Skyrim:Construction

Building a house

This page details the construction information for building your home. This applies to the plots of land you can buy in the following holds: Falkreath, Hjaalmarch, and the Pale.

Overview

When you first arrive on your property, you will find a drafting table, carpenter's workbench, anvil, chest, and log pile to aid you in construction. The chest contains 30 clay, 1 corundum ingot, 6 iron ingot, and 30 quarried stone. The log pile contains 20 sawn logs. The provided materials are enough to build, but not furnish, the small house. You can either purchase additional lumber from merchants at wood mills or cut it yourself if given permission from the mill owner; the sawn log used in construction does not show up in your inventory, appearing instead as a "Log Pile" on your property. If you own more than one property, the same log supply will be shared between them. Clay and quarried stone can be obtained by mining Clay Deposits and Stone Quarries (both of which provide an infinite supply); these are present near your home and throughout Skyrim. You must use iron ingots to craft hinges, iron fittings, nails, and also corundum ingots to create locks at a forge or anvil. Glass, goat horns, and straw may be purchased from general goods merchants or Khajiit traders; goat horns are also dropped by goats.

The visual design of the house is the same no matter where you choose to build, with each of the three houses requiring the same materials. The Small House layout contains basic living amenities, such as somewhere to sleep and eat. The Main Hall provides furnishing options for the main crafting amenities, so it is not necessary to choose a wing addition specifically for one type of crafting.

All furnishing options for each room are in predefined locations and, with the exception of standard items which appear in your inventory, they cannot be moved. However, you may choose not to purchase or create certain furnishings in order to dictate your own style in each room, allowing a moderate level of flexibility and design.

The Small House layout must be built before adding a Main Hall, and the Main Hall must be built before adding any additional wings. Each house can have a maximum of three additional wings added to a completed Main Hall, creating a possible 27 different wing combinations, with three different options for each wing. Six of the nine options for wing additions include an exterior rooftop area, either a patio or balcony depending on the addition.

Building Options

• Small House: A small one-room house, with options to build a bed for sleeping, a firepit and cooking pot, one display case, and basic storage (7 useable containers). After completion, you may add exterior amenities detailed in the Exterior section below. These can be added at any time, whether you expand with further additions to your home or not.
• Main Hall: A much larger two-level building that is added on to the initial Small House. It contains two staircases to each side of the main room, with separate areas in the back on each level. You may add a large bed and two small beds, as well as an alchemy lab, an anvil, an arcane enchanter, a bookshelf with space for 54 books, a fireplace with cooking pot, a mannequin and two weapon plaques, and eight display cases. The Main Hall can include up to 66 useable containers for storage, excluding the Entryway and Cellar. After completion, you may remodel the original Small House room into an Entryway, add a Cellar, and construct additional wings on three sides of the home.
  • Entryway: After building the Main Hall, you may choose to remodel the Small House room into an Entryway, with options to build two display cases, four single weapon racks, and 8 useable containers.
  • Cellar: An optional addition to the Main Hall, which can include all smithing amenities, an archery target and practice dummy, an armor mannequin, a set of five weapon racks, two weapon plaques, one display case, two mead barrels, an altar for holding your own personal shrines to the Divines, a coffin for sleeping (if a vampire), and 43 useable containers.

East Wing Additions

• Armory: Includes an exterior patio area on the roof. You can build five armor mannequins, two weapon plaques, two sets of four weapon racks, four display cases, two tanning racks, a workbench, a grindstone, and two archery targets. The armory can include up to 18 useable containers for storage.
• Kitchen: Includes a fireplace with cooking pot and the only available oven in the game for baking, as well as the only churn for providing butter. You can add up to 16 useable containers for storage. A number of food items are added along with other furnishing options.
• Library: A tower including a rooftop balcony area. You can build five tall bookshelves (4 shelves x 11 books each) and four smaller bookshelves (2 shelves x 11 books each) with storage for 308 books total. An additional 8 useable containers can be added for storage.

