This would be a good time to consult an architect.

Hmm. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but my husband and I recently looked into this at a property we were eager to buy. While I'm not sure the condition of your barn, we found it was going to be pretty expensive (150k in Maryland). If you get the property for a good price though maybe it would be worth it, but for 150k you can almost build a small, brand new house. Obviously a barn has more charm.

These folks: www.colonialbarn.com look like they have a fantastic repertoire of barn renovations in the New England area but caution against thinking that you'll save money by converting one vs. converting or remodeling a house.

I'd talk to them or another contractor. Tell them what you're hoping to accomplish and ask them to give you a ballpark figure (that's what we did). If you're barn is in good structural shape, won't need a ton of electrical, plumbing and insulation work, maybe it would be a good buy.

Rhode Island's (former lifelong resident here) real estate market though is in rough shape so you might get a good bargain on a livable home with colonial charm, acreage and potential for a good price.

Good luck - I share your dream so I hope you make it work!

-M

That is going to be EXPENSIVE. Especially when you take into account any condition issues. But you're talking major building, not just slapping up a few walls. Talk to several architects and design-build firms, no one here's going to be able to give you an accurate number (and no professional will be able to unless they see the place). Good luck, though!

It could be a FABULOUS project, but if neither of you bring personal expertise (say you have an architect in the family), you're going to have to farm it all out. That's going to require deep pockets and lots of time and patience (I wouldn't count on less than a year!). But seriously, good luck!

If it has a finished loft and a bathroom and studio and half bath on the ground floor, then it sounds like it is already at least partially converted into a livable space. And if it was used for town meetings, then it must be somewhat insulated?

Construction costs very wildly depending on what part of the country you're in, so you probably should just talk to contractors in your area. Angie's List is a good place to start collecting names if you don't know of anyone already.

Only you know your financial situation, and your ability to deal with this sort of project. Of course it is doable; many have done it before you. It will be expensive, and it will take time; will this be your home for the long-term?

Talk to some barn conversion experts, check out the barn conversion projects and articles at This Old House.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/tv/house-project/overview/0,,197946,00.html

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,1008291,00.html

Check out this blog: http://barehillbarn.blogspot.com/

And this book:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1861266014

Remember too, that it is not just a question of the costs of the conversion, there are also on-going costs. You will probably pay more for utilities (heating a huge volume like a barn will take a lot of energy, and you may not be able to achieve similar insulation levels as with a regular house).

But if you can swing it...!

Here are some more firms that specialize in conversions:

http://idenbarnhomes.com/barn-home-conversion.htm

If you really love it, you could always go ahead and move into the finished upstairs part and renovate chunks of the bottom as you are able to. Good luck!

I would consult a contractor or an architect, get them to give you a medium-case-scenario estimate of the cost. If you can comfortably afford it, I say go for it! If you think that might be stretching it, you might need to walk away, or consider what @veggiemar said above.

It sounds expensive and you really need to consult and architect and/or contractor. Like a REAL consultation where you pay them for their time and they go out to the property and do an evaluation (not you calling your contractor cousin for a 5 minute phone chat). I'd also recommend getting the book "Renovating Old Houses" because it deals with the unique challenges of renovating old and often decrepit buildings. It's pretty no-nonsense which sounds like what you need right now.

Also - make sure that local zoning and regulations would allow you to convert this into a permanent residence. You'll want to think about water and sewer/septic requirements too. The presence of a studio apartment doesn't mean that any of these issues were checked or resolved - do your homework before you find out that the project is technically feasible but illegal!

The only way you are going to save money on renovating is if you have the ability to do the work yourself and know how to manage works for the things you need. With all the multitude of steps you have to coordinate you must have expert help. Trial and error adds to the cost. I moved a house and thought I was going to get a real bargain but five years later I am still fixing mistakes and when you have to adapt old things to code, you would be better off starting new. Or if you want to save money, just get a mobile home. But if the charm, character, patina and challenge of a barn are irresistible to you, do it.

works = workers
Best of luck finding the right ones. There are a lot bums in the building trades.

