Parent Alert: Buying a Swingset

It’s spring and parents are ready to let their small children romp outside. A swingset offers lots of adventure but do you know what’s involved? The market is huge (google found > 150,000 results). Finding the right swingset, for the right price can be daunting. What’s the problem?

Swingset Cost = Site Prep + Product + Labor to Install

Child Swinging

In the US we’re driven to buy, buy and buy! Our schools don’t teach us how to be wise consumers. When you buy a car, do you calculate purchase price + fuel costs over 5 yrs + maintenance? I buy Toyota to minimize repair costs (and time). I bought a Rav 4 in August ‘07, and calculated gas costs. I picked the 4 cylinder, NO 4-wheel drive (dealer said it would be difficult to sell) and shortly after, gas prices went through the roof!

Here is what you need to calculate when you buy a swingset. Admittedly I’m writing this defensively as home owners get upset when we “take too long, read charge too much” to install their swingset. I’d rather you have the facts with which to make an informed purchase decision.

• Safety should be your #1 consideration. You need a level surface, and the site must be at least 6 ft from any structure like a fence, garage, overhanging tree branches or wires. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends ground cover for play structures up to 10 ft in height:

• Installation should be addressed before you select the product. Manufacturers don’t advertise install times (typically you must call an 800#) and estimates aren’t accurate, so you should add 20% contingency to their highest number. The horror story outlined in Tips for Buying a Swing Set resulted from a manufacturer install time of 24-32 hrs, but it actually took 42 hrs (some due to customer leaving delivery boxes outside and labels were were washed off the wood pieces … not fun!) If you (and a helper) don’t have 2 full weekends to devote to the project, here are the steps and some ideas:
  • Site prep can be completed ahead of time using dimensions (plus 6 ft) of swing set purchased
  • Home owners should always prepare for the install by:
    • Sorting hardware into small containers, i.e. the ones you use for storing leftovers
    • Sorting wood pieces and arrange by number to speed up assembly. This also lets you call and get replacements for missing pieces which happens often.
  • Home owners who are handy (see list of tools required to install, although a level and cordless drill are the most critical), if time permits, should spend one weekend (or day) completing as much of the assembly as they can
  • Handyman services can complete the project when it doesn’t get done that first weekend, or handle the entire project. PLEASE remember you’re paying for skilled labor and like car dealers (you don’t pay a lower labor rate for changing oil) we charge the same hourly rate whether assembling a swing set or repairing siding on your home.

• Product selection is challenging at best … and remember, you get what you pay for! I like to tell customers about Kohler bathroom fixtures. A Kohler toilet purchased at a box store is manufactured in China. The visibly identical toilet purchased at a plumbing supply store is made in Kohler, Wisconsin … so which is better quality? Peek inside and do you see plastic or metal parts?

The box stores sell swing sets made up of hundreds of little pieces as they’re cheaper. What the manufacturer saves in material and shipping, you pay for with more hours of installation time. The same problem exists with storm doors and ceiling fans, namely how many parts do you have to assemble before you can start the install?

Good Luck on Your Swing Set Journey

… and if you want to see dialog among those who’ved traveled this road, click here.