North Wing Additions

• Trophy Room: Allows the display of three large and four small trophies. You can also add one display case and up to 16 useable containers for storage.
• Storage Room: Includes an exterior patio area on the roof. You can build three useable display cases, and add up to 46 useable containers for storage.
• Alchemy Laboratory: A tower including a rooftop balcony area. You can build an alchemy lab and up to 42 useable containers for storage. A number of food and ingredients are added along with other furnishing options.

West Wing Additions

• Bedrooms: Includes an exterior patio area on the roof. You can add one double bed and two child beds, two display cases, and up to 17 useable containers for storage.
• Greenhouse: Allows for the planting and growing of certain plants indoors. You can build three large planters (four plants each) and six small planters (one plant each) with room for 18 plants total. You can add four display cases and up to 25 useable containers for storage.
• Enchanter's Tower: A tower including a rooftop balcony area. You can build an arcane enchanter, four soul gem braziers, two display cases, an armor mannequin, a weapon plaque, and a set of three weapon racks. You can add up to 13 useable containers for storage.

Small House Layout

You must begin any construction with the Small House Layout. Select the plan from the drafting table, then proceed to the carpenter's workbench to construct each part. When you complete the house, you will have one chest for storage inside, even without adding any furnishings.

House
Small House Layout	Step	Parts		Materials
	1		Foundation	Sawn Log, 10 Quarried Stone
			Wall Framing	6 Sawn Log, 10 Nails
	2		Walls	2 Sawn Log, 8 Nails, 4 Clay
	3		Floor	4 Quarried Stone
			Roof Framing	6 Sawn Log
	4		Roof	10 Nails, Sawn Log
	5		Door	Iron Fittings, Sawn Log, Lock, 2 Hinge, 2 Nails
Total Materials:	30 Nails, 17 Sawn Logs, 14 Quarried Stone, 4 Clay, 2 Hinges, 1 Iron Fittings, 1 Lock (6 Iron Ingots, 1 Corundum Ingot)

Exterior

The exterior additions to your home become available after completing the Small House Layout. You do not need to choose a plan at the drafting table; just go straight to the carpenter's workbench. The location of your exterior additions in relation to your house varies for each piece of property; details can be found on each individual house page. Unless otherwise noted, each addition adds the same features for each house.

Exterior
Parts		Materials	Notes
	Animal Pen	Sawn Log	Adds Tanning Rack. See this page for details on adding animals.
	Armorer Workbench	2 Quarried Stone, Iron Ingot, Sawn Log
	Apiary	2 Sawn Log, Nails, 2 Straw	Only available at Lakeview Manor. See house page for details.
	Fish Hatchery	3 Quarried Stone, 3 Sawn Log, 4 Nails	Only available at Windstad Manor. See house page for details.
	Mill	2 Quarried Stone, 2 Sawn Log, 2 Iron Fittings	Only available at Heljarchen Hall. See house page for details. Appears as "Grain Mill" and can be used to make Sack of Flour.
	Garden	Sawn Log	11 Plots. Information on what can be planted can be found here.
	Grindstone	Quarried Stone, Sawn Log, Iron Fittings
	Smelter	2 Iron Fittings, 5 Iron Ingots, 6 Clay, 4 Quarried Stone	Also adds Anvil at Windstad Manor.
	Stable	3 Sawn Log, 5 Nails	Windstad Manor version includes one barrel for storage. You must build a stable before your steward can buy you a horse.

Main Hall

If you wish to expand your home past the Small House Layout, you can do so by choosing the Main Hall plan at the drafting table, then constructing parts at the carpenter's workbench. The Main Hall is considered complete after steps 1-6 in the table, but you can expand further by adding a cellar. In addition, you have the option to "remodel" the Small House Layout portion of the house if you choose. The Main Hall consists of two floors, with a firepit on the first floor, bedrooms on the second floor, and options to furnish the inside with an alchemy lab, an anvil, and an arcane enchanter.

