Home Improvement Information

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.


MORE RESOURCES:

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to Address Architects and Home Improvement ...
MarketWatch - 12 hours ago
Created especially for architects and home improvement professionals, this symposium will explore the challenges of designing, building and renovating ...


Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to Address Architects and Home Improvement ...
International Business Times, NY - 12 hours ago
Created especially for architects and home improvement professionals, thissymposium will explore the challenges of designing, building and ...


Ahead of the Bell: Goldman trims home improvement
CNNMoney.com - Oct 6, 2008
... said a slower-than-expected housing recovery forced it to trim earnings estimates for the nation's two largest home improvement retailers on Monday. ...


Sector Snap: Home improvement comps to decline
Forbes, NY - 15 hours ago
... same-store sales will likely continue to fall for the next four quarters at large home improvement retailers, but The Home Depot Inc. and Lowe's Cos. ...


Home-improvement fraud overdue for a crackdown
Cherry Hill Courier Post, NJ - Oct 6, 2008
For years, unscrupulous home-improvement contractors have walked away from jobs after receiving downpayments for work they never intended to finish. ...


Odenton home improvement contractor ordered to stop working in Howard
Baltimore Sun, United States - Oct 2, 2008
By Larry Carson An unlicensed Anne Arundel County home improvement contractor who is alleged to have walked off a $126000 Clarksville job before completion ...


South Carolina Now

NMB Lowe's shooting suspect in police custody
Myrtle Beach Sun News, SC - 13 hours ago
Police have in custody a man suspected of shooting his wife to death Sept.26 in the parking lot at Lowe's Home Improvement in North Myrtle Beach. ...
Shot man charged in death of estranged wife at Lowe's Myrtle Beach Sun News
all 4 news articles


Home improvement retailers see gains during 3Q
CNNMoney.com - Sep 30, 2008
NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Shares of home improvement retailers saw notable gains during the third quarter, despite months of economic uncertainty that ...


Retail vacancies rise to 6.9% as spending wanes
Bizjournals.com, NC - Oct 6, 2008
Metro Phoenix’s top new lease for the quarter was the Lowe’s Home Improvement store at Happy Valley and Lake Pleasant Parkway — almost 140000 square feet. ...


Sportinglife.com

FAB CONFIDENT OF HOME IMPROVEMENT
Sportinglife.com, UK - Oct 6, 2008
By Simon Stone, PA Sport Chief Football Writer The Three Lions return to the national stadium on Saturday for the first time since Capello stated his side ...

Home-Improvement - Google News

home | site map
© 2006