Bespoke treehouses vs. pre-built treehouses – which is better?

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The magic and wonder of building a treehouse

We all have a time in our life, generally as a child, when we were faced with the wonder of a house in the trees. Whether you raced to reach the top and hide out all day with friends or stayed at the bottom and camped underneath the tree, there wasn’t much more magical than having a bespoke treehouse in the garden. Treehouses have become incredibly popular in the commercial industry over the last ten years. The latest holidaying and restaurant craze is staying or dining in a commercially built treehouse.

This month, Handmade Hideaways look at whether you should be purchasing your treehouses ‘off the shelf’ or if commissioning a professional team to build a bespoke treehouse for you is better for your budget and your business brand. There is no doubt that a treehouse large enough to sleep four or fit ten for dinner comfortably brings a sense of wonder and uniqueness to any business!

The pros and cons of bespoke treehouses

Let’s start by looking at the pros and cons of working with a professional team to build a bespoke treehouse for your business. Treehouses, particularly those used by public members, have to be made to specific safety standards to protect and support visitors and staff members. Commercial treehouses tend to have higher weight strength requirements as they need to hold equipment, furniture and people! By having a bespoke treehouse that matches your needs and conditions, you can be sure that your new treehouse addition is up to supporting people and furniture for as long as you need it to.

Working with a professional team like Handmade Hideaways also offers you the support of a team who are used to working in the industry. They will be able to advise you on elements including placement, support, timelines and the use of ethically sourced materials to build your bespoke treehouse. Your treehouse is more likely to have a quirky nature as you will be able to plan and add your unique touches by working with your chosen wood craftsman team.

As with anything built in a bespoke manner, your budget will need to be higher than if you were purchasing an ‘off-the-shelf’ treehouse. If you are looking for a show-stopping treehouse with customers returning time and time, you will need a bespoke treehouse that is custom built for your space and more likely to bring you a return on investment quickly.

Lastly, for bespoke treehouses, the construction and manufacturing part of your project takes time. This is because of the specific measurements that need to be taken and that your treehouse will be constructed from plans and not from a pre-built product in the warehouse. If you are looking for a quick fix that is up and functional before the end of June, a bespoke treehouse is unlikely to be the solution to your needs.

The pros and cons of pre-built treehouses

Pre-built treehouses offer some commercial benefits. For those looking for a cost-effective addition to their business, mainly if you are not interested in using it as a short-term holiday space or dining area, a pre-built treehouse could offer the space and luxury you need. As mentioned, pre-built treehouses will also be ready to use more quickly than their bespoke treehouse counterpart as they arrive ready-built (or ready-measured, at least)!

There are several limitations to purchasing pre-built treehouses, however. Whilst you may be able to paint the exterior and add some homely finishes, you will be limited on what else you can do with your pre-built treehouse. You are limited on design and space options when choosing off-the-shelf, and often, pre-built treehouses don’t meet the wants or desires that can be achieved with bespoke treehouses. You may also find that your pre-built treehouse doesn’t fit in your location and is not safe enough to be fixed into the trees for use as a dining area or holiday cabin.

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Handmade Hideaways are your bespoke treehouse builders in 2022

As your local bespoke treehouse builders, Handmade Hideaways will always recommend that you build your bespoke commercial treehouse for many reasons! Being able to design, plan and watch your treehouse grow as part of your successful business is incredibly exciting and having the support of an experienced team that will ensure every detail is meticulously planned and put into action leaves you feeling less stressed and able to enjoy the benefits your bespoke treehouses bring.

For over 24 years, we have worked with timber to complete a wide variety of projects for commercial and domestic clients. From summer houses to garden offices, timber playframes, to handmade homes, there isn’t much we don’t know about working with timber to create our client’s dreams. If you are thinking of adding a commercial treehouse to your space in 2022, get in touch with Handmade Hideaways today and discuss your requirements with a friendly team member.

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