
Using a kit is a fantastic approach to reducing the cost of building your barndominium. It is also excellent in guaranteeing that the construction project runs without hiccups. Below are the kit providers we recommend.
Hansen Pole Buildings
Founded by A.J. Hansen, they promise to provide high-quality pole building kits at affordable prices.
Worldwide Steel Buildings
They are one of the top Kit providers in the country. If you need your barndo kit to be high quality, cost-effective, and fully customizable, you should work with Worldwide Steel Buildings.
We compiled a list for you to check out the top barndominium kit providers who can ship and build into most states, including Kentucky.
Cost
In Kentucky, the average cost of building a typical single-family home is $90.87 per square foot, ranging from $77.06 to $118.01 per square foot. In general, the cost of construction per square foot goes down as a house becomes bigger and increases as it gets smaller. Barndominium prices will be lower than that. A barndo in Bowling Green, Kentucky, ranges from $63 to $73 per square foot. If you are interested in more accurate figures, check out our barndominium cost calculator.
Where Can You Build a Barndo in Kentucky?
The areas in Kentucky with vast spaces of more than an acre of land are the most popular places to build your ideal barndominium. Most barndo owners favor having more space between their properties and those of their neighbors for that rural lifestyle, from imposing mountains and amazing geological structures to the gently undulating hills covered in bluegrass. You can wake up to the calming whispers of the breeze and the mellow orchestra of birds singing your name.
3 Things to Consider Before Building a Barndominium in Kentucky.
Location
Have you given great consideration to the location in Kentucky where you want to erect your barndominium house? One of the most important things to consider is the location of your home, its nearby establishments, and your commute to your workplace. This must also be discussed with your builder, as some places might be out of reach for the delivery of materials.
The future
Do you envision settling down in Kentucky for the foreseeable future? You should keep in mind that buying a barndominium home is an investment for the long term.
Floor plan
Have you chosen your barndominium house’s floor plan? Have you looked at a range of possibilities to find the best fit for your needs and those of your family?
While pondering these questions, you can browse inspirations from other barndo builds by visiting our Pinterest account.
Is it Worth Building a Barndo in Kentucky?
It sure is! All things considered, building a barndo in Kentucky is one of the most sensible choices in building your dream custom home. Not only are they cost-effective, but they also bring value into your life by serving multiple purposes. Their durability is perfect for the occasional harsh weather in Kentucky.
The choices of floor plans are only limited to your imagination. Take a look at the massive selection of floor plans to explore the unlimited possibilities. We also have an article that will take you deeper into the process of building a barndominium and show you the step-by-step process of construction. The world of barndo living awaits you!
