Does Sherman Buildings build barndominiums in Minnesota?

Yes. Sherman Buildings is a family-owned Minnesota barndominium builder and we have been building post-frame barndominiums, homes, and pole buildings across Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin since 1976. Our headquarters are in Mora, MN and we also operate out of Floodwood, MN.

How long does it take to build a barndominium?

A typical Sherman barndominium takes several months from site work to move-in, depending on size, finish level, weather, and utility availability. The post-frame shell itself goes up fast — most interior finishing is what drives the overall schedule. Your project manager will give you a realistic timeline after the design consultation.

Are barndominiums more affordable than traditional homes?

In most cases, yes — on a cost-per-square-foot basis. Post-frame construction uses fewer materials and less labor than conventional stick-built homes of the same size, and the open interior gives you more usable square footage for the same footprint. Final cost always depends on site conditions, finish selections, and the amount of shop vs. living space.

Can you live in a barndominium full time?

Yes. A Sherman barndominium is a permanent, code-built residence — constructed on a permanent foundation, permitted as a single-family dwelling, and inspected to Minnesota residential code. Once it passes final inspection you can move in and live in it year-round, the same as any conventional home. The post-frame shell is insulated well beyond standard minimums, so it stays comfortable through Minnesota winters and summers.

Can a barndominium be financed like a regular home?

Yes, when it is built on a permanent foundation and permitted as a residence. Sherman partners with Acorn Finance and HFS Financial, both of which have lending products set up for barndominiums and pole-barn homes. Our team can walk you through how the process differs from a standard conventional mortgage.

Do you design the barndominium, or do I need my own plans?

We design it with you. Every Sherman barndominium starts with a design consultation, followed by a custom floor plan built in our 3D designer. You can also bring your own sketches or inspiration photos — our team turns them into a buildable engineered design.

Barndominium blueprint transitioning into a finished build

Barndominiums

The Perfect Blend of Rustic Charm and Modern Living

Sherman Buildingsis a family-owned Minnesota barndominium builder based in Mora, MN. Since 1976 we’ve designed and built custom post-frame barndominiums — combining finished residential living space with flexible shop, garage, or storage space under one engineered roof — across Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin.

What Is a Barndominium?

A barndominium combines the structural durability of post-frame construction with the comfort and livability of a custom home. The result is a versatile building that can function as a full-time residence, a weekend retreat, a live-work space, or anything in between — all under one roof.

Post-frame engineering creates wide-open interior spaces without load-bearing walls, so you can design the floor plan that fits your life. Pair that with modern insulation systems, energy-efficient windows, and your choice of interior finishes, and you have a home that’s as comfortable as it is cost-effective.

Sherman Buildings has been constructing barndominiums and custom post-frame structures across Minnesota for 50 years. Our family-owned team brings generations of craftsmanship to every project, and we supply all materials from our own lumber yard to ensure consistent quality from foundation to ridge cap.

Why Choose a Barndominium?

Open Floor Plans

Post-frame construction eliminates load-bearing interior walls, giving you complete freedom to design the layout that works for your life.

Durable Construction

Built on engineered posts and trusses, barndominiums are designed to handle Minnesota's snow loads, high winds, and temperature extremes.

Energy Efficient

Deep wall cavities, airtight vapor barriers, and continuous insulation make post-frame barndominiums naturally efficient to heat and cool.

Faster Build Times

Fewer foundation requirements and prefabricated components mean your barndominium goes up significantly faster than a traditional stick-built home.

Lower Cost Per Sq Ft

The efficiency of post-frame construction translates to more square footage for your budget without sacrificing quality or finishes.

Customizable Design

Choose your exterior steel colors, roofline, window placements, entry styles, and interior finishes to make the space entirely your own.

Workshop interior inside a Sherman post-frame barndominium with a workbench, miter saw, tool chest, and seating area

Can a Barndominium Include a Shop?

Every barndominium Sherman builds starts with your priorities. Some customers want a massive open great room flowing into a chef’s kitchen. Others need a dedicated shop bay with direct exterior access — separate from the living quarters but under the same roof. We’ve built it all.

Our design process is collaborative. We use 3D modeling to show you exactly how your space will look before a single post goes in the ground. That means fewer surprises during construction and a finished product that matches your vision.

Post-frame construction is inherently adaptable, so if your needs change down the road, additions and interior reconfigurations are far simpler than with traditional framing systems.

What Is the Barndominium Building Process?

The process depends on how hands-on you want to be. Sherman builds barndominiums three ways — each with its own design phase, scope, and handoff point. Pick the path that fits your budget and timeline, and we’ll meet you there.

Be your own GC

Structure Dried In

We frame it up. You take it home.

Design phaseLighter design phase — we draft the structural plan and rough-in layout. You make the interior design calls with your own subs after handoff.

