Episode 58 - Part 1 - Barndominiums: Common Mistakes, Real Costs, and How to Build Them Right - FBi Buildings

Barndominiums are one of the hottest trends in construction right now, but they come with a lot of misconceptions. In this episode, Kathi Miller sits down with Blair Neihouser, Vice President of Sales at FBi Buildings, to cut through the hype. Blair explains what a barndominium actually is, how it differs from a shouse, and why post frame construction is such a natural fit for this building style. He also tackles the big cost question head-on: Are barndominiums really cheaper to build? Plus, Blair shares who is best suited for this lifestyle and why COVID changed how people think about where and how they live.

 

Episode 58: Part 1 - Barndominiums: Common Mistakes, Real Costs, and How to Build Them Right - FBi Buildings

The Building with Metal Podcast – Presented by McElroy Metal

Play

Notable Quotes

• Blair Neihouser on the biggest misconception about barndominiums: "They think it's going to be simple. I think they hear the word barn and don't go the rest of the way to the dominium, which means to live in. You're building a house."
• Blair Neihouser on cost vs. stick-built construction: "There's really no data out there that says this is going to be massively cheaper. If you take a house in a similar design and price it out stick-built versus post frame, you're going to be in a very similar spot."
• Blair Neihouser on COVID and the barndominium boom: "I think the vast majority of population's mindset shifted a bit on where do I want to live, what do I want my day-to-day to look like, and a barndominium fits as a square peg in a square hole very well for that thought."

What You'll Learn

• What a barndominium actually is and why the definition is more complicated than most people think
• The real difference between a barndominium and a shouse
• How post frame construction differs from stick-built construction
• Why post frame buildings offer more design flexibility for interior layouts
• Whether barndominiums are truly cheaper to build and what the data actually says
• The type of person who gets the most out of a barndominium lifestyle
• How COVID reshaped where people want to live and what they want their homes to do
• Why calling a designer before a builder may be the smartest first move you make

Key Timestamps

[0:00] Introduction: Kathi Miller opens with Blair Neihouser, Vice President of Sales at FBi Buildings, teasing the biggest barndominium misconception.

[1:45] Defining "barndominium": Where the concept came from, how definitions vary, and why it matters for planning.

[4:30] Barndominium vs. shouse: Blair explains the meaningful difference between the two terms and when each applies.

[8:00] Post frame vs. stick-built construction: How each method works, what materials are used, and why spacing matters.

[13:00] Interior finishes: How drywall vs. steel use has shifted in barndominium living spaces over time.

[16:30] Why post frame suits barndominiums: Load-bearing flexibility, open spaces, and phased construction benefits.

[21:00] Who the ideal barndominium buyer is: DIY capability, rural settings, and lifestyle goals.

[25:30] The cost question: Why the "half the price" myth doesn't hold up and where real savings can come from.

[30:00] COVID's role in the barndominium surge: How the pandemic shifted mindset around lifestyle and where people choose to live.

[33:30] Preview of Part 2: Disadvantages, design mistakes, and what FBi Buildings does differently.

Mentioned Resources

• Shouses and Barndominiums: Learn more about metal roofing and siding options for these projects. Explore the page
• Post Frame: See how McElroy supports post-frame applications across building types. Learn about post-frame building solutions
• McElroy Metal Photo Gallery: Includes a barndominium filter with project photos. Explore the photo gallery
• FBi Buildings: Post frame building company featured in this episode. Visit FBi Buildings
• Connect with host Kathi Miller on LinkedIn

Episode Deep Dive

Barndominiums aren't simpler or cheaper than traditional homes. They're just different.

• Post frame construction offers design flexibility that stick-built can't match
• The cost gap between a barndominium and stick-built is smaller than most people expect
• The ideal barndominium buyer is DIY-capable, rural-minded, and lifestyle-driven