What is an owner builder?
According to Wikipedia, “An owner-builder is an individual or family that takes charge of the remodeling or new construction of their home.” Another way of putting it is to define yourself as someone who is willing to take on both the challenges — and the opportunities — of overseeing a building project as complex as a barndominium. And, of course, there’s the added incentive of saving money. In some cases, a substantial amount of it. And there are other benefits:- You’ll be able to do only the tasks you feel comfortable doing, like painting
- You can be more in control of the timeframe in which your barndo is builT
- You’ll select only tradespeople you might know and admire
- You will have the satisfaction of saying later, “I did this myself.”
Pros and cons
While there is a lot to be said for acting as your own contractor, there are just as many things that could be said against it. Cost estimates double, there are many unexpected delays and then there are the hard-to-manage subcontractors It can be maddening even if you know what you’re doing. But let’s talk for a minute about what’s involved in being a general contractor, On the other hand, maybe it would be better to explain what he (or she) doesn’t do.The General Contractor: duties and responsibilities
He doesn’t swing a hammer (or wield a nail gun), or put up drywall, or roll any paint on the walls. In fact, as a rule of thumb, he (or she) doesn’t do anything but assign construction tasks to others. The general contractor is a liaison between the client, the person who helped you complete your house plans (if any) and the tradesmen (carpenter, plumber, electrician, etc.). He is also responsible for ordering supplies, making sure the right permits get issued in a timely manner, and — to a greater or lesser degree — keeping up with all the paperwork that goes along with building your dream barndominium.Be honest with yourself
Some other things to ponder
First things first.
Depending on where you live and where you plan to build, it’s a good idea to find out what kinds of permits you need to build your barndominium yourself.
So your first stop on your owner-builder journey should probably be the local planning office for a detailed chat about what you can — and more importantly can’t — do.
Check out your subs thoroughly
Hold on. Still got your floor plans on the back of a napkin?
That will only do if you have located someone to translate it into firm plans that the subs can work from. This could be done perhap by a retired contractor. Someone who is willing and able to transform your rough vision into reality. Better yet, spend a little extra and hire a good architect to create your blueprints. Often he or she can point out problems in your design and even add enhancements you never would have thought of. And besides — it’s the only way to incorporate all those Pinterest features and images you’ve been saving up for months.Time to get down to it.
Okay, here’s the list of tasks to be done
Here are 25 action steps that will form the backbone of your barndominium owner builder journey. We’re preparing a more detailed guide, with helpful tips, facts, hacks and pitfalls to be avoided from several owner builders who have been through this already and are currently living the dream. Click here to be notified when that guide — with a firm emphasis on barndo building specifically — becomes available.****
- Gather ideas and inspiration
- Commit them to paper and refine them
- Seek information and guidance on how to become an owner builder in your state and county
- Begin drafting a customized plan, including quotes and bids from actual tradesmen and vendors
- Meet with lenders and secure financing, if needed
- Meet with county officials in charge of building permits
- Conduct final assessment of plan
- Put plan into motion by scheduling subs and workers
- Clear the site and develop infrastructure (road, septic, well)
- Order temporary utilities
- Pour concrete footings and the foundation
- Prep the slab for electrical and plumbing
- Pour the concrete foundation
- Erect the shell (if you are building a metal barndo)
- Frame the exterior walls (if you are building a wooden barndo)
- Put the roof in place (trusses, then sheathing)
- Frame the interior walls (metal or wooden barndo)
- Install rough-in electrical, plumbing and insulation
- Add insulation appropriate to your build
- Hang the drywall and install the trim
- Paint and finish the interior
- Stain and seal the concrete floor (metal barndos)
- Install flooring, laminate, tile or carpet (wooden barndos)
- Install cabinets and countertops
- Final cleaning and punch list