Cost to Build a Barndominium for North Texas Homeowners

scott shipp
Dec 18, 2025
7 min read

If you’re planning a North Texas barndominium, budget roughly $65 to $160 per square foot for the shell. A 2,000-square-foot build often lands between $130,000 and $320,000, excluding land, site work, utilities, and interior finishes.

Quick Cost Overview

Nationally, barndominiums average about $126 per square foot, while North Texas homeowners often save 5–10% on materials and labor. Ordering steel panels during our mild winters can shave another 5% off supply costs.

Screenshot from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barndominium

Pro Tip: In Granbury and Weatherford, locking in steel panel orders by December or January often nets the best per-sheet rates.

Per Square Foot Cost Comparison

Build Type	National Range	North Texas Range
Prefab Metal Kit	$65 – 90	$60 – 85
Custom Post-Frame Build	$100 – 160	$95 – 150
Concrete Slab Foundation	$5 – 10	$5 – 8

Total Build Estimates

For a 2,000-square-foot barndominium, ballpark budgets look like:

National total: $130,000 – $320,000
North Texas total: $120,000 – $300,000

Key budget drivers in Granbury, Weatherford, or Glen Rose include:

Steel gauge and insulation R-value
Local labor rates
Finish level (basic shell vs. luxury interior)
Permit fees ($1,500–$3,000 across Hood and Somervell Counties)

Understanding Barndominium Basics

Barndominiums blend the rustic charm of a barn with modern comforts. In North Texas, families and retirees appreciate wide-open layouts and built-in workshop space. Picture a steel-frame shell on a concrete slab, with drywall, high-efficiency HVAC, and custom fixtures inside—and a shop or studio off to the side.

Common Barndominium Layouts

Open loft living with soaring ceilings—ideal for entertaining in Weatherford.
Attached workshop for hobbyists in Granbury.
Multi-use barn wing combining equipment storage and finished living space near Glen Rose.

Many homeowners choose a 2,400-square-foot plan with a 1,200-square-foot shop to balance home life and hands-on work.

Key Shell Components

Metal siding and roof panels rated for hail and Texas heat.
Engineered steel trusses spanning up to 60 feet without interior posts.
Insulation package delivering R-20 to R-30 in walls.
Factory-cut openings for windows and doors to reduce labor.

Comparing Kit and Custom Frames

Prefab kits arrive pre-cut, cutting labor by up to 10%.
Custom frames offer full design freedom at about 15% higher cost.

“Building with a kit saved us nearly $5 per square foot,” says a Glen Rose homeowner who finished a 2,200-square-foot barndo at $115 per sq ft.

Understanding Local Code Impacts

Hood and Somervell Counties set minimums like R-30 wall insulation and R-50 ceiling values. In Weatherford, GFCI outlets are mandatory in workshop zones and plumbing often uses above-ground PEX lines—adding 2–4% to your mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) budget.

For a deeper dive into build processes, explore our barndominium guide from Gemini Homes.

How Costs Vary By Square Foot

When you break out cost per square foot, location, materials, and finishing level all play a role.

Factors Affecting Price

Region: Granbury often offers 10–15% savings versus coastal builds.
Material grade: 24-gauge steel costs less than thicker or specialty-coated panels.
Assembly approach: Prefab kits trim labor costs by around 10%.

National averages sit at $90–$140 per sq ft, while North Texas builds typically range $85–$130 per sq ft. That compares to $100–$200 per sq ft for stick-built homes.

For more on this, check out Is It Cheaper To Build A House Or Barndominium In 2025?

Regional Permit Quirks

Granbury: $2,000–$3,000 for a 2,000-sq-ft build.
Weatherford: Around $2,500 with additional plan reviews.

Ordering steel in winter and scheduling site work in spring or fall can trim material surcharges by up to 7%.

Finish Level Impact

Basic shell: $65 per sq ft.
Mid-range finishes: $110 per sq ft.
Luxury upgrades: $160 per sq ft.

“Mapping costs per square foot is like tracking fuel efficiency—it guides where you spend best,” says a local builder.

Barndominium Versus Traditional Home Costs

Build Type	Avg Cost per Sq Ft	Regional Notes
Barndominium (National)	$90–$140	Coastal areas trend higher; interior states save
Traditional Home (National)	$100–$200	Premium zones drive sticker shock
Barndominium (North Texas)	$85–$130	Bulk steel deals and local expertise
Traditional Home (North Texas)	$95–$180	Custom framing adds to labor costs

Local Build Example

In Granbury, one homeowner finished a 2,200 sq ft barndo with mid-grade cabinets and vinyl plank floors at $115 per sq ft—about $50,000 under a similar stick-built budget. Ordering steel in winter and choosing a kit approach trimmed an extra 8% off that rate.

Tip: Request an itemized per-square-foot breakdown from builders to compare bids effectively.

Build Cost Categories Explained

Breaking your budget into categories shows exactly where your money goes in Granbury or Weatherford.

Shell and Foundation Costs

The metal shell and trusses typically account for 30–35% of your total. Prefab kits keep you closer to 30%, while custom assemblies rise toward 35%.

Swapping standard batts for R-30 spray foam usually adds 2–3% to totals.

Site and Utility Expenses

Land conditions can push site work from 5% up to 8% of your budget:

Grading to avoid water pooling.
Erosion control for Texas thunderstorms near Glen Rose.
Access roads on rural tracts.

Utility runs may reach 7–10%. In Granbury, water and sewer lines often cost $4,000–$6,000, while a septic system or electrical trenching in Weatherford can add more.

