The thought of a treehouse brings up feelings of nostalgia. Back then, childhoods were filled with hours spent outside, reading, sharing stories, and playing with our friends and siblings in the much-loved treehouse.
The world has changed significantly since then, but the joy a treehouse will bring to your little ones is timeless!
Thinking of Building a Treehouse in Your Backyard?
If you’ve been toying with the idea of building a treehouse to recreate the magic for your kids, there are a few things you must consider.
Regulations
You generally don’t need a permit to build a treehouse as long as you’re not planning to connect water and electricity. However, if you’re part of a homeowner’s association, there may be rules and regulations regarding the size and other treehouse factors, so check with them before you begin building.
The Tree or Trees
The tree you’re planning to build the treehouse in is the most important thing to consider. Strong trees like maple, oak, hemlock, and beech are excellent options. Larger treehouses will require several trees, but if you only have one tree or if the trees aren’t close enough, it’s safer to stick to a small treehouse.
Ideally, the trunk should be about 12 inches in diameter to support an average-sized treehouse, which is around 96 inches by 96 inches. The trunk should be split into sturdy branches that will support the base of the treehouse.
Since your kids’ safety is paramount, it’s worth getting an arborist to come and have a look at the tree. The arborist will evaluate the tree and let you know if it’s healthy and sturdy enough to build a treehouse.
DIY or a Professional Builder
Whether you take on the project yourself or leave it in the hands of a professional is up to you. If you’re planning on building it yourself, you will need to have at least basic level carpentry skills and know-how to draw up a simple plan.
The other option is to go with a carpenter, handyman, or contractor who has the skills and know-how to do the job.
You may think it will be cheaper to do it yourself, but this isn’t always the case. If you’re not always dabbling in DIY projects, you probably won’t have all the tools and will need to buy them, which adds to the cost. Also, consider the time, trial and error, and work you may need to repeat many times before getting it right. It can cost you time and extra materials.
The Cost
The cost of building a treehouse varies depending on the size, the materials you use, and the contractor’s fee if you choose to outsource the project.
The average cost is usually between $7000 to $15,000, but it can be more or less.
If you haven’t been saving up for the treehouse and don’t have extra money to build it, there are several easy personal loans that you can take.
You should check your credit score before applying for a personal loan. It will give you a good idea of the kind of personal loan you can get. If your credit rating is good, you can secure a loan from a bank or a traditional lender with reasonable terms and a decent interest rate.
Personal loans are usually installment loans. It means you receive a lump sum and then have to pay an installment every month until the total amount, including fees and interest, is paid off.
You can apply for a loan at your convenience online or with a bank or lender in person, and if you’re approved, you can expect to receive the funds in between two to five days.
Another option is to use your credit card since you already have the existing line of credit. If you need to pay cash, you can withdraw funds at an ATM using your credit card as long as you have a pin code set on the card. You can set up the pin code online or with the bank or credit card company. You can also link your credit card to your banking app and transfer the funds into your checking account if you prefer to make direct transfers.
