Jan. 4, 2024
How much a playground costs to build is one of the most important (if not the most important) factors when it comes to planning for your project. But how much does it actually cost?
When it comes to a playground project, there's more to the cost than just the playground equipment – for example, you’ll need to consider any land excavations and laying down playground surfaces on top of acquiring the equipment and having it installed.
Plus, if you’re planning on sourcing funding from a playground funding provider, the body will expect you to give a budget breakdown. Or, if you’re financing the project yourself and you’re part of a project team, the organisation in charge will also likely want to review your budget.
We’ve broken down the key elements of how much it costs to build a playground and what you need to consider as part of your planning.
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Playground?
There aren’t any short and simple answers to this question, as a whole range of factors contribute to the overall project cost – no two playgrounds will ever cost the same!
When you choose to work with us on your playground project, we’ll provide you with a no-obligation quote that will break down our recommended budget and pricing after carrying out a site survey and design plans. But, as a general idea as to how much you can expect your playground to cost, we’ve included some of our pricing brackets below…
| Type of Playground | Average Playground Cost* |
|---|---|
| School Playground | £5,000 to £10,000 |
| Small Parish Council Playground | £10,000 to £40,000 |
| Larger Council Playground | £50,000 to upwards of £100,000 |
| Commercial Playground | £1,500 to £10,000 per individual playground equipment structure (more for large flagship structures, bespoke items, and climbing pyramids) |
*These average costs are not fixed and will vary.
How Does the Cost of a Playground Break Down?
To make the costs of planning and building a playground easier to understand, we've broken down the various aspects of the overall cost.
| Playground Aspect | Approximate Percentage of Overall Cost* |
|---|---|
| Playground Equipment (not including bespoke) | 50% |
| Playground Design | Free of Charge from HUCK Play |
| Playground Equipment Installation | 25% |
| Surfacing | 15% |
| Site Amenities | 10% |
*We've used an average breakdown for this table. Your split may alter depending on the size of your playground and the amount of amenities you intend to supply.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Building a Playground
There are a few factors that can significantly affect the cost of building a playground, most notably, the size and location of the site, the complexity of the project, the equipment itself, and any additional features you need to install, like fencing or other safety features.
“We’ve worked on many playground projects across the UK, all requiring different considerations. Such as steep gradients, underground services, tree protection orders, flood areas, poor access and realistic budget expectations.”
– Anthony Lucas, Huck Play Manager
1. Location & Size of the Site
The location of your playground can have a significant impact on the overall cost. If you’re building on a site that needs extensive preparation or has difficult access, it will likely add to the cost. Additionally, if your playground is in an urban area with higher land costs, this could also increase the price.
Size of the playground is a clear one – the bigger the project, the higher the cost.
2. Complexity of the Project
The complexity of the project will also affect the cost of the playground build. For example, if you’re planning on a custom playground design, there will be additional costs compared to our standard equipment.
Read The Benefits of Custom Playground Design
Complexity of the project also links back to the first point – the project will be more complicated if any land needs to be cleared or levelled.
3. Type of Playground
The type of playground is an important cost-determining factor – the average cost of a school playground is much smaller than the average cost of a commercial playground.
This, in part, relates to the size of the play area but also the type of equipment installed in the park. The playground equipment typically installed in school playgrounds or local parish council playgrounds will be more standard than the structures installed in a commercial or adventure playground, and the cost will reflect this.
4. Additional Features & Safety Measures
Other factors that can affect the cost of building a playground include fencing, landscaping, shade structures, and seating areas. These site amenities can add value to your playground but will – inevitably – contribute to the overall cost. That’s not to say you shouldn’t include them.
5. Quality of the Playground Equipment
This might seem obvious, but when you're trying to stick to a tight budget that often comes with a public playground in the UK, it can be tempting to opt for less costly equipment to keep your overall spend down. But, it can cost you more in the long run as the equipment will likely require more regular maintenance and repairs, and it will lessen the value of your park. Spend more now, spend less on repairs later.
High-quality playground equipment is
- Longer lasting
- More aesthetically pleasing
- Safer for children
- More valuable to your site
We manufacture our rope-based playground equipment in-house using top-quality materials that meet all these criteria, including Douglas Fir wood, galvanised steel, and our signature Hercules steel-core rope – proven to withstand years of play.
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Playground Funding in the UK
If the costs of building a playground seem daunting and somewhat out of reach, many playground funding providers and grant schemes across the UK can help with your project.
Some of the biggest schemes include the Big Lottery Awards for All, ASDA Foundation and the People’s Postcode Trust. These funding providers along with the many others offer financial support from as little as £1,000 to as much as £300,000 (depending on the funding provider and their criteria).
Read our list of the UK’s top playground funding providers for a comprehensive list of these organisations and how to apply.
Summary: How Much Does it Cost to Build a Playground in the UK?
So, in short, the cost to build a playground in the UK can range anywhere from around £5,000 to upwards of £100,000, with factors like the type of playground, the size of the project, and the complexity of the build influencing the overall spend.
It’s important to remember that initial high costs shouldn’t cause you to look for cheaper alternatives – the quality and safety of your playground shouldn’t be sacrificed.
For any inquiries or to get started on your Huck Play playground, please contact us at 01308 425 100 or via email athello@huckplay.co.uk.
FAQs
A playground in the UK can cost anywhere from around £5,000 to over £100,000, depending on the type of project. Our school playground projects typically sit in the £5,000 to £10,000 budget bracket. School playgrounds will usually be smaller and require less equipment when compared to a parish council playground. Commercial playground projects can greatly vary in costs, but you should expect to pay anywhere from £1,500 to £10,000 per playground structure. Several factors influence the cost of building a playground. These include the location of the playground, the complexity of the installation, and any additional features such as fencing, landscaping, and seating areas. The cost of planning permission, meeting safety standards, and ensuring accessibility can also add to the overall expense. Future costs for maintenance and repairs should also be considered when planning a playground. Yes, we offer free, no-obligation quotes for our projects. After an initial site survey and discussions on the playground design, we will detail a quote factoring in our project costs. We understand that funding can be difficult to come across, so we will always do our best to work with you on the best possible solution.. Yes, planning permission may be required to build a playground in the UK, especially for larger projects or those in certain locations. The cost of obtaining planning permission varies depending on your area and the specifics of your playground plan. It's advisable to consult with your local authority early in the planning process to understand the requirements and potential costs.How Much Does it Cost to Build a Playground in the UK?
How Much Does it Cost to Build a School Playground in the UK?
How Much Does a Commercial Playground Cost?
What Factors Influence the Cost of Building a Playground?
Do You Offer Playground Project Quotes?
Do I Need Planning Permission To Build A Playground?
