Important Notice Before You Buy

 

All house plans offered on Barndominiums.com were originally designed to meet the local building codes and requirements of the time and location in which they were created. These plans may not automatically align with the specific regulations in your area. It is the purchaser’s responsibility to consult with the local building department to verify all compliance requirements prior to construction. Please note that photos and video renderings may differ from the actual plans due to variations in truss layouts, finishes, and other design elements. All stock, modified, and custom plan purchases are final; no refunds or exchanges can be issued once the order is placed.

Many jurisdictions also require supplementary documentation beyond the house plans. This may include a site plan showing the exact placement of the structure on your property, as well as roof load calculations based on regional snow loads. If your property does not connect to a municipal sewer system, a licensed professional may need to prepare a septic system design. Additionally, numerous regions enforce specific energy codes that must be met. Your local building department may accept free online energy-code calculators, and your builder may also be able to assist with these requirements.

In certain areas, additional steps are necessary to ensure your plans meet local structural standards. Regions prone to natural disasters—such as seismic zones along the Pacific Coast, hurricane-risk areas along the East Coast, Gulf Coast, and the Carolinas, and tornado-prone areas throughout the Midwest—often impose stricter engineering requirements. States like New York, New Jersey, Nevada, and parts of Illinois also mandate review by a local licensed professional. If you are building in any of these regions, you should anticipate the need to hire a state-licensed structural engineer to review, approve, and potentially revise your plans. Because codes vary widely across the country, it is wise to budget for CAD files and any required engineering updates. Your local building department can typically provide a detailed list of all documents and specifications needed to obtain a building permit.

Please be aware that stock plans do not include a professional engineer’s or architect’s stamp. If your building department requires one, the stamp must come from a licensed professional in the state where construction will occur. This may require a full review and approval by a local architect or engineer. Additionally, Nevada law requires that any plans used for construction in the state be drawn by a Nevada-licensed architect.

If you are unsure about any local regulations or requirements, we strongly recommend visiting your local building department. They can provide every code requirement, specification, and procedural guideline necessary to ensure your plans are fully compliant with the regulations in your area.