Do It Right The First Time: Tree House

So I’m watching CNN and see this story they picked up about a family who built a tree house in their backyard. Two seconds in, we have an indignant parent and a slightly outraged teenager (who, as an aside, showed a ton of armpit during the interview), and I realized that this is a terrific non-story story.

This is what I mean: had the family pulled permits like they were supposed to for building such a large structure, they more than likely could have avoided the problems they’re having now. What’s more, had they given some thought to how their neighbors might react–both present and future–to the small city of really, well, shanty-town-ugly OSB boxes bolted to the backyard tree, they’d perhaps have double indemnity.

But what do they have instead? Problems. The building department, answering a complaint from a neighbor, was called out to inspect the structure. It violates several parts of the Salt Lake code, not the least of which is that it appears to have been built without a permit in the first place. The family has been required to tear it down which, until they do, they’re on the hook for a $25-per-day fine. Since they’re up to $2,000 plus (over 80 days),  they really don’t seem to care about their neighbor or the rules. Sure, the structure has been there for a decade, but it still comes off like they care more about themselves and getting what they want, the way they want it, when they want it. Everybody else can go fly a kite, it would appear.

In case it’s not a secret, I’m not in love with this mojo. This is like building a fence with the bad side facing your neighbor—times a hundred!

I applaud that the family built this together, that the kids play outside, that it is a neighborhood landmark of sorts (again, shanty-town…at least paint it all the same color or put on some siding…) where other kids hang out, but this family has not played by the rules and they got caught. The thing is ugly, it’s huge, and there is someone who doesn’t want to look at it. Indeed, it is arguably making the neighbor’s house worth less by its presence. What’s more, the kid in the interview looks way past the playing in tree house stage of life (remember the armpits?).

So bottom line: My take is that you should get on TV for doing something right, rather than doing it wrong and bellyaching that the rules don’t matter just because you don’t want them to. Teach your kids the right way to do things. And own up to your mistakes. Be a good neighbor and think about others around you when you build. And—at the very least—obey the law and pull permits.

Build to last. Build for beauty.

Mark

A licensed contractor, tool expert, wood and outdoor enthusiast, and elite Spartan Race competitor, he writes about home improvement and tools for national magazines and websites, and teaches hands-on clinics for other remodeling professionals. Check out his book, The Carpenter's Notebook.

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