Same problem as churches. The roof costs are astronomical, both internal and external aspects of the roof. The castle will have 2000 windows, all of which will need regular maintenance and because it’s a castle, the tradespeople will be more expensive. The hidden costs are the killer here.
The reason they are “cheap” to buy is all the maintenance cost indeed.
But not only that, they are also under what we call monumenten zorg in the netherlands, basically making it near impossible to make any big changes to the building. So for example you are not replace the original windows for ones with double glazing.
Owning a castle or any really old building in Europe sound more appealing than it really is.
Yep, in England, “listed building” status and depending on the level, you have to also have specific tradespeople in to do work and you have to maintain it to a certain standard. You don’t really own such buildings, you merely become the custodian and look after them.
Not that is nescessarily a problem if you know what you are getting into and willing too make the sacrifices to own such building.
I just hear about a lot of people that buy a 17th or 18th century farm or house for example and find out the are not even allowed to change to double pane glass because of it’s classification as monument.
The running cost on the other hand…
your think three running cost of a cabin are cheaper? look at Baba Yaga
I know nothing about architecture, but I imagine that the operating costs of a castle are very low given that they’re basically just a big rock.
Same problem as churches. The roof costs are astronomical, both internal and external aspects of the roof. The castle will have 2000 windows, all of which will need regular maintenance and because it’s a castle, the tradespeople will be more expensive. The hidden costs are the killer here.
The reason they are “cheap” to buy is all the maintenance cost indeed.
But not only that, they are also under what we call monumenten zorg in the netherlands, basically making it near impossible to make any big changes to the building. So for example you are not replace the original windows for ones with double glazing.
Owning a castle or any really old building in Europe sound more appealing than it really is.
Yep, in England, “listed building” status and depending on the level, you have to also have specific tradespeople in to do work and you have to maintain it to a certain standard. You don’t really own such buildings, you merely become the custodian and look after them.
Not that is nescessarily a problem if you know what you are getting into and willing too make the sacrifices to own such building.
I just hear about a lot of people that buy a 17th or 18th century farm or house for example and find out the are not even allowed to change to double pane glass because of it’s classification as monument.
Sure, people generally buy such property as a labour of love (and to show off), and not as your regular two-up, two-down!