How Much Does a Treehouse Cost in 2024?
Highlights
Basic treehouse costs range from $7,000 to $15,000.
The average cost to build a simple treehouse is $7,400.
The main cost factors are size, design complexity, materials, features, and labor.
The most popular treehouse materials are cypress, redwood, and cedar.
Prefab treehouse kits are an affordable option with plenty of different designs.
Custom treehouses cost more upfront but offer more design versatility.
Adding electricity and plumbing increases the project cost.
On average, building a simple treehouse costs between $7,000 and $15,000, with most homeowners spending around $7,400. Costs increase for larger treehouses, custom designs, or extra features like electricity and plumbing. Treehouses offer a wide array of creative design potential, with options for children’s playhouses, adult cabins, and fully liveable structures.
Average Cost to Build a Treehouse
| Average Cost | High Cost | Low Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $7,400 | $15,000 | $7,000 |
Treehouse Cost Factors
Treehouse costs vary depending on the size and style of the treehouse, the materials used, and any additional features. You can choose from prefab and custom options—prefab is more affordable and requires less labor, while custom offers more scope for design options.
Size
Installing a treehouse costs around $75 to $500 per square foot for materials and installation. Prices vary dramatically based on whether you’re installing a premade or custom treehouse and whether you’re including luxury elements like plumbing and heating.
Although treehouse sizes and shapes vary, the following table offers some common price ranges for treehouse size:
| Treehouse Size (Square Feet) | Average Cost for Materials and Installation |
|---|---|
| Small (36–49) | $2,700–$10,000 |
| Medium (64–81) | $4,800–$20,000 |
| Large (100–144) | $7,500–$30,000 |
| Extra-large (150+) | $11,300–$60,000 |
Materials
The most popular treehouse materials are cypress, redwood, and cedar. Materials costs increase if you add extra features like wood treatments or finishes.
| Type of Wood | Average Cost per Board Foot |
|---|---|
| Cypress | $4–$9 |
| Redwood | $5–$20 |
| Cedar | $10–$30 |
Most treehouse builders recommend using pressure-treated lumber because it’s more resistant to moisture, decay, and insects compared to untreated wood. Cypress and redwood both offer an affordable option for pressure-treated wood. Cedar is the best option if you'd prefer untreated wood. However, a preservative should still be applied before installation to reduce the impact of weathering.
Design
There’s a wide range in treehouse complexity, from simple kids’ playhouse structures to fully liveable adult treehouses. The following table outlines average materials and installation costs for different levels of custom treehouse design:
| Design Complexity | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Simple playhouse | $6,500–$15,000 |
| Complex playhouse with electricity and embellishments | $20,000–$50,000 |
| Adult cabin with electricity and a finished interior | $60,000–$150,000 |
| Liveable cabin | $100,000–$300,000 and up |
Prefab vs. Customization
Prefab treehouse kits come in many designs and typically offer building options for spaces with one to four trees. Popular shapes for prefab treehouses include A-frame, square, hexagon, and octagon.
Basic prefab treehouse kits can start as low as $500 for the treehouse installation hardware, not including lumber or tools. All-inclusive kits typically range from $6,000 to $25,000 for all the necessary materials. You’ll still need to pay for labor costs for installation, which can add another $2,000 to $6,000 depending on the size and complexity of the kit and tree location.
Customized treehouses typically cost more but offer more creative options. A simple playhouse structure often starts at $6,000, while an adult treehouse with electricity and a finished interior can range from $60,000 to $150,000. Properties with trees in an unusual configuration can be difficult to pair with a prefab kit, so customization may be a more flexible option.
Features
If you plan to spend a lot of time in your treehouse, consider installing extra comforts like electricity and plumbing. Installing an underground power line to run power to your treehouse costs $10 to $25 per square foot while installing new plumbing pipes costs $450 to $1,800 per fixture.
Labor
When installing a treehouse, most labor costs involve hiring treehouse builders and master carpenters. These professionals typically charge $100 to $200 or more per hour, depending on the complexity of your project. If you’re building a custom treehouse with a complex blueprint, you may also need to hire an architect for an average of $100 to $250 per hour.
Additional Treehouse Cost Factors
In addition to the cost of building your treehouse, it’s important to consider how prep work, permits, and accessibility impact total costs. You may also want to include add-ons and accessories, which can increase your final cost.
Prep Work
Before you begin treehouse construction, it’s important to choose a safe tree. Many homeowners hire an arborist to select a tree or confirm that their chosen tree can support the weight of a treehouse. A single-tree report typically costs $150 to $450, or you can hire an arborist by the hour for an average of $100 to $250 per hour.
