CASTLES CAREY - FAQs

The most commonly asked questions ...

Q. When can you start?

A. Normally within a few weeks but this may well be longer in the middle of the summer. The start date can only be given on confirmation of the quote.

Q. How long will it take?

A. Normally one to two weeks, depending on what is to be built. We will give an estimate at the time of the quote.

Q. How far will you travel?

A. We build tree houses and wooden garden structures from Scotland to the Mediterranean.

Q. Do I need planning permission?

A. This is a grey area at best! The simple rule of thumb is that if there are no complaints about the structure then you have no problems. It is a temporary structure and as such, so long as it is hidden then no planning is required. If a neighbour takes exception to the structure, for whatever reason, and informs the council you will almost certainly have to apply for retrospective planning.

Q. If we decide to apply for planning permission will you do the application?

A. Yes. We will be happy to be involved in the process from start to finish. There will be specific costs involved.

  • Planning application fee
  • Cost of the elevation drawings.

Q. What maintenance is needed?

A. All the timber we use is pressure treated and will last a long time BUT like any building, particularly wooden, the more you look after it the longer it will last. We suggest a thorough clean of the deck every couple of years and then a complete soaking with a clear wood preservative over the whole structure. The advantage of using a colourless preservative is that you can be very generous in your application and make sure that all nooks and crannys are well and truly soaked. Wood rot mainly happens in joints where the timber remains wet.

Q. Do I need a tree?

A. The simple answer is ‘no’. We have built some wonderful free standing structures.

Q. Do you attach the tree house deck to the tree?

A. Yes we do attach the deck to the tree. We use zinc coated screws which do not react with the sap and do not harm the tree. We have had many site meetings with Council tree preservation Officers and all have been content with our methods.

Q. What is the tree house made from?

A. We use Douglas fir for all structural timbers except for legs, where necessary, when we use Larch trunks. Ordinary pine for joists etc Larch for Waney edge and feather board and Cedar (surprisingly!) for Cedar shakes for the roof.

Q. Will you design my tree house even though we have ideas of our own?

A. Most people have already thought about what they want before we come and see you on our initial visit. Almost always the end result is a mixture of your ideas and our ideas. If you would like us to design everything and help you from the first step then that would be our pleasure.

Q. How high do you normally build a tree house?

A. We normally build at about 3 metres or 10ft. This is high enough to make everything good and challenging but without making it too dangerous in the event of an accident. Unfortunately these days we have to think not only about our own children but about friends' children as well. We build many structures lower than 3 metres and are happy to build them higher if that is what you wish.

Q. Are they safe for children?

A. We build with the ages of your children in mind. If you are totally averse to risk then I suggest you stay on the ground! The biggest problem is building it for older children when they have younger siblings. It is impossible to completely satisfy all ages but bear in mind that young children grow up very quickly and if the structure is too babyish then its life will be limited. Better to restrict or supervise the use by young children and have a ‘set up’ that will be used into their teens.

Q. Can it be insulated, have electrics, log burning stove etc?

A. There is no limit as to what we can do to your tree house.

Q. Will it be damp?

A. Any wooden building from a house to a garden shed will be damp if there is no heating in the winter.

Q. What will we need to provide for you?

A. Three things:

  • electricity
  • water
  • a loo

Q. What if I don’t have a large garden?

A. We can design something for any situation. The biggest constraint in a small garden is height, invading your neighbour’s privacy.

Q. What are the most popular activities?

A. The most popular are the fireman’s pole and the Burma rope bridge. Swings, monkey bars, ropes, rope ladders and climbing nets are all popular. The actual tree house tends to be used more by girls than boys.