Couple make £45k by renting out treehouse they built in their garden on Airbnb

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Will and Sabrina
Will and Sabrina's Airbnb was now booking out months in advance (Image: Jam Press/@willbillys)

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.

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Couple make £45k by renting out treehouse they built in their garden on AirbnbWill 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.

Couple make £45k by renting out treehouse they built in their garden on AirbnbThe pair built the treehouse between two large trees (Jam Press/@willbillys)
Couple make £45k by renting out treehouse they built in their garden on AirbnbThe 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.

Couple make £45k by renting out treehouse they built in their garden on AirbnbThe 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.

Couple make £45k by renting out treehouse they built in their garden on AirbnbWill and Vanessa were from Shepherdstown, in West Virginia (Jam Press/@willbillys)

"So it had to be done."

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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.

Couple make £45k by renting out treehouse they built in their garden on AirbnbThe 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."

Olive Loveridge-Greene

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