The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Houses & Property

Acquire and build properties in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Our guide details securing pre-built homes and constructing custom estates, especially with Hearth.

Houses & Property

Owning property in Skyrim offers more than just a place to store your loot; it provides a safe haven, crafting facilities, and a sense of belonging in the vast northern province. With the Hearthfire DLC, you can even build your dream home from the ground up! This guide will walk you through acquiring pre-built homes and constructing your own custom estates.

Pre-Built Homes

These homes are available for purchase in the major holds and come fully furnished (or with options to purchase furnishings). They are excellent starter homes for any Dragonborn.

  • Breezehome (Whiterun)
    • Cost: 5,000 Gold
    • How to Acquire: Complete the quest "Dragon Rising" for Jarl Balgruuf. He will then grant you the right to purchase property in Whiterun. Speak to Proventus Avenicci, the Jarl's steward, to buy it.
    • Key Features: Conveniently located near the Whiterun marketplace and Dragonsreach. Can be upgraded with an Alchemy Lab and an Enchanting Table (purchased from Proventus Avenicci).
  • Vlindrel Hall (Markarth)
    • Cost: 8,000 Gold
    • How to Acquire: Complete the quest "The Forsworn Conspiracy" and then "Thane of the Reach" for Jarl Igmund. Speak to Raerek, the Jarl's steward, to purchase.
    • Key Features: Multi-level dwelling with a unique Dwemer aesthetic. Offers an Alchemy Lab and Enchanting Table.
  • Hjerim (Windhelm)
    • Cost: 12,000 Gold
    • How to Acquire: This house can only be purchased after completing the Civil War questline for the Stormcloaks, or by completing the quest "Blood on the Ice" and then joining the Stormcloaks or Imperial Legion. Speak to Jorleif, the Jarl's steward, to buy.
    • Key Features: Large, spacious home with plenty of storage. Be aware of the initial murder mystery associated with it!
  • Proudspire Manor (Solitude)
    • Cost: 25,000 Gold
    • How to Acquire: Complete the quest "The Man Who Cried Wolf" and then "Elisif's Tribute" for Jarl Elisif the Fair. You must also be Thane of Haafingar. Speak to Falk Firebeard, the Jarl's steward, to purchase.
    • Key Features: The most expensive pre-built home, featuring multiple floors, a balcony, and a prime location in the capital city.
  • Honeyside (Riften)
    • Cost: 8,000 Gold
    • How to Acquire: Complete the quest "Skooma Trade" for Jarl Laila Law-Giver (or Maven Black-Briar, depending on quest progression). You must also be Thane of the Rift. Speak to Hemming Black-Briar, the Jarl's steward, to purchase.
    • Key Features: Direct access to the Riften canal, a small garden, and a cozy interior.

Hearthfire Estates (Build Your Own Home)

The Hearthfire DLC allows you to purchase plots of land and construct three unique estates. Each plot costs 5,000 Gold and requires you to become Thane of the respective hold. These homes offer extensive customization, allowing you to add wings for specific purposes like an Alchemy Tower, Enchanting Tower, Library, Armory, or even a Kitchen.

Acquiring a Plot of Land

To purchase a plot, you must first become Thane of the hold it resides in. This typically involves completing quests for the Jarl and assisting the hold's citizens.

  • Lakeside Manor (Falkreath Hold)
    • How to Acquire: Become Thane of Falkreath. Speak to Nenya, the Jarl's steward, to purchase the plot. You may need to complete a quest for the Jarl first, such as "Rare Gifts" or "Kill the Bandit Leader."
    • Location: South of Riverwood, overlooking Lake Ilinalta.
    • Unique Feature: Features a fish hatchery, allowing you to breed fish for ingredients.
  • Windstad Manor (Hjaalmarch Hold)
    • How to Acquire: Become Thane of Hjaalmarch. Speak to Aslfur, the Jarl's steward in Morthal, to purchase the plot. You may need to complete the quest "Laid to Rest" first.
    • Location: North of Morthal, in the marshlands.
    • Unique Feature: Includes a fish hatchery, similar to Lakeside Manor.
  • Heljarchen Hall (The Pale Hold)
    • How to Acquire: Become Thane of The Pale. Speak to Skald the Elder, the Jarl of Dawnstar, to purchase the plot. You may need to complete the quest "Waking Nightmare" first.
    • Location: South of Dawnstar, near the border with Whiterun Hold.
    • Unique Feature: Comes with a grain mill, useful for crafting certain food items.

Building Your Estate: Step-by-Step

Once you own a plot of land, the real work begins. You'll find a workbench, a drafting table, and a chest with basic building materials on your new property.