House
Main Hall	Step	Parts		Materials
	1		Door	Iron Fittings, Sawn Log, Lock, 2 Hinge, 2 Nails
	2		Foundation	4 Sawn Log, 30 Quarried Stone
	3		Floor	6 Quarried Stone
			Wall Framing	16 Sawn Log, 20 Nails
	4		First Level Walls	4 Sawn Log, 16 Nails, 8 Clay
			Second Floor Supports	6 Sawn Log, 10 Nails
	5		Roof Framing	10 Sawn Log
			Second Level Walls	12 Nails, 8 Clay, 4 Sawn Log
	6		Roof	25 Nails, 2 Sawn Log
Total Materials:	85 Nails, 47 Sawn Logs, 36 Quarried Stone, 16 Clay, 2 Hinges, 1 Iron Fittings, 1 Lock (11.5 Iron Ingots, 1 Corundum Ingot)
(Optional)			Cellar	8 Sawn Log, 50 Quarried Stone
			Remodel House into Entryway	No materials needed. Available after steps 1-6 are complete (with or without cellar). Clears anything already furnished inside. Adds different furnishing options (see this page for details).

Additions

After completing the Main Hall (no cellar required), you have the option of building up to three additions to your home: the East Wing, North Wing, and West Wing. Each wing has three style options: a two-level tower with access to small rooftop balcony, a single-level interior with large rooftop patio, and a high-ceilinged single-level interior space.

East Wing

You can choose one of three options for the East Wing of your home: the Armory, the Kitchen, or the Library. The Armory has a rooftop patio, the Kitchen is a single-level high-ceilinged room, and the Library is a tower. See individual pages for details on furnishing choices for each option.

Addition: East Wing
Option	Step	Parts		Materials
Armory	1		Doors	3 Iron Fittings, 3 Sawn Log, 3 Lock, 6 Hinge, 6 Nails
	2		Foundation	2 Sawn Log, 10 Quarried Stone
	3		Floor	4 Quarried Stone
			Wall Supports	7 Sawn Log, 8 Nails
	4		Roof	4 Quarried Stone, Sawn Log
	5		Walls	3 Clay, Sawn Log
Total Materials:	18 Quarried Stone, 14 Nails, 14 Sawn Logs, 6 Hinges, 3 Clay, 3 Iron Fittings, 3 Locks (10.4 Iron Ingots, 3 Corundum Ingots)
Kitchen	1		Doors	2 Iron Fittings, 2 Sawn Log, 2 Lock, 4 Hinge, 4 Nails
	2		Foundation	2 Sawn Log, 10 Quarried Stone
	3		Floor	4 Quarried Stone
			Wall Supports	8 Sawn Log, 8 Nails
	4		Roof Framing	4 Sawn Log
			Walls	3 Clay, Sawn Log
	5		Roof	8 Nails, Sawn Log
Total Materials:	20 Nails, 18 Sawn Logs, 14 Quarried Stone, 4 Hinges, 3 Clay, 2 Iron Fittings, 2 Locks (8 Iron Ingots, 2 Corundum Ingots)
Library	1		Doors	3 Iron Fittings, 3 Sawn Log, 3 Lock, 6 Hinge, 6 Nails
	2		Foundation	2 Sawn Log, 8 Quarried Stone
	3		Floor	4 Quarried Stone
			Main Supports	10 Sawn Log, 10 Nails
	4		First Floor Walls	Sawn Log, 3 Clay
			Second Floor Supports	4 Sawn Log, 12 Nails
	5		Second Floor Walls	2 Sawn Log, 6 Clay
	6		Roof	Sawn Log, 4 Quarried Stone
	7		Roof Canopy	Sawn Log, 6 Nails
Total Materials:	34 Nails, 24 Sawn Logs, 16 Quarried Stone, 9 Clay, 6 Hinges, 3 Iron Fittings, 3 Locks (12.4 Iron Ingots, 3 Corundum Ingots)

North Wing

You can choose one of three options for the North Wing of your home: the Alchemy Laboratory, the Storage Room, or the Trophy Room. The Alchemy Laboratory is a tower, the Trophy Room is a single-level high-ceilinged room, and the Storage Room has a rooftop patio. See individual pages for details on furnishing choices for each option.

