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I Am a 36 year old construction worker who has probably built more celebrity homes than anyone else... the only catch is that it’s been playhouses for their kids. AMA.
Here’s proof I am who I say I am.
lFuhrer391 karma
On the topic of how long it takes, do people who purchase a playhouse from you ever get obnoxious and rude when they learn how long it’ll take?
E: should’ve worded this differently.
Do some of your clients act obnoxiously or rude when they learn of the wait time?
bionicfeetgrl1343 karma
What sort of features do these houses have? Are we talking plumbing? I assume some sort of electricity for lightning....any temp control besides insulation?
AwkwardMethod2029 karma
Plumbing, power, fireplaces, AC, chandeliers, water cannons. You name it!
wanderwithpurpose916 karma
Water canons! I want that for my house! No more solicitors for me!
AwkwardMethod65 karma
It ranges from county to county. It really is an area that each building inspector doesn’t know how to classify
AwkwardMethod1050 karma
Around 300k, which I understand it a lot, but they got way more for their money than a lot of playgrounds get for the same price.
leechpeen853 karma
What is the best reaction a kid has had to seeing their new playhouse? Do you find celebrity kids to be desensitized to extravagant things like this, or do they get just as excited as any kid would?
AwkwardMethod1725 karma
Celebrity kids are just as excited. There really aren’t a ton of luxury products for kids. Kids of all income levels enjoy many of the same things but obviously our playhouses are on a whole different level. Their is a misconception that wealthy kids grow up to be bratty. I have seen absolutely no evidence of that. They have all been so sweet and gracious.
Edit- for typo
hotheat684 karma
Cool work! so do your playhouses need permitting like a regular building? And what's it like having a camera crew hangin around all the time? If my construction crew had a camera following us around, we'd be banned from the air by the first episode, haha.
AwkwardMethod741 karma
It really depends on each location, it’s a county by county basis.
Having a camera crew is cool and exhausting. Cool because they capture all the neat processes and lift the energy of the day, but frustrating because it slows work down like crazy.
We’ve had those days as well, but your crew usually has your back.
Kiora87500 karma
What has been the most ridiculous addition for a playhouse. Like a gold plated toilet seat or something???
AwkwardMethod761 karma
I’d better stay away from this question, it could get me into trouble with my client 🤣😂
Kiora87288 karma
Fair enough. I didn't think of that. I bet sometimes you've looked at the brief and been like "what the actual fuck" haha
AwkwardMethod623 karma
On the flip side, I love anything that is ridiculous because I think it is a great outlet for creative expression. My clients dream up things that I would never have thought of.
Kiora87168 karma
And then I imagine that sets of new ideas and just runs wild. Sweet gig mate, well done
AwkwardMethod162 karma
Nice bra! I lived in Australia for a few years and some of my buddies were from New Zealand.
AwkwardMethod887 karma
A 200 ft zip line from the 3rd story of a Peter Pan themed playhouse was pretty awesome
halite00112 karma
Well considering they were playhouses it probably maxed out at a full 4 ft ceilings.
Jon_Snow_is_Jesus298 karma
Hey man that’s pretty dope. What’s the average square footage of these? I’m imaging you’re building like a club/pool house kinda building. I grew up in the burbs and I only remember kids having those terrible plastic huts.
Thanks for doing this post!
Fancyliving228290 karma
Do you ever have to consult a structural engineer or other specialized expert for your designs? What was their reaction when they heard it was for a play house?
NCSUGray90227 karma
I’m a structural engineer and I would love to work on one of these. I’d absolutely bill hourly instead of by square footage though, haha
juliaGoolia1145649 karma
I know a bunch of engineers in St. Louis! I work for an AV integrator that has branches throughout the US if you have any need for that line of work. Maybe a wave wall with LED tiles so they can watch movies? We can make it happen.
flysoup84242 karma
How elaborate are the designs? I can imagine they're basically guest houses for kids
AwkwardMethod288 karma
Custom work adds up quick. Most of our cost is in labour to create each playhouse.
kronicnginntonic203 karma
Fellow Albertan here! First of all, I love your work! Why have you decided to continue to operate your business in Alberta when I assume somewhere like California would have a much better clientele?
AwkwardMethod400 karma
Alberta is a great place to own a business with low corporate tax rates. We also have a ton of great talent here. Being so close to the US boarder allows us to capitalize on exchange rates and Albertas lower wages and cost to have a shop.
iama_bad_person246 karma
I'm actually stunned that you're not just posting some PR mumbo jumbo and actually answering some of these questions. Good work.
NickyKarma164 karma
Was there ever a playhouse request that you had to turn down? And why?
AwkwardMethod534 karma
Yes. I had a guy contact me about building him a playhouse, but I learned that he acquired his wealth unethically so I said no thank you.
mystiquetur141 karma
Ha you got me! What about pet houses? Ever done those? If so what’s the craziest/coolest one you’ve built?
AwkwardMethod284 karma
I have! The pet houses haven’t been too crazy but I did get to build one for Reza (Steph Curry’s boy 🐶)
CompetitiveProject4138 karma
Were there any playhouses with a theme straight out of Disney or any other big franchise where you had to do a ton of research to properly create? If so, what's the deepest dive you had to do?
AwkwardMethod198 karma
We built a wizard house, but that dive was pretty easy with my family being aspiring sorcerers 😉. You start to notice all of the magic that is created for movies and other productions pretty quickly when it’s your job to create.
