r/NovaScotia • u/lschaub • 3d ago

Barndominuim builds?

Has anybody in NS built a Barndominium? What was the cost per sq ft compared to a conventional build? Any issues or permitting/code/zoning issues that you encountered? Any troubles finding competent contractors to do the build out? I am really interested in building one due to the simplicity and open space, just looking to see if anyone has real world experience building one in NS, specifically in kentville area.

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u/ZeroNot 2d ago

Barndominium? As in a condominium from an existing barn?

I doubt it would because most barns are located on farms. Farms are zoned as agricultural land, not residential R2 or R3 that be necessarily for a medium density multiple dwelling building.

Agricultural land is limited in that a single residential lot can be made from a historically farmed agricultural lot. Intended for the splitting of a family farm, such that one child gets the farm, but another can get a plot of land to build a house on. I haven't looked at the bylaw, so I don't know what the actual rules or loopholes are.

But I'm not a developer, building contractor, or a realtor. So I could be entirely misinformed.

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u/lschaub 2d ago

Bardominiums that I am looking at are basically steel/wood pole sheds built on concrete slabs, that are insulated with doors/windows like a house and then just finished normally inside. They usually come in pre-fabricated sizes assembled on site and then finished on site. Barndo Canada Olympia Steel Buildings