Selected Works
Builds I led at Tree Top Builders — honest attribution on every project.
The Turret Treehouse
Chicago, IL
A storybook build crowned by a turret tower with an internal spiral staircase — cedar shake throughout, and a sloped main-house roof carrying three dormers. Called back for phase two, we added a pirate ship with a walk-the-plank auto-belay and a 100-foot zipline off a crow’s-nest tower.
- Signature
- Turret + spiral stair
- Cladding
- Cedar shake
- Phase two
- Pirate ship · 100′ zipline
- Role
- Lead builder
— Lead builder, Tree Top Builders
01 / 05
The Maryland Retreats
Western Maryland
Two bespoke, rentable treehouses set 500 feet apart in the woods near the West Virginia line — run as lead, both at once. Ample deck space above and below, a hot tub beneath each, lofts, two bedrooms, and full kitchens. Six months, and a build I still hold close.
- Units
- Two rentable houses
- Each
- 2 bed · loft · kitchen
- Outdoor
- Hot tub · dual decks
- Duration
- ~6 months
— Lead builder, Tree Top Builders
01 / 17
The Yellow-Cedar Treehouse
Massachusetts
Built into a steep grade with a dramatic drop from the main platform to the farthest. Alaskan yellow cedar rails and posts, a 12×14 deck with two octagon platforms joined by a rope bridge, Adirondack live-edge siding, and a cedar-shake roof. Interior finished by the owner, a former lumber-yard man.
- Deck
- 12×14 + two octagons
- Rail + post
- Alaskan yellow cedar
- Siding
- Adirondack live-edge
- Span
- 12–16′ rope bridge
— Lead builder, Tree Top Builders
01 / 05
Quality over time, every time.
Inquire to handoff. Five steps.
Honest estimates, milestone billing, and a written scope you can read in one sitting.
Inquire
Quick form, 24-hr response. Paid consultations / site assessments available without commitment to build.
Site visit
Paid consultation ($1,000+), credited toward your build. Tree assessment + site walk + written scope.
Design
Engineered drawings, scope agreement, materials list, phase invoicing schedule.
Build
Phase invoicing tied to milestones: foundation, framing, dry-in, finish.
Handoff
As-built docs, maintenance manual, year-1 warranty, your slot completed.
The estimate I quote is the price you pay. No hidden fees, no surprise change orders.
Dylan WhiteFounder
On every handoff
Every build, every time.
- 01 CAD + as-built documentation Engineering and finished-build drawings
- Standard
- 02 Engineered structural docs Where applicable for your jurisdiction
- Standard
- 03 Maintenance manual Specific to your trees and your structure
- Custom
- 04 Year-1 warranty Full coverage on workmanship + materials
- Year 1
- 05 After Year 1 Maintenance handled as change orders at posted rates
- Change order
Also available
Engagements beyond the main builds.
- 01 Consultations + site assessments Paid site visits without commitment to a build
- $1,000+
- 02 Renovations of existing treehouses Including structures I didn't originally build
- Quote-only
Field guide
Common questions, honest answers.
01 Do you handle permits?
Permits are the client's responsibility by default — local jurisdictions vary widely. I can handle permits as a paid add-on if you'd rather not deal with it. I'll always help and advise on the process at no cost, but I won't pull permits myself unless that's part of the scope you've paid for.
02 Who's responsible for tree health and property assessment?
By default, the client assumes all risk on tree condition and site suitability. I can perform a paid structural assessment as a separate scope. Without that paid assessment, I'm not on the hook if a tree fails post-build. This isn't legal boilerplate — it's how the risk is shared and why I price it that way.
03 What's the warranty?
Year 1 is full coverage on workmanship and materials. After Year 1, maintenance and inspections are handled as change orders at posted rates. The warranty doesn't silently expire — work is just rebillable after the first year. You get a written warranty document at handoff.
04 How long does a build take?
Depends on scope. A 200 sq ft single residential build is usually 8-12 weeks of on-site work after design is finalized. A 2-unit commercial install runs 14-18 weeks. I won't compress timelines to hit a date — quality over time, every time.
05 Where do you build?
Available nationwide. Priority states: PA, NY, TN, KY, WV, ME, NC, VA — but I'm not afraid to travel. I'll quote anywhere in the continental US. Travel costs beyond the primary service area are quoted as a line item.
06 What's the timeline from inquiry to build start?
24-hour response on the inquiry form on weekdays. Site visits typically scheduled within 2–3 weeks of inquiry. Design phase runs 2–4 weeks after the site visit. Build start is usually 6–10 weeks from your initial inquiry, depending on calendar.
07 Do you offer financing?
I don't finance builds in-house, but if financing matters for your project, talk to me at the site visit and I'll walk through the options that tend to work for custom builds.
08 What if scope changes mid-build?
Change orders are handled with written sign-off — never silent additions. If the scope grows, the cost grows, and you see exactly how before approving. This protects both of us.
09 How do you account for tree growth over time?
Live-tree builds use tree attachment bolts (TABs and similar) and engineered tolerance for tree movement. The structure is designed to move with the tree over years, not fight it. The maintenance manual covers what to watch for and when to call.
10 Can a treehouse be built in any tree species?
Most healthy hardwoods and some conifers work. Oak, maple, beech, hemlock, fir are common. I assess your specific trees during the site visit — species, age, condition, and root system all factor in. Some properties need a hybrid (partial ground support) and some don't.