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Building a Barndominium in Alaska | Your Ultimate Guide

Building your own custom dream home is something you have probably thought about at some point in your life. There is a great deal of pride and reward in building a house from scratch and moving into it with your family or friends. Being able to do this is one of the greatest feelings you can have, but perhaps you have looked into it and been hit with sticker shock at the amount of time and money it takes to get a project like this done. Building your own home can be incredibly expensive and can also take its toll on you stress-wise. That’s why building a barndominium in Alaska might be a good option for a wide variety of people. There are a lot of benefits to this type of home, and as it turns out, it can be a lot more accessible than building a traditional home is. 

barndominium in alaska

Building a barndominium in Alaska is a goal that many more people can achieve than a traditionally constructed home. With the popularity of things like tiny homes, container homes, and other alternative housing, barndominiums are popping up everywhere. Banks are more likely to provide financing and builders are starting to specialize in this specific type of home. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about building a barndominium in Alaska and teach you how you can get started on this amazing project that is perfect for the beautiful Alaskan landscape. 

What Is a Barndominium and What Are Some of the Advantages?

Barndominium” is a combination of the words barn and condominium. While this might conjure up a certain image in your mind, the truth is, these homes can really be anything you want them to be. They are built using the shells of steel barns in what is called a metal pole structure.

These structures are incredibly easy to build and because of this, you can make them into almost any style home you would like. They have a unique exterior look, and the inside can be built in any interior design scheme you can possibly dream up. 

One of the main advantages of building a barndominium is the fact that they are cheaper and easier to build than a traditional home. Instead of taking around a year to build like a normal house, you can usually get a barndominium in Alaska built in around 6 months. This ease of construction brings down your budget considerably and frees up space in your budget for all the things you might want in your own custom dream home. 

One of the other things that makes perfect sense about building a barndominium in Alaska is the fact that barndos are incredibly durable. Their steel construction makes them perfect for withstanding cold weather, ice, and snow and they can save you a lot of maintenance as well. Steel is not nearly as susceptible to moisture and rot as wood is, so you can save yourself a lot of time and money on repairs as you go through Alaskan winters. 

Cost of Building a Barndominium in Alaska

Since one of the main benefits of building a barndominium in Alaska is the lower cost, it is important to know exactly how that breaks down and why. When you are figuring out the budget for a home build, you will do it by the square foot. The reason for this is that it is then very easy to figure out exactly how much space you can afford and how many bedrooms and bathrooms your barndominium can hold. By figuring out the budget in price per square foot, you are giving yourself a tangible goal that you can then aspire to. 

barndominium in alaska

The cost of building a traditional home in Alaska is around $195 per square foot. It’s important to note that this price does not include any of the extras or amenities that you might want for a custom home. It only includes the cost of the initial construction of the structure. Because of this, you will want to set extra money aside for things like custom countertops and cabinetry. You will also want room in the budget for appliances, stonework, and other extras that make building a home a worthwhile undertaking. 

The cost of building a barndominium in Alaska is quite a bit less. This price is, on average, $150 per square foot. With this extra money, you can afford all of those extra amenities like electronics, lighting, and other important additions. It may not seem like much of a difference, but when you spread this out over a 2,000 square foot home, you can end up saving a huge amount of money. 

Barndominium Builders in Alaska

When you are building your barndominium in Alaska, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is choosing the builder. The construction business is incredibly varied and it can be difficult to know exactly who is the right builder for your particular project. Luckily, there are a few very specific things that you can look for that will help you make your decision. 

barndominium in alaska

One of the most important things to look for in a builder is experience. Not every construction company will have experience in erecting metal pole structures. You are going to want to choose someone that is well-versed in this unique building type. There are many builders who actually specialize in steel buildings and post-frame structures. They would be a good choice for you when finding a builder for your barndominium in Alaska. 

One of the other things you should look for is a builder who has good reviews with previous clients. By looking through online reviews, you should be able to find a company that has a good relationship with the people they have worked with. If their customers have been happy with the results they ended up with, the odds are good that you will be too. That’s why we have put together a short list of the best barndominium builders in Alaska

Alaska Metal Building Erectors 

Alaska Metal Building Erectors has been building steel buildings and metal post frame structures for over 75 years in the Alaska area. They know what these buildings need to stand up to and how durable they need to be. If you want to work with a builder that understands your needs in Alaska, they could be a great choice. 

Arctic Fox Steel Buildings

Arctic Fox Steel Buildings prides themselves on building quality steel buildings that are built to last. They have worked on all kinds of projects in their 25 years in the business, and they have the experience to work with you and create something truly unique. 

Barndominium Kit Providers in Alaska

Building a barndominium in Alaska from scratch isn’t for everyone. That’s why barndominium kits are a great choice for people who want their build to be as easy as possible. Barndominium kit providers will get you a prefabricated kit that is meant to go up as quickly as it can and keep the entire process stress-free. If you don’t want to spend a lot of time sourcing materials and trying to find parts, a barndo kit could be your best option. 

Barndominium Financing in Alaska

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Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agricultural Bank

The Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agricultural Bank has been in business since 1980 and they have helped people find financing for all kinds of projects. Their philosophy is rooted in the community and they will work with you to find the loan you need to get your barndominium in Alaska up off the ground. 

Juneau Economic Development Council

The Juneau Economic Development Council is a government entity that works with local farmers and fisherman to find financing for a wide variety of agricultural projects. If you want to work with a bank that has a solid backing and understands the needs of the people of Alaska, they are a great choice. 

Where to Find Land for a Barndominium in Alaska

Finding land for your barndominium in Alaska is one of the most important undertakings you will have to deal with. Luckily, land in Alaska is fairly plentiful and you should be able to find something that is both relatively inexpensive and a great location for your new home. 

When you are looking for land, you should make sure that it is accessible to basic utilities like water and power. You should also check that it is zoned for residential use and that you won’t run into any logistical problems down the road with its location. 

Barndominium Floor Plans in Alaska

Barndominiums for Sale in Alaska

Don’t want all the hassle of building a barndominium from the ground up? Then you may want to buy an existing barndominium in Alaska! With our Barndominiums for Sale Marketplace, you can browse to your state and find a barndominium for sale near you.

The beauty of buying an existing barndominium is that it can be really easy to customize the floor plan to your liking. The previous owners’ setup is just a starting point! Also, by buying a barndominium in Alaska, you bypass the potential troubles of the building process – delays, dealing with contractors and subcontractors, and city or county bureaucrats trying to make your build process a nightmare.

Don’t delay – find a barndominium for sale in Alaska now!

Conclusion

By reading this guide, you have a great idea of everything you need to know about building a barndominium in Alaska. If you would like even more expert advice, be sure to check out the ebook, Build Your Dream Barndominium by Don Howe for tons of design tips and helpful information on the build process.

If you would like more guides like this one, check out the rest of BarndominiumLife.com. There, you will find more helpful tips and tricks from the pros. You will also find featured barndominiums, barndominium floor plans, and information on financing and insurance. Knowing as much as you can will help you get the best results for your dream home.