longetalos writes "This article provides suggestions and information on how homes, manors and castles can be built. it provides modular options as well as time and material costs. It also includes some sample buildings.
An Excel worksheet is available in the Downloads section of Canonfire to quickly provide cost and time using the descriptions in the article.
This section provides the cost and time to construct various buildings,
structures and other large landmarks.
1.1.1
Material and Labor
Material cost includes the price of raw material (wood planks, stone
blocks, metal bars) as well as the finished components (wooden doors, locks,
glass panes, etc) that are used to complete the structure. Within the material
cost there is a reasonable amount for transportation and using material found
in the immediate area.
1.1.2
Material description
Frame, Cruck: Curved trees (i.e.
those not straight enough to be used for ships) are used to build an “A” frame
for the house.
Miscellaneous
material: This includes nails, cord/rope, support beams, hooks, etc. Material
cost is roughly 10 cp per m2 of area.
Roof, Slate: Stone shingled
roof. Takes about ½ man day per 1 m2. Material is 300 cp per m2.
Roof, Thatch: Simple thick straw
roof. Takes about 1/8 man day per 1 m2. Material is free.
Roof, Wood: Simple roof made of
wood planks. Takes about 1/4 man day per 1 m2. Material is 30 cp per
m2.
Wall, Brick: A simple clay brick
wall, roughly 20 cm thick (double set of bricks wide). The bricks (each is 60
mm tall, 200 mm long and 100 mm thick) are mortared together. It takes 160
bricks for a square meter of wall (double thick) and an average bricklayer can
place about 640 bricks in a day. Takes about ¼ man day per 1 m2 of
wall to put up. Material cost is 300 cp per m2.
Wall, Cob: A thick earthen
wall, usually 60 cm thick. It is built up 0.5 m in height, left to dry for a
week, then the next 0.5 m of material is added. This makes progress slow, but
not a large amount of work. Typically each layer is put on at once by a large
crew of laborers and then left to sit for a week, which means that it takes
about 1 month per floor of a home to complete. It takes about ½ man day per 1 m2,
for a 60 cm thick wall. Material is free.
Wall, Timber: A wooden wall,
usually 30 cm thick. It takes about ¼ man day per 1 m2, for a 30 cm
thick wall. Material cost is 150 cp per m2.
Wall, Stone: A thick stone wall,
typically used for defensive structures. The stones are mortared together.
Thicker walls have a sandwich of large mortared stones with smaller loose stones
filling the gap between the two sides. As these walls are thick, the wall
length when calculating time and material is measured from the middle of the
wall thickness.
·
Basic wall (1.5 meters): Takes about 1 man day per 1 m2
of wall to put up. Material cost is 500 cp per m2.
·
Thick wall (3 meters): Takes about 1. 5 man day per 1
m2 of wall to put up. Material cost is 750 cp per m2.
·
Curtain wall (6 meters): Takes about 2 man days per 1
m2 of wall to put up. Material cost is 1000 cp per m2.
Wall, Wattle and
Daub: A simple lattice of 4 cm diameter vertical poles and straw betweem
then. The whole is then covered in a mix of wet clay, sand and earth. Takes
about ¼ man day per 1 m2 of wall to put up. Material is free.
1.1.3
Labor rates
The average daily cost of workers on structures is a blend of the
various disciples needed. This would mostly include laborers, masons and
carpenters.
·
Basic cob construction with a wooden roof is mostly laborer
effort with some carpenter effort for shutters, doors and the roof (90% / 10%).
·
Basic wood construction is a blend of laborer (55%)
and carpenter (45%).
·
Basic brick or stone construction is a blend of
laborer (55%), mason (30%) and carpenter (15%).
1.1.4
Finishing
Buildings and Structures consist of more than just exterior walls,floors
and a roof – they also have windows, interior walls, fireplaces, closets, etc.
As such a factor must be applied to the time and material to build the
structure.
Empty: A structure with
one exterior door and an huge open space inside. It has no effect on the cost
of a structure.
Raw building: This improvement
consists of little interior work, a few interior doors and some windows. Mostly
this would be for warehouses (divided in sections), barns or stables. This
increases the material cost & labor time of a structure by 5%.
Simple finishing: This finishing is
for simple homes with a few windows, doors, a firepit, some dividing interior
walls, curtains for doors, etc. This is typical of peasant homes. This
increases the material cost & labor time of a structure by 15%.
Standard finishing: It has some
shuttered windows, lock on the outside door, closets, interior doors and walls,
bathroom, fireplace, etc. This finishing
is the standard improvements for a city house or craftsman’s home. This
increases the material cost & labor time of a structure by 25%.
