Building a Backyard Play Structure

A child's dream backyard includes a play structure complete with a slide and swings just like the one at the neighborhood park. Once you have made the decision to make your child's dream come true then you have several avenues from which to select depending on the amount of money and time you can invest.

One of the most economical means of obtaining a play structure is to buy a used one. Since children eventually outgrow their play structures you can often find a used one at a fraction of the cost. Your time investment will require disassembling and reassembling the structure. To make the task of reassembling easier, you should take a photo of the play structure prior to disassembling. Check your newspaper classifieds and once you find one, call immediately since they tend to sell quickly. You should also check to see if your newspaper places their classifieds online. Many times the online version is available sooner than the print version which will give you a leading start.

If you decide to build your own play structure you have many options available. You can build totally from scratch by designing a set of plans, purchasing the material needed, and building the set. This is obviously very labor intensive and probably not the best project for a beginner. Another option is to purchase a kit from a store such as Home Depot or Lowe's. You can purchase a kit for as little as $299 which includes: design options, some accessories, hardware, brackets, and plans. You must separately purchase slides, lumber and the remaining accessories. You can also purchase a complete kit which contains all material including lumber. These options are as labor intensive as the previous option but they take the guesswork out of design and building. The final and most expensive option is to purchase your playground already built.

Whichever option you decide upon you need to make certain that the structure is built safely and that your children know how to safely play on their new play structure. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year approximately 205,860 preschool and elementary children receive emergency treatment as the result of injuries sustained on playground equipment. Therefore, when it comes to playground equipment, safety definitely comes before price.

Rhonda Cliett is the owner and founder of Beyond the Apron, a home ownership website for female homeowners. She has written many home improvement and home purchasing articles. Visit Beyond the Apron today and subscribe to their newsletter which is packed with the latest tips and resources for homeowners.

In The News:


Medill Reports

Home improvement retail sinks on data
Forbes, NY - Nov 19, 2008
AP , 11.19.08, 03:13 PM EST Shares of home improvement chains dipped Wednesday after the federal government said construction of new homes and apartments ...
Home Depot Posts 31% Fall in Net Income, Cuts View Wall Street Journal
How home improvement chains fared in 3rd quarter The Associated Press
Tough economy takes toll on Home Depot Atlanta Journal Constitution
CNNMoney.com - Bloombergall 529 news articles

Home Improvement Q&A
Connecticut Post, CT - 1 hour ago
Home centers have a large selection, and I'm sure you'll find something that meets your needs. But be sure to find out beforehand whether the ...

Ahead of the Bell: Home improvement retailers
Forbes, NY - Nov 19, 2008
The home improvement retailers are part of a sector that has "competitive dynamics, stable gross margins through the downturn, and clear cyclicality ...
Home Depot Is Not in a Fix Barron's
all 6 news articles

Sector roundup: Solar, home improvement
Forbes, NY - Nov 19, 2008
CHICAGO (AP) - Shares of home improvement chains dipped Wednesday after the federal government said construction of new homes and apartments slowed at a ...

Economic Downturn Sparks New Home Improvement Trend
MarketWatch - Nov 18, 2008
With the harsh reality of uncertain economic times, and the average consumer shouldering $10000 or more in credit card debt, a new trend in home improvement ...

THE GOODS ON HOME IMPROVEMENT: A sturdy shovel for winter's fury
Lancaster Newspapers (registration), PA - Nov 20, 2008
By ALAN J. HEAVENS / McClatchy-Tribune, Correspondent It's never too early to think about snow removal — more than a few flakes fell in the Poconos recently ...

The Home Depot Declares Third Quarter Dividend of 22.5 Cents
La Voz de Dalton, GA - 19 hours ago
The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2270 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, ...

Home improvement Q&A
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, GA - Nov 20, 2008
(Want Alan J. Heavens' advice on a home-improvement project or purchase? E-mail him at aheavens@phillynews.com or write to him at The Inquirer, Box 8263, ...

AG Van Hollen: Home improvement company and owner charged with ...
Wisbusiness.com, WI - Nov 19, 2008
The complaint alleges that in November, 2005 defendants entered into a $55250 home improvement contract with a Menasha couple promising, among other things, ...

Discrimination complaint filed against Dublin's new Lowe's store
Pleasanton Weekly,  USA - 5 hours ago
Attorneys at the National Employment Law Project filed a discrimination complaint Thursday against the Lowe's Home Improvement store in Dublin for allegedly ...
home improvement - Google News

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