Building a Barndominium in Alberta: The Complete Guide

Thinking of setting up home in Wild Rose Country, but struggling to find the right property for you? Whether high purchase prices are putting you off or you’re hoping for something more bespoke, building a barndominium in Alberta could be the answer. In fact, you could save a significant amount of time and money on construction if you choose this route. Want to learn more about the benefits and process of building a barndo in Alberta, Canada? Then read on.

What is a barndominium and what are the advantages?

Modeled after traditional timber barns with high ceilings, barndominiums in Canada tend to be spacious homes with additional storage, workshop or office space attached. Due to this, you can keep your living space and work area separate yet close to one another. And in rural areas, you could even create a farm shop or adjoining stables for your animals – it’s entirely up to you!

Whatever configuration you choose, all barndominiums are built around a robust steel post-frame shell that supports the roof. As well as being structurally sound and weatherproof, this design also negates the need to install thick, load-bearing walls. As a result, barndo floor plans are usually more open plan than classic brick and mortar homes and rooms are larger. You can also extend your floor space by adding a second floor, basement or front porch.

 Additionally, as barndominiums can come from prefabricated kits – i.e. panels cut to size, predrilled and ready to piece together – you can build them much faster too. While most house builds take around a year to finish, you could move into your barndominium in Alberta within 6 months.

Why build a barndominium in Alberta?

With over 300 days of sunshine each year and milder temperatures in the south,  Alberta has one of the most sought-after climates in Canada. It is also renowned for its natural beauty, with the commanding Rocky Mountains to the west and the sweeping Great Plains to the East. Plus various parks, lakes, forests and hiking areas for those who love getting outdoors.

Alberta also boasts a strong economy built on oil, agriculture and tech. This translates to good job opportunities and the highest minimum wage of any Canadian province. Not to mention low taxes, excellent healthcare and Government-subsidized college educations.

Most residents live in the metropolitan areas of Edmonton and Calgary, where you can experience everything from rodeos to paleontology museums and plenty of retail therapy. Or if you want a quieter pace of life away from the city, there are lots of sparsely populated areas too. Better yet, plots of land further from town cost much less than in other provinces.

Cost of building a barndominium in Alberta

How much does it cost to build a barndominium?

The cost of building a barndominium in Alberta will depend on multiple factors, from its size to your chosen location and of course, the fixtures and fittings. However, the cost of an acre of land in this western province currently averages between $2,700-$7,600 in different areas, and you can expect to pay around $200 per square foot for a custom barndo home.

In comparison, a 2020 housing report found that stock plan traditional houses in the Calgary and Edmonton area cost around $185 per square foot. But if you want a bespoke brick home tailored to your preferences, you’re looking at upwards of $400 per square foot. With that in mind, by choosing a barndominium, you’ll have cash spare for higher quality interior finishes.

Barndominium builders in Alberta

Barndo Canada

With over 20 years of experience, Barndo Canada are experts at building custom steel homes. All prefabricated kits are designed for you, so you can add as many rooms as you like and choose the roof style. And if you don’t feel like tackling the build yourself, the team at Barndo Canada has a nationwide network of reputable contractors. Just let them know what you need help with, from permits to site grading and installation, and they’ll arrange it.

Remuda Building and Supplies

Designed with the needs of your farm, acreage, business, or family in mind, a Remuda post frame building is personalized to your dream. We take the time to get to know your unique requirements so you get a space that perfectly fits your needs and vision.

Eakins Contracting

Based in Calgary, Eakins Contracting has been constructing steel barndominiums and timber pole barns for over two decades. Choose from a range of sizes, layouts and siding colors to suit your needs, or enquire about extending your existing property. Furthermore, any construction work they carry out is covered by a 10-year warranty for added peace of mind. Plus, their experienced builders can prep your plot and lay concrete foundations too.

Barndominium Kits in Alberta – Kit Providers

Metal Pro Buildings

Alternatively, to keep costs down, why not order a ready-made barndominium kit and construct it yourself? Companies like Metal Pro Buildings supply high-quality prefabricated barndos made from robust steel treated to reflect heat and prevent rust. They also provide engineer-certified drawings and detailed installation instructions to help you assemble it.

If you do go this route and you’ve never tried building a barndominium in Canada before, it will also be worth getting some extra tips from the experts. Our handy barndominium program contains tons of advice on undertaking site assessments, applying for tax benefits, connecting utilities and lots more.

How to Finance a Barndominium Build in Alberta

Barndominium Financing Request

Building a barndominium in Alberta will generally cost much less than constructing a standard home. You will need to consider how to finance your barndominium.

With that said, purchasing a plot of land and materials outright, then paying laborers to carry out the work still requires a considerable investment. For this reason, you’ll need to have a good deposit saved up and a suitable mortgage broker to assist you.

Canadian Mortgages Inc specializes in construction loans for custom home builds and major land development projects. They offer both progress loans provided in installments and completion mortgages, hand-picked from over 250 partner lenders to best fit your needs. The Royal Bank of Canada also offer construction loans and advice throughout the process.

Alternatively, if you plan to start or expand an agricultural business on your property, you may be able to access an agribusiness loan through Farm Credit Canada.

Do I need insurance for my barndominium in Alberta?

Although home insurance isn’t a legal requirement if your home has been paid off in full, it’s definitely recommended! However unlikely, your barndominium in Alberta could potentially be impacted by flooding, wildfires or even a tornado – all phenomena that different parts of the province have seen in recent years.

The price of your barndominium insurance will depend on where you live, your credit rating and certain risk factors. Thankfully, steel barndominiums are much easier to insure than timber barn homes due to their enhanced fire resistance and immunity to rot.

However, if you do struggle to find insurance due to the custom design of your home, don’t panic. A non-standard property insurance provider like Aligned Insurance should be able to help. Just keep a record of what you’ve spent on the build to help an appraiser generate an accurate valuation. You should also give details of any extra security and weatherproofing measures you’ve installed that could lower your premium.

Tried and tested barndominium floor plan ideas

Need some ideas to get you started? Here are some popular floor plans to inspire your own barndominium build in Alberta:

• Barndominiums with Wraparound Porch
• 50×100 Barndominium Plans with Shop
• Barndominium Floor Plans with 2 Master Suites
• The Best 5 Bedroom Barndominium Ideas

Conclusion

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.