How Much Does It Cost To Build a Beautiful Villa?

Normal range: $137,500 - $1,200,000

Building a villa can cost anywhere from $137,500 to $1,200,000, with the prices varying based on the size, materials, location, design, and more.

How we get this data
A modern villa with pool and garden
Photo: Luis Viegas / Adobe Stock
Jenna Jonaitis
Written by Jenna Jonaitis
Contributing Writer
Updated July 7, 2022
A modern villa with pool and garden
Photo: Luis Viegas / Adobe Stock

With sprawling terraces, gardens, and a mix of luxurious indoor and outdoor living spaces, villas are reminiscent of Ancient Roman times. Villas range in size and style and have a decidedly European design influence, typically featuring a patio or terrace and a garden. A detached villa that’s approximately 1,000 square feet costs $118,000 to $226,000 to build, while a luxury villa with a private pool costs between $110,000 to $1,750,000, depending on size and features.

See the price range for villas:
How we get this data
Normal range for U.S.
$137,500 - $1,200,000
  • Average
  • $156,000
  • Low end
  • $110,000
  • high end
  • $1,750,000
LOWHIGH

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Villa by Type?

3 villa types compared by cost, with detached being the least expensive

Detached Villa

A detached villa that’s approximately 1,000 square feet is a single-story home that usually includes a patio, garden, or terrace. Many villas of this size are two-bedroom villas. The home might be built near or within a community of other villas. 

Semi-Detached Villa

A semi-detached villa resembles a duplex structure (and may even be zoned as one) and usually has a patio, garden, and attached garage. The two units share a wall, and the home might be in an HOA. 

Luxury Villa 

A luxury villa is a custom home that’s often at least 3,000 square feet or more and made of high-quality materials and finishes. Generally, a luxury villa has a private pool, outdoor kitchen, patio, garden, and terrace.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Villa per Square Foot?

On average, it costs $110 to $226 per square foot to build a villa, whereas a luxury villa costs $267 to $583 per square foot to build. The cost per square foot depends on the type of materials, cost of labor, and location of your villa.

Villa Cost Breakdown

Grandfather and granddaughter walking
Photo: ferrantraite / E+ / Getty Images

When building a new home, labor usually accounts for 30% to 50% of the total construction cost, and materials account for approximately 50%. Here are the main construction costs when building a villa. 

Materials

The material list for a villa resembles the materials needed for any home. Here’s an estimate of material costs: 

MaterialCost per Square Foot
Lumber$1–$15
Concrete$4–$7
Drywall$0.40–$0.65
Flooring$1–$5
Siding$2– $15
Insulation$0.10–$1
Roofing$1,000–$3,000

Labor

General contractors typically charge between 10% and 25% of the total project cost. You’ll also need specialty contractors for different parts of the build: 

Specialty ContractorCost per Hour
Architect$125–$250 (or 5%–20% of the project cost)
Draftsperson$50–$130
Engineer$100–$200
Carpenter$75–$100
Roofer$40–$80
Electrician$50–$100
Plumber$45–$200
HVAC Technician$50–$100

Permits

You’ll also need to pull building permits before constructing your villa. Your general contractor typically handles the permit process and includes the price in their fees. The cost of permits ranges from $1,200 to $2,000.

Garden

Gardens are a signature feature of a villa, with professional landscaping costing around $75 per hour. Then factor in the additional cost for flowers, plants, and shrubbery. 

Swimming Pool

If you’re building a luxury villa, you’ll probably want a private inground swimming pool. Expect to pay $36,000 for a basic model or up to $100,000 for a high-end custom design. 

Expansive Deck or Patio

A patio or deck is a key feature of a villa, especially a luxury home. A large deck typically costs between $4,100 and $11,300, while large patios range from $2,000 to $12,000 depending on your materials. 

Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor kitchens enhance a luxury villa’s patio and outdoor experience. They typically cost between $5,500 and $22,200.

Cost to Build a Villa Yourself

Building a home requires extensive building material experience—you’ll need to ensure the villa design meets building codes, the foundation and framing can handle structural requirements, and that electrical and plumbing is safe and stable. In addition, building a house yourself can take a considerable time. 

Hiring a general contractor ensures your villa meets code and sticks to a budget and building timeline. A general contractor also tends to have strong relationships with other pros such as HVAC technicians and electricians that are necessary for a quality build. 

If you want to be a part of the building process and save on costs, you can do some of the finishing or exterior work yourself, such as landscaping your garden or installing tile flooring.  

How to Save Money While Building a Villa

Here are a few additional ways to save money when building a villa: 

  • Choose builder-grade materials instead of high-end finishes

  • Forgo some luxury features, such as an outdoor kitchen or private pool 

  • Split the costs of building a semi-detached villa with another homeowner

  • Tackle some of the work yourself, such as landscaping or painting 

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Learn more about our contributor
Jenna Jonaitis
Written by Jenna Jonaitis
Contributing Writer
Jenna Jonaitis is a professional freelance writer with over seven years of experience. She covers wellness, parenting, and lifestyle topics.
Jenna Jonaitis is a professional freelance writer with over seven years of experience. She covers wellness, parenting, and lifestyle topics.
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