How much does it cost to build a treehouse yourself?

Last updated on January 19th, 2022 at 10:22 pm

A treehouse price ranges from $400 to 15,000. An average one is $7,700. However, the overall price depends on labor costs. You can hire an expert or approach the build as a DIY project. The structure size, material quality, and design complexity also influence the total. 

When setting up a prefab design yourself, expect to pay 400 to 1,600 for the kit. If you seek help from creating a build, from a pro, budget $4,000 to 15,000. Custom structures range from $25,000 to 100,000 or an average of $61,250. 

A small treehouse costs around $4,000 to 15,000 when built by a professional using raw materials. If you construct it yourself, you can save around 3,000 on labor. You need special tools if your budget allows. That can cost $100 to 200 per day to rent.

A Prefab Treehouse price includes a construction kit that runs from $400 to 1,600, depending on the size and style you want. If you have a pro install the wood kit, you may need to add $3,000 for labor. In total, it amounts to $3,400 to 4,600. The kits may attach to one tree or several and include additional support posts.

When it comes to custom Treehouse cost, specialty builders charge $61,250 on average. Custom builds range from $25,000 to 100,000. These include custom plans, materials, and labor, but do not cover the removal of nearby trees. If you want to cover the cost of tree removal, expect to pay $400 to 2,000 each.

Does a treehouse add value to a home?

Yes, a tree in front of a house increases the home’s sales price by an average of $7,130. That is just a standard tree, and if that tree is part of a beautiful, well-kempt landscape, it even adds more value than average. 

The home value increases by 6 to 11 percent. Even if the house is unlikely to affect the value of your home, it affects the way potential buyers view it. Know trees to go for if you aim to sell your house for more.

How do I build a budget treehouse?

Work on cost-cutting principles for building a Treehouse. Use your labor, make a simple design and look for affordable materials. 

Instead of buying lumber in-store, look for free lumber. You can have this from recycled structures or in the forest. Do not ignore quality and durability. Your free lumber should not compromise the mentioned qualities. 

Although you have to look for affordable materials, choose the materials for a treehouse. Make a balanced comparison between softwood and hardwood. The pros and cons of each have to work towards a positive result. 

When you have gathered your material and design, you may start planning your treehouse. Choose the right tree to avoid devaluing and compromising the durability of your house. 

Build a platform, establish structural support, install decking, add walls and roof. Finish the wall surface. Sometimes you are forced to omit access due to a tight budget. However, make sure there is some access. 

There are always some features lacking on your Treehouse when working on a low-budget treehouse. Expect to see features such as windows, slides, swings, and a porch missing. 

Can I build a treehouse on my property?

Yes, you can. If they are commercial tree houses, you must get a permit. If you are building a residential treehouse on your property, you might choose not to. 

Do you need planning permission to build a treehouse?

Yes, you need one. Planning Permission is a requirement for most treehouses. If the property is listed, you also need a listed building consent.

How much did Shaq’s Treehouse cost?

It cost two million to complete Shaq’s Treehouse. It is a man cave in the sky featuring a poker table. It comes with a stocked bar with moonshine-jug decanters and an electric humidor.

How long does it take to build a treehouse?

It takes 2-6 weeks. However, commercial tree houses and challenging building tasks take 6-12 months.

DIY vs Contractor Costs

DIY home renovation is more affordable than contractor costs. The labor costs of professional contractors run between $30 to 125 per hour. Their work can add up to hundreds or thousands of dollars. Consider if trading your time is worth that extra money.

How much does a treehouse cost built by Treehouse Masters?

For a custom build from Treehouse Masters, expect to pay $275,000 on average. Sometimes you can have these structures for $250,000 up to 400,000.

Treehouse Cost by Wood Type

The type and quality of the wood chosen determine the cost of your house. Affordable material makes affordable houses and vice versa. However, using affordable material does not mean making a poor-quality house. You can still have a better house out of it. 

Factors Affecting Price

• Building variables.
• Special features.
• Location.
• Structure.
• Size.
• Quality material.
• Design.
• Complexity.

Design

Your overall design determines the costs you incur. For a simple and functional design, make a plan without visiting a site. That flapper with single platform treehouses. Visiting a site attracts more charges. 

If you need an engineer, you incur more charges. A site visit lands you on $100 to 3,500, and a plan from an engineer ranges between $1,500 to 10,000. The minimum is a modest design, and the higher end is permit-ready plans.

Size

Size affects the home improvement project’s final cost. In a treehouse building market, it is affecting your total outlay. Make a decision on the size of treehouse you want. More lumber is required when the size increases. Bear in mind that work hours increase as well. The project requires stronger, tree attachments systems to accommodate the weight. That increases costs as well. 

Materials

Materials affect the cost. That goes down to the quality and availability of materials. However, you are still at liberty to make an affordable,  safe and effective treehouse. You can achieve this by using reusable and recycled products. You can also make one that is a magazine cover from composite wood. 

Height

If you are building a large, multi-level treehouse that is 5 feet off the ground, it costs less than the same structure built starting at 10 feet. Higher builds require more safety precautions, difficulty pulling up materials, more engineering, and additional time. That is why they are less affordable. Even a smaller difference in height affects the price. 

Access to the Site

Location costs correspond with mileage costs. The more time workers spend traveling than from work, the more you need to reimburse them. The farther the site is, the more you pay. Some jobs allow you to drive your truck to the site, whereas some require you to trek half a mile through. Some sites are not easy to access, and that can double the cost.

Complexity

Constructing a treehouse is not a walk in the park. It comes with difficulties and challenges along the way. These results work under an uneven surface or working on trees with multiple branches. Sometimes there are no spaces to set safety rigging lines. 

Special Features

Special features attract an additional cost since they take time, material, and tools for making. The more you minimize features on your house, the fewer costs you incur.