Detailed Play Systems provides its customers with the Detailed Plans needed to build their playground, the hardware, swings and slide. The wood is not included, but each kit contains a Lumber Purchase Guide that shows exactly what wood needs to be purchased to build each configuration, giving parents the added benefits of being able to choose the type of wood, and to hand-select each piece if desired for quality control. Kits from Detailed Play Systems range from $169 for a basic Jungle Fort Builder Kit to $900 and up for the works -- a dual fort plus swing set combination. The company's most popular kit, the Jungle Fort Swing Set kit, sells for $499. It features a large 6 foot by 6 foot fort with sandbox beneath complete with inclined step ladder, gangplank ramp, a slide and attached 3-position swing set. Included in the price are the Detailed Plans, all galvanized hardware, and the playground equipment components needed. For the Jungle Fort Swing Set, these include a ten-foot Wave slide, belt swings, trapeze bar, and handgrips for safety.
The kits are fully customizable, a multitude of playground configurations can be built, and the sets are modular so they can be added to over time. Accessories such as periscopes, telescopes, steering wheels, sandbox covers, and specialty swings -- full bucket or flat swings -- can be added on to kits or purchased individually and used to upgrade an existing backyard playground."
"The idea here is to help our customers provide quality playgrounds for their kids that won't break the bank. We are able to keep costs down because our customers don't have to pay for the labor overhead, machinery, or wood processing," says Jessen. "Shipping the wood alone can easily add $500 to the cost." If you decide to build a playground yourself, Jessen says you can count on the project taking about a weekend to complete. He estimates about 8 hours for the wood processing, which includes cutting the wood to size and drilling the holes for the bolts, and another 8 hours for assembly.
"Depending on how large or small your chosen playground configuration is, your tool setup, and how much help you have, it may take more or less time," he says. Only basic skills -- measuring, cutting straight lines,
prefab house and drilling holes -- are required. "Many of our customers -- having had no prior wood working experience -- have built their own playground for about half the cost thanks to our Detailed Plans that make it easy."
"It took us a couple of weekends to get it all done," says Jacques. "And it was a family project that was rewarding for us to accomplish together. My father-in-law and brother-in-law helped." Once you have your completed your project, you may want to add such safety measures as mulch made from recycled rubber, landscape timbers made from recycled plastic, bumper pads, and nonskid strips for places where kids need a better grip. All of these kits and add-ons are available direct from Detailed Play Systems.