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How to choose a playground company

Comparing playground suppliers can be tricky when every quote looks different. Here's a straightforward checklist — what to ask, and what a good answer sounds like — so you can compare like for like, whoever you end up choosing.

By the Kidzspace teamCommercial playground specialists since 20151,000+ projects · AS 4685 / AS 4422 certified
How to choose a playground company

At a glance

  • 10-point comparison checklist
  • What to ask before you sign
  • How to spot an apples-to-apples quote
  • No supplier names — just what to look for

Why comparing quotes is harder than it looks

Two playground quotes for the same site can look wildly different, even when they're for similar equipment. The gap is usually in what's included — surfacing, site preparation, installation labour and certification are sometimes itemised and sometimes buried, or left out entirely. The checklist below is what we'd tell a friend to ask, regardless of who they're getting quotes from.

10 things to ask any playground company

  • Do they design and manufacture the equipment themselves, or resell an imported catalogue?
  • Is the equipment certified to AS 4685, and is that certification independently verifiable?
  • Is softfall surfacing certified to AS 4422, and is it included in the quoted price?
  • Does the quote itemise equipment, surfacing, site preparation, delivery, installation and certification separately?
  • Do they install with their own crew, or hand the job to a third-party subcontractor?
  • What warranty applies, and does it vary by component (steel, plastics, moving parts)?
  • Can they show completed projects similar in scale to yours, with contactable references?
  • What's the realistic lead time from signed quote to completed installation?
  • Can they provide a free 2D/3D concept design before you commit to a fixed price?
  • Will the price change once the quote is signed, or is it genuinely fixed?

What good looks like

A trustworthy quote reads clearly: it names the equipment, states the certified standards it meets, lists surfacing and site works as their own line items, and gives a fixed total — not a starting estimate. A company confident in its work will show you real, similarly-scaled projects and put you in touch with past customers without hesitation.

Red flags worth asking about

  • An equipment-only price with surfacing, site works or installation quoted separately later
  • No independent certification offered, or reluctance to explain how compliance is verified
  • Vague warranty terms that don't break down by material or component
  • No completed projects of a comparable scale to show you
  • Pressure to sign before a design or fixed price has been provided

Frequently asked

What questions should I ask a playground supplier?

Ask whether they design and manufacture in-house, whether equipment and surfacing are independently certified, whether the quote itemises every cost, who actually installs the job, what warranty applies, and whether the price is genuinely fixed.

How do I compare quotes that look completely different?

Check what scope each quote covers. A fair comparison needs equipment, compliant softfall surfacing, site preparation, installation and certification all accounted for — an equipment-only figure isn't comparable to a fully delivered price.

What certification should playground equipment have?

Equipment should be certified to AS 4685 and softfall surfacing to AS 4422 — the Australian Standards that apply nationally. Ask for independent certification, not just a supplier's own sign-off.

Should I choose the cheapest quote?

Not without checking scope first. A lower headline figure often means less is included — surfacing, certification or installation quoted separately, or a lighter equipment specification. Compare like-for-like scope before comparing price.

Does a fixed-price quote mean the price can't change?

It should. Ask directly whether the number you're given is the final price or a starting estimate, and get it in writing before you sign.

How long should a playground installation take?

Most projects run 8–16 weeks from enquiry to completed installation, including a couple of weeks for concept design, around 10–12 weeks to manufacture custom equipment, and 3–14 days on-site for installation. In-stock equipment can skip the manufacturing wait entirely.

Questions about how to choose a playground company?

We're happy to help — no obligation, just honest advice.

Ask usCall 1300 543 977

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