Building a Barndominium in Mississippi | Best 2024 Guide

With fertile lands and an abundance of agricultural products, a barndominium will look at home in Mississippi. This state is also famous for being the birthplace of American blues music. If you love southern cuisine, building a barndominium in Mississippi is one of the best decisions you will ever make.

Building a barndominium can be tricky, and this article aims to simplify the process for you. This article will answer your questions and erase any doubts you have about building a barndominium in Mississippi. 

Can You Build a Barndominium in Mississippi?

Yes, you can build a barndominium in Mississippi. Almost 80% of Mississippi is considered rural, making it easy to find suitable land for your barndo. 

Mississippi Barndominiums Overview

Simply put, barndominiums are barn-type buildings made of wood or metal. You can also find barndominiums made of wood and metal. Although they look like barns on the outside, their interiors can be living spaces, garages, workshops, or home offices. 

Check our Ultimate Barndominium Guide for a comprehensive article explaining what barndominiums are. You can learn about the different types of barndominiums, their uses, and anything else you need to know about barndos. 

Advantages and Disadvantages

Barndominiums are great alternatives to traditional houses, but they are not perfect; learning about the advantages and disadvantages of barndominiums will help you fully appreciate them. 

Advantages

• They are unique – If you want a one-of-a-kind building, a barndominium is an excellent choice. A barndominium has a distinctive look that sets it apart from conventional buildings.  

• They can be more affordable – A barndominium may cost you less money to build. For one, it is easier to build and requires fewer building materials. You can also save money on labor costs by getting a DIY kit and building the rest yourself. 

• They can be more durable – Most barndominiums have metal frames and sidings, making them more durable than traditional buildings. Metal doesn’t crack or chip. Metal buildings are also fire-resistant and non-combustible. However, wood barndominiums can also be durable as long as your builder adheres to building standards. 

Disadvantages

• Limited cellular reception – You might have limited cellular reception inside a barndominium, especially if you have a metal barndo. However, you can get a signal booster to prevent dropped voice calls and weak internet connection. 

• You might need a large lot – Unlike regular houses or buildings, you cannot build a three or four-story barndominium, so you might need a larger lot to build on. The floor space of a barndominium is spread out, meaning a large lot is required.   

Regulations

Before you can build your barndominium, you need to secure a building permit and follow the building regulations in your county. Unfortunately, being in the same state doesn’t mean that counties implement the same regulations; you need to check with your local zoning and building office to get a list of regulations and requirements to avoid violations and fines. 

An example is the City of Jackson requiring a City of Jackson Certificate of Liability Insurance for residential permit applications. This document is not required when applying for a permit in Rankin County. 

Taxes

One of the perks of building a barndominium in Mississippi is its low property taxes which stand at 0.52% of the property’s assessed value. This means you’ll be paying one of the lowest barndominium taxes in the United States. 

Insurance

Getting a barndominium insurance is one of the best ways to secure your property. An insurance policy can help you carry out repairs if your barndominium sustains damages. It can even help you rebuild your barndo in cases of total loss. Unfortunately, Mississippi has one of the most expensive homeowners insurance in the entire country at an average of $1,773 per year.  

Financing

Financing a barndominium is the best course of action if you want to build one but lack the required funds. You can work with a local financial institution to get a loan to start your barndo construction.  

SCL Mortgage

A company offering construction loans for residents of Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Maryland, Idaho, and others. 

First South Farm Credit

Offers land and country home loans for borrowers in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Citizens Bank

Founded in 1913, Citizens Bank offers FHA, VA, and Barndominium loans. 

Builders

Partnering with the best local builders is an excellent way to ensure your barndo project gets off on the right foot. Experienced builders know how to complete projects on time without sacrificing quality. They are also well-versed in building regulations. They can ensure that your barndominium is up to standards. Ask members of our Facebook group for feedback on your builder of choice. 

R.K. Wallace Construction Inc.

Founded in 1985, R.K. Wallace Construction Inc. is a design-build steel building contractor servicing Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. 

Mallet Buildings

A licensed residential and commercial contractor of metal buildings that builds in Louisiana, Southeast Texas, and Southwest Mississippi. 

Aside from local builders, you can also work with the barndominium builders on our list. These companies build in most states across the US, including Mississippi.

Kit Providers

If you want to go the DIY route, you need a reputable kit provider. These providers take pride in their work and delivering quality products to their customers. 

Littco Metals

Supplies pre-engineered metal buildings, pole barns, and roofing to residents of Mississippi and surrounding areas.  

Mallet Buildings

A Louisiana-based post-frame metal building company that supplies DIY building kits anywhere in the states.

You can also source your DIY kit from the companies listed in our barndominium kit providers that build and ship to almost every state in the country, including Mississippi. 

Cost

A Forbes article estimates the average cost to build a house in Mississippi is around $255,320 for a 2,000-square-foot structure. This cost is just for the structure and does not include the cost of land. A barndominium is a more cost-effective option, and HomeBlue estimates that a barndo will only cost you between $136,000 and $155,000 or $68 to $78 per square foot. 

Take note that these are just estimates, and actual barndominium pricing hinges on several factors like the materials used, the size of the barndominium, and the complexity of your barndo. If you want to estimate how much your barndo will cost, try using our barndominium cost calculator. 

Where Can You Build a Barndo in Mississippi?

If you plan on building a barndominium in Mississippi, your best options include Natchez, Ridgeland, New Albany, Corinth, and Vicksburg. These are small towns with all the amenities you need to live comfortably. 

3 Things to Consider Before Building a Barndominium in Mississippi 

Building a barndominium is an enormous undertaking; you must keep the following factors in mind for your project to succeed. 

Building Materials

Your choice of building materials can dictate how long your barndo will last and how much money you need to build your barndominium. Get your contractor’s advice on the best materials depending on your area, climate, and land condition. 

Expansion plans

If you want to expand your barndominium in the future, consider your future needs while drawing up your floor plan. If you plan to add more bathrooms, allow provisions for plumbing fixtures. If you plan to expand the living spaces, ensure that you have underfloor heating for those areas. 

Barndo Style

Consider the style you want for your barndo; do you want a modern, contemporary, or rustic design? Remember that your choice of barndominium style will affect the materials you use, finishing, and exterior design. Check our Pinterest account for samples of gorgeous barndo styles you can copy.  

Is it Worth Building a Barndo in Mississippi?

Yes, a barndominium in Mississippi is a worthwhile project. Mississippi has one of the cheapest property taxes, so you can save in the long run. It is also a state known for its place in Civil War history. To top it off, it is one of the best places to experience sumptuous Southern Cuisine. 

Start your barndominium journey by looking at our fantastic gallery of barndominium floor plans. Check our educational article to help you master the ins and outs of the barndominium construction process.