This is a look at a Montana build of the modified Virginia 3 barndominium plan, a 2023 project shared by Barndominium Floor Plans. The details are thin: no square footage and no room count. But the builder does say the customer was looking at about $750,000 for it, and that the number was way over budget. That makes it a useful case study in how a barndominium budget can get away from you.
What we know about this Montana barndominium build
Barndominium Floor Plans describes the project as a Montana build of the Modified Virginia 3, started in 2023. Here’s what it says went into the home:
- Location: Montana
- Plan: Virginia 3, modified for this customer
- Windows and doors: higher quality than standard
- Appliances: mid-range
- Faucets: mostly Moen
- Flooring: mid-range
Size, bedrooms, bathrooms and the shell details aren’t given, so I won’t guess at them. If you like the look of this plan, ask the seller for the stock plan’s dimensions and layout.
Is $750k what a Virginia 3 barndominium costs?
No, and it would be a mistake to read it that way. The figure belongs to one customer’s project: a modified plan, a Montana site and a particular set of finishes. The builder itself calls it way over budget, which suggests the customer expected to spend considerably less.
Barndominium Floor Plans sells plans, so this isn’t a turnkey price for a finished house. Treat the number as a reminder that a final build cost depends on many things the plan name doesn’t tell you. If you want a price for your own version, you’ll need local quotes.
Why a modified plan and a Montana site push costs up
Changing a stock plan usually means more design work, and it can change the structure, the amount of material and the labor involved. Every change is a chance for the budget to creep.
Location matters too. Montana has cold winters and snow, so you’d want to ask about insulation, roof snow load and how the building handles heavy weather. Those are general points to raise with your builder, not details confirmed for this project. Rural lots can also add costs for a well, septic, power and driveway work, and those often sit outside a plan or shell price.
The finishes: mid-range, but still a lot of choices
The finish level on this build is described as mid-range for appliances and flooring, with higher quality windows and doors. Moen faucets are used in most places. None of that is luxury, yet the total still landed far above the customer’s target.
That’s the part I’d take away. Many people assume the budget gets blown by a few expensive upgrades. More often it’s lots of mid-range choices adding up across a whole house. Windows and doors are a good place to spend if you live somewhere cold, since they affect comfort and energy use for years. Flooring and appliances are easier to upgrade later, so they’re the places to save first.
How to budget before you commit to a plan
- Ask for a full quote that separates the shell, the interior finish, site work and utilities.
- Get written pricing for each modification you want before you approve the changes.
- Check local zoning, permits and any rules on barndominiums with your county.
- Decide which finishes you’ll start with and which you can upgrade later.
- Keep a cushion for surprises, especially on a rural Montana site.
Who this plan suits, and what to check first
The modified Virginia 3 is a better fit for someone who wants a customized barndominium and has already set aside a realistic budget. It’s a poor fit if you’re counting on a bargain, since this project shows how quickly a custom build can climb. Remember too that the useful facts here are limited, so you’ll need the plan details from the seller.
The first thing to check is the all-in cost for your own site: get a quote for the finished home, not just the plan, before you fall for the layout.
Source: Barndominium Floor Plans