Custom Barndominiums in Central Florida
Unique living spaces designed for your lifestyle.
Barndominiums offer something traditional homes can't—spacious living areas combined with workshop, garage, or hobby space under one roof. Perfect for property owners who want room to work, create, and store equipment without sacrificing comfortable living space.
Buildings By Bill designs and constructs custom barndominiums across Central Florida—unique structures combining living space with workshop, garage, or storage areas under one roof. Each barndominium is custom-designed to your lifestyle and property, built with quality materials and all in-house labor (except electrical, plumbing, and HVAC), and engineered to meet Florida's hurricane building codes.
What Is a Barndominium?
A barndominium is a building that combines living quarters with workshop, garage, or storage space—typically built using pole barn construction methods.
The concept started with people converting existing barns into living spaces, but modern barndominiums are designed from scratch to function as both home and workspace. They're particularly popular with:
Property owners who want workshop space without building separate structures
People who work from home and need dedicated workspace
Hobbyists who need room for equipment, vehicles, or projects
Families wanting affordable square footage with multi-use capability
Anyone who values open floor plans and unique design
Barndominiums offer design flexibility that traditional homes don't. Want 20-foot ceilings in your living room? Three garage bays connected to your living space? A 1,200-square-foot workshop attached to a 1,500-square-foot home? All possible with barndominium design.
Why Choose Buildings By Bill for Your Barndominium
We Design for How You Actually Live and Work
Every barndominium we build is custom-designed around your specific lifestyle and needs.
I start by asking questions:
How do you envision using this space?
What kind of work or hobbies require dedicated space?
How much living space versus workshop space do you need?
Do you need separate entrances for home and workshop areas?
What kind of equipment or vehicles need to be accommodated?
How do you want the spaces to flow?
After 35 years building custom structures, I've learned that the best barndominiums are designed around actual use, not generic templates. We create floor plans that make sense for your life.
All In-House Construction
My crew handles all structural construction—framing, roofing, siding, and finishing work. We coordinate with licensed electricians, plumbers, and HVAC contractors for specialized systems.
This approach gives you one point of contact (me) while ensuring every trade is handled by properly licensed specialists. You don't have to manage multiple contractors—we handle coordination.
Built for Florida's Climate
Barndominiums require special considerations in Florida's challenging environment.
Hurricane Engineering - Your barndominium will be engineered to meet or exceed Florida's hurricane wind load specifications. The large open spaces in barndominiums require proper bracing and structural design—we don't cut corners on engineering.
Climate Control Considerations - Heating and cooling large open spaces efficiently requires thoughtful design. We plan HVAC placement, insulation strategies, and ceiling fan locations to manage Florida's heat effectively. We coordinate with licensed HVAC contractors to ensure your barndominium is comfortable year-round.
Humidity and Moisture Management - Florida's humidity can cause problems in large buildings if not addressed properly. We design proper ventilation, use moisture-resistant materials, and plan drainage to prevent issues.
Durable Materials - We use materials designed to withstand Florida's UV exposure, heat, and humidity. Your barndominium should look great and function well for decades, not require major repairs within 10 years.
Flexible Design Options
Barndominiums can be designed in countless configurations. Here are some popular approaches:
Half Living / Half Workshop - Living quarters on one end, workshop or garage on the other. Can be fully separated or connected with interior access.
Living Above / Workshop Below - Two-story design with living space on the second floor and workshop, garage, or storage on the ground level.
Wrap-Around Design - Living space in the center with garage, workshop, or storage wrapping around one or more sides.
Open Concept - Minimal walls between living and workspace for maximum flexibility and flow.
Traditional Separation - Completely separate living and workshop areas with distinct entrances and no interior connection.
Barndominium Design Features
Living Space Options
Floor Plans:
Open concept layouts
Traditional room configurations
Studio/loft designs
Multi-bedroom layouts
Office or den spaces
Custom configurations
Ceiling Heights:
Standard 9-10' residential ceilings
Vaulted or cathedral ceilings
Two-story great rooms
Exposed beam designs
Varied ceiling heights in different areas
Interior Finishes:
Drywall or shiplap walls
Wood, tile, or concrete floors
Modern or rustic aesthetics
Custom trim and details
Coordinated with your style preferences
Workshop/Garage Space Options
Workshop Features:
Dedicated work areas
Tool storage and organization
High ceilings for equipment
Large door access (roll-up or swing)
Heavy-duty electrical (220v circuits)
Concrete floors with proper drainage
Natural lighting and ventilation
Garage Bays:
1 to 6+ vehicle bays
RV or boat storage height
Direct access to living areas or separate
Heated/cooled or unfinished
Workshop space within garage area
Storage Areas:
Enclosed storage rooms
Open storage space
Loft storage above garage/workshop
Equipment storage areas
Inventory or business storage
Shared Features
Covered Porches or Breezeways:
Front porch for living area
Covered workspace near shop
Connecting covered walkway
Outdoor living areas
Multi-Purpose Spaces:
Flex rooms that serve multiple functions
Bonus rooms for hobbies or guests
Home office with shop access
Man cave or she-shed integrated into design
Popular Barndominium Configurations
Small Barndominium
30'×40' to 36'×48' (1,200-1,700 sq ft)
Perfect for:
Single person or couple
Modest living space with workshop
Weekend retreat with storage
Starter barndominium
Typical layout:
600-900 sq ft living quarters
600-900 sq ft workshop/garage
1-2 bedrooms
1-2 bathrooms
Open living area
1-2 garage bays or workshop space
Medium Barndominium
40'×60' to 48'×60' (2,400-2,900 sq ft)
Perfect for:
Small family
Serious workshop needs
Home business with living quarters
Balanced living/working space
Typical layout:
1,200-1,500 sq ft living quarters
1,200-1,400 sq ft workshop/garage
2-3 bedrooms
2 bathrooms
Open concept living
2-3 garage bays or large workshop
Possible loft space
Large Barndominium
50'×70' to 60'×80'+ (3,500-4,800+ sq ft)
Perfect for:
Large family
Extensive workshop or business needs
Vehicle collection storage
Multi-generational living
Maximum flexibility
Typical layout:
2,000-2,500 sq ft living quarters
1,500-2,300 sq ft workshop/garage
3-4+ bedrooms
2-3 bathrooms
Great room with high ceilings
4+ garage bays or large workshop
Loft or second story options
Multiple use areas
Systems and Finishes
Electrical
We coordinate with licensed electricians for:
Residential electrical systems (120v circuits)
Heavy-duty shop circuits (220v for tools, welder, etc.)
