How Much Does It Cost to Build a Swing Set or Playground?

How Much Are Swing Sets?

The cost of a swing set ranges from $80 to $1,500, excluding labor. From tire swings to baby swings, what you’ll pay heavily depends on the type of swing (or swings) you want in your playground. You will also need to factor in professional installation, which ranges from $150 to $500.   

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Playground Yourself?

Before you consider DIY-ing to save on your playset cost, note that these are extremely heavy materials. Ideally, you’ll have at least two to three strong friends helping you out—along with plenty of drinks and snacks. Professional playground installers near you can take over if the job isn’t feasible to tackle on your own.

“If you have the right tools, experience, and help, a DIY playset is definitely an achievable weekend project,” says Andy Kilborn, Angi Expert Review Board member and owner of Andy’s Handyman. “However, if you are short on any of those items, it’s worth it to hire a professional.”

Lumber and Supplies

Your lumber costs will depend on your design. Pressure-treated lumber generally goes for $2 to $5 per square foot, while cedar costs between $3 and $7 per square foot. 

You’ll also need a few basic supplies. Here’s what you may need, along with some average costs:

Playground Equipment

If you’re building your own swing set, there are plenty of á la carte options for equipment. Here are a few ready-made pieces to feature in your new swing set:

If you’re a crafty (and careful!) DIY-er, there are a lot of opportunities to get creative with your playground installation using raw or salvaged materials. These can be very cheap if you know where to look, but remember to put your creation through rigorous testing before having the little ones use it. You might also need an additional safety inspection to ensure it’s structurally sound for the kiddos.

If you’d like to take on a simpler playground DIY first, consider building a mud kitchen. 

DIY Swing Set Installation Cost

Your swing set assembly cost depends on how many kids will be playing at one time. Most homeowners opt for two swings, which you can usually get in a pack for about $50 to $60. The price for a single standalone swing is around $30 to $50, with toddler bucket swings costing between $25 and $80 each.

If you want a complete swing set that includes the structure with it, you might pay anywhere from $100 to $700 for a two-swing set.

Playset Installation Cost Breakdown

When determining your playground installation cost, you’ll need to consider labor prices, materials, and playground surfacing. You’ll also need to think about leveling your yard if it needs it, and any permits you’ll need for building.

Labor

Your swing set installation cost could range anywhere between $150 and $900, depending on who you hire for the job. Some brands, such as Kidkraft, will include installation with purchase.

Materials

Pre-made playsets can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $6,500—or possibly more if you’re doing something custom. For a DIY build, you’ll need to factor in roughly $450 worth of tools and supplies, plus the cost of lumber and individual pieces of play equipment.  

Playground Surfacing

Playground surfacing can cost anywhere between $15 to $160 per cubic yard, or up to $225 per square yard if you go with poured rubber. Plain wood chips cost about half the price of rubberized mulch, though they’re prone to pests and won’t last nearly as long. Sand costs roughly one-third as much as wood chips and is the cheapest option by far, but as mentioned before, it gets everywhere.

Cost to Level Your Yard for a Playset

If your yard has lots of hills, brush, and other obstacles, you may need to budget another $1,200 to $4,200 to level it out. The area will require clearing, grading, and possibly a new layer of topsoil before building can take place.

Permits

Depending on where you live, you may need to spend between $400 and $1,100 to obtain the proper permits for your playground. Not all cities will require one, so be sure to check out local laws before moving forward.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Playground Surface by Type?

When figuring your swing set installation cost, one thing you’ll need to consider is the soft surface underneath. After all, falling is an inevitability when you’re a kid, so it’s essential to provide something to absorb the impact.

Rubber Mulch

Rubber mulch costs around $120 per cubic yard, with costs ranging between $80 and $160 per cubic yard. Though it’s a pricier choice, rubber mulch offers a soft fall surface that won’t rot or wear like wood chips. Note that it’s also used for landscaping, so be sure you’re getting a variety that’s certified as a playground safety surface.

Poured Rubber Surfacing

According to HomeAdvisor, poured rubber costs $16 to $25 per square foot, or about $144 to $225 per square yard, but you’re getting your money’s worth. Aside from being satisfyingly squishy, it offers great impact absorption. It’s also slip-resistant and less messy than other options, especially after a rainy day.

Wood Chips

Playground mulch, which is a mixture of soft wood chips, goes for around $45 to $60 per cubic yard. While it costs less than rubber mulch, it can double as a buffet for insects like termites and ants. It’s also likely to rot and require replacement much sooner. Unless you’re captivated by the nostalgia factor, it’s wise to go with more modern rubberized surfaces.

Sand

Sand is around $5 to $8 per cubic foot, or $15 to $40 per cubic yard. It’s an economical playground surface that does a great job of absorbing impact. However, it also does a great job of getting everywhere, so that’s a con to consider.

Grass

Grass is obviously free if you have it already, but it’s not the safest option if one of the kiddos loses their footing. You’ll also need to make sure it stays free of sharp objects and any “presents” your dog might leave behind. Plus, any grass in high-use areas (like below swings and slides) can quickly turn to dirt—and, when it rains, mud.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Playground by Brand?

Different brands carry pre-made playsets that may or may not include installation costs. Below are a few of the most popular choices and what their price could be.

Gorilla Playset Installation Cost

Gorilla Playsets offer a wide range of jungle gyms that can be anywhere from $1,200 to $6,500. Professional installation can cost between $200 and $500. If you purchase from this brand, they’ll turn you to preferred installers that already know their way around the products—which could potentially save you time (and money, of course).

Kidkraft Swing Set Assembly Cost

KidKraft playground equipment goes for around $1,000 to $2,800. This also includes professional assembly and installation, so that’s a major bonus.

Rainbow Playground Installation Cost

Rainbow Play Systems are a highly customizable option that generally goes for between $1,500 and $4,000. Depending on the complexity of the design, your professional playset installation cost could be anywhere from $250 to $600.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.