Addition: North Wing
Option	Step	Parts		Materials
Alchemy Laboratory	1		Doors	3 Iron Fittings, 3 Sawn Log, 3 Lock, 6 Hinge, 6 Nails
	2		Foundation	2 Sawn Log, 8 Quarried Stone
	3		Floor	4 Quarried Stone
			Main Supports	10 Sawn Log, 10 Nails
	4		First Floor Walls	Sawn Log, 3 Clay
			Second Floor Supports	4 Sawn Log, 12 Nails
	5		Second Floor Walls	2 Sawn Log, 6 Clay
	6		Roof	Sawn Log, 4 Quarried Stone
	7		Roof Canopy	Sawn Log, 6 Nails
Total Materials:	34 Nails, 24 Sawn Logs, 16 Quarried Stone, 9 Clay, 6 Hinges, 3 Iron Fittings, 3 Locks (12.4 Iron Ingots, 3 Corundum Ingots)
Storage Room	1		Doors	3 Iron Fittings, 3 Sawn Log, 3 Lock, 6 Hinge, 6 Nails
	2		Foundation	2 Sawn Log, 10 Quarried Stone
	3		Floor	4 Quarried Stone
			Wall Supports	7 Sawn Log, 8 Nails
	4		Roof	4 Quarried Stone, Sawn Log
	5		Walls	3 Clay, Sawn Log
Total Materials:	18 Quarried Stone, 14 Nails, 14 Sawn Logs, 6 Hinges, 3 Clay, 3 Iron Fittings, 3 Locks (10.4 Iron Ingots, 3 Corundum Ingots)
Trophy Room	1		Doors	2 Iron Fittings, 2 Sawn Log, 2 Lock, 4 Hinge, 4 Nails
	2		Foundation	2 Sawn Log, 10 Quarried Stone
	3		Floor	4 Quarried Stone
			Wall Supports	8 Sawn Log, 8 Nails
	4		Roof Framing	4 Sawn Log
			Walls	3 Clay, Sawn Log
	5		Roof	8 Nails, Sawn Log
Total Materials:	20 Nails, 18 Sawn Logs, 14 Quarried Stone, 4 Hinges, 3 Clay, 2 Iron Fittings, 2 Locks (8 Iron Ingots, 2 Corundum Ingots)

West Wing

You can choose one of three options for the West Wing of your home: the Bedrooms, the Enchanter's Tower, or the Greenhouse. The Bedrooms have a rooftop patio, while the Greenhouse is a high-ceilinged single-level addition. See individual pages for details on furnishing choices for each option.

Addition: West Wing
Option	Step	Parts		Materials
Bedrooms	1		Doors	3 Iron Fittings, 3 Sawn Log, 3 Lock, 6 Hinge, 6 Nails
	2		Foundation	2 Sawn Log, 10 Quarried Stone
	3		Floor	4 Quarried Stone
			Wall Supports	7 Sawn Log, 8 Nails
	4		Roof	4 Quarried Stone, Sawn Log
	5		Walls	3 Clay, Sawn Log
Total Materials:	18 Quarried Stone, 14 Nails, 14 Sawn Logs, 6 Hinges, 3 Clay, 3 Iron Fittings, 3 Locks (10.4 Iron Ingots, 3 Corundum Ingots)
Enchanter's Tower	1		Doors	3 Iron Fittings, 3 Sawn Log, 3 Lock, 6 Hinge, 6 Nails
	2		Foundation	2 Sawn Log, 8 Quarried Stone
	3		Floor	4 Quarried Stone
			Main Supports	10 Sawn Log, 10 Nails
	4		First Floor Walls	Sawn Log, 3 Clay
			Second Floor Supports	4 Sawn Log, 12 Nails
	5		Second Floor Walls	2 Sawn Log, 6 Clay
	6		Roof	Sawn Log, 4 Quarried Stone
	7		Roof Canopy	Sawn Log, 6 Nails
Total Materials:	34 Nails, 24 Sawn Logs, 16 Quarried Stone, 9 Clay, 6 Hinges, 3 Iron Fittings, 3 Locks (12.4 Iron Ingots, 3 Corundum Ingots)
Greenhouse	1		Doors	2 Iron Fittings, 2 Sawn Log, 2 Lock, 4 Hinge, 4 Nails
	2		Foundation	2 Sawn Log, 10 Quarried Stone
	3		Floor	4 Quarried Stone
			Wall Supports	8 Sawn Log, 8 Nails
	4		Roof Framing	4 Sawn Log
			Walls	3 Clay, Sawn Log
	5		Roof	8 Nails, Sawn Log
Total Materials:	20 Nails, 18 Sawn Logs, 14 Quarried Stone, 4 Hinges, 3 Clay, 2 Iron Fittings, 2 Locks (8 Iron Ingots, 2 Corundum Ingots)

