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Building a Barndominium in South Carolina | Best 2024 Guide

cream white barndominium for south carolina state guide
Meranda’s Barndominium via our Barndominium Living group.

If you want to build a barndominium in a state steeped in history, South Carolina is an excellent option. It is one of the first thirteen colonies of the United States. South Carolina is ideal if you want warm weather because it has mild winters and hot summers. You can take advantage of its fantastic coastline to fully enjoy your vacations. 

If you are new to barndominiums, this article is what you need. We will give you crucial information on how to build your dream barndominium in South Carolina. You will also learn about the benefits of building a barndo, building regulations you should be aware of, and recommendations on making your barndominium project successful. 

Can You Build a Barndominium in South Carolina?

Yes, it is possible to build a barndominium in South Carolina. Although there are many urban areas in South Carolina, most of the state is still predominantly suburban and rural, making it great for constructing barndominiums.  

South Carolina Barndominiums Overview

The term barndominium refers to buildings that look like barns but can function for a wide variety of uses like as living spaces, garages, shops, or warehouses. They can also be a combination of any of the said functions, like a combination of a shop and a house. Although barndominiums usually have steel sidings, it is not unusual to see barndos made of wood, metal or a combination of the two. 

For more information about the different types of barndos, use our Ultimate Barndominium Guide. This guide and our Pinterest account contain amazing floor plans you can use as inspiration as you plan your barndo in South Carolina. 

Advantages and Disadvantages

Barndominiums are not perfect and have disadvantages, just like traditional houses and buildings. You can weigh the advantages and disadvantages listed below to see if a barndominium is the right fit for you. 

Advantages

  • Durability – Most barndominiums have steel frames and sidings that increase their durability. The steel components reduce the likelihood of termite infestation. However, although steel is more durable, barndos built using timber are also durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions, provided that they get built to standards. 
  • Low maintenance – Barndominiums require less maintenance compared to traditional buildings. With a barndo, you don’t have to worry about cracked concrete walls that might cause leaks and water damage. You don’t have to replace missing shingles after a hurricane. At most, you only need to repaint your barndominium after every few years and take care of dented sidings.
  • Shorter construction time – Barndominiums require a shorter construction time, especially when using pre-fabricated barndo shells and frames. This makes a barndo a great option if you need a building in record time. You can ask members of our Facebook group for time-saving tips to help you build your barndominium. 
  • Easier to improve – Should you need to improve your building a few years in the future, it is easier to do so with a barndo. You can easily partition large spaces if you need a new bathroom, home office, or bedroom. With traditional homes, you might be forced to destroy a wall or build a secondary building if you want to expand.  
  • More versatile – You can design your barndominium to be anything you want it to be because of its ample floor space and high ceiling. You can have a barndo with living spaces and a massive garage to house your car collection. You can also put up a spacious workshop or recreational area. 

Disadvantages   

  • Exteriors are not for everyone – There are still limited exterior design options for barndominiums, so some may not find them appealing. However, you can work with your contractor to design an exterior or color scheme that is unique and helps your barndo stand out from others in the area. 
  • Fewer financing options – Although barndominiums are getting more popular, you’ll find that some banks and financial institutions don’t know what barndominiums are, making getting a loan more challenging. The best thing to do is steer away from the term barndominium and call it a custom house with metal sidings or a custom house with a slab foundation. 
  • Fewer contractors and suppliers – Finding local builders and suppliers can be challenging because building barndominiums is still a niche market. However, this should improve in the coming years. We also have a section with local builders and suppliers you can contact to build your barndo in South Carolina. 

Regulations   

Familiarizing yourself with local building regulations is the best way to ensure that your barndominium is up to standards and that construction will proceed without delays. Although most counties have similar laws and regulations, there are counties with unique ordinances and procedures you should be aware of. 

If you plan to build in Edgefield County, you need to personally submit your application at least seven days before the permit issuance, while Pickens County requires applicants to create a web account and digitally submit all applications and requirements via their online portal. 

Since each county is unique, the best thing to do is consult the local building authority. They can give you accurate information about obtaining a building permit. They can also point you to a reputable local builder or supplier if you are still looking for one. 

Taxes

One of the perks of building a barndominium in South Carolina is its low property tax rate. The median property tax rate in South Carolina is 0.56% of the property’s assessed fair market value. This is lower than the national median property tax rate, which hovers at around 1.1%. 

Bardominium tax rates can vary even among counties within the same state, so the best course of action is to check with the local assessor’s office for an accurate assessment of your barndominium’s property tax. 

Insurance

Getting barndominium insurance is the best way to secure your property and have peace of mind. If you have an insurance policy, it can cover repairs if your barndo gets damaged. In the event of a total loss, your policy can help you rebuild your barndominium. 

Try shopping around to get the lowest premium that offers excellent coverage. A Forbes article reported that the annual premium for homeowners insurance in South Carolina could go as low as $1,207 for a $300,000 house. 

Financing

Financing a barndominium requires extensive funds, and a financial institution can help ease this monetary burden. Talk to several banks and lending institutions if you want favorable interest rates. Below are some local financial institutions that can help you build your barndominium in South Carolina. 