Wealthy finishing: It has some
shuttered windows, glass in the windows, locks on the outside doors, closets,
interior doors and walls, bathroom, fireplace, better quality material,
plastered interior stone walls, etc.
This finishing is the improvement level for wealthier merchants and
lesser nobility. This increases the material cost & labor time of a
structure by 50%.
Luxurious finishing: This finishing is
the improvement level for the top tier of merchants and mid-level nobility.
This increases the material cost & labor time of a structure by 100%.
Standard workspace: This improvement is
for buildings that are used as work areas or shops. It has some interior walls,
counters to serve customers on, some structural changes adapted to the type of
industry being done in the building, etc. Mostly this would be for general
stores, taverns, or workshops that do not require large structural changes.
This increases the material cost & labor time of a structure by 25%.
Enhanced workspace: This improvement is
for buildings that are used as work areas or shops which require special
structural improvements. It would apply for a smithy which needs large furnaces
or jewelry stores which require advanced security. This increases the material
cost & labor time of a structure by 50%.
1.1.5
Selling price
The selling price of the sample buildings assumes it is purchased
directly from the owner or build from scratch by directly paying local workers.
If the building is purchased through a secondary merchant, there will be a
premium charged on the price. In addition, a wooden home in a desert would be
much costlier than one near a forest. If selecting a structure made out of
components not native to the area increase the cost & price.
1.1.6
Sample structures
House (peasant): This single story
building is home for many peasants living in hamlets and villages. The total
interior area of the building is 18 m2 (6 meters long and 3 meters
wide). The external walls are made of wattle and daub, the floor is directly on
the ground with covering of straw, the roof is made of thatch. The front door
is a thick curtain or a thin wood frame backed by furs. Windows are openings in
the walls with furs to cover them. The house consists of two rooms; one used
for sleeping, eating and cooking (4 meters long), and the other to keep any
animals and/or stores (2 meters long). The rooms are divided by a curtain or a
low wall. Interior Finishing is Simple.
Material Cost: 2 gp
Effort: 2.6 man weeks Selling Price: 21 gp
House (small cob): This is a single
story building where a simple guildsman or townsman would live with their
family. The total interior area of the building is 30 m2. The external
walls are 60 cm thick cob, the floor is directly on the ground with covering of
straw or clay tiles, and the roof is made of thatch. The front door is made of
wood with a warded lock. Windows are openings in the wall and covered by latched
wooden shutters. The interior walls are made of wood. There is a pair of closed
rooms for the family to sleep (each room is 8 m2) and a central area
for cooking and entertaining. Interior Finishing is Standard.
Material Cost: 4 gp
Effort: 7.3 man weeks Selling Price: 85 gp
House (medium cob): This is a two story
building where a village craftsman or merchant would reside. The total interior
area of the building is 80 m2 (i.e. 40 m2 per floor). The
external walls are 60 cm thick cob, the bottom floor is directly on the ground
with covering of straw or clay tiles, the top floor is made of wood, and the
roof is made of thatch. The front door is made of wood with a warded lock.
Windows are openings in the wall and covered by latched wooden shutters. The
interior walls are made of wood. On the ground floor there is a kitchen area, a
dining area and a separate living area. Upstairs there are three closed
bedrooms. Interior Finishing is Standard.
Material Cost: 35 gp
Effort: 25 man weeks Selling Price: 340 gp
House (small wood): This is a single
story building which is the typical home of residents in small towns. The total
interior area of the building is 30 m2. The external walls are 5 cm
thick wooden planking, all floors are made of wood, and the roof is made of wood.
The front door is made of wood with a warded lock. Windows are openings in the
wall and covered by latched wooden shutters. The interior walls are made of
wood. On the ground floor there is a kitchen area, a dining/living area and two
closed bedrooms. Interior Finishing is Standard.
Material Cost: 37 gp
Effort: 5.9 man weeks Selling Price: 190 gp
House (medium wood): This two story
building is a typical residence in small towns. The total interior area of the
building is 96 m2 (i.e. 48 m2 per floor). The external
walls are 5 cm thick wooden planking, all floors are made of wood, and the roof
is made of wood. The front door is made of wood with a warded lock. Windows are
openings in the wall and covered by latched wooden shutters. The interior walls
are made of wood. On the ground floor there is a kitchen area, a dining area
and a separate living area. Upstairs there are three closed bedrooms. Interior
Finishing is Standard.
