Home > Barn-Houses > Designing and Ordering Your Barn-House
Designing and Ordering Your Barn-House is easy and fun, just follow these steps:
- Talk with your local building or zoning officials to see whether you will be permitted to build on the site you have chosen. Ask if there are unusual local conditions such as high snow, wind or seismic loads. Barn-Houses are designed for a 45 pound per square foot ground snow load, a wind speed of 100 miles per hour in an Exposure B setting, and seismic loads for seismic zone D. These design loads may be increased in some situations.
- Obtain copies of all permit applications. Determine
what, if any, technical information or drawings the building officials
will require. In some cases, a printed copy of the Barn-House
Specifications page will be sufficient. Frequently, floorplans and
elevation drawings will be required. Shelter-Kit can provide a drawing
package that will meet the requirements of most building departments
and includes three sets of foundation plans, floor plans, elevations,
frame plans and details, sections and specifications. There is a $350
fee for this package, refundable if an order is placed within six months.
Occasionally, building officials will also require a set of structural
drawings and/or structural calculations bearing an engineer's signature
and stamp. These are available from Shelter-Kit for an additional, non-refundable
fee of $650 for the drawings.
- Make a detailed list of everything you want and need in your Barn-House, such as the number and size of bedrooms and bathrooms, staircases, the arrangement of the kitchen, and the flow of traffic. Include a description of its purpose (seasonal dwelling, year-round vacation house, primary home, whatever) and the amount you are prepared to spend. Arrange the items in the order of their importance: most important first, least important last, and so on. Spend as much time as necessary working on the list, refining it as your ideas change. This is a very important step in the planning process.
- Check the Barn-House Specifications page to see what size buildings are available. Look at the Barn-House Photo Gallery and the Floorplans for examples of what can be done. Modify your list as necessary.
- We have provided a blank floorplan for Barn-Houses ranging in length from 24' to 40'. 26' wide Barn-Houses are also available. Print several copies (it may be necessary to set your printer to horizontal printing to get the entire plan on one sheet). Then, using your list as a guide, draw in partitions, stairs, closets, doors and windows. Do this several times, moving objects until you like the results. Don't forget to allow space for the thickness of walls.
- Check your site to be sure the building you have chosen will fit, that it is oriented to take advantage of natural features (topography, views, sunlight, shade, etc.), and that there is access where you need it. It may help to drive stakes marking the corners of the building and door locations. Allow extra room on all sides of the building for construction. Use the prices listed on the Barn-House Prices page to estimate the cost of your Barn-House. If necessary, modify your design and drawing.
- Mail or fax the final version to us. Be sure the sizes and types of doors and windows are indicated. We will check it to be sure it meets our design requirements, and tell you what the kit will cost. If required, drawing packages can be ordered at this time. Include the location (town and zip code) and we can estimate the shipping charge.
Our contact information is:
Shelter-Kit
22W Mill Street
Tilton, NH 03276
E:
T: (603) 286-7611
F: (603) 286-2839
- Once your design is finalized and you have received a building permit, or are sure that one will be issued, print and complete an Order Form/Purchase Agreement (HTML or PDF file) and send it to us with the 5% retainer. We will acknowledge receipt of your Order and Retainer by return mail. Your Barn-House order will be placed in our production schedule and a Construction Manual will be sent to you. If you are unable to view or print the Order Form/Purchase Agreement or if you have any questions call, write, e mail or fax us.