When you go to build your barndominium you will find that there are different regulations for different structure types.
What complicates matters is that different cities, counties, and states may have different rules governing the construction of barndominiums and other buildings.
While this article will provide you with general information regarding building your own barndominium, you do need to check with your local city, county, and state offices to see specific rules.
Keep reading to get up to speed on this important topic.
Contents
Do You Need A Permit To Build A Barndominium?
When you are going to construct a new barndominium you will need a permit to do it. What type of permit you get will depend on the purpose or use of the building.
If the structure is solely for commercial purposes, you may have to get a commercial building permit.
If the structure is for residential use, then, whether it is metal or wood, you would need a residential building permit.
There are no escaping government rules and regulations even in this building category.
If you need specific costs, you will have to contact your city, state, or county office that handles permits and construction.
Why Is A Building Permit Required?
The biggest reason governments have enacted a building code, which includes permits, is for safety.
They do not want people to erect buildings that are unsafe to users and will fall down quickly.
Building codes and permits are designed to make sure the structure is built right and avoid hazards that come from shoddy workmanship.
In cases of hurricanes, tornados, and earthquakes, building permits and codes help you build the structure to the right level of quality.
These requirements are designed to keep the building standing after one of these natural disasters come through the area.
However, there is no guarantee that your structure will survive even if you meet all building requirements.
Natural disasters can be quite powerful and no code will help erect a building to withstand all severity levels of these natural events.
What Happens If I Do Not Get A Building Permit?
If you are caught, the first result will be that the city or county, etc., will assess a fine. These fines can get very steep or you will be assessed other penalties.
That is just if the government inspectors catch you.
If you go to sell your home or look for a home loan, your barndominium will be subject to an appraisal.
When the appraiser finds that you did not get a permit, he or she will lower the value of your home.
You won’t get as much for it as you had planned. Or potential buyers may back out and look for another home to buy.
There is more bad news. Your insurance company may refuse to cover the construction and if there is a fire due to bad workmanship, the company may refuse to pay for the damages.
It is possible to get a building permit after construction but that may be more expensive than you thought.
How Do I Get A Permit?
You, if you are acting as your own contractor or the builder have to go to the local government office that handles permits and apply for one.
This can be a stressful time as the city or county office, etc., may examine your plans and ask for some changes in the design before approving the application.
Make sure to not start any construction until the permit is approved.
Permit Approval And Expiry Date
The cost of the permit will vary from city to city and so on, and once you pay the fee, your plans can be approved right away.
Or the approval may be delayed while you make the required changes the office wants to be made.
Once you get the permit, you usually have 6 to 12 months to complete the construction depending on the rules of the office.
To submit your building plans to the permit office you have to go to that office in person and fill out the necessary paperwork.
As a homeowner, you have the right to pull the permit if you deem it necessary.
Should I Be My Own Contractor In This Project?
It is not a wise move to act as the general contractor unless you have a lot of home construction experience. There are just too many issues and unforeseen problems that can arise.
Without experience, you won’t be able to handle them in a timely or even correct manner.
Or you may not solve them in the most inexpensive way possible and you might be left with living with annoying imperfections for as long as you own the barndominium.
It is best to leave this job up to the pros. It may add to your cost but, it is better and cheaper than paying for your own mistakes during and after construction.
Some Final Words
When you are considering doing this project, take some time to list all the requirements you have to meet.
Getting a permit is done first and before anything else is done on the project.
These permits ensure that your barndominium is built to code and you won’t lose value or insurance protection.
I'm James, your barndominiums advisor. Several years ago, I had no idea what barndominiums were. Although I'd spent over 10 years in the construction industry, the first time I heard about barndominiums was when I saw my neighbor building a new-style home. That was the first barndominium I've ever seen, and I found it so fascinating that I wanted to learn more about them.
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