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Building a Barndominium in North Dakota | Best 2024 Guide

 barndominium for North Dakota state guide
Shawn’s White Barndominium via our Barndominium Living group.

Barndominiums thrive in rural areas, and North Dakota is an excellent option if you plan on building one. This Midwest state is the fourth least populous state in the country. It is an agricultural powerhouse and leader in the production of wheat, honey, peas, canola, and flaxseed. 

Building a barndominium in North Dakota can be a daunting task, and this article aims to help you understand barndominiums, their benefits, and why you should consider building one. 

Can You Build a Barndominium in North Dakota?

Yes, it is possible to build a barndominium in North Dakota. The sparsely populated state is ideal if you want a life away from congested urban areas. North Dakota is dotted with hills, prairies, and valleys, so you can find the perfect setting for your barndo. 

North Dakota Barndominiums Overview

A barndominium is a structure that looks like a barn but can function as a dwelling, garage, shop, warehouse, man cave, etc. Although the most common building material is steel, some barndos are made of wood, while others use a combination of metal and wood. Check our Pinterest account for more pictures of different barndo types and designs. 

You can also use our Barndominium 101 Guide to acquaint yourself with the different types of barndominiums.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Barndominiums may be excellent alternatives to traditional buildings, but they are not flawless. Learning not just about the advantages and disadvantages of barndominiums will help you decide if a barndo is the suitable building for you. 

Advantages

  • They can be cheap – One thing that attracts homeowners to barndominiums is their affordability. They have simple designs, so the labor cost to build them is minimal. If you want to, you can build it on your own to further decrease your labor expenses. 
  • They look unique – If you want a building that doesn’t look the same as others in your area, a barndominium is a great choice. With its distinctive look, your barndominium will surely be the talk of the town. Connect with members of our Facebook group to get more ideas on how to make your barndo stand out.  
  • They can be resistant to fire – An all-metal barndominium can be fire-resistant. Metal does well against fires compared to wooden structures. A metal barndo is also resistant to combustion. They still have wooden components, though, so ensure to install a sprinkler system or keep a fire extinguisher handy to keep your building safe from a fire. 

Disadvantages

  • Financing may be challenging – Financing a barndominium may be challenging, especially if you are in an area with no barndos. Your lender won’t have a similar structure to compare your barndominium with, so assessing your loanable amount may be difficult. It may also be a good idea to avoid using the terms barndominium and barndo because some banks are unfamiliar with them. 
  • You cannot build a multi-story barndominium – If you dream of having a multi-story building, a barndominium may not be the best choice. At the most, you can have a two-story barndominium. This also means you may need a larger lot if you want a barndo with a large floor space. 

Regulations

Before building your barndominium, you need to secure a building permit from your county. Counties have different regulations, so ask for a complete list of regulations from your local building office. For example, if you are in Williams County, a building permit costs $4 per $1,000 worth of construction with a minimum limit of $75. This is a bit cheaper than the building permit fee in Ward County, which costs $4.50 per $1,000 of estimated construction expenses. 

Taxes

The average property tax rate in North Dakota is slightly lower than the national average at 0.99% of the assessed value. However, counties and towns have different means of assessing barndominium taxes, and the best way to be sure of how much you need to pay is to approach your local tax assessor. 

Insurance

Insuring a barndominium is an excellent way of ensuring that you can carry out repairs if your barndo gets damaged. It can also ensure you have enough funds to rebuild your building if it gets damaged beyond repair. In North Dakota, the average cost of home insurance is around $1,872 for a property valued at $250,000. 

Financing

If you need help financing a barndominium, securing a loan from a bank or lending company is the best recourse. Shop around to get the best rates and terms possible. Like our Facebook page to read about the financial institutions that might help you finance your barndo. 

Starion Bank

Starion Bank is a local bank offering construction loans to residents of North Dakota and Wisconsin. 

Dakota Community Bank and Trust

Dakota Community Bank is a banking institution founded in 1940 and offers several construction loans, including USDA, VA, FHA, and conventional loans. 

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Builders

To ensure that your barndominium will last ages, you need to hire an expert building contractor. Try getting quotes from several contractors to get competitive prices.

Prairie Barns Construction LLC.

Prairie Barns Construction LLC builds post-frame and steel-frame buildings for residents of North Dakota and Montana. 

Delzer Construction Inc.

Delzer Construction Inc. is a family-owned construction company specializing in post-frame buildings, including barndominiums, warehouses, shops, machine storage, etc. 

Dynamite Builders

Dynamite Builders is based in Bismarck, North Dakota, and builds barndominiums for residents of Bismarck, Mandan, Lincoln, and surrounding areas. 

You can also try our list of barndominium contractors that build throughout the country if you cannot find a local builder. 

Kit Providers

A good barndominium starts with a high-quality shell, and the best way to ensure this is by buying your DIY kit from a trusted provider. 

Weatherstar Buildings

Weatherstart Buildings is a metal manufacturing company based in Moorhead, Minnesota. It services the states of Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and eastern Montana. 

LTH Steel Structures

LTH Steel Structures is a supplier of residential and commercial steel buildings with several fabrication sites throughout the country. 

Rigid Global Buildings

Rigid Global Buildings is a Houston-based company that supplies metal building kits for barndominiums, self-storage, aviation, etc.

If there are no available suppliers near you, feel free to use our directory of suppliers of barndominium kits that sell their products across the country.

Cost

To build a 2,000-square-foot house in North Dakota, you need to have between $200,000 and $420,000. A cheaper option is a 2,000-square foot barndominium which will only cost you between $140,000 and $160,000. However, the final cost of your barndo will depend on its size, design, materials, etc. You can also use this website’s barndominium cost calculator to estimate barndominium prices

Where Can You Build a Barndo in North Dakota?

Small rural towns like Medora, Garrison, New Salem, and Walhalla are excellent options if you want a barndominium in a picturesque and quiet area. 

2 Things to Consider Before Building a Barndominium in North Dakota

There are multiple factors you need to consider as you plan your barndominium. These factors can influence your design and budget. 

Your lot

The size and shape of your lot can limit the size of your barndominium. Be sure to leave enough outdoor space, so your property doesn’t look too cramped. Another important consideration is your county’s setback regulations, which is the minimum required distance of your barndo from the property line. 

Building materials

Decide whether you want a metal or wood barndominium. Your choice of building material can influence the overall design of your structure. The type of building material you use will also affect the overall construction cost.

Is it Worth Building a Barndo in North Dakota?

Yes, it is worth building a barndo in North Dakota. It has a large land area so you can find a suitable location. It also has a small population, hence you can move into a quiet spot away from crowded cities. Use our collection of barndominium floor plans to get started on the right foot.

Read our in-depth article about the barndominium construction process to learn about all the steps involved in building your barndominium in North Dakota.