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.

It may be tempting to DIY the construction of a swing set to save money, but we don’t recommend it. Since children will use the swing set, the entire system must be solid and safe, meaning the cost savings aren’t worth potentially endangering them. Plus, most DIYers will have to build their swing sets out of wood, which won’t last as long as metal or vinyl and introduces the risk of splinters. Instead, hire a local playground equipment installer to ensure the swing set is built safely and efficiently, setting up your kids for fun for years to come.

Costs depend on equipment size, site preparation, and additional features like soft ground covering.

If your seedlings have reached a few inches in height and the weather outside has stabilized to where you’re no longer seeing overnight temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, it may be time to start hardening them off to get them ready to be planted in the garden.