The Right Floor Plan Is the Foundation of Your Entire Build
Choosing a barndominium floor plan isn’t just about square footage — it’s about locking in your structural layout, your plumbing rough-in locations, your HVAC system size, and your build cost before you ever break ground. A great floor plan makes everything downstream easier and cheaper. A poor one costs you in change orders, wasted space, and a home that doesn’t live the way you imagined.
This guide reviews the leading barndominium floor plan companies and sources — including Architectural Designs, DC Structures, BuildMax, and others — and helps you understand what to look for before you buy.
What to Look for in a Barndominium Floor Plan
Before comparing companies, know what you’re evaluating:
- Structural compatibility: Is the plan designed specifically for a steel frame, or is it adapted from a wood-frame home? Steel buildings have specific span and load path requirements that not every plan accounts for.
- Included documentation: A good plan package includes a floor plan, foundation plan, framing plan, electrical layout, plumbing layout, and exterior elevations. Some packages include only a floor plan and leave everything else to your contractor.
- Modifiability: Can you change room sizes, move walls, add a shop bay, or adjust window placement? Or is the plan sold as a rigid template?
- PE-stamped engineering: If you’re applying for a building permit or a construction loan, most jurisdictions require plans stamped by a licensed Professional Engineer in your state. Confirm whether this is included or an add-on.
- CAD/PDF format: Your contractor and subcontractors need to work from the plans. Confirm file format — a PDF is usable but a CAD file (.dwg) is much more flexible for modifications.
Architectural Designs
Architectural Designs (architecturaldesigns.com) is one of the largest online plan retailers in the country, and they’ve built out a dedicated barndominium plan category that’s well worth exploring. They offer hundreds of barndominium-specific plans ranging from modest 1,200 sq ft designs to expansive 4,000+ sq ft layouts with detached shops.
What they do well: Variety and price. Plan packages start around $800–$1,500 for a basic set and go up to $2,500–$4,000 for full construction document sets. They also offer a modification service if you need rooms resized or the layout adjusted.
Watch out for: Many of their plans are designed for wood-frame construction and have been re-tagged as “barndominium-friendly.” Verify that the structural system is compatible with your steel kit before purchasing. If you’re using a steel frame, your kit supplier will likely need to re-engineer the structural elements anyway.
Best for: Buyers looking for a wide selection and affordable starting point, with budget left over for modifications.
DC Structures
DC Structures (dcstructures.com) is Oregon-based and specializes in post-and-beam wood frame barn kits. Their floor plans are developed specifically for their building system, which means structural compatibility is not an issue. Their plan packages include full architectural drawings, structural engineering, and a material list.
What they do well: Integration. When you buy a DC Structures package, the plans and the building kit are developed together. This eliminates the disconnect that can happen when you buy a plan from one source and a kit from another. Their designs also tend to be architecturally impressive — exposed timber, vaulted ceilings, and open great rooms are hallmarks of their style.
Watch out for: Price. DC Structures packages are premium-priced. Their plans are not sold separately from their kits, so you’re committing to their building system when you commit to their floor plan.
Best for: Buyers who want a high-end timber frame barndominium and are prepared to invest accordingly.
BuildMax
BuildMax (buildmax.com) offers both steel building kits and a library of pre-designed floor plans that are engineered specifically for their building system. Like DC Structures, this integrated approach means the plan and the structure are designed to work together.
What they do well: BuildMax plans are practical and builder-friendly. They include the construction documents needed for permitting and lending, and the company provides support throughout the design and build process. Their residential barndominium plans typically include a shop or garage component, which is a key feature many buyers want.
Best for: Buyers who plan to purchase their steel kit from BuildMax and want a streamlined, all-in-one plan-and-kit process.
Behm Design
Behm Design (behmdesign.com) is one of the most well-known plan sellers specifically focused on barndominium and pole barn home designs. Their plans are developed for post-frame (pole barn) construction and are among the most detailed available for that building system.
What they do well: Behm’s plans are specifically engineered for post-frame construction, not adapted from wood-frame designs. They include complete construction documents and have a strong reputation in the barndominium community for accuracy and buildability.
Pricing: Plans typically run $400–$800 for a standard package, making them one of the more affordable sources for complete construction documents.
Best for: Builders using a post-frame (pole barn) structure rather than a steel kit frame.
Don’t Design Yourself: When to Hire a Local Architect or Designer
Pre-drawn plans are a cost-effective starting point, but they’re not always the right answer. Consider hiring a local architect or residential designer if:
- Your lot is irregularly shaped or has topography that affects the foundation and layout.
- Your county requires custom-stamped drawings that a pre-drawn plan can’t accommodate without significant modification.
- You have a complex program — multiple living areas, a large shop, an apartment, or an unusual configuration.
- You want a truly custom design rather than an adapted standard plan.
Custom architectural drawings for a barndominium typically run $5,000–$20,000 depending on complexity, scope, and your location. This is real money, but it can save you multiples of that in change orders and rework during construction.
The Questions to Ask Before Buying Any Floor Plan
- Is this plan designed for steel frame, post-frame, or wood frame? Can it be used with my building system?
- What documentation is included — floor plan only, or full construction documents?
- Are PE-stamped drawings included, or available as an add-on for my state?
- What is the modification policy? Can I change room sizes, add windows, or adjust the shop configuration?
- Is the plan available in CAD format, or PDF only?
- Has this plan been built before? Can I see photos of completed builds from this plan?
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Source | Construction Type | Price Range | Full Construction Docs? | Modification Available? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural Designs | Mixed (verify) | $800–$4,000 | Varies by package | Yes (paid service) |
| DC Structures | Timber/Post & Beam | Kit-inclusive | Yes | Limited |
| BuildMax | Steel Frame | Kit-inclusive | Yes | Limited |
| Behm Design | Post-Frame | $400–$800 | Yes | Limited |
| Local Architect | Any | $5,000–$20,000 | Yes | Full custom |
Bottom Line
For most barndominium buyers, starting with a pre-drawn plan from Architectural Designs or Behm Design is a smart, cost-effective approach — especially if your build is relatively standard. If you’re buying a steel kit from BuildMax or a timber kit from DC Structures, using their integrated plan packages simplifies the process significantly.
Whatever source you choose, spend as much time as you need on the floor plan before you commit. Changes on paper cost nothing. Changes in the field cost thousands.
Once you have a floor plan in mind, use our free Barndominium Square Footage Planner to verify your room sizes before you buy.
