Since the beginning of time, trees have been used by humans as a form of shelter. In more modern times, treehouses have become fun places for children and even adults to spend their time. Tree house builders design and build treehouse structures in trees. This includes everything from a child’s tree house fort, complete with zip lines and rope bridges, all the way up to small family homes.
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Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
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Start a custom treehouse business by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Custom Treehouse Business
- Form your Custom Treehouse Business into a Legal Entity
- Register your Custom Treehouse Business for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Custom Treehouse Business
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Custom Treehouse Business
- Get Custom Treehouse Business Insurance
- Define your Custom Treehouse Business Brand
- Create your Custom Treehouse Business Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your custom treehouse business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Custom Treehouse Business Name Generator
If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.
When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:
- Your state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability
It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
What are the costs involved in opening a custom treehouse business?
Your knowledge is the biggest asset to the company. If you’re considering a career in tree house building, you likely have years of education and experience under your belt; something that no one can put a price on.
In addition to your own knowledge, one of your biggest expenses will be building a team of employees who can expand that knowledge base. Customers are entrusting you to ensure their investment is safe and will last for years to come; hire those you can entrust with your life and your livelihood.
Given the niche group of customers you’re catering to, a strong marketing strategy will be critical from day one. Partner with an individual or company experienced in marketing for more specialized professions. Invest in a website from the beginning and offer prospective customers insight into the entire process. Your site doesn’t have to be huge and interactive at first, but it will be an integral part of your marketing investment. For a simple website, budget for between $4,000 and $6,000, depending upon your location.
If there are any specialty tools you need, now is the time to purchase those as well. This will include a few trucks to haul all equipment and team members from site to site. Make sure your business name and contact information is prominently displayed on each vehicle. This is a great way to get your business’ name out in the community.
What are the ongoing expenses for a custom treehouse business?
Many tree house companies operate with very little overhead. Traveling is often required, which can be built into the overall price of the project. If you decide to have a storefront for people to visit, you’ll have your standard expenses stemming from that. The largest ongoing expense will come from your marketing efforts. If this isn’t your strong suit, you will want to team up with a company who is well-versed in online marketing campaigns.
Additionally, an insurance policy is critical for protecting your company, customers, and staff. Speak with a qualified agent to discuss the specifics of your business, as there are a number of factors that influence the annual premium. Due to the nature of your business, these policies can prove to be quite expensive.
Who is the target market?
Unfortunately, not everyone will have the funds to commission this sort of project. Your clients will be those who love the outdoors, who are kids or kids at heart, and who have enough money readily available to finance the venture.
How does a custom treehouse business make money?
A custom tree house builder designs and constructs structures based on their client’s vision. Customers are billed based on a number of factors including time spent on design, quality of materials required, location, and size and scope of the project.
How much can you charge customers?
Each project will come with its own price tag, based on the specifics of the model you and your customer have designed. Many tree house builders operate under a full service business model. During the initial consultation, you will evaluate the area for a potential new structure at a set hourly charge. In the design stage, the elevation, floor plan, and platform plan are drawn up, typically for a set fee. Once construction begins, the designer can either subcontract the work out to a building contractor or choose to do the work themselves. Cost of this phase of the project is dictated by a number of factors and will vary from house to house.
There are a number of additional items to consider when setting the price for each custom tree house. The amenities, such as running water or electricity, that your treeshouse has will affect which type of building it is classified as. The classification of each treehouse will affect which permits will be necessary to obtain for that structure to be built. Since each permit costs a different amount, it is important to consider the classicification of each treehouse so that you can charge your customer an adequate amount that will cover the costs of all permits needed. To learn more on this subject, click here.
How much profit can a custom treehouse business make?
Tree house builders are part of a highly specialized field. It requires a great deal of knowledge and experience to be successful. Therefore, there’s a small pool of builders for clients to choose from. Consequently, these custom structures come with a hefty price tag, with some going for over a million dollars. Your profit is directly tied to your marketing efforts, how many custom jobs you take on each year, and how much of the process you perform yourself. Pete Nelson, Treehouse Master’s host, is reportedly worth over $5 million, proving that the sky’s the limit.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Some companies have reported higher earnings by integrating the following into their business plan:
- Focus your efforts on the design aspect, outsourcing the construction work to local construction businesses. By entrusting this stage of the job to a subcontractor, you’re able to take on more clients and grow your business faster.
