Guide To Hiring A Swing Set Installer

The swing sets that we carry and most swing sets in general are designed with homeowner installation in mind. That being said it's very common for folks to hire a swing set installer to install their new swing set. We've created this guide as a resource to make that process as straightforward as possible.

Why hire an installer?

Swing sets have quite a few parts. The installation time for most outdoor playsets usually ranges from 4 hours to about a weekend for some of the larger ones. If you get excited about assembling Ikea furniture then you may very well enjoy installing a swing set. If you're worried about your technical skills, don't have another adult to help, or simply don't have the time, then hiring an installer might be your best bet.

Types of Installation Companies

There are basically two different kinds of installation companies. Local installation businesses operate in their local area. They may focus specifically on outdoor products, or they may be a bit more diverse and also offer appliances, exercise equipment, or other home products. The second type of installation companies operate on a national level. They usually have a network of installation technicians through which they contract installations. In our experience, here are the advantages and disadvantages of each.

• Local Installation Company: Generally speaking, a local installation company will probably do the best job and offer the best service. This obviously doesn't apply in every situation, but a good local installer is typically very driven by customer satisfaction; local installers who regularly install sets day in and day out bring valuable knowledge and experience to the job. However, the downfall to this is that local installers are often a little more expensive and in the middle of the spring and summer have a pretty full calender.
• National Installation Company: Also speaking in general, working with a national installation company tends to be a little less expensive. It's also easier to find an installer with a national company in areas where other installation options are tough to find. The negative is that the technicians these companies use are usually doing installations on the side. Because doing swing set installations isn't their main gig, they are more likely to have less experience than a local company.

Where to find an installer

Using an online search engine to enter your city with something like “swing set assembly” or “swing set installer” will usually get you headed in the right direction.

Gorilla Playsets has put together a swing set installer directory with a list of installers by state. Within each state's listing the installer's coverage area is listed, making it really easy to use.

When To Schedule The Installation

We've found that it's best to schedule and installation after you've actually received the swing set. This way you won't have to base your installation on estimated delivery dates which may cause you to have to reschedule it in the event of a shipment delay. This will also give you the chance to order and receive replacement parts on the off-chance that pieces have arrive damaged or missing (see the heading below).

Some installers may charge additional fees if they aren't able to complete the set and have to return at a later date. By scheduling the installation after you've received and looked over your order, you can avoid that whole debacle.

When To Schedule The Installation

It's also a great idea to inventory the parts of your swing set before you schedule the installer to make sure that everything is good to go. Sometimes there may be pieces that were damaged or missing that you'll want the manufacturer to replace before the set is installed. Some installers actually include this step in their service, so make sure to double-check with them.

If the thought of assembling a swingset yourself gives you a headache, hiring an installer can undoubtedly make the installation process much easier. We hope these tips have been helpful, and that you can now spend less time worrying about how to actually get the set in place, and more time outside having FUN!