Material Cost: 143
gp
Effort: 14.3 man weeks Selling Price: 600 gp
House (large wood): This is a three
story building is typically an inn or a large home in small towns. The total
interior area of the building is 240 m2 (i.e. 80 m2 per
floor). The external walls are 5 cm thick wooden planking, all floors are made
of wood, and the roof is made of wood roof. The front door is made of wood with
a warded lock. Windows are openings in the wall and covered by latched wooden
shutters. The interior walls are made of wood. On the ground floor there is a
kitchen area, a dining area and a separate living area. Upstairs there are closed
bedrooms. Interior Finishing is Standard.
Material Cost: 308
gp
Effort: 30.1 man weeks Selling Price: 1,300 gp
Log cabin: This is a single
story building is mostly found in wilderness surroundings or in frontier towns.
The total interior area of the building is 60 m2. The external walls
are made of 30 cm diameter logs, the floor is directly on the ground with
covering of straw, the roof is made of wooden. The front door is made of wood
with a warded lock. Windows are openings in the wall and covered by latched
wooden shutters. The interior walls are made of wood. On the ground floor there
is a kitchen area (3m x 6m), a dining/living area (4m x 6m), and two bedrooms
(3m x3m each). Interior Finishing is Standard.
Material Cost: 410
gp
Effort: 10.6 man weeks Selling Price: 1,200 gp
House (medium
brick): This two story building is typically an inn or the home of a wealthier
merchant found in towns. The total interior area of the building is 96 m2
(i.e. 48 m2 per floor). The external walls are double layered brick,
all floors are made of wood, and the roof is made of wood. The front door is
made of wood with a warded lock. Windows are openings in the wall and covered
by latched wooden shutters. The interior walls are made of wood. On the ground
floor there is a kitchen area, a dining area and a separate living area.
Upstairs there are three closed bedrooms. Interior Finishing is Standard.
Material Cost: 745
gp
Effort: 20.3 man weeks Selling Price: 2,200 gp
House (large brick): This three story
building is typical an inn or the home of a wealthier merchant found in towns.
The total interior area of the building is 240 m2 (i.e. 80 m2
per floor). The external walls are double layered brick, all floors are made of
wood, and the roof is made of wood roof. The front door is made of wood with a
warded lock. Windows are openings in the wall and covered by latched wooden
shutters. The interior walls are made of wood. On the ground floor there is a
kitchen area, a dining area and a separate living area. Upstairs there are
closed bedrooms. Interior Finishing is Standard.
Material Cost: 1,460
gp
Effort: 41.4 man weeks Selling Price: 4,400 gp
Storage shed: This is a single
story building is usually used as a barn
or a warehouse. The total interior area is 80 m2. The buildings
external walls are 5 cm wooden planking, the floor is earth, and the roof is
made of wood. The front door is made of wood and only latched. The windows are
openings with latchable wooden shutters. The interior walls are made of wood. Interior
Finishing is Raw.
Material Cost: 81 gp
Effort: 8.9 man weeks Selling Price: 300 gp
Shop, small (basic): This one story
building is used by craftsmen and shopkeepers where the shop is on the main
floor. The total interior area of the building is 30 m2. The
external walls are 60 cm thick cob, the floor is directly on the ground with
covering of straw or clay tiles, and the roof is made of wood. The front door
is made of wood with a warded lock. The interior walls are made of wood. The
windows are openings with latchable wooden shutters. The design varies from
shop to shop; a bulk cloth merchant would have a large door to accept
shipments, whereas a cobbler would not. Interior Finishing is Standard
Workspace.
Material Cost: 20 gp
Effort: 11.9 man weeks Selling Price: 175 gp
Shop, medium (basic): This two story
building is used by craftsmen and shopkeepers where the shop is on the main
floor and living area in on the second floor. The total interior area of the
building is 60 m2 (i.e. 30 m2 per floor). The buildings
external walls are 60 cm thick cob, the bottom floor is directly on the ground
with covering of straw or clay tiles, the top floor is wood, and the roof is
made of wood. The front door is made of wood with a warded lock. The windows
are openings with latchable wooden shutters. The interior walls and floors are
made of wood. Ground floor is the business area, Second floor is the kitchen/dining
room/living area and where the bedrooms are. Interior Finishing is Standard
Workspace.