AwkwardMethod353 karma
It’s sooooo hard to quote crazy buildings. I’ve lost a lot of money on some builds because of that.
Tahona112510 karma
Are you saying you operate firm fixed price? I'd figured you'd be cost plus like most home builders for the scale/custom work
AwkwardMethod56 karma
I am on a fixed firm price. I don’t like to give one price and surprise them with another. I’d rather take on the risk so I can learn how to be more efficient as a company. If I never had any risk there wouldn’t be any motivation to tighten the ship up.
Kiora87117 karma
Have you ever had a situation where the kid has just hated it and argued with their parents?
AwkwardMethod312 karma
Do my kids count? They think they’ve been ripped off with the playhouse they have and they definitely argue with me on the daily 😅🤣
AwkwardMethod121 karma
Ha ha! That would be horrible, but all the kids we dealt with were incredibly gracious to their parents and us.
Kiora8759 karma
That's awesome. I know I'd love a custom playhouse at 32 let alone as a little kid!
jasony313194 karma
Is there any feature you’ve added that you’ve thought about putting into your own home?
AwkwardMethod239 karma
Oh ya! Secret doors are a must! A slide to the outside, for quick access to the yard. I also want to rock my chimney and add rappelling hooks for a built in climbing wall. Not to mention the outside of my house will look like a storybook home.
starsleeps87 karma
I know it's a stretch- but do you ever take on interns?
I'm studying engineering but have done art as a hobby since 5th grade, I've always wished I could combine the two. I'm a Junior with a 3.6 GPA, interned with NASA last summer, and would be happy to do some sketches/mock-ups for you to see that I'm serious.
AwkwardMethod201 karma
I built a castle that sit atop of a mountain in the Rockies. It was ledgit.
bsshark69 karma
Have you ever done or thought about doing a charity playhouse for an hospital or something like that?
AwkwardMethod178 karma
We do those all of the time! We work with Make-A-Wish multiple times a year.
adeiner68 karma
Do you think these kids have a chance at a normal childhood? I feel bad for child stars, it seems like so many of their later in life issues are because of the constant exposure in their childhood :(
AwkwardMethod193 karma
I think being a child star is significantly different than growing up affluent. All of the kids have been just like any other kid that I know. They are spunky, sweet and sometimes they don’t listen.
It’s not as much about what kids have that makes them adapt to the world as much as it is the lessons they are taught. Honestly both my clients and their kids have been amazing to work with so far.
Illustrious_Squash64 karma
Do you remember the guy who designed your logo?
... that's me! Hope it's serving you guys well!
veracassidy52 karma
What happens when the kid grows up or doesnt want it anymore. Is it repurposed or scrapped?
AwkwardMethod54 karma
There really is only a few year gap when kids may not use it, then the grandkids start to come!
AwkwardMethod94 karma
Steph Curry, Jason Day, Alana De La Garza, Ali Landry, Ryan Zimmerman, among others (I have NDA’s with)
hspace834 karma
How do NDAs work? Their lawyers make you sign it after they accept your quote? Do you charge extra for that?
AwkwardMethod115 karma
You sign a non discloser before you even get to know or work with the client. Then you discuss, design and price it out for them.
Edit- I don’t charge extra for that.
kodyklein30 karma
Are you hiring? I'm in LA and work for a photo booth building sets for celebrity parties.
Sancho_Villa27 karma
I love the thought of being able to create new constantly and love your ethics when it comes to it.
What is one feature that your client ask for that you thought was the most creative and unexpectedly awesome?
What standard features do you include in your pitch that are almost always used in the final plans?
AwkwardMethod35 karma
A 200 ft zip line from a the 3rd story of a Peter-pan treehouse was pretty rad.
NotABotStill24 karma
Do you construct them at the clients home or build them at your storefront with maybe some final assembly at the clients site? I would think some would be just too big to transport.
iamaDuck_23 karma
Not OP, but he builds them at his shop for the majority. He links an Imgur album of the building process in his warehouse and then a crane dropping the pieces into place for final assembly!
AwkwardMethod23 karma
You got it! Thanks for the help, I have a lot of questions rolling in 😂
Herthen990318 karma
We're you the guy I remember from dragons den where one of the dragons bought a playhouse from you on the spot?
AwkwardMethod11 karma
Ha! I was on there but I don’t remember them buying a playhouse on the spot 😅
demondor18 karma
I’ve seen you mention that you guys hook up power to the houses. How viable would solar panels be to make the playhouses self sufficient?
AwkwardMethod26 karma
I’ve wanted to do solar but I haven’t had the chance yet. It appears to be fairly straight forward.
garydagat18 karma
Ever consider taking your talent to the masses and create prefab kits sold online so the kids in middle America can also enjoy your creations?
rixiy16 karma
Could you build just a regular adult-sized house but with all the secret rooms and slides and fairy-tale styling?
JessAnonyMoose8 karma
Sorry if this question has already been asked!
Do you do any commercial work? (Clinics, amusement centers, hospitals, etc?)
I run a teeny tiny therapy clinic for kiddos (speech, OT, literacy, feeding, etc) and am drooling at your insta. So much attention to detail and so so fun. Stuff like this makes therapy feel less scary and the kids actively want to come back. We did a sort of forest playground theme in our sensory gym but this beats the pants off of us! Beautiful work!!
AwkwardMethod16 karma
Yes!!!! OT is going to be a big part of what we do. We have some crazy cool projects for clinics. Check this clinic out! Occupational Therapy
occasionalrant1356 karma
How long do these playhouses take to construct?
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