Treehouse Trivia
In which states has Nelson Treehouse and Supply created treehouses?
In which states has Nelson Treehouse and Supply created treehouses?
The map below shows our activity as of early 2012.
Nelson Treehouse and Supply has attracted the best carpenters in the business. Not only are they fully capable craftsmen, they are first and foremost gentlemen that we are proud to send to any location - in the U.S. and around the globe - as our direct representatives. Once a plan and a budget are approved by the property owner (after a Site Visit and Design time), Nelson Treehouse and Supply can schedule a full build that takes the project from the drawing board to a fully finished treehouse.
In addition to privately owned, personal treehouses, Nelson Treehouse and Supply builds commercial structures as well. As treehouses become more accepted as a legitimate form of architecture, interest has grown in the hotel industry, bed and breakfast industry, and summer camp industry. Museums, public parks, playgrounds, zip line builders and attractions of all kinds have contacted us for treehouse design, building, and consulting. Market-savvy home builders are using treehouses to attract high-end home buyers, and land developers are adding treehouses to master planned communities to stand out among their competition.
While we do not aim to build every treehouse, we do wish to attract serious projects that recognize Nelson Treehouse and Supply as the leader in its field – or forest. We have a responsive design and planning team that can meet budgets and timelines, while retaining a flair for the appropriate style from contemporary to classic, from industrial to whimsical.
What about price?
The most common question we get regarding the building aspect of Nelson Treehouse and Supply is "How much does a treehouse cost?"
It varies, of course, but here is some information that may help answer the question. Our jobs are bid as Time And Material Estimates and we mark up both by 25 percent for profit and overhead. Expenses associated with transportation, lodging, and per diems are not marked up and are billed directly to the client.
Most treehouses - approximately 200 square feet of fully finished floor space on average - take anywhere from 600 to 1000 man-hours to complete, depending on the level of finish the client prefers. The average hourly rate for our carpenters is $55. As a rule, the cost of materials is almost equal to the cost of labor. Add to that the 25% profit and overhead figure on labor and materials, and then the expense of mobilizing and housing the crew (usually 20% of the total cost of construction).
Using the figures above yields a wide range; from $90,000 to $150,000 to complete a fully functioning, "year round" Nelson Treehouse. Not included in these figures are the costs of bringing utilities to the house. Nelson Treehouse and Supply is not licensed to perform electrical, gas, or plumbing work, though we can contract directly with sub-trades to see that these aspects of the job are properly completed. Also absent from these figures are Site Visit and Design expenses.
Hopefully this provides a basic understanding of the costs associated with building a treehouse. Keep in mind, Nelson Treehouse and Supply can build a very basic, platform-and-stair-only type of structure (for clients who want to build the rest of the house themselves), often for less than $20,000. We can also build a well appointed dwelling with detailed finish work and exotic materials that can total more than $300,000.
For those interested in a little more detail about some of the expenses mentioned above, here is a description of each cost-only item:
Lodging:
We take great pride in the people we have working in the field. We wish them comfort and happiness and thereby ask the client to provide a suitable place for them to stay. Occasionally the crew will stay on-site provided they have privacy and a warm shower at the end of the day. Local motels are more common accommodations, and even extended-stay hotels are common for larger projects. Internet connectivity is also important to stay in touch with work and family. Costs for lodging are passed on to the client without mark up.
Per Diem:
Each crew member receives a daily per diem to cover food, laundry and other basic living expenses. The amount of the per diem varies around the country, but it is generally $55 per day, per man. Per diem costs are passed on to the client without mark up.
Airfare:
Nelson Treehouse and Supply handles all travel itineraries and makes every effort to save money by booking early and scouring the websites for good deals. We are also happy to work with client's frequent flier credits if the client so desires. Nelson Treehouse and Supply otherwise observes the crew's wishes to accumulate personal miles on various mileage programs. Costs for air travel are passed on to the client without mark up.
Travel Fee:
Nelson Treehouse and Supply charges the client a one way, one time fee of $150 for each carpenter travelling to the build site. Depending on the size and finish of the treehouse, the crew includes 3 - 6 carpenters. The crew size is agreed upon by Nelson Treehouse and Supply and the client prior to the start of the build. Travel fees are passed on to the client without mark up.