After years of building playgrounds and other structures around Memphis, I’ve noticed a common theme. Many parents buy swing sets expecting a simple weekend build. But the project can easily turn into a frustrating experience. The hidden challenges of swing set assembly just aren’t disclosed well.
I’ve always believed that a little insight can go a long way. As a dad, it can be demoralizing to fail or have to hire help. I understand (even for single moms!). So I thought I’d give everyone a little heads up to ensure your attempt is successful. Listen, you got this!!
A Quick Playground Disclaimer:
Just remember, a helping hand is always best. The last thing you want to do is try to assemble a swing set alone. Showing your kids how to do something effectively is far more important than proving you can do something all by yourself. It’s a great way to teach future adults to avoid risk and embrace vulnerability.
In my opinion, a project like this is a great way to bond as a family. When you approach stuff as a team, challenges become valuable. In this blog, I won’t get into the frustrations of pricing (add-ons, features, delivery fees, etc.). But, let’s talk about how to avoid confusion and the regret of trying.
Common Challenges of Swing Set Assembly.
From experience, the hidden pains of this project involve 5 things.
- Hardware or instruction confusion.
- Misaligned framing that isn’t square.
- Uneven ground lacking drainage.
- Improper anchoring or lack thereof.
- Time underestimation.
In order to prepare for the task at hand, it’s important to understand what you may face. This is especially true if you’re approaching the assembly as a family (or partnership). Identifying the challenges of the project will help you determine which “set of hands” can help with each.
Set Up the Swing Set Assembly for Success..
Handing out a specific task (or stewardship) in the beginning provides purpose for everyone. This also increases cooperation. One person can assemble while the other checks the “square”. Think about it. Figuring out how to check square together is a bonding opportunity in itself! A parent teaching this builds trust.
At the end of the the day, people are people. A planned process will always lessen any challenge. It also increases your chances of building the swing set the right way, the first time! I hope the motivational speech helped! Now, let’s get into the details of what you can expect.
1. Hardware + Instruction Confusion.
From my experience, deciphering directions is the most frustrating element of swing set assembly. Sometimes it seems like they made it confusing on purpose. I feel terrible for those of you who are not as handy, but are trying! The key to overcoming this challenge is organization.
Let’s Discuss the Hardware First.
It may seem like overkill, but it’s imperative that you lay out everything before building anything. One broken piece, missing part or duplication error forces you to leave the structure as-is until the manufacturer responds. I think you know the rest. My assembly services are predicated on organization and quality inspection.
When you look at every piece and fastener (bolt, screw, washer, lock washer, lock nut, t-nut, anchor, etc.), it familiarizes you with what goes where. I like to put the same type fasteners in the same container (keep them in their separate bags).
When everyone knows where everything is, you can work together with certainty. Believe it or not, this is the easiest way to save time .
Confusing Assembly Instructions.
Directions with unreadable print is another frustration. Either the explanation itself doesn’t make sense or the verbiage is too small to read. It’s pretty annoying. The easiest solution is looking online for a PDF. This allows you to zoom in; even from your phone. I would know. Digital versions are usually better.
Once you’re able to clearly see each step, you’ll want to pay attention to the details of every piece. The location of screw holes and patterns can easily be overlooked. Double check every little detail, no matter how tedious it appears. The wrong piece in the wrong place will force you to de-construct.
2. Misaligned Framing That Isn’t Square.
This doesn’t require much effort. But it’s crucial. The first few steps of every playground assembly usually involve the tower. It’s essentially the backbone of the structure. So, it needs to be square. Making sure of this will help you determine if the ground is level.
To expedite the process, you can use a t-square or a large speed square (16″). Most playground parts have pre-drilled holes force you to rely on screw holes to determine the location of each piece. But these aren’t always reliable. Make sure the structure is square.
Confirming this ensures full strength, which protects your children.
A Quick Reminder to Stay Focused on Directions.
Before tightening bolts and screws, double check the instructions. Some of the fasteners need to remain loose so you can make adjustments. Once the structure is in place, and the ground is level, recheck your squares.
3. Uneven Ground or Poor Drainage.
At the end of the day, every swing set is manufactured to be installed on level ground. A small slope is problematic over time. Don’t risk it. Digging out the soil isn’t hard to do. Most playgrounds don’t have many ground points. I like to use a hammer claw to make sure the grass stays intact.
From here, use a level to check every side of the tower. Then look at the swing beam (horizontal). Once things are leveled up, the key is making sure water won’t ruin your work. Using rocks or sand to help carry water away from the swing set is ideal. Feel free to email me for suggestions.
4. Improper Anchoring or Lack Thereof.
Leveling and anchoring are critical for safety. In short, swings are going to push and pull the structure in both directions. Many of these products come with screw-in stakes. The challenge can be installing them properly. Again, take the time to review the instructions. Certain tools also make the process easier.
Frustration during the last step can make it tempting to do the bare minimum. That’s never a good solution. Take the time to secure the playground. If you don’t like the factory stakes, you can always purchase a different option.
5. Underestimating the Time Commitment.
OK, folks. This is the one that gets most of you. I know the “how-to” videos promote simplicity. I know the directions say the assembly process should only take 8-12 hours. I get it! However, do not believe the hype. Playground assembly even challenges me from time-to-time! It’s why my prices are pretty firm.
Look, I’m not here to discourage you from doing this. I believe you can. I just want you to temper your expectations a little bit. Even guys like me can find myself in hour 18 after realizing I put the play kitchen motherboard upside down. It can be demoralizing, as I said before.
Doubling your expectation is the best way to avoid the frustration of not finishing “on time”. Do you think you’ll be able to complete the job in one weekend? Ok, better make it two weekends. That way, if you finish next Saturday, before lunch, a celebration will ensue.
See how that works out so much better?
