cost to level yard for playset


", Step 2: Playgrounds give kids a place to stretch their muscles and interact outdoors. Just be sure to keep it healthy and free of sharp objects and pet souvenirs. Many sets are pre-made and only needto be assembled with clear-cut instructions rather than measured, cut and drilled from scratch. Level installation area within 1" over a ten foot area and 2" over a twenty foot area. Swing sets are designed to be safe when installed on flat surfaces. With the Playstar Powerhouse XP Silver chosen for our DIY backyard playground, it’s now time to start creating the park!. The following factors influence all these prices. With most playsets, the main frame is composed of two or three sets of legs bolted together into an A-frame. Slopes and hills on a property make the space unusable. Note: To maintain a soft surface, do not compact playground mulch or other surfacing material. Your budget will likely fall on the lower end of the $400 to $1,100 price for a building permit. Place a carpenter's level in several locations within the hole to make sure the base is level. Need help with setup? Some outdoor furniture stores also sell small and large sets for home use. Look for safety ratings to ensure your little ones can stay safe while playing. Most playground equipment comes in one of three materials: wood, metal, or plastic. Cut the 2×4 if necessary to fit within the graded area. This can create a dangerous playing experience. Here’s everything you need to know to your own playground. How Much Does it Cost to Build an Addition? You can find options as simple as a single swing or as complex as a tower with multiple slides. Be sure the site is out of the way of overhead obstacles such as power lines, roof overhangs or tree limbs. Level Playground Area After you build the structure and install swing set anchors, you will need to place shock-absorbing surfacing underneath and on the surrounding areas to cushion the inevitable tumbles that will happen as kids play. You're signed out. View a list of Lowe's License and Certification numbers by state.. Give Your Kids a Backyard They’ll Love. These DIY swing sets come in plastic, metal or wood parts, and they typically require minimal labor and tools. To level ground for a pool, dig away slopes and high spots to make them level with lower areas. The plans are based on the assumption that the fort will be sitting on a perfectly level yard. Step 1. Backyard Discovery Liberty II All Cedar Wood Playset Swing Set. Check the Level Using a 2×4. For tougher jobs, rent a skid-steer loader to move a lot of dirt more efficiently. 4. It can absorb falls, protect children and be quite affordable, but you might find it a hassle to contain. Play structures encourage creativity and imaginative play. Leisure Installs is happy to help you assemble your swing set. Give us a call at (800) 462-3327 and we'll be happy to provide the name and contact information of a playset assembly service provider near you. They can be ready-to-play plastic boxes or custom wood constructions that anchor underground. Within that range, filling a 150 square-foot room costs between $1,200 and $1,500. Check the surface of the sand with a carpenter's level. Just say, when, where and how. If you have a hilly or uneven yard, you might have to budget for the price to clear the land at about $1,200 to $4,200. YardLine Play Systems Turbo Racer Playset - Installation Included 9’ Blue Wave Slide Two Belt Swings, Trapeze Bar Rock Climbing Wall Cedar Construction- Rot & … On average, plan on spending anywhere from $50 to $150 per hour, depending on the contractor and what kind of equipment is needed.While the procedure is rather simple, the labor is what is going to cost the most. Most home-use playsets range between eight and ten years in lifespan. Costs can be as low as $400 for resloping 1,000 sq. Swing set anchors are designed to keep the unit in place but if there is any slope, you must take steps to level the yard to help prevent the playground equipment from tipping over. Here are 12 awesome DIY playset creations that would be fun for kids of all ages. The sets of legs are joined at their apex by a central beam that runs the length of the play structure. Not all destinations require homeowners to apply for a permit. The average cost to regrade a yard is $1,528. Pre-made playground sets are more expensive than custom alternatives, but they save time. Swing sets are designed to be safe when installed on flat surfaces. Natural grass works, but you can also use sand, wood chips, and rubber tiles to keep your children safe. How much of an area will I need? You might think about swing sets if you have children or grandchildren and want to install a playground in your own backyard. Playsets are designed to sit level. Assembling the playground equipment is the final step, but it can be complex. To avoid this, cancel and sign in to YouTube on your computer. This article will outline the results of my research, my results to date, and my plans goin… Swing Set Anchors David says the typical grading job takes a few days and costs around $2,500, including materials such as topsoil and sod, but cautions that this number can vary greatly depending on the specific job. A slide that faces north will receive the least direct sunlight. Grading for a Driveway: Similar to grading a yard, the average cost is between $700 and $1,000 for 125 square foot, or about $5 and $8 per square foot. The options I am thinking is to put dirt in the back of it and try raising it up. When their projects are done, they fill out a short cost survey. After compiling and organizing the data, we report it back to you. Many sets are modular and can be expanded over time or allow you to replace sections with different styles of fun play elements. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. Use surface mats tested to provide impact protection equal to or greater than the height of the play equipment. Pack the sand down with the end of a 2-by-4. The depth depends on the type of cushioning material used; see below for more information. One thing was for sure, with an average price tag of about $3,000, this playset decision wasn’t to be taken lightly. The more complex the structure, the more you pay for assembly. Based out of Pittsburg, KS, and founded in 1968, Backyard Discovery and its subsidiaries have come to be known for innovative playset designs and one of the most affordable options for backyard play. This can create a dangerous playing experience. These are sturdier structures that can withstand a large number of children over a long period of time. Protective material should be at least 9-inches to 12-inches deep, depending on the playset deck height. The lowest price paid for regrading a lawn was $100, while the greatest was $4,500. Yard Space for Playset Footprint Whether you design the set yourself or buy one of our popular playset or swing set models, every Adventure World playset has a square footage requirement, called a footprint.The footprints on our standard models range from 10’ X 11’ for our Adventure Gym all the way up to 30’ X 41’ for the Imagination Station. Considering the features of types of protective surfaces is an important step of your prep for a swing set. Find hiring guides, material costs, expert advice, how-to's and more. We just finished building the tower, but found that the yard slopes more than we thought. I would suggest shredded wood fiber. 03.08.2019 - How to Level a Yard for Playset Installation #diy Where are you located? Professional installation of a new swing set typically ranges between $150 and $500. Use what ever your heart desires as the boundry, just make sure you have at least 4ft between the playset and the edging. Outdoor Swing Sets, Playsets and Playhouses. Protective Surface Material How to Make the DIY Backyard Playground. Check the surroundings — Avoid placing swing set equipment near obstacles or hazards like trees and tree stumps, low tree limbs, exposed roots, wires, fences, large rocks, bricks, and concrete. Sandboxes themselves range between $40 and $300. 3.9 out of 5 stars 26. You can use these numbers as an internal playground sand calculator: Playground mulch is essentially a mix of soft wood chips with dull ends. Proper installation of your Gorilla Playset plays an important role in the safety of your children as well as the integrity of the product. Cost to Build a Playhouse. We haven’t made our money back on it yet, but a few items have been worth their price. We are still gathering data for this location. I am looking to use landscape timbers so that I can level out an area of my yard to allow for the installation of my kids playset. Use a carpenter’s level to determine the strings are level and adjust as necessary. Aug 26, 2020. Wood is the most expensive but also comes with the most aesthetic and functional advantages. The task described is not specific enough, Show me more context of what's included in the cost, Show me more cost per measure (ex: per sq.ft., per hour, etc. LevelDry is an easy to install fix for unstable play sets. A true DIY playground involves building your own play equipment. Your child will love having their very own playset in their backyard. When it comes to your toddler, look for swing sets that don't have opportunities to climb higher than you feel comfortable with. Rachel Brougham Updated: Apr. How much does it cost to level a yard? Jungle gyms are swing sets that come with something extra attached, like a slide, lookout deck, awning, or trampoline. By creating a level lawn, or creating spaces with a sloped yard, the area to work on or enjoy is maximized. The cost to accomplish the leveling certainly will be less than the swing set itself if it's a DIY project. ... Home Outdoors Yard & Garden Structures. Always dig down to level and never add to the ground to make it level. If the playset is not built on level ground, it may be putting stress on joints, hardware, or the wood itself, that it was not designed to withstand. All well graded yards will slope away from the house to help with drainage. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), Step 1: Playset and swing set installation professionals base their pricing on the type of playset, type of base, whether the playset is pre-made or custom-built, landscaping, labor, and permits. At Lowe’s we have a variety of swing sets and playsets for kids of all ages. How Much Does it Cost to Install a Window? But the playset retailers may install for free or at a nominal fee per playset. Most experts charge between $150 and $900 to install your playground equipment. Exact costs range between $333 and $657 and depend on factors like the equipment you choose, the surface, and the price to level your yard. We just finished building the tower, but found that the yard slopes more than we thought. But this doesn’t mean you can’t install a set on a sloped yard. The added ground will be loose and can cause the swing set to shift. Resloping a lawn requires reshaping the existing earth. How much yard leveling cost? Depending on the size of your playset, you should be able to accomplish this task in a weekend. But this doesn’t mean you can’t install a set on a sloped yard. This is a typical wood play set with tower and swings. After your site is as level and clean as you can make it, check the level using a 2×4 and level. Costs associated with this project vary widely depending on numerous factors. Additionally, this swing set safety zone must allow room for protective surfacing that should be placed in front of and behind the swing to a distance equal to twice the height of the top bar from which the swing is suspended. ", Step 4: - $657. Use wood mulch/chips, shredded rubber mulch or engineered wood fiber for equipment up to 8 feet high. Choose a deck height of at least 5 feet to get the most out of a playground before the child outgrows it. Gauge the depth by measuring from the twine to the base of the hole. Make sure this section is level before moving on to another. The last part of prep for a swing set in your backyard is to consider how to keep the playground equipment in place after it is built. With good maintenance and mild weather, that can go up to 15 years. The cost to reslope a yard for landscaping depends on the amount of fill dirt that needs to be brought in and the size of cut required to level the ground. Most homeowners reported paying between $1,019 and $1,570 to have this type of work done by a landscaping professional. 5. Once you find the right swing set for you, know that The Home Depot delivers. Description. 09, 2020. Assemble the play structure's main frame according to the manufacturer's instructions. ". CREATIVE CEDAR DESIGNS Sky View Wooden Playset, One Size. Refer to the anchor manufacturer’s installation guide for specific information about how to anchor a wooden swing set without concrete. When we moved, I found the most level spot on the lawn and up she went . Playset and swing set installation professionals base their pricing on the type of playset, type of base, whether the playset is pre-made or custom-built, landscaping, labor, and permits. Each foot of equipment requires about 10 cubic feet of sand. Water tables can cost as little as $30 at your local home improvement store or as much as $500 for a custom, permanent wooden structure. The area where the playground goes needs to be clear of all debris and structures, graded to be level and then covered in topsoil if necessary. Larger projects with lots of backyard vegetation might require you to budget for land excavation, at $1,500 to $5,000. LevelDry is an easy to install fix for unstable play sets. The swings and trapeze bar. Depending on the site size and difficulty, the cost and time required will vary. The surface and paperwork also play a major role in your budget. low, starter prices for toddler swing sets, durable, attractive, can hold any weight limit. Most home … Due to the heavy nature of timber and metal rods, building the structure from scratch might need to be a two or three-person job. Many homeowners don't expect site preparation to be as lengthy or as expensive as it can end up. Building a water table ranges between $50 and $150. Leveling a yard is not difficult and doesn’t require calling in a backhoe service for $65 to $75 an hour. On average, plan on spending anywhere from $50 to $150 per hour, depending on the contractor and what kind of equipment is needed. As you prep for a swing set, check the selected site for utility components, including underground elements like sprinklers or gas lines. The backyard leveling cost for a 1,000 sq. This is a major task, and some larger structures could require an additional permit or safety check to ensure that it is sound for child or adult use. Depending on where you live, you might need permission to construct a backyard playground. To save money on landscaping, level a yard yourself using a garden tractor with a box blade or just a shovel and a rake. My father-in-law thought we could just stick a 4 by 4 underneath the structure in back of it to level it out. Gorilla Playsets 01-0021 Nantucket II Wood Swing Set with Wood Roof, Two Swings, Slide, Sandbox Area, Rock Wall, Redwood Color. Most installation prices for projects other swing sets or jungle gyms are minimal. I began doing research on lawn leveling and after watching a few You Tube videos on professional lawn leveling, I was officially obsessed. A custom set featuring premium wood can easily reach $10,000. Homeowners use HomeAdvisor to find pros for home projects. Leveling the ground for a swing set is much the same as for a patio. About Backyard Discovery. The national average cost to install a playset is $350 – $450. In reality, leveling an existing yard is not that difficult a job. On average, you can save around 11% of the cost if you install the playground yourself. Avoid delays and problems by making sure your yard is ready A playset can't be installed just anywhere. However, natural grass has several downfalls when considered for this use. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. The plans are based on the assumption that the fort will be sitting on a perfectly level yard. Digging out ground for a sandbox might cost between $100 and $200. 6. Natural grass, carpeting and thin mats are not adequate as protective surfacing. See attached photo, we are looking to do a similar type of layout. Let's calculate cost data for you. This is a typical wood play set with tower and swings. All Rights Reserved. Cedar adds $500 to the cost of a treated pine set. Over the years my lawn became progressively bumpier, to the point where scalping the lawn while mowing was a common occurrence, and our two year old would frequently trip when running over bumps or low spots. With so many available feature options, you can choose a swing set suited to your backyard. An area of 20 x 20 is usually enough for most sets. The national average cost to install a playset is $350 – $450. Outdoor playground sets are available in wood, metal and vinyl-coated frames and come in a wide variety of footprints and with multiple activity stations. Professionals charge between $200 and $900 to assemble a prefab playset kit. Any material that can soften falls is great to put under a swing set. These swing set anchors are driven or screwed into the ground and bolted to the swing set once assembly is complete, but before shock-absorbing protective material is placed around the play equipment. Measure and mark the perimeter of the playground area. Materials, kits, and assembly are only part of the full cost of installation. Your child will love having their very own playset in … Once their projects are completed, the members log in to their accounts and complete a short cost survey. Remove grass and dirt within the outlined area with a shovel, beginning at the highest point. Although each one of our swing sets come with detailed assembly instructions that only require basic household tools and a light to moderate level of mechanical ability, some folks simply don’t have the time (or patience) to take on such a project. ", Step 5: Drag the long end of the lumber across the surface to level the sand. Rubberized playground surface costs between $1,800 and $3,500 and tends to be your most comprehensive option. On average, expect to pay $476 to build a playground. May 27, 2018 - This spring 2014 I leveled part of my backyard for a play set addition. Or maybe I should say it hasn’t been played with as much as $2,000 would warrant. Place a wooden stake at each corner and outline the area with twine or string tied between the stakes. The basic breakdown of costs for this project is as follows: Playset: $857 to $5,000; Installation/labor: $200 to $900; Supplies: Average $25; Swing Set & Playground Installation Cost Factors. That's because you won't need to pay the $150 to $900 price for professional assembly and installation if you build your own swing set. Swing Set Size and Design You can buy a playground slide for $100 to $800 at most major retailers and home improvement stores. Some Lumber, premixed concrete, hardware to secure the legs, perhaps Fill or an old mattress (smile),,,and instructions to the children about the issues and possibilities. It can go up to $400 per square meter if you add multiple levels to it. I am in central Texas, have Bermuda (sod placed 3 years ago), 3,000sqft yard, I use a yard company for fertilizer and week control, I don’t need a golf course for a yard but I don’t want my kids to twist their ankles in this uneven yard, I am not afraid to do work and be patient. Shop Costco for backyard playsets, with options like climbers, slides, jungle gyms, bucket swings, & more. To level the ground for a swing set, you can dig the sod to an even level, add material like rubber mulch in an enclosed surface, or add cement blocks to level just the supports of the swing set. If you’re working with a rectangular space, of course, you will need two different pieces of lumber in two sizes to do this. Need Help? ), Show me more information about my location. Material is the biggest cost variable, so check out the table below to compare prices and benefits. Many people believe that leveling a yard is a very difficult task, and often end up procrastinating on the task or calling experts and wasting a substantial amount of money. For complex projects, look for professional playground installation services or swing set installers near you. You might need to dig up the soil, remove rocks, roots, and trees, or replace topsoil. Be sure the design you choose incorporates standard safety features: commercial-grade, recessed hardware; rounded or capped corners; and solid swing beams and base posts. It is recommended to have adequate mulch- wood chips, etc, in the play area for shock absorbtion in case of falls, which causes appoximately seventy percent of injuries. You will need to build the play structure on level ground that won't shift over time. This can make a playset installation difficult, but if you’re yard has some serious slope, it brings playset installation to a whole new level of difficulty. Joined ... sloping yard which needed to be level and then a 40 x 20 foot "wall" of 4x4s to enclose the playground. Grow your kids’ imagination while giving them endless hours of fun and physical activity, on new playground