Achievements

Achievements related to construction are:

• Landowner^HF (10 points/Bronze) — Buy a plot of land
• Land Baron^HF (10 points/Bronze) — Buy three plots of land
• Architect^HF (10 points/Bronze) — Build three wings on a house
• Master Architect^HF (10 points/Bronze) — Build three houses
  • Note that you must construct all three wings on each of the three houses to get credit for this achievement.

Gallery

Exterior

• 

  Bare plot

• 

  Foundation

• 

  Wall framing

• 

  Walls

• 

  Floor and roof framing

• 

  Roof

• 

  Small house

• 

  Main hall construction

• 

  Main hall foundation

• 

  Main hall wall framing

• 

  Main hall first floor walls

• 

  Main hall roof framing

• 

  Main hall roof

Interior

• 

  Small house / entryway interior

• 

  Main hall interior

• 

  Second floor

• 

  Cellar

• 

  Cellar, second room

Notes

• Building and fully furnishing a house requires a lot of supplies. In particular, you will need a large supply of iron. While you can construct the Small House and Main Hall layout with just 17.5 iron ingots, it will cost you an additional 139.5 ingots to fully furnish them. And building the additions will cost between 24 and 37.2 ingots to construct (depending on your choices), or up to a total of 80.7-143.5 ingots to construct fully furnished, for a grand total when all is said and done of 237.7-300.5 ingots. (The Library, Trophy Room, and Enchanter's Tower are the least expensive additions to build and fully furnish, while the Armory, Storage Room, and Bedrooms are the most.) Multiply these numbers by three if you plan to build all the houses, and you can see they can get quite high.
  • This means that you should be stockpiling iron at every opportunity. Visit every blacksmith on a regular basis and buy out their entire supply of iron ore and ingots. Carry around a Pickaxe at all times and mine every vein you see. The Halted Stream Camp is a particularly good place to stock up. Try to avoid using the Transmute Mineral Ore spell too much - silver and gold are useful, but you'll never need nearly as much of it as you need iron. Also don't waste your iron and corundum ore making steel ingots. You should be able to easily get enough steel from vendors, but iron (and to a lesser extent corundum) are needed in large quantities in home construction.
• It's advised to finish building or furnishing each part at one time to avoid some unnecessary bugs.
• Building a house was originally developed as part of the Game Jam.

Bugs

• Items crafted on the workbench for the exterior will be removed from the list of what can be made but will either appear outside and then vanish, or not appear at all. ^?
• The menu for the exterior carpenter's workbench may be blank, even if there are items available. ^?
  • Exiting the menu and selecting the workbench again may fix this. If the problem persists, try this fix multiple times.
• The carpenter's workbenches may have items that you already have built listed as being available. ^?
  • Exiting the menu and selecting the workbench again may fix this. If the problem persists, try this fix multiple times.
• If you construct the Main Hall, and then partially construct one of the wings but do not complete it (the first-floor walls at least must be built), then if you enter the house and leave via one of the doors into the partially built wing, you may find yourself "inside" the house but in the outside cell.
  • You can usually reenter the Main Hall by the same door you left through, or in some cases you can jump through the walls to get out. Alternatively, you can fast travel anywhere (since you're technically "outside") if you're really stuck.