Sit down with a whole stack of paper and include everything. What it will actually take to put up a sugarhouse, including driveway construction, electrical service, drilling a well and all the labor that will go in before you tap the first tree. Don't forget the banker and his cut, and for that matter the tax man. You can easily find a salesman who will show you how it's impossible to lose on an operation like this...just sign here. While you're tallying costs, don't forget that salesman because he gets his long before you get yours, and whoever fronts this project makes their percentages too.
Figure your labor costs too. How many hours will it actually take to get it all set up, and how many hours each season...at a real rate of pay.
When you get to the projected income page, base it on an average year and not a pie-in-the-sky, fantasy year because while it's possible, it's not probable. Base all your calculations on $20 per gallon, 'cause that's all they'll be giving you at this point, and even less if everyone else jumps aboard too.
Compare your numbers and decide whether you can hold your breath for five to ten years, and don't forget to buy all new plastic every three years. Figure in the dump fees for the old plastic too.
Maybe instead of sugaring, you could spend far less and build some nice hiking trails.