Interior and Exterior Finishes

Expect 25–30% for interior finishes:

Stock cabinets vs. custom (+20–30%)
Luxury vinyl vs. hardwood or tile
DIY paint and trim can save 2–4% on labor

Exterior cladding runs 8–12%, depending on panel type and accents. Permits and fees sit near 3%; in Hood County, a 2,000-sq-ft plan often carries about $2,000 in local fees.

Infographic about cost to build a barndominium

Targeting Savings Without Sacrifice

Swap premium cladding for painted steel to keep exterior cladding near 10% of spend.
Tackle DIY painting to trim 5% off interior finish costs.
Some Glen Rose homeowners hire electricians in slow seasons to reduce MEP rates.

For a personalized breakdown, see our custom builds in North Texas.

Sample Budget Scenarios In North Texas

Homeowners around Granbury, Weatherford, and Glen Rose share their real barndo spends. These examples show how a porch, loft, or premium finishes shift your bottom line.

Across the U.S., barndo builds average $230,000, ranging from $112,800 for a 1,200-sq-ft basic model to $540,000 for a 4,200-sq-ft luxury version. Dig deeper into HomeAdvisor’s breakdown here.

Compact Build Example

A 1,200-sq-ft home with a 600-sq-ft shop in Granbury:

Shell and slab at $65 per sq ft: $112,800
Shop attachment: $15,000
Porch and deck: $8,000
Basic HVAC and vinyl plank floors
Painting and trim DIY saved $5,000

All-in total: $130,000 after permits and site prep.

Mid-Size Build Illustration

A 2,400-sq-ft barndo near Glen Rose with loft and extended porch:

Shell and trusses: $80,000
Loft upgrade: $36,000
Premium finishes: $50,000
Steel ordered in winter trimmed 5% off material costs
Total between $240,000–$260,000

Large Build Scenario

A 3,000-sq-ft home plus 1,000-sq-ft workshop in Weatherford:

Land costs: $30,000 (varies by acre)
Interior finishes and site work: ~40% of budget
High-end cabinets, stone accents, custom porch
Total: $330,000–$360,000

North Texas Budget Examples

Size (Sq Ft)	Cost Range	Included Features
1,200	$112,800–$130,000	Basic shell, 600 sq ft shop, standard porch
2,400	$240,000–$260,000	Mid-grade siding, loft, extended porch
3,000	$330,000–$360,000	Premium finishes, 1,000 sq ft shop, custom deck

These builds average $94–$120 per sq ft, showing how choices drive costs.

Key Takeaways for North Texas Builds

Order steel in colder months for 5–7% savings.
Budget 3–5% for permits upfront.
Swapping custom cabinets for stock models can save $10,000 on a mid-size build.

Explore our North Texas barndominium guide for more local insights.

Tips and Financing Strategies

Smart timing and material decisions help your North Texas barndo stay on budget.

How to Choose Materials

Painted metal panels: $3–$4 per sq ft, low maintenance for families.
Premium cladding: $6–$9 per sq ft, better thermal performance for retirees.
Mix and match: painted panels on workshop wing, upscale cladding in living areas.

Get quotes from at least three local suppliers. Negotiate lead times, bulk rates, and combined kit-plus-slab packages.

Financing Your Build

Construction loans offer interest-only draws with periodic inspections. Expect lender fees of 1–2% of your total. On rural acreage near Cleburne or Godley, a USDA Rural Development loan may offer 0% down and lower rates (income and acreage requirements apply).

Use milestone payments—foundation, shell, MEP, finishes—to keep cash flow steady.

Managing Permits and Timelines

Hood County permits: $2,000–$3,000 (4–6 weeks review).
Somervell County permits: $1,500–$2,500 (4–6 weeks review).

Track submission dates in a shared calendar to avoid hold-ups. Involving your inspector early ensures compliance and prevents costly rework.

Balancing DIY and Professional Work

DIY tasks like painting or trim can save 2–4% on finish costs, while electrical and plumbing should stay with licensed pros. This hybrid approach optimizes labor rates without risking critical delays.

Negotiating Kit Packages

Compare at least three quotes for steel panels and trusses. Off-peak orders and bundled kit-plus-slab contracts can yield 3–8% savings. A prompt deposit often secures priority fabrication slots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing a Kit Versus Turnkey Build

Kits supply the metal shell; local crews assemble. In Granbury, kits often save 10% on combined material and labor.
Turnkey covers everything from foundation to finishes at about 15% higher overhead—ideal for those who prefer a hands-off experience.

Permits in Hood and Somervell Counties

County	Required Approvals	Estimated Fees	Review Time
Hood County	Site Plan, Septic Approval, Building Permit	$2,000–$3,000	4–6 Weeks
Somervell County	Zoning Approval, Septic Permit, Inspections	$1,500–$2,500	4–6 Weeks

Submit site development plans together to streamline reviews and factor in a 4–6 week buffer before breaking ground.

Adding a Shop or Guest Suite Later

Framing slab and footings for future additions and installing rough-in plumbing and electrical now can lock in pricing and save 5–7% on future work.

Regional Factors Affecting Cost Timelines

Winter steel orders arrive faster, cutting wait times by 5%.
Spring rains around Weatherford and Glen Rose can pause grading—consider scheduling earthwork in fall or winter.

When you’re ready to discuss your North Texas barndominium budget and design, reach out to Gemini Homes in Granbury for a complimentary consultation.

Hebrews 3:4 "For every house is built by someone, But God is the builder of everything"