DIY Finish My Barndos Interior Or Hire A Professional? (The Pros and Hidden Cons) 

Your dream is coming together. The shell’s up, roof’s on, and your Barndominium is finally starting to look like a home. Well, that is until you walk inside—where it might resemble something more like an overpriced box.

So make no mistake—while erecting the outside of your Barndo is a huge step, those interior finishes are no small feat. It’s the inside that makes a Barndominium a home. And if you’re like many Barndo owners, you may be wondering how much of that work you can do yourself.

That said, this guide will help you determine which tasks you can reasonably DIY and which you should outsource to a professional—while maintaining a connection to your home, your build, and maximizing your budget.

Let’s break it down.

What Does it Mean to “Finish the Interior” of a Barndominium?

Let’s start with the basics. Finishing the interior of a custom Barndominium means completing all of the following after the outer shell has been built.

• Insulation and vapor barriers
• Drywall or wall paneling
• Electrical wiring and fixtures
• Plumbing, HVAC, and ventilation
• Flooring, trim, and cabinetry
• Painting and finishing touches

Why Does DIY Appeal to So Many Barndominium Homeowners?

With even just a few handy skills, you can complete a surprising amount of your Barndominium’s interior. And when you consider the following benefits, it’s no wonder why so many homeowners are willing to get their hands dirty (especially Barndo owners, who seem to live more “hands-on” lifestyles).

Here are a few benefits to DIYing:

• Saving Money: This is the big one. Labor often makes up 30-50% of interior finishing and is a major contributor to the overall cost of building a barndominium.
• Creative Control: Some people just like to do it all their way—colors, textures, layout tweaks, and more, all within your creative control. It’s one of the biggest selling points for custom Barndominiums—and if that’s you, go for it.
• Feeling of Accomplishment: There’s something special about looking around your new home and knowing you put in the elbow grease to make it shine (in fact, it’s one of the main reasons we love what we do).

The Hidden Challenges of a DIY Interior Finish

It can be tempting to think finishing your Barndo is no problem—especially after watching a few hours of YouTubers experience such painless success. But the reality can be very different.

Here are the real costs of finishing your own interior:

• Time Sinks: Even a modest-sized home can take hundreds of hours to finish (and there are only 24 in a day). If you’re balancing a job, family, and sleep, your project will likely drag out for much longer than expected.
• Tools & Materials: Drywall lifts, scaffolding, nail guns, finish saws—the costs of having to rent and buy your tools adds up quick (and cuts into savings).
• Code Compliance: Electrical and plumbing work must be up to code—and if you aren’t in the know, mistakes can be costly and dangerous.
• Fatigue & Burnout: Keeping the motivation going to finish such a long project takes its toll on many, with excitement turning into exhaustion and even regret.

The Balanced Approach: DIYers and Professionals Joining Together

Hiring professional help doesn’t mean giving up creative control or all of your cost savings. 

In fact, many Barndominium builders in PA (and NJ, DE, MD) work alongside homeowners who want to handle some of the finishing touches themselves—an approach that brings the speed, coordination, quality, and peace of mind from professional work, as well as the cost-savings and pride of ownership from the DIY aspect.

The key is knowing which projects you can do yourself and which are better to hire a professional for.

Which Interior Finishes Are DIY-Friendly and Which Aren’t?

Here’s some exciting news.

Plenty of interior work is doable for DIYers with a decent set of tools and a healthy dose of patience.

Here are the projects most DIYers can handle:

• Painting walls and trim
• Installing wood, vinyl, and laminate flooring
• Hanging interior doors and baseboards
• Installing cabinets and shelving
• Simple lighting swaps/outlet covers
• Accent walls, shiplap, and custom finishes

Then, to save yourself some major headaches, you can leave these larger jobs to the pros:

• Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC
• Load-bearing walls and interior framing (available directly from Tristate during primary construction)
• Complex tile and stonework
• Spray foam insulation (due to equipment and safety gear requirements)

Enjoying the Build of Your Custom Pole Barn Home

By outsourcing the complex jobs and handling the smaller finishes yourself, you’ll enjoy your Barndominium in PA, NJ, DE, or MD more quickly, with fewer weekends spent staring at a half-finished wall, and with the assurance that the important work has been done right.

If you have any questions along the way regarding your Barndominium journey, Tristate Buildings is here to help. We’ve been in post-frame construction for 35 years and still love helping our clients get their dream buildings.

For more information, swing by our Barndominium page—and then be sure to reach out for an initial consultation on your favorite design!

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