Are these kits?
No, everything you see here is the result of a collaborative design/build process between myself and clients.
So how does this work? What’s the process?
Great question! Usually clients reach out to me via email. Some clients have a very specific idea, often from a picture they’ve found online. Others may have more general ideas and look for inspiration from me. After some back and forth, if the project seems viable and they would like to proceed, I’ll pop over and visit with them in their backyard. Together we talk through more specific details and by then I’ll have a good enough idea of what they’re looking for to go back home and work on sketching out some options. At this point, I’ll need an idea of what sort of budget I’ll have to work with. I email pictures of these sketches and after more feedback, we’ll come to a design and price that they are happy with. At this point, if they want to proceed, I’ll request a check equal to the cost of materials for the project. Depending on the scale of the project, I may request a payment mid-project, but for most projects, I’ll just collect the balance upon completion.
How long does a Magical Playhouse take to build?
Construction, on average, takes about a month, but more bigger/more complex projects can take a few months. My wait list is typically 3-6 months out, so check in with me about availability.
Do I need a building permit?
Generally, no. Check with your local municipality, but for the most part playhouses and other single story structures under 200 square feet that are not accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are exempt. In very urban settings, such as Seattle, the square footage can be less, while in rural counties this can rise to 400 square feet. Be aware of your side yard setbacks, and if you plan on wiring, check with Labor and Industries about permit requirements.
Do I need a foundation?
No, not like the foundation your house sits on. A poured foundation of concrete would be seriously overkill for buildings this size. They do weigh a lot though, so to make sure everything stays nice and level, I almost always pour four concrete piers. Plus, in the NW, almost no one has a perfectly level yard, so piers are nice to level things out.
What size buildings do you build?
To me, a Magical Playhouse shouldn’t require a building permit, so they are less than 200 square feet. In general, most structures I’ve built for clients tend to be between 50-150 square feet.
In the unlikely case that I can drive into your backyard, I can bring fully assembled structures as long as they are no larger than 6'8" feet wide at the base, 8 feet wide at the eaves, 12'6" feet tall and 16' feet long. Some playhouses I build fit within these dimensions.
Delivering children's playhouses fully assembled is particularly fun because they can be dropped off in during the afternoon and abra-ca-dab-ra! alakazam! it’s there when the kids come home. Plus, I'm not in your backyard making sawdust and noise.
But I want something larger and you can't drive into my backyard...
This is way more common. In this scenario, I will pre-fabricate as much as possible at my shop, to minimize time onsite. Depending on the complexity of the project, I will first arrive at your house to pour some concrete piers. When those have hardened, I will return with my trailer and spend on average 2-5 days onsite assembling the walls, roofing, finishing out the interior, and painting.
How much does a Magical Playhouse cost?
Most of the projects you see here in my portfolio are in the $14,000-$24,000 range, with between $15,000 and $18,000 being the most common.For more information, click here.
Do you build for adults, too?
The short answer is: sometimes. I’m a bit more picky when it comes to projects for adults, and the reason why has to do with scale and my location. The logistics of building adult-scaled buildings usually means that you should be looking for a local general contractor. If I can pre-fabricate a large part of your project because it is a some sort of garden structure, or if you are local to Port Townsend, then I’d be interested in chatting. If, however, you live hours away from me and are looking to build a tiny home, massage studio, or backyard office, then I’m probably not your best fit.
You’re in Washington State, but I’m not...?
I’m happy working out of state, however, project costs will include the cost of shipping, flights, hotel stays, rental car, etc.
Do you build tree houses?
In general, no. My insurance agent is way happier with me if “treehouses” have some sort of ground support.
Do you charge sales tax?
I collect sales tax for playhouses delivered in Washington State.