A turnkey barndominium can sound pretty simple: choose a plan, build the home, get the keys. In reality, there are a few more decisions hiding behind that nice, tidy word “turnkey.”
Price matters, but so does what that price includes. The same goes for your timeline, materials, foundation and how much flexibility you have with the floor plan. A lower number upfront can look great until you realize something you expected isn’t part of the package.
Knowing what you're getting into before construction starts can save you a few surprises later. It starts with knowing what “turnkey” means for your project and what you should expect along the way.
A turnkey barndominium is generally a finished home that's ready for you to move into once construction is complete. Instead of taking over midway through the project, you're working toward a home with the major pieces completed, such as:
But “turnkey” isn't a universal package. What's included can depend on the builder and how your project is structured, so find out where your builder's responsibility ends and yours begins before you commit.
Once you know what “turnkey” covers, you can start looking more closely at what you're getting for your money. Keep these seven features in mind as you compare your options:
A floor plan can give you a strong starting point without locking you into every detail. Look for a turnkey barndominium that gives you room to make changes based on how you want to live in the home.
Maybe you need another bedroom, want a larger garage or would rather rethink how the main living space is laid out. Having some flexibility lets you start with a proven plan while still making the finished home feel like yours.
“Turnkey” sounds like everything is taken care of, but you still want to know exactly what you're signing up for. Before construction begins, get a clear answer on who handles:
Your contract should make those responsibilities clear so you know what remains on your plate.
A low price can get your attention, but it shouldn't be the only number you consider. If one turnkey barndominium price comes in well below the others, take a closer look at what's behind it.
A lower quote may mean you're getting a different package than you expected. Compare what you're getting for your money, not just the number at the bottom of the estimate.
One appeal of a turnkey barndominium is that construction can move quickly. If you're building on a slab instead of a basement, you could cut about two weeks from the early stages by avoiding basement excavation and digging.
Once your barndominium is framed, though, the construction timeline is similar to a conventional home. In our experience, most of the time savings happen before that point.
Weather can still push your schedule back. Give yourself some room for delays rather than planning around a perfect construction timeline.
If one barndominium quote is much lower than another, there’s probably a reason. The materials going into the home are a good place to look.
Take a closer look at the materials being used throughout the home:
Lower-cost choices can reduce your upfront price, but they may affect how your home performs or what you'll spend maintaining it later. A surprisingly inexpensive turnkey barndominium isn't automatically a bad deal. You just want to know why it's inexpensive before you sign.
You don't want your barndominium to be someone's first barndominium. Experience with these projects means your builder has already worked through the decisions that can make them different from a conventional home.
Ask to see past projects and pay attention to how they answer your questions. They should be able to tell you what to expect based on homes they've built before, rather than figuring it out alongside you.
If you're looking for someone who builds custom barndominiums in New York, regional experience matters too. Look for a team familiar with building homes in your part of the state and the conditions your project may face.
Many barndominiums are built on a concrete slab, which can help keep the project simpler and less expensive. But that doesn't mean you have to give up on a basement if having one matters to you.
Think about that decision early. Based on our experience, a basement can add around $20,000 to the project and about two weeks for excavation and digging. Those numbers will vary by project, but they show why your foundation choice deserves a place in the conversation before plans are finalized.
The appeal of a turnkey barndominium is having much of the building process handled for you. That convenience still leaves you with decisions to make about the home you're building and what you're getting for your money.
Take the time to ask questions before you commit. When you know what your project includes, you can choose a home that feels right for your plans instead of finding surprises once construction is underway.
Have a better idea of what you want in your barndominium? Browse our floor plans to find a starting point for your new home and see what might work for you.