If the tree needs trimming before treehouse installation, you’ll likely pay between $200 to $1,800. Other landscaping costs an average of $50 to $100 per hour.
Permits
Depending on your location and the project's complexity, you may be required to obtain a construction permit. In most cases, a permit isn’t required for a simple playhouse, but it may be necessary for larger cabins or liveable treehouses. You may need to obtain additional permits for electricity and plumbing features.
Most treehouse building permits cost $500 to $2,000. Consult your local permitting office to learn about the required permits for your project.
Height & Accessibility
Generally, treehouses installed more than eight feet from the ground incur an extra cost. This is because professional installers must bring equipment and scaffolding to build at that height.
Other accessibility challenges, like difficult-to-access trees or uneven ground around the trees, can also raise labor costs because it takes extra time to move materials and set up equipment. If you have several trees in your yard that may work for a treehouse, look for trees on flat, accessible ground rather than trees near hills or other landscaping challenges.
Treehouse Accessories
Once you’ve built your treehouse, you may want to add unique and creative elements for even more fun. Some popular treehouse accessories include:
| Treehouse Accessory | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Rope ladder | $50–$150 |
| Rope bridge kit | $300–$2,000 |
| Zipline kit | $250–$2,000 |
| Climbing net | $50–$300 |
| Fireman’s pole | $60–$150 |
| Swing | $40–$300 |
| Slide | $150–$700 |
| Rock climbing wall | $400–$1,500 |
| Solar string lights | $20–$60 |
Does Building a Treehouse Increase Home Value?
Adding a treehouse to your home can be a wonderful way to increase enjoyment, and it may add value for the right buyer. However, building a simple treehouse doesn’t guarantee an increase in home value. It depends on the buyer’s tastes, so if you’re considering building a treehouse, choose the design that adds the most benefit to your life.
A fully liveable treehouse may have a higher likelihood of increasing home value. These types of units can be rented or used as guest spaces if they meet all the appropriate inspection requirements. If you’re not planning on selling your home but want to increase your treehouse's return on investment, renting out your treehouse can be another option to add value to your project.
Budgeting for a Treehouse
While most treehouse construction is best done by professionals, there’s plenty you can do to keep your project budget-friendly:
Opt for a prefab design: If your trees and property allow for a prefab treehouse kit, this can save you a significant amount on custom design and installation. With plenty of styles to choose from, you can explore sizes, build options, and special features.
Avoid building too high: Most treehouses about six feet high deliver the classic treehouse experience without incurring extra labor charges. Avoid building higher than eight feet—costs start to increase significantly around this height.
Clear the building site in advance: Limited accessibility increases labor costs, so remove brush, yard items, and other obstructions before your build team arrives.
Choose affordable materials and look for deals: The type of wood you choose greatly impacts costs, especially for large treehouses. Due to its affordability, pressure-treated wood is the most popular option for most decking. Talk to your contractor to see if they have access to better lumber prices.
Stay on top of maintenance: Regularly inspecting your treehouse, removing debris from the roof and deck, and checking for damage can prolong its life and help you avoid repair costs. If your treehouse has plumbing, drain the pipes to avoid freezing damage in the winter.
Contact multiple building pros: Talk to several general contractors in your area and compare treehouse installation quotes to get the best price.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Building a treehouse does cause some strain on the tree because it has to adapt to the heavy structure. However, if the treehouse is designed well, the tree should be able to recover from any installation damage. Choose a strong and healthy tree and use tree attachment bolts to connect the treehouse. This reduces the risk of strain or infection on the tree.
Treehouse building times depend on the size and complexity of your treehouse and whether you’ve chosen a prefab or custom design. A simple child’s prefab treehouse can take as little as two days to a week, while larger designs typically take two to six weeks. Custom designs add time for drafting, while features like plumbing and electricity typically add several days. Designing and installing a fully liveable treehouse can take several months to a year.
Look for strong, healthy trees with a diameter of 12 inches or more. Thanks to their sturdy trunks and limbs, some of the best types of trees include maple, oak, hemlock, and fir. Avoid softer trees like poplar and willow because they’re not as well suited to carrying weight. An arborist can help you select the best trees on your property for building a treehouse.
A well-constructed treehouse can last 10 to 25 years or more. The lifespan of your treehouse depends on the quality of materials used and maintenance habits. For example, adding a weather-proof treatment may help extend the life of the lumber. Treehouses in areas with harsh weather conditions, like frequent storms, may wear faster than those in mild climates.