Southern First Bank

Southern First is a local bank with corporate offices in Greenville, South Carolina. Southern First offers a wide variety of loan options, including refinancing, conventional mortgage, and construction. 

Arbor One Farm Credit

A financial institution with offices in Florence, South Carolina. They offer loans you can use to buy land or build your barndominium. 

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First Palmetto Bank

First Palmetto is a South Carolina bank that’s been operating since 1904. First Palmetto Bank offers home loans for buying, building, or renovating houses, including custom houses. 

Builders

Builders play a crucial role in turning your barndominium dream into reality, so be sure to get the best local builder to help you. An experienced builder can construct your home to standards so your barndominium can last longer. Experienced builders also know how to maximize resources while minimizing expenses.

Moss Building Systems

Moss Building Systems is a family-owned business operating in Upstate South Carolina. They design, manufacture, and build pre-engineered buildings, including barndominiums. 

Colt Buildings & Homes

Colt Buildings & Homes is a one-stop shop offering design and construction services for a wide range of buildings, including barndominiums. Their corporate office is located in Greenwood, South Carolina. 

Wren Contracting

Wren Contracting is a construction company based in Rock Hill, South Carolina. They specialize in remodels, home builds, carports, garages, sheds, and barndominiums. 

The Barndo Co.

The Barndo Co. is a design and construction company with offices in Duncan, South Carolina. Aside from construction services, they have in-house barndominium layouts you can purchase if you don’t have a particular layout in mind. 

Aside from local builders, some contractors build in most states across the United States. Feel free to check our roster of the top barndominium contractors with branches scattered across the US. 

Kit Providers

Another option is to build your barndominium DIY style if you have great handyman skills. The DIY route is a great way to lower the cost of your barndominium. If this is the case, partner with a trusted kit provider that delivers perfectly-fabricated barndominium kits. 

Metal Garage Central

A North Carolina-based company that ships to nearby states, including South Carolina. Metal Garage Central specializes in pre-fabricated metal buildings, carports, garages, and horse barns. 

Metal Depots

Metal Depots supplies metal buildings, roofing, and other components. It has several depots across the US, including one in Piedmont, South Carolina. 

South Carolina Barndominium Pros

South Carolina Barndominium Pros is a construction company that also supplies custom metal buildings. They have offices in Charleston, Columbia, Mount Pleasant, Rock Hill, and North Charleston. 

Georgia Metals, Inc.

Georgia Metals, Inc. supplies metal products, including panel roofing, trims, pole barns, and barndominiums. Although they are headquartered in Georgia, they ship products to South Carolina, North Carolina, and some parts of Alabama and Florida. 

Apart from the local kit providers mentioned above, there are kit providers that service most of the United States. We also have a list of the most popular barndominium kit providers that ship to most states across the US, including South Carolina. 

Cost

It is impossible to estimate a barndominium’s cost accurately because it hinges on different factors like the size of the barndo, construction materials, labor costs, etc. However, barndominiums are generally more affordable than conventional houses or buildings. 

Just to give you an idea, according to Home Advisor, an average single-family house costs $350,000 to build in South Carolina. In contrast, a 2,000 sq. ft. barndominium kit from Metal Garage Central costs $57,862 and will still be cheaper even if you add shipping and installation costs. We also have a barndominium cost calculator to estimate your barndominium’s potential price tag. 

Where Can You Build a Barndo in South Carolina?

Barndominiums are best built in rural areas where there are fewer restrictions against custom metal buildings. Rural areas also often have lower costs of living and tax rates. If you plan to build a barndo in South Carolina, areas like Aiken, Clemson, Georgetown, and Beaufort are excellent options. 

4 Things to Consider Before Building a Barndominium in South Carolina

Before embarking on your barndominium journey, there are essential things you need to consider to ensure that your barndominium will best serve your needs.

Rust-through warranty

If you are getting a barndominium kit, check if it comes with rust through warranty. This warranty covers rusting and corrosion and is critical for metal buildings.

Plan your windows and doors

The placement of windows and doors can affect the ventilation in your barndominium, so proper placement is a must. Doors and windows are also excellent natural light sources and can help you lower your electrical consumption. 

Outdoor living spaces

Think ahead if you want to create outdoor living spaces and where you want them. This allows you to plan electrical and plumbing fixtures vital to a porch, outdoor kitchen, or outdoor dining area. 

Anticipate your needs

Anticipating your future needs can help you create the ideal barndominium. You can plan for a growing family by having provisions for extra bedrooms and bathrooms. If you live near the beach and plan to get a boat, leave ample space for a boat storage area.  

Is it Worth Building a Barndo in South Carolina?

Yes, building a barndominium in South Carolina is an excellent idea. It has many rural areas where you can build your barndominium. South Carolina’s low property tax can help you save money in the long run. It also has a fantastic coastline if you love spending summers on the beach. 

Planning a barndominium can be overwhelming, but you can use our comprehensive barndominium construction guide to familiarize yourself with the process. This article will tell you all about the ins and outs of building your barndominium. It also contains a wide array of barndominium floor plans you can utilize to create your perfect barndominium in South Carolina.