A barndominium might sound like a rustic concept best left to the country, but it’s a building style gathering steam in real estate — and one Upstate builder is taking the lead.
In that spirit, business partners Ross Ledford, who handles construction and engineering, and TJ Norris, who handles planning and development, put their experience together and launched The Barndo Co. in Greenville, specifically to manufacture these types of homes, which are on par with the size of a traditional-style home.
Bardominiums might look like a barn or workshop on the outside, but inside offers high ceiling spaces, and the look can range from modern to rustic.
Norris and Ledford built a number of commercial buildings together before they built barndominiums. They started The Barndo Co. a year ago with the idea of continuing this building style, which Norris said is more about the style than the look.
The building style includes steel frames and building on large slabs of concrete which can be constructed in less than half the time of a traditional, wood-framed home. Norris said a typical wood-framed home can take 10 months to build, from groundbreaking to finishing touches. In a barndominium, a home can come together in as little as 180 days. He said the building style also offers advantages in efficiency and durability, as well as being maintenance-free. They offer all the comforts and necessities of a traditional home as well.
Moreover, the barndominium style is less expensive than a traditional home. Norris says prices for the homes he builds start at $115/square foot — that works out to a $265,000 home at 2,300 square feet. That compares with $145-$155 /per square foot for a wood-framed home. Barndominiums can range from basic to luxurious, depending on amenities buyers add.
“It’s completely up to the homeowner,” Norris said. “The affordability is there.” Those who go with a barndominimum are typically someone looking for a normal-sized home but also looking to save money without compromising build quality or looks.
The Barndo Co. handles everything from start to finish, Norris said. As the building comes together, it’s not subject to weather delays that can delay other types of construction. The company is looking to build 20-25 homes this year, which would make it their best year yet.
Barndominiums aren’t exactly a new concept, said Norris. He said he remembers his father building one on Lake Hartwell in 1990 out of red iron. Years ago, it was more difficult to secure financing and insurance for barndominiums. Now, there are building styles that are more feasible.
With Greenville’s exploding housing market, Norris thinks the concept of a barndominium will prove popular.
“I think we’ll see more and more of them,” Norris said.
