Phone:
(770) 925-2188
Physical address:
4230 Lawrenceville Hwy
Lilburn, Georgia.
Building a barndominium in Alabama? [Complete Guide]
Building a barndominium in Alabama can be a great option since the state offers assistance programs for first-time home buyers and the climate is barndominium friendly.
Moreover, Alabama’s construction cost is 40% cheaper than the national average which is good news.
Here, we will guide you through the barndominium builders in Alabama and with other important information so that your next barndominium building becomes easier.
Who builds a barndominium in Alabama?
The following builders are prominent in Alabama for barndominiums and other types of pre-fabricated metal structures:
| Builder Name | Contact Number | Address | Industry Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABC Metal Buildings | 256-640-6270 | 16127 Hwy 69, Joppa, AL. 35087 | Specializes in metal prefabricated and custom-engineered buildings. Offers a 5-year workmanship warranty. |
| K&G Metals Inc. | 256-861-2667 | 11011 US Highway 431 Albertville, AL 35950-0145 | 20 years in the metal building business. Provides full steel frames and metal panel siding for barndominiums. |
| Valor Steel Buildings | 251-379-8042 | 590 US Highway 98 Ste 3, Daphne, AL 36526 | Manufactures and builds custom-built steel barndominiums and other steel buildings across Alabama. |
| Summertown Metals | 931-796-1521 | 7760 County Hwy 5, Hayden, AL 35079, United States | Offers full-service shell construction and design for barndominiums, including foundation and exterior construction. |
| Deep South Buildings | 256-385-8650 | 366 County Rd. 1466, Cullman, AL 35055 | Specializes in wood post frame buildings and offers both professional installation and DIY building kits. |
| Barndo.Pro | 256-690-8003 | 103 Dominion Cir., Huntsville, AL 35810 | A division of Better Built Homes with 47 years of experience, offering custom design and construction services. |
| Homestead Barndominiums | 205-737-7813 | 5921 Highway 43 N., Northport, AL 35473 | Specializes in delivering barndominiums at different stages, from just a shell to a fully built home. |
| RBC Buildings | 205-429-4411 | 79404 US-278, Blountsville, AL 35031 | Provides fully customized metal buildings since 1983, including barndominiums. |
| Boss Hog Barndominiums | Not provided | Based in Indiana, serves Alabama | Offers custom barndominium kits and construction services, focusing on a one-stop shop solution. |
What is the average cost of a barndominium in Alabama?
In Alabama, the cost of building a barndominium varies, with an average range of about $150 to $190 per square foot. The average cost of building in Alabama is about 50% to 60% of the national average.
For a typical 2,000-square-foot barndominium, you might expect to pay between $300,000 to $400,000, depending on various factors like the complexity of the design, the materials used, and the specific finishes chosen.
How Barndominium is taxed in Alabama?
Barndominiums in Alabama are taxed similarly to traditional homes, based on the assessed value of the property. The property tax rate in Alabama is not fixed as it varies by county. For instance, in Birmingham (Jefferson County), the tax rate is 0.645% and in Mobile County, the tax rate is 0.546% of the assessed value, which is 0.48% in Colorado.
Let’s imagine that your barndominium is appraised at $180,000, your assessed value would be typically 10% of the appraised value which is $18,000.
The tax rate applies on the assessed value, so the property tax payable in Alabama for the above property would account for roughly $116. But remember, the tax amount would vary dependin on the county.
What types of barndominium is suitable for Alabama?
Alabama experiences a variety of weather patterns, including hot, humid summers, mild winters, and a significant amount of rainfall throughout the year.
As a result, you need to account for Alabama’s specific climatic and environmental conditions while building your barndominium.
Here are some quick takeaways so that you get aware of the below points:
- Build a metal barndominium as the steel can withstand high winds and is less likely to be damaged in severe weather, making it an ideal choice for areas prone to tornadoes and hurricanes. Additionally, steel is resistant to moisture and pests, which is beneficial in Alabama’s humid climate.
- Focus on proper insulation so that your property stays at comfortable indoor temperatures and energy efficiency, especially during Alabama’s hot summers and cool winters. Using high-quality insulation materials in walls, roofs, and floors can also help keep the barndominium cool in the summer and warm in the winter, reducing energy costs.
- For areas in Alabama that are prone to flooding or located near water bodies, an elevated or pier foundation can help protect the structure from water damage.
