Playground assembly

Project scope

We assembled and installed a residential outdoor playset. Our crew built the set to the manufacturer's instructions, checked the fall zones around swings and slides, and anchored it to the ground. We also checked the ground itself, because a playset built on a slope without leveling puts uneven load through the frame and shortens its life considerably.

How we approach playset assembly

This is a safety job first. The structure has to be square, the fixings correct and fully tightened, and the whole unit anchored so it cannot tip under a child's weight at the far ends of the frame.

• Walk the yard and pick a position with clear space on every side of moving parts.
• Level the footprint, or tell the owner plainly if the base needs work first.
• Inventory lumber and hardware bags against the manual before building.
• Assemble in the order the maker specifies and torque bolts at the end, once the frame is squared.
• Install ground anchors suited to soil, turf or a pad.
• Check for protruding bolt ends, pinch points and splinters before kids are allowed on.

What to know before a similar job

Plan for the surface under the set as well as the set. Manufacturers and consumer safety guidance recommend impact-absorbing material such as wood mulch or rubber under and around play equipment; bare hardpan and concrete are poor choices. Read the manual for the clearance your model needs.

Large sets arrive as many boxes, so check the delivery against the packing list right away and store lumber flat and dry. After the first few weeks of use, bolts in wood tend to need re-tightening, and we recommend a seasonal check after that. We assemble trampolines, basketball hoops, sheds and outdoor furniture too, and can prepare the base beforehand if the ground needs it.

Related services

• Assembly services
• Fence, gate and deck repair
• General home repairs

Tell us the playset brand and model, and get a free written estimate for assembly and anchoring.

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