How Much Does It Cost to Build a Treehouse? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $7,000 - $100,000
The average cost to build a treehouse ranges from $7,000 to $100,000, with a national average of $8,000. Expect fully livable spaces to be on the higher end.
Whether it’s a playhouse, an office, a vacation getaway, or a tiny house alternative, it’s no small task to build a functional space in the canopies with plumbing and electrics. That’s why treehouse costs vary so dramatically. You might pay $400 for a basic DIY structure for kids or $300,000 or more for a state-of-the-art, fully appointed, custom-designed, liveable home in the trees. Let’s dig into the estimated costs of building a treehouse, plus when to hire a treehouse building professional.
- Average
- $8,000
- Low end
- $400
- high end
- $300,000
How Much Do Different Types of Treehouse Cost?
Building a basic treehouse for your kids to play in costs much less than a fully-appointed custom-built living space. The breakdowns below will help you get a handle on how much to budget.
Prefab Kits
You can find a simple kid's treehouse that’s ready to assemble for as little as $400. A non-insulated living space could set you back around $6,000 for the kit alone. With more advanced, custom-built prefabricated tree houses, the skies the limit with budget.
Traditional Kids Treehouse
Building a basic platform yourself from simple materials might cost around $400, and a fully enclosed, insulated structure built and fitted by the pros could cost anywhere from $4,000 to $15,000.
Functional Living Space
If you're looking to have an additional small office space with electrics but no plumbing, it could cost from $10,000 to $30,000+ depending on the quality of the materials and the level of contractor support you require.
For a tiny house for vacationing or living in full time, a realistic DIY starting budget would be over $30,000. You could spend between $100,000 and $300,000 for a high end finish completed by local general contractors or carpenters near you.
Building a Treehouse Cost Breakdown
Materials and labor are the major costs, but don’t get caught out by forgetting to budget for planning and permits.
Materials
Expect at least 40% of the overall project costs to go toward materials. The type of wood you select, the exterior and interior finishes, the amenities, and the shape and size of the treehouse all affect how much you spend on materials.
Labor
Expect the cost of hiring a treehouse builder to be 30% to 60% of your total budget. The final amount depends on the size and complexity of the build, the number of amenities you require in the treehouse, and the buying power of the individual contractors. If you need help installing a prefabricated treehouse, labor costs may be around 15% to 20% of the total budget.
Some of the labor costs to consider for complex, custom builds include:
General contractor costs: 10% to 20% of the project cost.
Electrician rates: $50-$100 per hour
Plumber costs: $45-$200 per hour
Design
For complex treehouses, expect to pay for design services. Look for architects or designers with experience in the field. Design costs can add up to 5% to 20% of the total project cost. Hiring an architect costs between $125 and $250 per hour.
Permits
For a large treehouse with amenities, you almost certainly need to apply for a building permit (and possibly other permits too). Whether you need one for a smaller, prefabricated structure depends on the local jurisdiction.
The cost of a building permit averages between $1,200 and $2,000. Costs vary depending on the state, city, or town you live in. In most cases, contractors obtain building permits themselves, but it pays to check directly with the local authorities.
Tree Removal
To ready a site for the project, nearby trees may need trimming or removing. Expect to pay $75 to $1,000 for each one needing trimming and $200 to $2,000 for tree removal costs.
What Affects the Cost of Building A Treehouse?
The following factors are some things that affect the cost of your treehouse build:
Shape, size, and build complexity—a 50 square foot rectangle costs much less than a 200 square foot octagon that connects to multiple trees or needs additional support
Site access
Height from the ground
Required amenities
Level of finish
Time of year—poor weather brings challenges, but contractor fees may be lower out of peak season
Location—materials and contractor costs are higher in Upstate New York than in rural Iowa.
Cost to Build a Treehouse Yourself
You can save a fair few dollars going down the DIY route—often as much as 60% off the total project cost. However, that doesn’t factor in the extra time it will take and the potential for further costs down the line if you don’t do a good job.
A basic kids treehouse, especially if it’s prefabricated, won’t be too daunting. A custom-built structure, especially one for living in, will probably be beyond your abilities, unless you have previous building experience. Even if you plan to do some work yourself, you may need architectural support for designs and specialist contractors to help with electrics and plumbing. Hire a local treehouse builder to create a custom design for your backyard adventures.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
While a romantic getaway in a vacation treehouse may sound appealing, building one to live in year-round comes with more challenges. However, a growing number of people are adopting this small-scale living approach to appreciate an off-the-grid, private lifestyle. It allows you to feel closer to nature in a sustainable, customizable, minimalist, and eco-friendly way.
Complex plumbing is tricky and expensive in an off-the-ground dwelling like this. By considering options like composting toilets, rainwater collection, and gray-water sinks, you save money and help the environment.
While it’s best to have access to large, healthy, strong trees in a safe position, treehouse living is still possible without them. Contractors can fit tree posts to build the structure onto or use posts as additional support alongside the trees themselves. If you’re in doubt about the suitability of the trees on your land, consult with a local treehouse builder before you start the project.