A barndominium — or “barndo” — is a steel-framed building that combines the rugged exterior of a barn or shed with a fully livable home inside. The term started in the United States, but the concept is exactly what Australians have been building for years: shed homes. Steel portal frame. COLORBOND® cladding. Open-plan living. Engineered as a certified Class 1A dwelling. If you’re searching for a barndominium in Australia, you’re looking at what we’ve been supplying since day one.
What Is a Barndominium?
In the US, a barndominium is a metal building — typically a steel barn or workshop — converted or purpose-built as a home. They became popular because they’re faster and cheaper to build than traditional timber-frame houses, and the open-span steel frame gives you complete freedom with the floor plan.
In Australia, we call them shed homes, shouses, or residential sheds. The construction method is the same: a clear-span steel portal frame with COLORBOND® steel cladding, engineered and certified as a Class 1A permanent dwelling under the National Construction Code.
The difference? In Australia, you can build one as an owner-builder with a kit supply starting from $82,900 — while US-style barndominiums and luxury Australian operators charge $700,000 and up.
Barndominium vs Shed Home — Is There a Difference?
Barndominium (US Term)
- Steel or metal building shell
- Open-plan, barn-style exterior
- Fully livable interior — bedrooms, kitchen, bathrooms
- Often includes workshop or garage bay
- Popular in Texas, Midwest, rural US
Shed Home (Australian Term)
- Steel portal frame with COLORBOND® cladding
- Open-plan, shed-style exterior
- Fully livable interior — Class 1A certified dwelling
- Customisable garage, workshop, or covered deck
- Built nationwide across all Australian states
They’re the same thing. Different name, same construction method, same result — a steel-framed home that’s faster, cheaper, and more durable than traditional builds. Every Shed Homes design is a barndominium by another name.
Why Build a Barndominium in Australia?
A Fraction of the Cost
Luxury barndominium builders in Australia charge $700,000 to $2.3 million. Our barndominium kits start from $82,900 for a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom design. Total build costs from around $250K — less than half the price of a comparable traditional home.
Faster to Lockup
Steel portal frames go up in days, not months. Once the COLORBOND® cladding is on, you’re weather-tight and ready for internal fit-out. Most barndominiums reach lockup weeks ahead of conventional builds.
Engineered for Your Site
Every kit is engineered to your specific location — wind region, climate zone, soil classification, and bushfire attack level. Steel doesn’t warp, rot, or attract termites. COLORBOND® handles everything from tropical humidity to alpine frosts.
Total Design Freedom
No internal load-bearing walls. The clear-span portal frame means you can put rooms wherever you want. Move bedrooms, open up living areas, add a workshop bay, wrap a verandah around three sides — it’s your layout.
Owner-Builder Friendly
Barndominiums are ideal for owner-builders. We supply the kit, engineering, and drawings. You manage the build and control your costs. Our installation network of ~170 experienced steel-frame builders covers most of Australia and can erect the frame and cladding to lockup as subcontractors to the owner.
Class 1A Certified
Every Shed Homes barndominium is engineered and certified as a Class 1A dwelling under the National Construction Code — a genuine, permanent, legally livable home. Not a shed conversion. Not a temporary structure.
Barndominium Cost in Australia
Barndominium pricing in Australia varies enormously depending on who you talk to. Here’s where Shed Homes sits:
| Option | What You Get | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Base Kit | Steel portal frame, COLORBOND® cladding, structural engineering, slab design — with or without windows and doors. Delivered to site. | From $82,900 |
| Complete Kit | Everything in the base kit plus windows, insulation, full architectural and construction drawings, NatHERS energy certificate — everything your council needs. | From ~$115,000 |
| Total Build Cost | Kit + slab + fit-out (plumbing, electrical, kitchen, bathrooms). Managed by you as owner-builder. | From ~$250,000 |
| Luxury Barndominium (other companies) |
Full turnkey build by licensed builder | $700K – $2.3M |
For comparison, a traditional turnkey build costs approximately $2,500/m². A 200 m² traditional home: $500,000. A 300 m² traditional home: $750,000. Our owner-builders save between 36% and 42%.
We don’t offer turnkey builds. We supply the kit, engineering, and drawings. Where we have installation network coverage, we can also provide construction to lockup stage — slab, frame erection, cladding, and weatherproofing. You manage the internal fit-out.
Barndominium Floor Plans
Choose from 7 pre-designed barndominium floor plans, or design your own from scratch in our free 3D designer. Every model uses clear-span steel portal frames — no load-bearing internal walls — so you can rearrange the layout however you like.
Custom Design
Your layout | Your dimensions | Gable or Skillion
Start from scratch
Barndominium FAQs
Can you build a barndominium in Australia?
Yes. Barndominiums are built as Class 1A dwellings under the National Construction Code. They require the same approvals as any residential home — development application, building approval, and relevant inspections. Every Shed Homes kit is fully engineered and certified for your site.
How much does a barndominium cost in Australia?
Kit prices start from $82,900 for a 3-bedroom design. Total build costs (kit + slab + fit-out) typically start from around $250,000, depending on size, location, and finishes. That’s 30–50% less than a comparable traditional brick-and-tile home.
Do I need an owner-builder permit?
If you’re managing the build yourself rather than engaging a licensed builder, you’ll need an owner-builder permit from your state’s building authority (e.g. QBCC in Queensland, VBA in Victoria). We can guide you through the process. Read our Owner Builder guide →
Is a barndominium the same as a shed home?
Yes. “Barndominium” is the American term. In Australia, the same type of building is called a shed home, shouse, or residential shed. The construction method is identical: steel portal frame, metal cladding, open-plan interior, Class 1A certified.
Can I get a barndominium with a garage or workshop?
Absolutely. Most of our models include space for a garage bay, and you can add workshop areas, covered decks, or extra bays through the 3D designer. The open-span frame makes it easy to combine living and working space under one roof.
Do you deliver barndominium kits Australia-wide?
Yes. We deliver to every state and territory — QLD, NSW, VIC, SA, WA, TAS, NT, and ACT. Each kit is custom-engineered for your specific site conditions.
Design Your Barndominium
Choose a model or start from scratch in our free 3D designer. Add your site address and contact details to receive a builder review and quotation.
Design in 3D Submit an Enquiry
Or call Brian direct: 0488 510 550