Barndominium Cost in Arkansas: What’s Included in the Shell

By Metal Dreams · Updated October 6, 2026 · Cost

Barndominium cost in Arkansas splits into two parts: the steel shell and the finish-out. The shell is the building itself: footprint, framing, roof, exterior panels, insulation, and the placement of every door and window. The finish-out is everything that makes it a home: interior walls, plumbing, electrical, kitchen, and floors. Knowing which part a quote covers is the first step to comparing numbers.

What the shell includes

Metal Dreams builds the shell. For a barndominium that means:

• The footprint and clear-span steel framing
• Eave height, including room for a second floor or loft if you want one
• Roof pitch and roof style
• Window and door locations, set to your plan
• Insulation, planned for living space
• Exterior finish, including wood-look panel prints
• The division between shop and residence, placed where you want it

What the shell doesn’t include

Interior framing, drywall, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, cabinets, fixtures, and flooring are finish-out work. So is the slab, which is a separate cost; concrete is where this company started, so ask about it when you ask about the building. Budget the shell and the finish-out separately and you’ll avoid the most common barndominium surprise.

What drives the shell cost

• Footprint and width. Width costs more than length because of the span.
• Eave height. A two-story plan needs taller walls and more steel.
• Roof pitch and style. Steeper pitches and vertical roofs cost more and drain better.
• Openings. Each window, walk door, and overhead door adds cost.
• Insulation. Living space needs it; the shop side may need less.
• Exterior finish. Wood-look prints and two-tone panel and trim combinations cost more than a single flat color.
• Porches and lean-tos. A wraparound porch is a popular add and a real cost.

What drives the finish-out cost

Square footage of living space, the number of bathrooms, kitchen choices, and flooring are the big ones. A larger shop side and a smaller living side is often the most economical plan, because shop space finishes for far less per square foot than a kitchen does. See barndominium floor plans with a shop.

Why a written estimate matters

A barndominium is too big a decision for a ballpark. Metal Dreams specs the shell for your site and your county’s code, shows it in 3D, and gives you a written estimate for free, with no deposit. Start here.