Before planning a barndominium in Kendall County, establish the parcel jurisdiction, recorded restrictions, access and utility options. A tract near Boerne, Comfort or Fair Oaks Ranch may have different reviewing offices and private restrictions. This guide helps you prepare questions; it is not a parcel approval or a construction quote.
Start with the official development office
Kendall County Development Management lists residential development, septic (OSSF), access/driveway, floodplain, platting and other reviews. The office encourages pre-application meetings. Ask which applications and supporting documents your specific project requires before committing to a site layout.
For work inside Boerne, consult Boerne Permitting and Code Compliance. For another municipality, contact that city. Confirm any ETJ status and division of responsibilities directly; do not assume that city-limit rules apply unchanged outside the city.
Official sources reviewed October 3, 2026. Confirm current requirements and fees directly with the responsible office.
Bring these details to a pre-application discussion
- Parcel identification, address, survey and a sketch showing the proposed home, shop, driveway and utility locations.
- Intended use, living area, shop area and whether construction will be phased.
- Known drainage or floodplain concerns and the proposed access road.
- Water and wastewater plans, including whether service availability has been confirmed.
- Recorded restrictions and any association or architectural approval requirements.
Ask for the order of approvals, plan requirements and inspections, who may prepare required documents, and any conditions that affect starting work or occupying the home. Record the office, contact date and unresolved questions. Read our Hill Country permit guide for further planning context.
Price the site separately from the building
We do not have a verified current countywide construction-price survey. Use written, dated estimates based on your parcel instead of a single advertised square-foot rate. Ask qualified professionals what investigation is needed to assess foundation, excavation, drainage and wastewater conditions.
| Budget component | Question for the estimate |
|---|---|
| Site preparation and access | What clearing, grading, excavation, drainage and driveway work is included? How are unexpected conditions priced? |
| Water, wastewater and power | Who confirms service availability, designs the solution and pays connection or installation charges? |
| Design and approvals | Which plans, studies, professional reviews, permits and inspections are included? |
| Foundation and shell | Which structural system and site assumptions are used? Are doors, windows and weatherproofing included? |
| Interior completion | What insulation, mechanical systems, cabinetry, fixtures and finishes are specified? |
Keep a separate allowance for unresolved scope and discuss contingency with your project professionals. Our cost-planning guide, floor-plan guide and land-selection guide help organize the conversation.
Compare builders on the same information
Give each builder the same plans, area schedule, finish selections and available site information. Request a written scope with exclusions, allowances and change-order terms. Independently check current insurance, applicable registrations or credentials and recent comparable references. Ask who coordinates permits and inspections, and how progress and completion will be documented.
A directory listing does not establish a verified referral partnership. Use our builder directory as a starting point for your own research. For nearby planning details, see Boerne and Comfort.
Share a project inquiry
Hill Country Barndo Guide is a planning resource developing builder referral relationships. You may send a free inquiry; a match, quote or response time is not guaranteed. We will ask your permission before sharing your contact details with a specific builder.