- Choose metal roof so that they become durable, long-lasting, and capable of withstanding high winds. A hip roof design, with slopes on all four sides, can offer better wind resistance than a gable roof.
- To combat the heat and humidity, installing energy-efficient windows and doors can help maintain a comfortable indoor environment and reduce energy consumption. Look for products with a low U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) to maximize efficiency.
- Adequate ventilation is critical to prevent moisture buildup and to keep the interior comfortable during hot, humid months. Consider adding dehumidifiers, efficient HVAC systems, and ceiling fans to promote air circulation and moisture control.
Need a Barndominium Floor Plan?
We listed some handpicked floor plans you will surely love.
How Alabama’s assistance program can help building a barndo?
You can get help from Alabama’s assistance programs while building your home. The two housing assistance programs are the Strengthen Alabama Homes program and the offerings by the Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA).
Let me explain how these assistance program works!
The Strengthen Alabama Homes program provides up to $10,000 in grant funds to homeowners for upgrading their homes to meet the FORTIFIED Home™ standards, focusing on mitigations that reduce damage from hurricanes or other catastrophic windstorm events.
This program is particularly valuable for those looking to ensure their barndominiums can withstand Alabama’s sometimes harsh weather conditions, including high winds and storms.
The focus is on implementing roofing or other structural enhancements that meet the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof or Silver standards, potentially saving homeowners up to 35% to 45% off their wind insurance premiums.
On the other hand, the Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA) provides several programs aimed at making homeownership more affordable, which can be beneficial for those building or buying a barndominium as their primary residence.
The Step Up program, for instance, offers a competitive 30-year fixed interest rate and down payment assistance for homebuyers who meet certain income limits and creditworthiness criteria.
Additionally, the AHFA provides an Affordable Income Subsidy Grant and Mortgage Credit Certificates to help reduce the overall cost burden for qualifying individuals. These financial supports can ease the initial financial strain of constructing or purchasing a barndominium, making it a more feasible option for many Alabamians
How easy to find a barndominium insurer in Alabama?
Finding an insurer for a barndominium in Alabama can be a bit more challenging compared to securing insurance for a traditional home because the barndominium serves a mixture of residential and commercial purposes.
Here is three insurer, prominent in barndominium insurance.
| Insurance Company | Contact | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Barndominium Insurance | Call: 844-967-5247 | Online-based; specific address not provided. |
| Mike Flowers Independent Agency | (830) 214-1296 | 1427 FM2673, Canyon Lake, TX 78133. |
| Boss Hog Barndominiums | bosshogbarndos@gmail.com | Brownsburg, IN (Services extend to Alabama). |
Here are some quick takeaways of the important areas of barndominium insurance:
- Know the difference between various types of insurance coverage, such as dwelling coverage, personal property coverage, liability protection, and additional living expenses coverage.
- Evaluate the specific risks associated with your home’s location, such as susceptibility to natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or fires. Alabama’s diverse geography means different areas have different risk factors.
- Regular homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Given Alabama’s vulnerability to hurricanes and storms, consider purchasing flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer.
- In certain coastal areas, you may need to acquire separate windstorm insurance to cover damage from hurricanes and tornadoes, as some policies may exclude this.
- Decide if you want your policy to cover the replacement cost (the cost to rebuild or repair your home at current prices) or actual cash value (replacement cost minus depreciation).
- Ensure you have adequate liability coverage to protect against claims for bodily injury or property damage for which you or family members may be legally responsible.
Is it easy to finance barndominium in Alabama?
Alabama offers a range of financing options for barndominiums, including construction loans, FHA loans, VA loans, USDA loans, and conventional loans. Each has its specific requirements, interest rates, and down payment needs.
Here are some housing loan provider in Alabama you may consider as a financing option of your barndominium.
In case you cannot convince the above financing partners, there are credit unions who can help you to take a barndominium finance.
Credit unions are usually more expensive than other options.
Here are two credit unions located in Alabama:
- MAX Credit Union – Offers loans for primary and secondary residences, and investment properties. Includes fixed-rate or adjustable-rate loans, with repayment terms of 10 to 30 years.
- Alabama Teachers Credit Union – Provides competitively low rates for home purchase, refinance, or construction. Offers fixed-rate mortgages, adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), and more. Also features a First Time Homebuyer Program with no down payment and no PMI.
Let’s conclude
Alabama may not be a favorite barndominium destination like Texas. However, the climate and the assistance programs would be a great favor if you are thinking about to build a barndominium there.