- Offer tree house restoration services
- Offer tree house kit planning services. Custom design and sell blueprints and materials for the structure, leaving the construction aspect up to the customer.
- Sell standard tree house plans, along with all necessary materials
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your custom treehouse business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your custom treehouse business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?
Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
When starting a custom tree house company, certain state and federal licensing requirements may be required. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
Service Agreement
Custom treehouse businesses should consider requiring clients to sign a service agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and intellectual property ownership. Here is an example service agreement.
Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional service agreement for your custom treehouse business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.
Customer Safety
Although tree house safety is seldom regulated by state and local agencies, it is critical to uphold stringent safety standards to protect the wellbeing of your customers and their children. Some good tips on building safety can be found here. In addition, since constructing tree houses is an inherently high risk service, obtaining a good general liability policy should be a priority. Visit this link to more about insurance policies for custom tree house businesses.
Additional Legal Requirements
For conservation reasons, regulations may prohibit construction of tree houses supported by certain types of trees (sometimes known as a “tree preservation order”). It is important to become familiar with state and local laws in order to comply with such restrictions.
Due to the tree house not having plumbing or running water, it is considered a temporary structure which have the following restrictions:
- From ground level to the peak of the house, the maximum height restriction is 16 ft.
- Cannot build the tree house too closer than 20’ to a boundary line
If the structure is outfitted with permanent electrical lines or plumbing, the classification of the structure changes and has to meet a new caliber of safety qualifications. If the guidelines are followed, the structure should not require a permit to build. Learn more here.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Find out what types of insurance your Custom Treehouse Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Custom Treehouse Business.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market a custom treehouse business
Your work caters to a small demographic. Therefore, it’s important to reach as many potential customers as you can. To gain valued clients, you’ll need a portfolio of your work. To accomplish this, your company will want to create a few tree houses free of charge or at a reduced rate. Ask your satisfied clients to write testimonials that can be shared via social media and on your website. You’ll need to have a healthy online presence, so a blog centered around your work is also a great idea.
How to keep customers coming back
If you choose to have a storefront, make sure it’s located in a heavily trafficked area. Build a company tree house that is visible from the road, attracting potential clients as they pass by. You could also hold special events that will attract prospects from miles around. Once they’re able to view your work it will, hopefully, speak for itself.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
Individuals with a sound understanding of tree growth patterns, structural engineering, and a construction background are often a great fit for this type of business. Those who possess this knowledge and who enjoy being one with nature become the best candidates.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at a custom treehouse business?
While much of your time is spent in the actual construction of the tree house, there are a number of other tasks that will fill your days. Once you’ve gained a client, you’ll meet with them to get to know them on a more personal level. This helps you really understand their dream tree house and turn that vision into reality. While the customers have hired you, the tree itself is your most important customer. An inspection of the tree is critical to building a treehouse that is safe for everyone involved.
Once your meetings are complete, it will be time to design the custom tree house. Additional meetings will be necessary, until a contract for your services have been signed. At that time, construction will begin. Some tree house builders contract this aspect of the business out to a construction crew, while others jump in and get their hands dirty. Either way, your job as the owner will be to oversee construction from beginning to end.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful custom treehouse business?
Your job is to design a treehouse that is structurally sound and safe for both its inhabitants and the tree. Individuals seeking to start this type of business must have a firm understanding of mechanical engineering and construction principles. These skills are required for both the designing of the tree house to scale and being able to manage construction of the tree house. Carpentry is also a beneficial skill to possess in this line of work.
What is the growth potential for a custom treehouse business?
It’s important to remember that this is a highly specialized field. Each phase of the project will require your full attention. This will limit you in how many custom jobs your company can take on each year. However, the specialized nature of this career also affords you the opportunity to charge a high premium for your services, making it quite the lucrative business.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
How and when to build a team
Safety is the greatest concern in the custom tree house building business. You’ll need a knowledgeable team that consists of individuals experienced in dendrology, engineering, architecture, and woodworking. A majority of the work will take place in the trees, so everyone on your team should be cautious and respectful of this fact.
Useful Links
Industry Opportunities
- Discover more Unique Business Ideas
- Source for treehouse supplies
- Learn about more Family Fun Business Ideas!
Real World Examples
- Custom tree house business — full services
- Custom tree house Business — 2 Part Business Model — Hourly Consultation + Design Plan