Understanding Your Swing Set Quote

Finding the swing set of your dreams with a Hot Sale price tag can be like heaven on Earth. Finding out that the quoted price is only a fraction of the actual cost and that now you’re stuck with tons of hidden charges you didn’t know about is the nightmare that oh-too-often follows this failed fantasy.

Companies will charge for different aspects of their product/services, and as long as you know the total costs beforehand, you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you. Some companies will be up front about their cost breakdown, but others will attempt to hide certain fees and service charges. That’s why you need to know what questions to ask. Here’s a breakdown of what goes into building and buying a wooden swing set, so you’ll know what to ask when the time comes.

Preparations

Whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring a contractor, preparing the land for your outdoor playset is the first cost to consider. If you have a relatively smooth and flat landscape, you can probably get away with skipping this step. However, if you have lots of overgrown tree roots, a wide, sloping yard, or other impediments that will get in the way of a flat and solid installation, your best bet is to get in touch with a contractor for an accurate estimate of how much this entire project will cost you.

A contractor may charge for excavation, fill dirt, waste removal, and landfill charges.

Delivery

The delivery charge is often not included in the price of the jungle gym, and there is good reason for this. Frequently, companies will contract out the delivery of their products to a proper delivery service. So the money you are paying goes straight to the delivery service and has nothing to do with the playground set.

Installation & Assembly

This fee will range from company to company and it isn’t a necessity. If a playset is simple to put together and you have a little DIY know-how, you can probably assemble the swing set on your own.

How do you know if you can handle the job yourself? Look for a set with pre-drilled holes and pre-assembled parts. No, this isn’t cheating; it’s just taking the really tough stuff out of the assembly process, making it faster and more feasible for anyone to do on their own.

If assembly just isn’t your thing, look for a company that offers reasonable rates for installation and assembly. This will generally cost you approximately $250 for an average outdoor swing set.

Surface Material

This is an important expense that is not included in the price of the wooden swing set. Surface material is what you place beneath your backyard swing set to cushion the fall. There are several options to choose from, and the price will vary depending on material and the size of surface area. You’ll need enough material to cover the ground beneath the swing set as well as several feet extending outwards in all directions.

Sealer & Other Coatings

In addition to the major expenses, there are some minor expenses to include. These won’t affect your purchasing decision, but it’s good to have an all-inclusive picture of what a playset owner spends on average.

Every year, your outdoor playground equipment will need to be sealed to prevent damage from bugs, the sun, rain, wind, and other adverse conditions. Sealant costs anywhere between $50-$100 per gallon depending on the brand, type, and amount, with larger buckets costing less per gallon. Additionally, a fresh coat of paint is not necessary for the upkeep of your swing set, but it can breathe fresh life into an older playset that is starting to look rundown.

Avoid getting slapped with huge, unknown costs at the final stages of your playset purchasing journey with this detailed breakdown. Then you and your kids can enjoy your swing set safely for years to come.

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