Barndominiums are traditionally two-story rectangles with either a steel or wood frame. People also call these modern homes shouses (shop houses), shomes, or pole barn homes. Barndominiums offer open-concept floor plans from their clear-span trusses.

What once was just a building in which to store equipment has revolutionized the post-frame industry. Often, they are thought to be a lower-cost living solution. However, the interior finishes, design choices, overall square footage, and depending on how much you DIY can make your project more than traditional stick-built homes.

If you are looking for a low-maintenance, customizable, energy-efficient home, a barndominium might be for you! In this blog, we will discuss what factors to consider when selecting a floor plan, what companies offer barndominium floor plans, and tips for purchasing one.

Understanding Barndominium Floor Plans

3 Types of Barndominium Floor Plans

To begin, you first need to address your needs. Whether you are a big family looking for a cost-effective multi-bedroom barndominium plan or a retired couple looking for a large shop with a small garage apartment floor plan, there is a floor plan for you.

2-Story Barndominiums

The name barndominium comes from barn and condominium. These structures are often large and rectangular, similar to an ag building. They usually incorporate a more high-end aesthetic and can have a two-story floor plan. The frame of a barndominium is made with either steel beams or wooden columns and trusses.

If you want to maximize square footage, consider a two-story floor plan. Building taller has several benefits. Going vertical lets you double your living space and pay less per square foot. The second-floor deck system with large spans supports interior walls, attributing to additional cost savings.

Shouse Floor Plans

A shouse is a post-frame structure that is a shop and house combined. While barndominiums and pole barn homes can also have shops attached, a shouse is a structure where the majority of the space is shop space.

If you want more shop than a house, you will save money since the interior finishes are what make a shouse expensive. The bigger the kitchen and additional bathrooms all add to the overall cost. But keep in mind the four must-haves every barndominium must include.

Pole Barn Home (Ranch Home Floor Plan)

A pole barn home is traditionally a ranch-style post-frame home in which the main portion of the square footage is living quarters, and a small garage is attached. The structure does vary from traditional stick-built construction since the same truss and columns are used in pole barn construction.

A post-frame home with a garage is also a popular choice. If you want low maintenance from the metal roof and siding, energy efficiency, and quick construction time, a 1,500-square-foot pole barn home might be for you.

Functionality and Flow

When evaluating different floor plans, consider the flow. Are you going to spend much time outside or in your shop? A floor plan with an entrance to your mud/laundry room will work best. 

Evaluate from your laundry room. Where is the kitchen located, and how many bathrooms does the floor plan have? The closer your rooms to water are, the fewer pipes you will have to run, thus saving you money.

Often, people select post-frame construction because the clear span trusses allow for no load-bearing walls, thus offering an open-concept living space. To get layout and design ideas, it might be helpful to tour a few completed projects or check out our gallery of past projects.

Another important consideration is what additional needs you will have in the future. Will you need a pole barn addition if your home woodshop business grows or a lean-to for extra storage?

Free Design Online Tool

All of the above factors are important to evaluate before construction begins. Understanding whether you want a two-story or ranch-style home and the overall square footage will help you budget and plan for your post-frame building.

We also offer our 3D design online as a FREE tool. Here, you can try various sizes, color schemes, and features. 

You can build out the interior with walls and add a bed for scale to ensure your layout works. Plus, you can even add your design to Google Earth and check what it could look like on your site!

Top Companies for Barndominium Kits and Floor Plans

By purchasing a pre-made floor plan, you can achieve cost savings of up to 90% over custom house plans. Designing a home from scratch may take hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars. A ready-made plan saves you time and money and can be modified to suit your needs.

Many pre-drawn plans have been previously built, and most have resolved the construction problems. This translates into fewer design headaches and reduced labor costs when you develop your strategy.

Below, we will highlight several companies that can help you determine a floor plan. Please note that we are NOT affiliated with any floor plan companies. 

Due to local codes and regulations, you may still need to work with a local engineer or contractor for mechanical drawings. Not all states or cities require them, but Wisconsin and Michigan may have additional requirements due to soil-bearing capacity and snow loads.