You need to bring in an architect.

I did it. It cost 50K. It's heaven on earth.

Just do it right.

For one thing, you are going to need a really really good contractor and a really good architect. Talk to Jim Estes in Newport and Oldport homes. We use them for every project we do and they're just excellent. But it's going to be insanely expensive.

I'm confused. It already has plumbing and wiring and (presumably) winter-proofing. So what specifically are you trying to "convert"? Just the stable area?

I lived in a converted barn in my early 20s. The top floor was converted (like yours) and there was a kitchen/darkroom downstairs. The previous stable area was used as an uninsulated garage/storage. Since I didn't really NEED the space and didn't have the money at the time, we didn't bother to convert it. I'm sure if we'd stayed there, eventually we would have done the conversion as funds became available. But it begs the question: do you NEED that space, right now? Or do you have enough already-converted space to live there comfortably and convert the rest (or not) over time?

Oh. I just realized you don't have a shower/bath. That would definitely have to be done, and is never cheap. But could you get away with only doing that part right away?

I am going to wish you luck now. No offense but this is not only the most general question and you are asking it here where I don't think your average AT person has converted a barn into a living space. Sounds like you will not be doing the work yourselves.
You will need a budget to work with to see if it is realistic you will need to pay someone to help you with this.
As mentioned above-
Get a local architect that has experienced with barn conversions that can help you with the initial zoning and permit process. If you do not get proper permission you can be shut down during or after your construction. Even if a portion of the barn is finished does not mean it is up to code or zoned as a dwelling.

First thing first the roof, plumbing, electrical, site foundation, structure should be up to code and suitable for living. Have the architect draw up plans that include internal wiring and how you want to use the space, then discuss, schedule and misc.
Then hire a contractor have your architect recommend someone and pay them to come to the site and check the structure, have them look at the drawings and give you feed back. Get a cost for the construction and schedule. If you are comfortable with this contractor hire them or get two additional bids.

Are you going to live here during the construction? I don't recommend but being at the site and involved as things come up is important. Its expensive and really depends on what kind of outcome you want.

My barn is very basic with kitchen, bathroom, good roof, electrical and plumbing all work. But the rest is endless and ever going. Its not our full time residence and if it ever becomes it needs more money and time, the more of both again...

If you are posting this question on AT as a way to get advice, it seems that you are in WAAAAAY over your head.
If you are going to invest your hard earned money in this and is is going to be your primary (and only?) home, you need to get serious about consulting a professional whose advice will carry some weight.

I have one thing to add: heating bills. That is an ENORMOUS volume of space to heat (or cool, in summer). So ongoing maintenance and utility bills are another big consideration.

Is it doable? Yes but it can be costly. I have a cousin and a friend who each did the same in Maine and Vermont. Try to find someone in Rhode Island who's been through it, knows the pitfalls and the upside, someone who can put you in touch with tried & true resources in order to get some estimates. Whether or not your barn is historical you might find someone through this site:

http://www.preservation.ri.gov/barns/index.php

Also, in regard to heating, if you're not willing to put in radiant floor heat (which is expensive) and proper insulation then be prepared for very high heating bills or cold winters. Frankly, I wouldn't even consider a barn reno without radiant floor heating.

This is my dream, so my first inclination is to say, "Absolutely! Go for it!" You do, though, need to talk to experienced barn converting builders and have them look at your barn. A barn built in the 1940s isn't really that old, and the construction is probably not timber-frame in the same sense that one built in 1840 would be. That doesn't mean it isn't worth doing, just different. This is a dream of mine, and I know that when I have looked at newer barns to move, the barn builders have said it isn't worth it. Look for one with heavy timbers, pegs rather than nails, etc. Is this barn on a great piece of land, because that's important as well? Best of luck to you!