Cost per square foot, by how finished it is
| What you buy | Per sq ft | 1,500 sq ft | 2,000 sq ft | 2,500 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kit only frame and metal; no slab, no labor | $19–$38 | $29k–$57k | $38k–$76k | $48k–$95k |
| Shell / dried-in erected and weather-tight | $25–$55 | $38k–$83k | $50k–$110k | $63k–$138k |
| Turnkey move-in ready | $130–$250 | $195k–$375k | $260k–$500k | $325k–$625k |
Totals are the per-square-foot ranges multiplied out. They are not quotes. Basic turnkey finishes start near $100/sq ft (one North Texas builder); luxury builds run $300+.
What makes the price go up or down
- Finish level: the biggest factor. Cabinets, flooring, fixtures and trim can double the per-foot price.
- What's counted: some builders price per square foot of living area, others per foot of everything under the roof, including porches and shop. A big shop lowers the "all-in" figure but not your living-space cost.
- Frame: red-iron steel, cold-formed steel and wood post-frame kits are all sold as barndominiums, at different prices.
- Site: rocky ground, long driveways and distance from power lines add cost before the building starts.
Costs often not included
| Item | Published figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Septic permit | $277 (any system) | Tarrant County fee page |
| Septic permit | $250 conventional; $350 in a subdivision; $400 aerobic | Wilson County |
| Septic permit | $260 conventional; $410 professionally designed | LCRA (river authority) |
| Power line to your site | Co-op covers up to $5,000 (up to $7,500 all-electric); you pay the rest | Southwest Texas Electric Co-op |
| Power line to your site | Member pays costs above $1,950 per service | Bluebonnet Electric Co-op |
| Power line to your site | First 660 ft of single-phase overhead line free; actual cost beyond (2008 policy) | Coleman County Electric Co-op |
| New electric service fees | $200 system impact + $50 establishment + $50 membership | Pedernales Electric Co-op |
| Site work (clearing, grading, utilities, septic) | $15,000–$50,000 | Lawrence Construction Services (builder) |
| Septic system, water well, building pad | Get local quotes. We haven't found a reliable published Texas figure yet. | |
Worked example: a 2,000 sq ft turnkey barndo
An illustration built only from the ranges above, not a quote:
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Turnkey build, 2,000 sq ft at $130–$250 | $260,000 | $500,000 |
| Site work (one builder's published range) | $15,000 | $50,000 |
| Septic permit | $250 | $410 |
| Power: your share after the co-op allowance | Depends on distance; ask your co-op | |
| Before land, well, septic system and driveway | $275,250 | $550,410 |
Some turnkey prices already include site prep or septic (Oak & Iron's turnkey FAQ includes septic, for example), so don't count those twice. Ask every builder for a written list of inclusions.
Every source
Texas builders (turnkey and shell)
| Builder (area) | Published figure | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Squires Construction (Greenville, NE Texas) | Turnkey $140–$150/sq ft; shell about $55/sq ft | page updated Jul 2026 |
| Lawrence Construction Services (Azle, North Texas) | Shell $25–$45; turnkey $100–$150 basic, $150–$200 mid, $200–$300+ luxury | no page date |
| Texas Complete Barndo Solutions (Houston) | Turnkey $160–$250/sq ft; standard jobs $180–$200 | page Oct 2026 |
| Heart of Texas Construction (Central Texas) | Turnkey $130–$220 per finished sq ft; 1,800 sq ft $235k–$395k | page Aug 2026 |
| Oak & Iron Kits (statewide) | Kit from $28/sq ft; turnkey $175+/sq ft of living space | no page date |
| My Barndo Plans (Frisco) | Dried-in 3,328 sq ft package $184,500 (Feb 2026 promotion) | Feb 2026 |
Kit sellers
Eight priced kits from Mueller, My Barndo Plans and Hansen Pole Buildings, plus installed shells from Carport Central and Eversafe. See barndominium kit prices for each kit.
Site costs
Fee schedules from Tarrant County, Wilson County and LCRA; line-extension policies from Southwest Texas Electric, Bluebonnet, Coleman County Electric and Pedernales Electric.
Prices change and most pages carry no date. Builders define "shell" differently. See how we research. Spotted an error? Tell us.