America’s Best House Plans

America’s Best House Plans works with hundreds of designers and architects to bring you over 20,000 house plans, 300 of which are barndominium specific. A nice feature of their website is their filters to narrow plans down to the bedroom and even laundry location!

America’s Best House Plans range from $595 to $6,811. According to reviews online, customers often say that overall, it was a good experience. Some noted that the plans were slightly inaccurate or had small problems, but ABHP promptly corrected the issues.

Below is what is and is not included in America’s Best House Plans floor plans:

Architectural Designs

Architectural Designs offers house plans from over 200 architects and designers. They are based in Connecticut and offer 471 barndominium-specific floor plans. In addition, they provide a custom house plan service to help you design your dream home. 

They offer a feature to estimate the cost to build their plans based on zip codes. Plus, they offer plan reversal and plan changes with their in-house designers.

Architectural Design plans range from $550 to $5,212. According to reviews online, customers complain about the cost of making changes to the plans, the plans not meeting local codes, and it would have been cheaper to use them as a general template but have a local architect make plans. 

Others mentioned that they were pleased with the quick delivery of plans, that there are many designs to choose from, that some have gone to them for multiple home building plans, and that there was overall great customer service.

Below is what is and is not included in Architectural Designs floor plans:

HousePlans

Since 2004, HousePlans has helped thousands of people find their dream home layout. They have over 40,000 floor plans, 273 of which are barndominium specific. Their plans range from $359 to $3375.

Each plan has a letter verifying that an architectural firm designed it. However, due to local codes and regulations, they are not engineered and stamped. For Indiana residents, check out the 1064 plans. These are local designers who can work with your local codes to meet your barndominium floor plan needs.

HousePlans offers a free quote for modifications, so you won’t get sticker-shocked if you want changes done through them or a local connection.

The customer reviews are mixed. Most like the variety of plans and quick delivery, but several mention that the cost-to-build feature is inaccurate and that some plans did not include all the drawings the customer thought would be included.

FBi Buildings

FBi Buildings engineers and constructs the shell of pole barn homes across the midwest. When it comes to permitting, many counties will also require architect or engineered plans for the interior portion of your home. Our Project Sales Consultants can connect you with a trusted local architect or engineer for the interior portion.

If you are looking for a DIY pole barn home kit or a company to build the shell, FBi Buildings could be a good option. However, you will need interior floor plans. 

FBi Buildings offers free pole barn home quotes for those in our service area. Once you sign a contract with us, the drawings are included in your project cost! Where several companies above only provide the interior concepts, FBi Buildings will help bring the idea to life!

Tips for Purchasing and Designing Your Barndominium

After getting a floor plan, it is important to evaluate who will construct your pole building. Several reputable post-frame companies exist, and it is vital to ask questions to ensure they are the right fit for your project and budget. 

In addition, understand that your site may determine which floor plan works best for you. It is essential to prepare your site before construction can begin. Removing trees, preparing a driveway, and leveling dirt will all help get your project off the ground quicker. 

We get it. Change orders will come up in the building process. Remember that if you add more windows, for example, this will delay your project timeline and add to your overall project. 

We recently released our Ultimate Guide to Building a Barndominium. Download your free copy today to ensure you know all the ins and outs of building your dream pole barn home.

Another thing to consider is the design choices. From a black barndominium to a white and black farmhouse ranch-style pole barn home with cedar columns and stone wainscoting, many finishes can elevate and make your shophouse look more modern.

Are You Ready to Build Your Barndominium?

When making design choices for your barndominium, consider not only the aesthetic appeal but also the functionality of the space. Consider how you will use each room and what features best suit your lifestyle. 

Additionally, remember to factor in the climate and location of your barndominium when making design decisions. Consider elements like insulation, ventilation, and natural light to ensure your space is comfortable and energy-efficient year-round. 

By carefully planning and selecting the right design elements for your barndominium, you can create a space that looks beautiful and functions seamlessly for your needs. Contact us if you are ready to get a pole barn home quote.

Have more questions about pole barn floor plans not covered in this article? Please contact FBi Buildings at 1.800.552.2981 or click here to email us. If you are ready to get a price, click here to request a quote and a member of our sales team will call you.