Barden Building Products Blog Archive

Panel built homes bring together the best parts of stick-built and modular construction without the usual compromises.

They offer the freedom to design your home your way, paired with a faster and more efficient building process. For many homeowners, that combination just makes sense.

But when it comes to building a house, no one wants to second-guess their decision later. That’s why it’s so important to understand the real pros and cons of panel built homes, especially from people who’ve been through it.

That moment when the idea of a brand-new home takes root is unforgettable. A blank canvas. A place tailored to your life. A sanctuary built for you, not someone else.

The Upstate New York housing market is tighter than ever. Buyers from Buffalo to Syracuse are battling for a limited supply of homes — listings are scarce, prices are climbing, and properties vanish almost as soon as they’re listed. For families and first-time buyers, the struggle to secure a home that fits their needs and budgets is very real.

You’ve decided it’s time for your own home – an exciting step, but now comes the big question: Should a first-time home buyer build or buy? 

Framing is one of the most important steps in construction – but it doesn’t have to be the most frustrating. 

Post frame buildings are becoming more popular among people looking to build their own custom homes, whether they’re dreaming of a spacious barndominium (barndo), a workshop, or even a commercial building. 

Barndominiums are slowly – but surely – becoming a more prevalent part of the custom home scene. And for plenty of good reasons, too.

Visually unique. Durable. Versatile. Customizable. The list goes on.

But as a newer custom home style, clients considering a barndo as their next residence are coming with plenty of questions – some more frequently asked than others.

Some Barden custom homeowners have an enhanced sense of ownership over their homes.

Why? 

It's not because they custom designed it to fit their lifestyle, nor is it because there's not another home like it (though both play into it).

Their pride of ownership comes from the fact that they took a more involved path to realizing their dream home, taking on the general contractor (GC)  role for their project. Fully embracing the idea of "build your custom home," there's very little they don't know about their home and the work that went into it.

But even for those with the best intentions, going the GC route route isn't always the best idea.

Many hopeful homeowners hear the same refrain: "The housing market is tough."

This has been true for several years now and is expected to continue. Finding the ideal pre-existing home is increasingly difficult and costly.

For many aspiring homeowners, building a custom home is the next option. However, new home construction faces its own challenges, mainly due to supply chain issues, which make the process difficult.

"Who will be living in your home?"