How Much Does a Barndominium Cost to Build in North Texas?
Straight answers on metal buildings and barndominiums from a North Texas general contractor with 500+ projects since 2009 — priced under a fixed-price contract.
Request a Free EstimateCall (817) 800-6920- ★★★★★ 4.9-Star Google Reviews
- 500+ Projects Completed
- BBB Accredited
- Fully Insured
- Fixed-Price Contracts
A 30x40 barndominium shell costs $95,000 to $115,000 in North Texas. Finishing the interior — plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and all interior construction — runs another $120,000 to $250,000. That puts a finished 1,200-square-foot barndominium at roughly $215,000 to $365,000, or about $180 to $305 per square foot.
The two numbers that make up a barndominium
Every barndominium budget is really two budgets, and confusing them is the single most common reason people think barndos are cheaper than they are. Online figures almost always quote the shell. The shell is not a house.
| Phase | Cost (30x40x10) | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Shell only | $95,000–$115,000 | The erected structure — frame, roof, exterior sheeting, doors and windows |
| Interior finish-out | $120,000–$250,000 | Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, insulation, framing, drywall, kitchen, baths, flooring, trim |
| Finished total | $215,000–$365,000 | Move-in ready |
These are Birdseye’s North Texas figures for a 30x40x10 building. Larger footprints scale the shell cost roughly with square footage and wall height, but the finish-out is where the range really widens — because finish level, not size, is what moves that number.
Why the finish-out range is so wide
The $130,000 spread between the low and high finish-out is not padding. It is the difference between a simple, functional interior — one kitchen, one and a half baths, painted drywall, LVP flooring, standard fixtures — and a fully custom one with a large kitchen, multiple full bathrooms, tile showers, custom cabinetry, upgraded HVAC zoning, and a real trim package.
Bathrooms and kitchens are the drivers, exactly as they are in a conventional house. A barndominium does not make plumbing cheaper. It makes the envelope cheaper and faster, which is a real advantage, but the expensive rooms cost what expensive rooms cost.
What is not in the number
Land, site work, and utilities sit outside the building budget and regularly surprise people. On raw acreage that can mean a driveway, a culvert, a septic system, a water well or a utility tap, and an electrical service run from the road. Depending on the site those can add anywhere from a modest amount to a very substantial one, and they are site-specific enough that they have to be priced against your actual property rather than estimated from a table.
Is a barndominium actually cheaper than a stick-built house?
Usually somewhat, and mostly in the envelope and the schedule rather than the interior. A steel frame goes up fast, spans wide without interior load-bearing walls, and needs less structural material for the same clear space. Where the savings evaporate is when the interior is finished to the same specification as a custom home — because at that point you are building a custom home inside a metal shell, and the interior is most of the cost of a custom home.
The real advantages are open span, durability, low exterior maintenance, and the ability to combine living space with a shop or garage under one roof. Those are good reasons to build one. “Barndominiums are cheap” is not.
See our guide to choosing a barndominium builder, or request a fixed-price estimate for your lot and floor plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 30x40 barndominium cost fully finished?
Roughly $215,000 to $365,000 in North Texas — $95,000 to $115,000 for the shell plus $120,000 to $250,000 for the interior finish-out including plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. Land, site work, and utilities are separate.
Is a barndominium cheaper than a traditional house?
Somewhat, and the savings are concentrated in the structure and the build schedule rather than the interior. Finish a barndominium to custom-home specification and the total lands close to conventional construction, because kitchens and bathrooms cost the same either way.
Can you get a mortgage on a barndominium in Texas?
Many lenders will finance one, but not all, and some treat it as non-conventional construction requiring a construction loan that converts to permanent financing. Talk to lenders before finalizing a design — appraisal comparables in your county affect what they will lend.
How long does it take to build a barndominium?
The shell typically goes up quickly once the slab is cured — that speed is one of the genuine advantages. The interior finish-out runs on a conventional residential schedule. Design, engineering, and permitting come first and vary by county.
Do barndominiums hold their value in North Texas?
In rural and acreage markets where they are common, they appraise and resell well. In established subdivisions with no comparable structures, appraisal can be harder. Location affects barndominium value more than it affects conventional homes.
Let’s price your project
A free walkthrough and a fixed-price scope for your exact project — no pressure, no guesswork. Serving Haslet, North Fort Worth, Northlake, Westlake, Justin, Roanoke, Keller, Southlake, Trophy Club, Colleyville, and North Richland Hills.
Request a Free EstimateCall (817) 800-6920