equipment from The Home Depot. Help your neighbors make an informed decision. Wood chips are also expensive and attract insects like ants and termites. It's certified for child safety. We do not advise and prefer that you not add any fill materials such as mulch or wood chips until we complete the assembly. No, usually we will need to dig the fort in a little to level it. How to Build a DIY Playground Playset | * View Along the Way * First find a safe, level area for your playset The whole thing ends up being about 18 feet wide and 15 feet deep. The best way for clients to get the most out of their property, is by leveling a sloped yard. Backyard Discovery / Leisure Time Products is one of the largest manufacturers of wooden swing sets in the US. If you live in a subdivision, you may also need to check with your HOA to learn about any restrictions related to outdoor play equipment. Keeping this in view, how long does it take to build a playset? Schott says his grading jobs start at $500 for minor work and can go up to several thousand dollars for major jobs. The playset has been bought and paid for, delivered and erected in our yard for almost a year, but it hasn’t been played with much. Otherwise you will need to level the ground beneath the playset in order to install it. Note: Even if the ground is level, soil will need to be removed before you install a swing set to accommodate the protective shock-absorbing material. If you do not need a playset to accommodate a child past the age of 8, a 4-foot deck height will save yard space and be less expensive. Many retailers that sell this type of equipment also offer installation for a $200 to $800 fee. Most homeowners spend $355 to $693 on installation costs. These playsets are normally installed on flat and level ground, but in some cases a sloped yard can be used. Be sure to test all equipment before letting children use the jungle gym. Homeowners visit HomeAdvisor.com to find a top-rated pro to complete their home improvement project or repair. Read on to learn how to level a yard to help ensure a stable base when you install a swing set, and the cushioning material beneath it. Before you move forward with site prep or buying any playground equipment, make sure you check and comply with all local laws. Most common playground repairs cost between $200 and $500, which can range from painting the equipment to replacing cracked parts. Your opinion matters! You might pay more if it's a custom piece, the ground needs to be leveled, or you need to pay for a soft surface. A very basic 5X5 prefab cedar playhouse might cost $1,000-$1,500, not including delivery or assembly. As a DIY project or a professional job, you should consider a variety of factors before and during the construction. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Prefabricated wooden playhouses typically cost anywhere from $1,000-$5,000, while custom-built playhouses range from about $3,000 to upwards of $100,000. One of my mistakes was not taking the time to level the yard with dirt. Aug 4, 2006 #5 of 10 MatS Screenwriter. For instance, the local handyman will cost between $150 to $300, while the installation company will charge between $300 to $900. Where on that range you fall depends on what kind of playset or swing set you want. The kits include all hardware needed to install the playset, and normally can be completed in an afternoon by two people who have studied the instructions and have the right tools. Homeowners level ground in their yards for a variety of reasons. Leveling Around Your House for Your Foundation: Includes bases for houses, barns, sheds, etc. In rare residential cases, it can be much more. To the naked eye you may look at your backyard and feel like you have a level surface, but as soon as you install your new play set you may find that it is wobbly and unstable. We compile the data and report costs back to you. Playset Material. This guide will describe how to build a playground area that is safe for children and how to level a yard as you prep for a swing set. Some larger sets might require two assemblers to get it done, in which case the price typically ranges between $300 and $900. You can buy playground equipment at most home improvement stores, as well as online at all major retailers. A good site for a swing set must meet several conditions Pricing Increments of $25 My father-in-law thought we could just stick a 4 by 4 underneath the structure in back of it to level it out. Ensure a clearance area around the play set of at least 6ft in all directions.you are Ensure you are not planning to position the play set over any spinkler heads. On average, the price of playground equipment ranges between $100 and $5,000. By using HomeAdvisor, you agree to our Terms & Conditions, © Copyright 1999 - 2021 HomeAdvisor, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by, $333 It's useful if you want to build onto your existing structure or have an area of your yard (like a deck) that kids can slide down from. You can depend on your local handyman for a cost of $150 to $250 or hire a team of specialists at a budget between $300 and $900. Any backyard playground DIY project should have a level base to provide a … Familiarize yourself with average costs, brands, and possibilities as you price out and plan the project before the installation begins.