Building a barn to live in- interesting article

[EddieWalker]

I've done a couple jobs where I created a living area inside an already standing metal building. In both cases, they wanted some place to live as quickly as possible while the saved up to build their dream home. In both cases, they have not started building their dream home. In both cases, the wife is not happy having to live in a metal building.

I have another client that I've done a bunch of work for who decided to have their son do this for them. They hired out the build of the metal building, and then he started framing in the interior to create a home for them to live in. If I remember correctly, this is going on it's second year and it's nowhere near getting close to being done. They have tried hiring people for $100 a day to come work on it, but nobody is showing up.

The advantage is already having the building sealed in. But if you do not have a building already there, then it will cost you more to build the barn, and then build a living area inside the building. You are paying for the walls twice and ceiling twice. You are also very limited in layout.

I do know that there are people who did this to avoid paying taxes on a house on their land and as far as I know, it's worked for them.

 

[oosik]

The original homesteader had the "ultimate" barndominium here. He built a large chicken house. A single room off the side of the chicken house with an outside entrance. He and the wife lived in this single room while they built their house and barn.

I remember the chicken house and barn. Saw them both - as a kid - when Dad and I visited in 1949. Really regret not having pictures of those two structures. I do have pictures of the house they built. The chicken house and barn were long gone to dust by the time my wife and I moved down in 1982.

 

[Jstpssng]

It seems like the fad about 40 years ago was to either buy a barn and turn it into a house, or build one that way. Funny how "new" ideas have usually been tried before.

 

[Cat385B]

It seems like the fad about 40 years ago was to either buy a barn and turn it into a house, or build one that way. Funny how "new" ideas have usually been tried before.

There is a new house 1/2 mile south of me, under construction, that has a traditional looking barn roof. Two stories, roughly 36x60, stick built. Three 9x8 (or 10x8) OH garage doors on one end that faces north. That’s a no-no in Minnesota, unless you like having a skating rink right out the door. It’s not sided yet, but so far I really like it.

 

[jmc]

OP here.

Now that I'm the sole dweller in this house I built 30 years ago, I don't even use the living room anymore. I was musing about how handy it would be to have my metal working equipment in there instead of way out in the barn. Or maybe in the basement if I could get it down there. Anyway, this barndominium concept seemed like a PRACTICAL way to do something similar.

Enjoyed the comments.

 

[Drewintoledo]

I’m partially living under a loft!
here’s a few vids

 

[EddieWalker]

I skimmed through your videos. Whey did you use wire for the concrete instead of rebar? In my experience, the biggest lie told by a contactor is that they will lift it while spreading the concrete so it's in the middle of the pour where it's supposed to be, but then they walk over it after lifting it, and it ends up at the bottom of the concrete, not doing anything.

 

[Drewintoledo]

I left it in the hands of the men doing the job. It wasn’t cheap and the guys are all retired union boys that did this stuff for a living. The ”head” guy who I contacted is highly regarded in this area as one of the best around. I guess time will tell but so far I’ve been very pleased.

 

[Oaktree]

I've done a couple jobs where I created a living area inside an already standing metal building. In both cases, they wanted some place to live as quickly as possible while the saved up to build their dream home. In both cases, they have not started building their dream home. In both cases, the wife is not happy having to live in a metal building.

Can't say as I blame them...aesthetics aside, I'd imagine a metal building would be an oven in the kind of temperatures you get in Texas. The lack of windows would drive me crazy, make me feel like I was in a cell.

Here in New England it used to be fairly common to put in a foundation, cap it off and use the "basement" to live in while building the rest of the house, sometimes for years before getting around to finishing it. Don't seem to see it as much anymore, I'm guessing as years went by building codes discouraged/prohibited it.

 

[jmc]

Here in New England it used to be fairly common to put in a foundation, cap it off and use the "basement" to live in while building the rest of the house, sometimes for years before getting around to finishing it. Don't seem to see it as much anymore, I'm guessing as years went by building codes discouraged/prohibited it.

I remember a few of those basements as a kid. Wonder if it also has something to do with more liberal mortgages these days, or more reluctance back then to take on debt. When I bought my first house in 1976, 30% down was required. Don't know what it is now.