Free Barndominium Planning Checklist & Starter Kit
A 13-page printable PDF to organize your build before you break ground.
Planning checklist, budget worksheet, land and builder checklists, floor plan considerations and a cost-per-state snapshot.
Get the Free Starter KitWhy use a barndominium planning checklist?
Most budget overruns and delays on a barndominium build trace back to decisions made, or skipped, before ground breaks: the wrong lot, a vague builder quote, or a floor plan that doesn’t fit how you live. This free barndominium planning checklist puts those early decisions on paper so you can work through them in order and bring the right questions to lenders, county offices and builders.
It’s written for owner-builders and buyers who are still early in the process, before contracts are signed and before money is spent on site work.
What’s inside the free starter kit
Seven-step planning roadmap
A one-page roadmap that puts every decision in order, from budget and land to builder bids and approvals.
Planning checklist
Ten decisions to settle before construction: budget, must-have features, style, square footage, zoning, utilities, financing, timeline, builders and land.
Budget worksheet
Estimated vs. actual cost columns for 12 line items, from land purchase and site prep to finishes, with a 10–15% contingency line.
Land evaluation guide
Ten things to check on every parcel, including soil, slope, floodplain status, easements, access, septic feasibility and sun orientation.
Builder interview checklist
Eight questions to bring to every builder meeting: experience, turnkey vs. shell, timeline, references, warranties, change orders, pricing and permits.
Floor plan considerations
Ten layout checks, from shop size and placement to bedroom separation, natural light, storage and room to expand later.
Cost snapshot by state
Starting price ranges per square foot for Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, drawn from BarndoBible’s state cost guides.
Notes worksheet
A blank page for floor-plan sketches, builder names, finish ideas and questions for your next meeting.
Resource list
Where to go next for permits and setbacks, soil testing, utility availability and local builders.
Bonus: Budget Starter spreadsheet
A one-tab Excel and Google Sheets file. Rough out your budget by category, see whether it fits your target, and tick off five questions to ask before you sign a bid.
How to use the planning checklist
- Start with budget and land. Fill in the budget worksheet with rough numbers first, then use the land evaluation guide on every parcel you’re considering. The land you choose drives site prep, septic and utility costs more than any other decision.
- Settle size and layout next. Work through the floor plan considerations and pick a target square footage so builders can give you comparable quotes.
- Interview at least three builders. Ask every builder the same eight questions, write their answers on the notes page, and compare what each price includes before you sign anything.
- Revisit the checklist before you commit. Tick off every item, update the budget with real quotes, and keep a 10–15% contingency for surprises.
Use it with these BarndoBible tools
The checklist tells you what to decide. These guides help you make each decision:
- Price your build with the barndominium cost calculator and check payments with the financing estimator.
- Size your home with the square footage planner and browse barndominium floor plans.
- Walk a property with our guide to buying land for a barndominium.
- Building in Texas? Find companies to contact with the Texas barndominium builder finder.
- Once framing is up, catch costly mistakes with the barndominium rough-in checklist.
Who this kit is for
- First-time barndominium builders
- Real estate investors exploring the barndominium market
- Families looking for a home with shop or agricultural space
- Anyone who wants to understand costs and decisions before committing
Get your free barndominium starter kit
Enter your email below to get the free planning checklist, budget worksheet and the rest of the starter kit.
What happens after you sign up?
- Instant download: links to the PDF and the bonus Budget Starter spreadsheet appear as soon as you submit the form.
- Confirm your subscription: check your inbox (or spam folder) for a confirmation email from BarndoBible.
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