The all-in numbers
A 500m² villa on a 1,500m² plot in Nueva Andalucía or El Paraíso, contemporary spec, finished and habitable, costs €2.6M–€3.8M all-in in 2026. La Zagaleta or El Madroñal: €5M–€10M+.
Breakdown
- Plot: €600,000–€1.8M (Marbella) / €2M–€5M+ (La Zagaleta)
- Architect + project management: 8–12% of build cost
- Construction (turnkey): €2,400–€3,800/m² built area (mid to high spec)
- Pool, landscaping, exterior: €120,000–€280,000
- Licences and taxes: 5–8% of build cost
- Furniture and AV: €150,000–€500,000
Personal help
Get matched with the right agent — free
Three steps, no obligations. We connect you with 1–3 specialist agents who actually work in your segment.
Start matchingTimeline
Plot purchase to handover: 24–36 months including licence wait (Marbella's town hall has improved in 2025–26).
What goes wrong
Licence delays add 6+ months. Spec creep adds 15–25%. Currency moves can swing the GBP/EUR budget materially over 30 months.
Worth it vs buying?
Generally, no — unless you genuinely cannot find what you want on the market or you're building inside a community where new builds trade at a 25%+ premium (La Zagaleta, Sierra Blanca). For most buyers, a turnkey resale costs 15–25% less.
Want personal help? Get matched with a specialist agent → · Book a buyer concierge →
Areas in this article
- Marbella guide6,800 €/sqm · +9.2% YoY
Book a concierge
Bespoke help through the entire process — from agent selection to signed deeds.
See packages
