Who wouldn’t want to live in a castle filled with history, culture, and style? Living in a castle is a dream for many individuals.
But is this dream that far out of reach, or is it something that’s attainable? Read on for everything you need to know on how much a castle costs.
How Expensive Is a Castle?
Like any other property, the price of a castle will vary depending on the location, size, and other factors. However, you can find castles ranging from $300,000 to over $6 million. Building a small castle may cost you around $500,000 to $3 million.
What’s Considered a Castle?
Castles don’t have a specific definition in today’s market. In the past, they were considered fortified structures for nobility, royalty, and military operations. Castles might be defined as large, medieval structures fortified from attacks with towers, battlements, and thick exteriors.
How Large are Castles?
The size of a castle will vary just like any other property or house. The average castle can range from 2,500 square feet to well over 30,000 square feet. In fact, the largest castle in the world is the Malbork Castle, at 1,545,600 square feet.
How Much Land Do Castles Need?
It’s hard to pinpoint how much land or how many acres the typical castle sits on. However, 40-100 acres seems to be a sweet spot. You can find modern castles and chateaus on pieces of land ranging from 48 acres all the way to 98 acres.
Where to Buy a Castle
If you think it might be impossible to purchase a castle, think again! Finding the perfect castle isn’t rocket science, and there are multiple listings across the net. Here’s where you can buy a castle.
Real Estate Websites
You may be wondering where to find luxury listings if you’re in the market for a castle. A simple Google search of “Castles for sale” or “Castle listings” will suffice. Here are some websites to get you started:
- Christie’s International Real Estate: Christie’s International Real Estate is a luxury property listing website. They list offerings starting at $1 million or more.
- Castleist: Castleist is another luxury listing website. However, they specialize specifically in castles, castellis, and chateaus. Castleist lists options across the globe, including the USA and European countries.
- Le Figaro Properties: Le Figaro Properties is another popular luxury real estate site. You can find different castles, chateaus, and properties varying in the price range.
If you’re in the market for a castle, it’s probably best to consult your real estate agent directly. They’ll be able to provide you with more accurate and detailed information.
Countries to Consider
You’ll probably be looking at properties in European countries if you’re in the market for a castle. European castles are rich in history, culture, and aesthetic appeal. Some European countries to consider include:
- England
- France
- Germany
- Spain
- Italy
You can also find luxury castles in countries like Belgium, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. If you’re set in North America, there are castles here too. You can find select castles and chateaus in Canada, The United States, and even Mexico. You should consider looking at locations in South America as well.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Castle?
In most cases, it will be more affordable to purchase a pre-built castle. Building a personal castle is a very expensive endeavor. The price can vary depending on the size, location, materials, labor, etc. However, a small castle, not including land, will cost anywhere from $500,000 to $3 million.
A mid-sized castle can range upwards of $10 million. Large castles have no limit and will cost well over 10 million USD. Let’s break down some of the factors you should consider when building a castle.
Cost of Land
The location of your castle will play a key role in how much it costs. You’ll need to purchase land, go through any zoning criteria, figure out how to transport goods, etc. Be sure to thoroughly consider the location of your castle before moving forward.
Cost Per Square Foot
A castle isn’t like a typical home or mansion. Castles require much more work, labor, and materials. For those reasons, castles cost much more per square foot than a typical property. When it comes to building a castle, the average cost per square foot is anywhere between $300 and $650.
Be sure to factor this into your building plan and budget. Shaving off a few square feet might do you some good in the long run.
Labor and Materials
As mentioned earlier, castles take a lot of manpower and materials to build. The labor cost will depend on your location and average hourly wage. The material expenditure will also depend on what types you use and the quality.
Financing a Castle
You’ll most likely need to finance your castle, whether you’re building it or purchasing it outright. A castle might fall under non-standard constructions. This might make it harder to finance or receive a mortgage for a castle. Be sure to speak with a financial advisor for the most accurate information possible.
Can I Afford a Castle?
Castles will vary in price depending on the size, location, quality, and other factors. You can find castle listings online for as little as $300,000 to well over $10 million. When you factor in land, labor, and materials, building a castle isn’t that much more affordable. A small castle construction project may cost half a million to over $3 million. Mid-sized and larger castles will vary in price, ranging from $5 million to well over $10 million.