  1. The Small House:
    • Interact with the Drafting Table to choose "Small House Layout."
    • Use the Workbench to construct the foundation, walls, roof, and door. You'll need materials like Sawn Log, Quarried Stone, and Iron Fittings.
    • Once the small house is complete, you can move on to the main hall.
  2. The Main Hall:
    • Return to the Drafting Table and select "Main Hall."
    • Construct the main hall using the Workbench. This significantly expands your home.
  3. Adding Wings:
    • With the main hall built, you can now add up to three wings to your house. Each wing occupies a specific side of the main hall (North, East, West).
    • Go to the Drafting Table and choose which wing you want to build (e.g., "Alchemy Tower," "Armory," "Library," "Kitchen," "Enchanting Tower," "Storage Room," "Bedroom," "Trophy Room").
    • Construct the chosen wing at the Workbench.
    • Strategy Tip: Plan your wings carefully! You cannot change them once built. Consider your playstyle:
      • Alchemist/Enchanter: Alchemy Tower and Enchanting Tower are essential.
      • Warrior/Collector: Armory and Trophy Room are ideal for displaying gear and unique items.
      • Family-Oriented: A Bedroom wing is necessary for adopted children.
  4. Interior Furnishings:
    • Once the exterior is complete, enter your house. You'll find an interior workbench.
    • Use this workbench to craft furniture, decorations, and amenities for each room. This requires a wide variety of materials, including Iron Ingots, Corundum Ingots, Glass, Goat Hides, Straw, and more.
    • Alternatively, you can hire your Steward (see below) to furnish rooms for a fee. This is more expensive but saves you the hassle of gathering materials.

    5. Building Materials

    Building your home requires specific materials. Many can be purchased, while others must be gathered.

    • Sawn Logs: Purchase from any lumber mill (e.g., Riverwood Mill, Half-Moon Mill, Solitude Sawmill) for 200 Gold per 10 logs. You can also chop your own wood at a wood chopping block and then ask a mill owner to saw it for you.
    • Quarried Stone: Found in veins near your property and other locations throughout Skyrim. Use a Pickaxe to mine it. Can also be purchased from your Steward.
    • Clay: Found in deposits near your property. Use a Pickaxe to mine it. Can also be purchased from your Steward.
    • Iron Fittings: Crafted at a blacksmith's forge using Iron Ingots (2 Iron Ingots = 10 Iron Fittings).
    • Hinges: Crafted at a blacksmith's forge using Iron Ingots (1 Iron Ingot = 1 Hinge).
    • Locks: Crafted at a blacksmith's forge using Corundum Ingots (1 Corundum Ingot = 1 Lock).
    • Straw: Purchased from general goods merchants (e.g., Belethor's General Goods in Whiterun).
    • Glass: Purchased from general goods merchants.
    • Goat Hides: Obtained by hunting goats or purchased from tanners/general goods merchants. Used to craft leather for various furnishings.

    The Steward

    Once your small house is built, you can appoint a follower as your Steward. This is highly recommended as they can greatly assist with your estate.

    • How to Appoint: Bring a follower to your property. Engage them in conversation, and an option to "Manage my house" or similar will appear.
    • Steward Responsibilities:
      • Purchasing Materials: Your Steward can buy Sawn Logs, Quarried Stone, and Clay for you, delivered directly to your property chest.
      • Hiring a Bard: For 1,500 Gold, your Steward can hire a bard to entertain you.
      • Hiring a Carriage Driver: For 500 Gold, your Steward can hire a carriage driver, providing fast travel from your home.
      • Furnishing Rooms: For a fee, your Steward can completely furnish individual rooms or wings of your house, saving you the material gathering.
      • Defense: Stewards will help defend your property from random attacks by bandits, wolves, or other creatures.

    Adoption

    With the Hearthfire DLC, you can adopt up to two children. To do so, you'll need a suitable home with a child's bedroom.

    • Requirements:
      • A house with a child's bedroom (either a pre-built home with the child's room upgrade or a Hearthfire estate with a Bedroom wing).
      • A bed for each child.
    • Where to Find Children:
      • Honorhall Orphanage (Riften): After completing the quest "Innocence Lost" (Dark Brotherhood questline), you can adopt children from here. Speak to Constance Michel.
      • Street Urchins: Several children in Skyrim's cities are orphans and can be adopted directly if you meet the home requirements. Examples include Lucia in Whiterun and Sofie in Windhelm.
    • Benefits: Adopted children will give you gifts, play games, and occasionally bring home pets. They also add a touch of warmth to your home.