1
Site Walk & Quote
We visit your property, talk through goals and budget, and quote based on real site conditions — soil, slope, access, and utility runs.
2
Structural Drafting
Our team produces stamped drawings for the post-frame structure, foundation, and rough-in layout. $2,500 drafting fee.
3
Site Prep & Foundation
Sherman handles dirt work, concrete, and utility rough-ins so the structure sets on a solid, code-compliant base.
4
Shell Construction
Our crews frame the post-frame structure, roof, siding, windows, and exterior doors — weather-tight and ready for your trades.
5
Handoff to You
You take it from here — your subs, your schedule, your finishes. The fastest path into a Sherman-built barndo for the customer who wants the reins.

Explore Structure Dried In

The DIYer's dream

Craftsman

We build it. You finish it.

Design phaseFull design partnership for the structure and rough finish — we work through floor plan, roofline, exterior, and mechanicals with you. You drive the final finish design.

1
Design Consultation
We map out your vision, lot, budget, and how you want to live in the space — bedrooms, shop bays, great room, the whole picture.
2
Custom Floor Plan
Our design team develops a fully custom floor plan tailored to your lifestyle, lot, and budget — produced as stamped construction drawings. $2,500 drafting fee.
3
Site Prep & Foundation
Site work, grading, concrete footings, and utility rough-ins — coordinated by Sherman to your engineered plan.
4
Construction Through Drywall
We handle framing, roofing, siding, windows, doors, insulation, drywall, and paint — supplying materials from our own lumber yard for quality control.
5
You Finish It
You take over flooring, cabinets, trim, and interior finishes on your own timeline and budget — real savings for the hands-on customer, without being your own GC.

Explore Craftsman

Do nothing. Move in.

Turnkey Custom

Fully custom. Hand to key.

Design phaseDeepest design phase — every detail (layout, finishes, fixtures, lighting, exterior) chosen with our design team and locked into the build plan before construction starts.

1
Design Consultation
A deeper conversation about how you live, what you want the space to do, and the level of finish you have in mind.
2
Custom Floor Plan & Selections
Our design team produces a fully custom floor plan and stamped drawings, plus a full selections process — flooring, cabinetry, fixtures, exterior finishes, lighting. $2,500 drafting fee.
3
Site Prep & Foundation
Sherman coordinates site work, grading, concrete footings, and utility rough-ins so construction starts on a solid base.
4
Construction
Our crews handle framing, roofing, siding, windows, and doors. We supply all materials from our own lumber yard for quality control.
5
Full Interior Finish
Insulation, drywall, flooring, cabinetry, trim, paint, fixtures, FF&E — we finish every detail to your specifications.
6
Walkthrough & Move-In
Final walkthrough, punch list, and the keys. You show up, we hand it off — fully custom, fully done.

Explore Turnkey Custom

Not sure which path is right for you? Compare all four ways to build →

Barndominium Inspiration Gallery

Browse custom post-frame barndominium exteriors and finished interiors combining durable steel siding with open, modern living spaces.

Barndominium FAQ

: Yes. Sherman Buildings is a family-owned Minnesota barndominium builder and we have been building post-frame barndominiums, homes, and pole buildings across Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin since 1976. Our headquarters are in Mora, MN and we also operate out of Floodwood, MN.
: A barndominium is a post-frame building that combines finished residential living space with flexible shop, garage, or storage space under one roof. The post-frame construction method uses engineered columns and clear-span trusses, which lets us open up interior floor plans that would be impossible with conventional stick-built framing.
: A typical Sherman barndominium takes several months from site work to move-in, depending on size, finish level, weather, and utility availability. The post-frame shell itself goes up fast — most interior finishing is what drives the overall schedule. Your project manager will give you a realistic timeline after the design consultation.
: In most cases, yes — on a cost-per-square-foot basis. Post-frame construction uses fewer materials and less labor than conventional stick-built homes of the same size, and the open interior gives you more usable square footage for the same footprint. Final cost always depends on site conditions, finish selections, and the amount of shop vs. living space.
: Yes. A Sherman barndominium is a permanent, code-built residence — constructed on a permanent foundation, permitted as a single-family dwelling, and inspected to Minnesota residential code. Once it passes final inspection you can move in and live in it year-round, the same as any conventional home. The post-frame shell is insulated well beyond standard minimums, so it stays comfortable through Minnesota winters and summers.
: Yes, when it is built on a permanent foundation and permitted as a residence. Sherman partners with Acorn Finance and HFS Financial, both of which have lending products set up for barndominiums and pole-barn homes. Our team can walk you through how the process differs from a standard conventional mortgage.
: We design it with you. Every Sherman barndominium starts with a design consultation, followed by a custom floor plan built in our 3D designer. You can also bring your own sketches or inspiration photos — our team turns them into a buildable engineered design.

Explore Barndominiums

Explore the home styles, comparisons, and finishing options behind a Sherman Buildings barndominium — from rough-in shells to fully finished living space.