Proper panel sizing for combined load
Interior and exterior lighting
Outlets throughout living and shop areas
Security lighting
Smart home wiring if desired
Plumbing
We coordinate with licensed plumbers for:
Complete residential plumbing (kitchen, bathrooms, laundry)
Shop sink or utility sink
Water heater sizing for combined use
Proper drainage systems
Outdoor hose bibs
HVAC
We coordinate with licensed HVAC contractors for:
Climate control for living areas
Options for workshop climate control
Proper system sizing for large open spaces
Zoned systems for separate living/shop control
Energy-efficient solutions
Ceiling fan placement for air circulation
Insulation
Living area insulation (walls and ceiling)
Shop area insulation (optional, recommended)
Insulated garage doors
Energy-efficient construction
Moisture barrier installation
Doors and Windows
Living Area:
Standard residential entry doors
Interior doors
Windows for natural light
Coordinated style and finish
Shop Area:
Roll-up garage doors (various sizes)
Man doors for walk-in access
Large windows or commercial windows
Shop-appropriate hardware
Our Barndominium Construction Process
Free Consultation
I'll visit your property to discuss your vision and assess your site. We'll talk about:
Your lifestyle and how you'll use the space
How much living space versus workshop space you need
Floor plan ideas and traffic flow
Your property's layout and any challenges
Budget range and timeline
Design preferences (modern, rustic, traditional)
Custom Design & Detailed Quote
I'll work with you to create a custom floor plan that fits your needs. This may take several revisions to get right—barndominiums are personal, and the design needs to work for how you live.
You'll receive a detailed quote breaking down costs for structural work, systems coordination, and finishing.
Permitting and Engineering
Barndominiums require proper permits and engineering. We handle:
Building permit applications
Structural engineering for Florida wind loads
Septic or sewer coordination (if needed)
Any required inspections
Site Preparation
We prepare your site with:
Land clearing if necessary
Proper grading and drainage
Foundation work
Utility rough-ins coordination
Construction
My crew builds the structure while coordinating with licensed specialists:
Structural framing and roof
Electrical rough-in and finish
Plumbing rough-in and finish
HVAC installation
Insulation
Siding and exterior finishing
Interior finishing (drywall, flooring, trim, etc.)
Final details and cleanup
Final Walkthrough
We walk through your completed barndominium together. I want to make sure everything functions as designed and you understand how to maintain your new space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Barndominium costs vary widely based on size and finish level. Basic shell construction (structure only, no interior finishes) might run $75-$100 per square foot. Finished barndominiums with basic finishes typically cost $125-$175 per square foot. High-end finishes can push costs to $175-$250+ per square foot. A typical finished 2,400 sq ft barndominium might range from $300,000-$420,000. I provide detailed quotes after understanding your specific vision.
Barndominiums typically take 6-12 months from start to finish, including permitting, site prep, construction, and finishing work. Timeline depends on size, complexity, weather, and finish level. More complex designs or high-end finishes may take 12-18 months.
Barndominium financing can be more complex than traditional home financing. Some lenders offer construction-to-permanent loans for barndominiums. Others may treat it as agricultural or commercial property. You'll want to discuss financing options with lenders familiar with alternative construction early in your planning. I can build it; you'll need to arrange financing.
Yes. We build barndominiums to meet Florida residential building codes for the living areas and appropriate codes for workshop/garage areas. All required inspections are completed during construction.
Yes. Barndominiums built to residential codes are legal for full-time occupancy. Zoning requirements vary by county and property—you'll want to verify your property is zoned for residential use.
Barndominiums can be very energy efficient with proper insulation, efficient HVAC systems, and smart design. The open space can actually be easier to heat and cool than traditional homes with many small rooms. We design for Florida's climate and can incorporate energy-efficient features.
Barndominiums typically use pole barn construction methods (post-frame construction) and often feature much larger garage/workshop areas than traditional homes. They embrace industrial or agricultural aesthetics and offer more flexibility in open floor plans. Traditional homes use stick-frame construction and typically have smaller attached garages.
Yes, in most cases. If you think you might expand, tell me during design so we can plan the initial structure to accommodate future additions more easily.
Still have questions?
Serving Central Florida Property Owners
Based in Saint Cloud, we build custom barndominiums throughout Central Florida:
Ocala, FL
Saint Cloud, FL
Gainesville, FL
Kissimmee, FL
St. Augustine, FL
Orlando, FL
Clermont, FL
Geneva, FL
And surrounding areas
Ready to Build Your Custom Barndominium?
Let's talk about your vision. I offer free consultations where we discuss your lifestyle, visit your property, and explore whether a barndominium is the right fit for you.
Barndominiums aren't for everyone, but for the right property owner, they offer something unique—functional living space combined with room to work, create, and store without compromise.
Contact Information
Thank you for considering us for your Pole Barn needs. We will get back to you during normal business hours.