Treehouse FAQ
- What kind of tree is needed?
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Certain trees are much better than others at supporting a treehouse. That said, a treehouse can be safely constructed in almost any tree. There are many options available to us. In fact, one doesn't even need a tree ... a perfectly magical structure can be built on elevated posts, just as your typical deck would be.
- Will this harm my tree?
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An ISA Certified Arborist will be onsite throughout construction to insure no unnecessary harm is done to your tree. Trees are amazing survivors and can easily overcome the few carefully placed holes that are necessary. In fact, your tree will thrive after a visit by Artisan because we carefully prune before starting work and later mulch the roots with leaf compost.
- How does this process go?
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Firstly, an ISA certified arborist performs a site visit and inspects any and all possible sites. Once approval is received, we begin the design process. Designers draw on input from the homeowners and their children, as well as deep wells of experience and creativity. Once a design is approved (which may take several iterations), planning permission is sought if required by the municipality. Once the legal hurdles are past, building begins in earnest. In a few weeks, you'll have a one-of-a-kind structure for the enjoyment of you and yours.
- Do you charge for the initial site visit?
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Actually, we do. For a site visit, tree inspection, and design consult we charge at least $100. How much depends on where, exactly, you are located. For those within driving distance, we use a formula of $50 * round trip drive time. If we have to fly out, you pay all expenses and time. You will be met by an Artisan arborist and treehouse designer (often the same person). While there we will discuss the health of your trees, work through various design ideas, and possibly climb a few trees for inspection and measurement.
- How much are we talking here?
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These are custom structures built in difficult circumstances - high above the ground with precious little to stand on. That said, we can build you a magical aerie for as little as $2k. More typical is $5-10k. There is no upper limit. The premier treehouse builders in the world, The TreeHouse Company in England, have built incredible structures costing several hundred thousands of dollars.
- How long do your treehouses last?
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We build our treehouses for longevity. Every part of the building process is approached with this goal in mind. However, trees are living organisms and change their shape over time. This, coupled with the inherent danger of heights, makes it imperative that your treehouse be regularly maintained. Artisan recommends that you have us perform a yearly inspection of your structure. With regular maintenance, we would expect our structures to last at least 15 years.
