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Step by By Step Guide to Building a Shouse in Ohio

If you own your own business, you have probably faced the issue of finding the right space. This can be especially frustrating if you are a craftsperson or builder who needs a lot of shop room in order to deliver final products to your customers. Perhaps you rent a space or you share one with other craftspeople, but the odds are good that the space isn’t ideal. In these situations, you usually can’t customize the shop to your specific needs and you will be at the mercy of the other people working in the shop. It’s also possible that the space you are renting requires a commute, which can be a major drain on your work/life balance. 

This is why building a shouse in Ohio could be such a great option for you. There are all kinds of advantages to building a shop and house under the same roof. Having your home and your workspace in the same place can make your work and life situation so much easier and can give you the freedom you need to focus on your business. 

In this guide, we have put together a complete collection of everything you need to know to build a shouse in Ohio. This will help you be prepared for everything that might come up during the course of your own build and give you the right information to make your project a success. 

shouse in ohio exterior

What Is a Shouse and What Are Some of the Advantages?

A shouse is a combination of a shop and a house that is built on the same concrete slab foundation. They are usually built from the shell of a metal post frame building or pole barn. These types of structures are generally used for agricultural or industrial purposes like barns or stables, but they can also be built into amazing modern homes. By framing up the inside like a traditional house, you can make the residential interior look however you want while still giving yourself enough room for a functional, professional shop. 

One of the main benefits of building a shouse in Ohio is their price. Shouses take about half the time to build as a traditional house and because of this, you can save yourself quite a bit on labor and materials. This cuts down on the amount of money you have to spend and makes this type of project much more accessible to a much wider range of people.

The other major advantage of building a shouse in Ohio is their durability. If you are going to be using your shop for work, you will want to be sure that it is sturdy and able to take a lot of heavy use. The steel construction of these buildings makes them incredibly durable and reduces the amount of mold, mildew, and rot that can happen in the structural elements. This can save you a lot of money on big repairs down the road. 

Cost of Building a Shouse in Ohio 

Before you decide if a shouse in Ohio is going to be the right option for you, you will probably want to know what they generally cost. When you are figuring out the cost for a project like this, it is best to figure out the price per square foot. This allows you to figure out what the size of your concrete slab foundation can be and from there you can start to think about things like bedrooms and bathrooms. It will allow you to decide how much house you can afford and what you will be able to fit inside. 

The cost of building a traditional house in Ohio is around $105 per square foot. This price, however, does not include things like furnishings, countertops or cabinets. Instead, you will need to have a separate budget for these kinds of things and ensure that you have enough money left over after the initial build to afford all the additions that make building a custom house and shop worth the time and effort. 

The price of building a shouse in Ohio, on the other hand, is quite a bit less. For an average of $93 per square foot, you can build yourself the shop and residential portion and, ideally, still have some money left over from your structural construction budget. This can allow you to get all the things you would want from a custom home build like electronics and furniture. It could also allow you to get some new equipment for the shop and help you expand your business. 

shouse in ohio interior

Shouse Builders in Ohio  

After you have decided on a budget for your shouse in Ohio, you will have to start thinking about who you are going to hire as a builder. While you will probably want to do some of the work on your home and shop yourself, a professional builder is always a good idea. They will have the knowledge about building these structures and can make sure that it is up to code and that it isn’t violating any of your local zoning laws. It can be difficult to sift through all the different builders available, but there are some things you can look for that will help you make a decision. 

One of the first things you should look for in a builder for your shouse in Ohio is experience. Not all construction companies will have worked with steel buildings and post frame structures before. It is imperative that you find someone who has the kind of expertise you need. Luckily, there are many builders who specialize in this exact type of building and will be able to give you the best possible final product. 

You should also look for a builder who is personable and friendly. You will be spending a lot of time with these people and getting along with them is crucial. There are a lot of review aggregators online where you can find assessments of local contractors by the people they have worked for in the past. Look for builders who come highly recommended by their previous clients and were able to deliver a good final product as well as a good customer service experience. To help you get started, we have put together a short list of some of the best builders for your shouse in Ohio. 

Milmar Buildings 

Milmar Buildings has a focus on making sure their customers get the perfect building for the space they have and their needs. If you want to work with a builder who will work with you on design for your shouse in Ohio, they are a great option. 

Timberline Buildings 

Timberline Buildings prides themselves on being able to deliver the best possible customer service experience to their clients. They work on the principle of honesty and will be a great option for your shouse in Ohio if that is important to you. 

Kirkham Building System 

Kirkham Building System has been building custom post frame buildings in Ohio since 1984. Since then, they have had a connection to the community and try to give every one of their clients the best possible experience when building a shouse in Ohio. 

Shouse Kit Providers in Ohio 

Not everyone will want to build their shouse in Ohio completely for the ground up. If this describes you, there are other options. For example, a shouse kit could be a great way for you to get the building you need. Shouse kits are completely prefabricated and can be delivered right to your build site with everything you will need to build your pole barn structure. 

Most shouse kit providers offer comprehensive support for the people who buy their kits. Many of them will also have recommendations when it comes to local contractors. This means that you will be able to work with a builder who not only has experience building post frame buildings but also with working on your specific kit. 

shouse in ohio exterior
Steel structure of a new industrial building

Shouse Financing in Ohio 

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Farm Bureau Bank

Farm Bureau Bank is the partner bank with the Ohio Farm Bureau and they understand the lifestyles and needs of the people of Ohio. They can work with you to ensure that you’re getting the right kind of financing for your project. 

Park National Bank 

Park National Bank is made up of experienced bankers who know what it takes to get a project like yours up off the ground. All of their decision-making is done with the local economy and the needs of the community in mind. 

Shouse Taxes in Ohio 

You will need to pay taxes on your shouse in Ohio just like you would with a traditional home. However, because you are running your business out of the shop, it will probably fall under something known as “dual use” construction. This means that you will have different tax rates for the portion of your home that is for residence and the portion that is for work. A tax assessor can help you find out what you should be paying for each part of your shouse. 

Where to Find Shouse Insurance in Ohio  

You should be able to get insurance for your shouse in Ohio anywhere you can get traditional homeowners’ insurance. However, depending on your business, you should look into getting specific clauses in your coverage that will protect your home from any eventuality having to do with the work you do. Work with an insurance agent to make sure that your policy has all the clauses you will need to protect your home and shop. 

Shouse Floor Plans in Ohio 

One of the most important things you will have to gather together for your shouse in Ohio is a floor plan. This is a complete layout of your shouse and will determine where things like the bedrooms and bathrooms are going to go. To get it started, write out everything you will need for your shouse including how big the shop needs to be and how many bedrooms and bathrooms you will need, as well as storage. Then, take this list to a professional draftsman. They will then turn your list of ideas into a workable floor plan that you and your builder can turn into the perfect house. 

There are so many shouse ideas to use for inspiration when it comes to your floor plan. These shouse floor plan ideas can help inspire you!

Conclusion

Hopefully, by reading this guide, you now have a good idea of what it takes to build a shouse in Ohio. By knowing this information, you can set yourself up for success and give yourself the best possible chance at building a shouse that will work for you, your family, and your business. 

If you would like even more information, be sure to check out the rest of Barndominiumlife.com. There, you will find more in-depth guides like this one as well as some more helpful tips and tricks from the pros including featured shouses. Getting as much knowledge as possible before you start is a great way to build the shouse in Ohio of your dreams.