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Author Topic:   building costs
MacBradaigh
Member
posted 07-28-2000 04:56 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for MacBradaigh   Click Here to Email MacBradaigh     Edit/Delete Message
I thought I was the only "weirdo" ;o) who wanted to build a castle until I found this site! After reading all these great posts I have one question: What are the ballpark costs for these projects? I want to build a small....very small by castle standards....castle to live in. I am going to assume that building costs will be greater than building a regular custom house but to be honest, I have no clue as to just how much more. How would I begin investigating this?

Thanks.
MacBradaigh

duncan
Senior Member
posted 07-28-2000 06:51 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for duncan   Click Here to Email duncan     Edit/Delete Message
Cost varies as much as their are construction types,locations, and bank accounts. It's best to start with what is your basic needs as in floor space ect. Next what would you like to see in your new home and then the large and small architectural details can be facterd.
What type of construction would and can you afford will determine much of what comes next.
True castle construction may not work for you as it does for others. Some here are useing
contemporary building methods and going for the look of a castle. What used to be called a "Folly" in a bygone age.
A small castle of one type, say an L plan like Leven's http://www.castlelevan.com/ will cost about as much as a new home will here in the states, if the construction costs are kept vary low and you don't want 6 foot thick walls. Or one that resembles Provanhall can be built as economically. There are many styles to choose from.
My project has gone through so many changes sence i first posted here several years ago that it resembles the original only in name.
Things boil down to this, if your not well to do or rich , we are neither of those, how much work {and i really mean hard work} are you willing to put into your dream determines alot.
Let us know what you decide, we have floor plans, gallerys, ideas,and most of all,people who can understand the love of castles.
Best of luck

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Megan and Ralph
DUNCAN CASTLE

canadab
Senior Member
posted 07-28-2000 08:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for canadab   Click Here to Email canadab     Edit/Delete Message
The cost of construction is, as Duncan pointed out, dependant upon your desired materials and floorplan. If you want the look and feel without the expense, you can opt for a 'stick-built' home with a 'poured-stone' facade. These run about the same cost as a brick home of the same size plus about 5-10%. The trick is usually finding a contractor that won't scratch his head and wonder what kind of nut is he dealing with.(personal experience has shown that you can get a few chuckles from people when they see the layout and design specs.)Simply ask the local building codes office what the average cost per square foot construction costs are in your area for a brick home and multiply that by 1.1. That will give you a ballpark figure.

If you want the heavy construction of a real castle, be prepared to reach deep into your pockets. A regular housing contractor won't touch the job. You will have to hire a commercial contractor with heavy equipment. I hope you have a tidy sum set aside for the cost overruns these people routinely run up.

Hope we haven't scared you. I have been going round and round with permitting agencies myself. Big Brother is alive and well and has his greedy hand out.

Amberein

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If you can dream it, you can make it a reality.


duncan
Senior Member
posted 07-28-2000 09:39 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for duncan   Click Here to Email duncan     Edit/Delete Message
As pointed out in other posts the obtaining of permits are as varied as the location in which you want to build. Canadab has gotten far more than his share of legal problems and
how he has kept his sence of humor, i have no idea. What we ran into was someone hearing about our castle and building a houseing project to take advantage of the location. At that time we could move to a new site and did shortly there after.
In the construction of our castle we are utilizing the old ways, lime morter/lime concrete, 8 and 10 feet thick aslar covered with rubble filled walls, keyed arches, timber frameing, flagstones for most floors, and many modern conveniences, just to name a few items. I bring this up only to point out that in many areas this type of construction could not be done due to the materal cost and the building codes. It gives a person an insight to the politics of old and ours today.
As Candadab said and i agree, were not trying to scare you off from building, only giveing you an idea to help in putting together what you want and how you want to build your dream.

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Megan and Ralph
DUNCAN CASTLE

bnelle
Member
posted 07-28-2000 01:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for bnelle   Click Here to Email bnelle     Edit/Delete Message
This site is by a guy who builds castles or "follys" (or is the plural "follies"?)in the US. He also answers a lot of questions and has a good faq page with some price advice. For those building their own castles, he has a lot of good info.
http://www.castlemagick.com/

duncan
Senior Member
posted 07-28-2000 03:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for duncan   Click Here to Email duncan     Edit/Delete Message
His advice pertains to his type of construction, its cost and his location.
Where ever on this world i have seen the word used its plural is spelled folly. But the use
of language can change from one glen to the next.

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Megan and Ralph
DUNCAN CASTLE

MacBradaigh
Member
posted 07-28-2000 07:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for MacBradaigh   Click Here to Email MacBradaigh     Edit/Delete Message
Slainte!
Thanks for all the replies. I am quite sure I'll have to settle for building a folly or a really modified house plan as my pockets don't run deep enough to afford the real thing. Of course, should I win the lottery, that will all change.

This has me thinking...is there some sort of guild in existence that you can join to help build castles? I'm thinking more along the lines of bartering help building castles for others and in return you get help building yours. Sort of "Habitat for Humanity for the Medieval set" ;o)

(I'm a professional photog if anyone wants to barter...LOL)

Thanks again for the info!

Laureen MaBradaigh

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bnelle
Member
posted 07-28-2000 09:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for bnelle   Click Here to Email bnelle     Edit/Delete Message
Wow, that sounds like a really good idea. I don't know if one exists, but the people to ask MIGHT be the Society for Creative Anachronsims! Here is a link to the webpage.
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Lofts/3965/sca.htm

Please post what you find out, because I would love to join an organization where we could help each other build castles- it seems like that kind of undertaking takes all the help we can get...

bnelle

canadab
Senior Member
posted 07-30-2000 05:20 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for canadab   Click Here to Email canadab     Edit/Delete Message
I keep my humour by having faith that it will all work out. The hardest thing to me is justifying the expense. I have put nearly a half of a million dollars into the land and looking at another 150 grand before I even break the ground, provided, of course, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Corps of Engineers do not locate an endangered species in the local flood plain... then .. well... I could always become a sharecropper.

Amberein

As far as a Guild goes.. there are already professional associations of builders that enjoy being consulted on these projects. Look to the trade unions. They are really a great bunch of guys.

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If you can dream it, you can make it a reality.


gs2000!
Member
posted 06-08-2001 06:10 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for gs2000!   Click Here to Email gs2000!     Edit/Delete Message
I am desprite for some castle plans that I can use to build my own model of the castle so when I grow up, I will have a castle made from the model, if possible.

AJR
Senior Member
posted 06-08-2001 06:17 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for AJR     Edit/Delete Message
There are a few castle plans (blueprints) in the Photo Archive here, but I do have a good number on disc which I can download for you and send direct. If you have any specific requests, just let me know.

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