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Whether building a playground or installing a pre-made one is more affordable depends on the materials of each. In most cases, it’s more affordable to build a wooden playground than it is to buy one and have it professionally installed, but it might be less expensive to invest in a pre-made plastic playground, even if you pay a professional to install it. Wooden playgrounds tend to last longer, but as children age, they will become less valuable. Overall, it may be most affordable to have a pro install a pre-made plastic playground.

The average lifespan for a playset is around eight to ten years, but you can probably make it last to 15 years with good weather conditions and proper maintenance. If you’re purchasing a pre-made playset, some brands offer warranties for up to 25 years—long after your kiddos are grown.

Generally speaking, building a swing set is cheaper than buying a prefabricated one, but this assumes you have all the tools and knowledge to complete the project. The average cost to build a swing set is $514, but you should also factor in the time and effort it will require—if you don’t want to give up your weekend, it’s worth considering buying instead of building.

It’s usually possible to install a playground yourself, but we don’t recommend it. Playground construction can be complicated and involves moving large, heavy, and bulky components into place while you affix them to other pieces. Not only is the work physically demanding, but any mistakes could reduce the lifespan of your playground and potentially put any children who use the equipment at risk of injury. It’s relatively inexpensive to hire a professional playground installer, and it’s usually worth the investment, if only for the peace of mind it provides.