Fancy yourself a DIYer? Considering getting your hands dirty building your new home? If so, you’re not alone—especially if you have your eyes set on a new barndominium.
Barndominiums have a reputation as being more DIY-friendly (and therefore cheaper) than traditional homes. And while that can be the case, it isn’t always.
Because the modern barndominium has evolved with the times. What started as a practical, no-frills building—basically a glorified pole barn—postframe homes in Indiana are now upscale, fully amenitized homes.
But while this evolution has made barndominiums slightly less DIY-friendly than the traditional pole barn, these homes can still appeal to the DIYer—exactly why New Horizon Builders wants to share this article.
So you have all the insider tips you need to experience the joy of doing the work yourself—while still having a structurally sound home that’s a comfort to live in for decades to come.
Let’s go.
What Projects Can Most Homeowners Realistically DIY (and Even Enjoy)?
Let’s start with the good news. When building a home in Indiana, there are plenty of tasks you can handle yourself (and dare we even say have fun finishing).
Here are a few ways to get your hands dirty and save some cash on your new build:
- Interior Painting and Trim: Painting and baseboard work are classic DIY wins that are low risk, high reward, and won’t affect inspections or the structural integrity of your home
- Fixtures and Hardware: Light fixtures, faucets, and cabinet hardware are all great weekend projects you can finish yourself (once electrical and plumbing are complete, that is)
- Flooring: Floating floors, LVP, and laminate can be DIY-friendly. That said, they’re best completed by the more patient, detail-oriented DIYer—and if that’s not you, that’s okay.
- Landscaping and Exterior Details: Grading touch-ups, walkways, and finishing exterior elements are perfect ways to save money without affecting your home’s bones
In other words, these projects are perfect DIY opportunities—that won’t put your home—or resale value—at risk.
Projects You Can DIY, But Probably Shouldn’t (Unless You’ve Got Building Experience)
The following projects are potential ways to save money and feel the satisfaction of doing the work yourself. However, if you have the budget for it, they may be best left to someone with more experience.
Here’s why:
- Drywall Hanging and Finishing: Hanging drywall isn’t necessarily difficult, but finishing it well is—and poor seams and uneven walls are hard to unsee after the job’s complete
- Cabinet Installation: Custom cabinetry demands precision—and even small errors can affect function, alignment, and long-term durability
- Tile Showers and Wet Areas: Water is your home’s natural enemy—and one missed waterproofing detail can lead to costly repairs down the line
- Insulation: Insulation errors can hurt comfort, energy efficiency, and moisture control—especially in Indiana’s sometimes wild climate swings
If you don’t mind taking your chances, these projects may be for you. But for most homeowners, our team recommends leaving them to the pros. That way, you have the assurance—and warranties—you need to know things were done right.
Do Not DIY These Barndominium Construction Essentials
Pole barns are one thing. But if you’re building a home, some aspects must be completed by a professional crew—non-negotiable.
- Structural Framing and Post Placement: In a post-frame building, posts are the backbone of the entire building—and mistakes can compromise safety and void warranties
- Foundations and Concrete: Concrete slabs, footings, and load paths must meet exact specifications to pass inspections and perform safely long-term—do not try to do them over a long weekend
- Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC: Licensed trades exist for a reason: code compliance, safety, and future resale all depend on professional installation
- Roofing and Exterior Envelope: Water intrusion is one of the most expensive problems you can face as a homeowner—and also one of the easiest to prevent with a properly installed exterior
So even if you’re an experienced DIY-er, it’s best to leave these tasks to the pros: experienced barndominium builders and qualified Indiana home builders.
How the Right Builder Makes DIY Easier (Not Harder)
Here’s something you may not know. DIYers and professional barndominium builders are not in competition. In fact, the best (i.e., most experienced) builders plan to work with homeowners.
At New Horizon Builders, we help our barndo clients by…
- Working together to perfect the custom barndominium design
- Clearly define which tasks the homeowner can take on—and which we’ll handle
- Providing detailed, accurate barndominium quotes upfront (even for large barndominiums)
- Offering a full, 10-year workmanship warranty on all aspects of your build
- Keeping timelines realistic, on track, and on budget
Because our crews believe that when you’re building a home in Indiana, finding the right partner is crucial. So if you’re curious about barndominiums in Indiana, give us a call.
Your dedicated team will work with you to keep your project to the highest quality standards—while giving you the satisfaction of lending a helping hand throughout the entire process. So don’t wait to expand your horizons.
Give us a call today to discuss your dream home.
