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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The material list for a villa resembles the materials needed for any home. Here’s an estimate of material costs:
| Material | Cost 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 |
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 Contractor | Cost 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 |
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.
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.
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.
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 kitchens enhance a luxury villa’s patio and outdoor experience. They typically cost between $5,500 and $22,200.
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.
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
Popular flooring types for villas include tile, engineered hardwood, laminate, and vinyl. Tiles are often made of ceramic, terra cotta, or porcelain. The flooring you choose for your villa depends on your budget, the room, and the style you prefer.
Villa exterior features often include large windows, arched doorways, patios, terraces, greenery, and gardens. Common exterior colors for villas are whites and off-whites, soft browns, and clay tones.
Clay tile roofing is common for traditional villas, while flat roofs are more standard for modern villa homes. Clay tile roofs are long-lasting, require little maintenance, and are great for warmer climates. Flat roofs are usually low-cost, energy-efficient, and allow for rooftop gardens.