Material Cost: 43 gp
Effort: 23 man weeks Selling Price: 340 gp
Shop, large (basic): This two story
building is used by craftsmen and shopkeepers where the shop is on the main
floor and living area in on the second floor. The total interior area of the
building is 160 m2 (i.e. 60 m2 per floor). The buildings
external walls are 60 cm thick cob, the bottom floor is directly on the ground
with covering of straw or clay tiles, the top floor is wood, and the roof is
made of wood. The front door is made of wood with a warded lock. The windows
are openings with latchable wooden shutters. The interior walls and floors are
made of wood. Ground floor is the business area, Second floor is the
kitchen/dining room/living area and where the bedrooms are. Interior Finishing
is Standard Workspace.
Material Cost: 109
gp
Effort: 40.2 man weeks Selling Price: 680 gp
Improved shop: These buildings are
similar to the basic shops except with brick walls (usually 20 cm thick), all
floors are made of wood, and the roof is made of slate. The doors are of better
construction and the business area is more intricate. The doors have pin
tumbler locks. They are used by blacksmiths, who are concerned with fire, and
jewelers, who are concerned with theft. Interior Finishing is Enhanced
Workspace.
Selling Price: 6x
Basic price
Fortified manor: These are fortified
manors that are used in a variety of ways. They come in different shapes and
sizes, each suited to a particular need.
They are used as banks, to defend manorial lords in dangerous lands, or
for other secure intentions. The walls are 1.5 meters thick stone. There are
few entrances and each are blocked by reinforced wooden doors. The windows are
arrow slits. The roof is covered in slate tiles to protect from fire. The roof
usually has crenellations to permit the defenders to attack foes. The interior
floors are made of thick wooden planks. Interior Finishing for manors is
Wealthy.
· Small fortified
manor: The total interior area of the building is 195 m2. Examples
include a three story tower, 10 meters high tower (+2 meters into the ground),
with 8 meters by 8 meters interior space on each floor (65 m2 per
floor), such as a Pele Tower. The walls are made of 1.5 meter thick stone, all
floors made of wood and the roof is made of slate. Designed to withstand short
sieges, they usually consisted of three storeys – a tunnel-vaulted ground floor
which had no windows which was used as a storage area, and which could
accommodate animals. The first floor contained a hall and kitchen, and the top
floor was space for living and sleeping. The battlemented roof (with crenellations)
was normally flat for look-out purposes, and to allow arrows to be fired at
raiders, and missiles hurled down on unwanted visitors.
Material Cost: 4,300
gp
Effort: 179.3 man weeks Selling Price: 16,500 gp
·
Medium
fortified manor: The total interior area of the building is 450 m2. Examples
include a three story L-shaped manor (150 m2 per floor). The
side tower oversees the entrance such that any foe approaching the entrance
door is attack from two sides. The main (long hall) part of the building has
interior space of 14 meters long by 9 meters wide. The side tower consists of 6
meters by 4 meters interior space.
Material Cost: 7,150 gp
Effort: 293.9 man weeks Selling Price: 27,500 gp
· Large fortified
manor: The total interior area of the building is 900 m2. Examples
include a three story Z-shaped manor (300 m2 per floor). The two
side towers allow for more complete defensive fire on any approach towards the
building. The main (long hall) part of the building has interior space of 17
meters long by 10 meters wide. Each side tower consists of 8 meters by 8 meters
interior space.
Material Cost: 13,730
gp
Effort: 564.7 man weeks Selling Price : 53,000 gp
1.1.7
Defensive buildings
As a point of interest to help design this section, there is a project
called “Project Gueledon” where they are building a castle from scratch in
France using medieval techniques. They anticipate a 4 tower castle, with a
gatehouse, a keep and a dry moat will take 1250 man-years of work.
·
Each tower is 14 m high, 7
meters diameter.
·
The curtain wall is 52
meters square.
·
The main keep is three
stories, roughly 30 meters long x 10 meters wide.
Castles: These structures consist of several buildings
all merged together, with the main objective to protect the inhabitants. They
come in various sizes and designs, mostly to fit the topographical environment.
· Concentric castles:
Also known as Crusader Castles.
· Shield castles
· Small keep: A small keep has an
enclosed area of 90 m2. The whole is surrounded by 3 meter thick
walls of stone. The walls are 4 meters high followed by 2 meter high
crenellations (which are 1 meter thick) – i.e. this permits 2 meters of free
surface area for the defenders to walk around on top of the walls behind the
crenellations. The keep has a reinforced wooden gate (3 meters high, 2 meters
wide) made of 20 cm thick wood. The gate is locked via a wooden beam socketed
on each side of the door. Within the enclosed area there is a Small Fortified
manor (wealthy interior) and three
single story stone buildings (stable, smithy, barracks).
Material Cost: 9,000
gp
Effort: 357.8 man weeks Selling Price : 29,000 gp
"