13 January 2023 , 13:36
493
0
A couple have made £45,000 after constructing a treehouse in their backyard and renting it out on Airbnb.
Will Sutherland and his wife Sabrina Hartley started the project in March 2021, spending the next eight months using second-hand material to construct the house.
The pair pulled on their previous DIY experience and turned to online forums for extra help to create the 163 square ft treehouse, which has a lofted bedroom to add room.
Having made £30,000 ($36,482) last year alone, Will has been able to give up his job as an audio-visual technician to become a full-time host.
"The thing is I've always had an interest in treehouses," Will, 38, from Shepherdstown, West Virginia, US, said.
World’s most popular holiday homes include glass cube deep in a forest canyon
Will has been able to give up his job as an audio-visual technician to become a full-time host (Jam Press/@willbillys)"When I bought my house I found a spot between two big trees above a rock outcropping and had a dream of building a treehouse there.
"I walked around the site for the first time, I saw two trees sitting over a rock ledge and thought that's where I'm going to put it.
"The trickiest part was getting the heavy materials, like the windows and roof trussing up into the structure.
The pair built the treehouse between two large trees (Jam Press/@willbillys)
The treehouse Airbnb under construction (Jam Press Vid/@willbillys)"But once it was all built I couldn't wait to get my first visitors in."
Guests can stay in the treehouse for £132-£206 ($160-$250) a night, depending on the time of year.
While the construction doesn't have any running water, it does boast a five-gallon water tank for hand washing and brushing teeth.
The couple said they have made £45,000 from the project (Jam Press Vid/@willbillys)The treehouse is in keeping with modern day necessities, and still provides Wi-Fi, air conditioning and an electric heater.
In order to give his guests - and his family - privacy, Will had built a shower-toilet bathhouse outside.
He said: "When I told Sabrina about the idea she was all for it so long as there was a separate bathroom outside.
Will and Vanessa were from Shepherdstown, in West Virginia (Jam Press/@willbillys)"So it had to be done."
Portugal to start major crackdown on Airbnb and other holiday rentals
The treehouse was proving a hit around the globe, getting thousands of views per month on Airbnb, and booking out months in advance.
Will added: "It's been a great decision, I'm so happy I did it.
The Airbnb is kitted out with a kitchenette (Jam Press/@willbillys)"It cost around $15,000 to build but I've happily made that back now.
"I get to see guests make wonderful memories and I have more free time to spend with my friends and family."