Understanding Your Quote

Planning a new playground involves several stages, which is why we’ve created a simple four-step guide to help you understand what’s included in your quote.

From exploring custom solutions such as bespoke playground equipment, personalised engraving and CNC designs, to preparing your site by removing old equipment, surfacing and markings, each step plays an important role in the process.

We also break down what the different items on your quote mean, from site security to post-installation inspections, and cover the finishing touches such as artificial grass repair kits, bark pit edging and topsoil to ensure your playground surfaces are ready for play. Read on to explore our four steps to understanding your playground quote.

Step 1: Bespoke Product Services

Bespoke Products

Our in-house product design team create bespoke playground equipment designs based on your specific requirements. They work closely with our manufacturing team to ensure all designs meet the necessary safety standards, including BS EN 1176 & 1177 for playground equipment and surfacing.

This collaborative process ensures that all products are both functional and compliant with industry regulations. Whether the design involves custom elements or tailored features, the team ensures the final product aligns with the site’s needs and safety requirements.

Bespoke CNC Engraving

We can incorporate bespoke graphics into our PLAY-TEC PCR panels, including school or company logos, to create a personalised and professional finish. Our in-house CNC machinery can be programmed to include virtually any design, allowing for high levels of customisation. This flexibility enables us to produce tailored, brand-specific elements that complement the overall play space.

From themed graphics to custom cut-outs, our products can be adapted to suit your vision and reinforce your organisation’s identity within the playground environment.

Bespoke Products - In-House Product Design Team

Step 2: Removal Services

Existing Equipment Removal

The removal and disposal of existing playground equipment covers the labour involved in safely dismantling and removing the equipment, as well as its disposal at an appropriate waste facility. We ensure that all equipment is disposed of in accordance with local regulations and environmental standards, minimizing any impact on the surrounding area.

The cost of this service will be reflected in your quotation, ensuring that the site is cleared and prepared for the installation of new equipment.

Surfacing Removal

The removal and disposal of existing safety surfacing includes the labour required to safely lift and remove surface materials such as artificial grass, play carpets, and rubber surfacing.

If the existing surfacing is rubber-based, it must be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. We ensure that any rubber surfaces are transported and disposed of at an approved, licensed facility that adheres to environmental standards.

The cost of this service will be reflected in your quotation, ensuring the area is properly cleared and prepared for the installation of new safety surfacing.

Thermoplastic Playground Marking Removals

Removing playground markings effectively requires the right method for the surface and type of markings involved. That’s why we operate two distinct removal systems, ensuring we can adapt to each project’s specific needs with both the equipment and expertise to deliver the best results.

Ultra High Pressure (UHP) Water Jetting:

Our UHP water machine is highly efficient, fast, and eco-friendly. Using ultra-high-pressure water, it can remove almost all types of markings with minimal clean-up and no surface damage. It is one of the most cost-effective solutions we offer.
Requirements: drive-on access to the playground and a consistent water supply.

Vapour Blasting:

For more delicate surfaces, our vapour blasting system is the preferred option. This method uses a fine abrasive media combined with water to gently remove markings without damaging the underlying surface. It’s particularly effective for older painted lines or where sensitivity is a concern. Though slightly slower due to clean-up time, vapour blasting is environmentally friendly, low-emission, and does not require public footpath closures. In cases where markings are heavy or extensive, vapour blasting may take a little longer. However, our team ensures regular updates throughout the process and always leaves the site clean, with no additional charge for post-removal tidy-up.

Step 3: Site Preparation & Additional Considerations

Site Security

Heras fencing is required for all open or publicly accessible sites, or where plant machinery is being used during playground installation. This secure temporary fencing helps ensure public safety by preventing unauthorised access and allows the site to be locked and secured overnight if necessary. It also protects materials, equipment, and machinery while work is underway.

If you can fully close the site to the public for the duration of the installation, and no plant machinery is required, Heras fencing may not be necessary and may be able to be removed from your quotation. Please speak to your Area Sales Manager/Project Manager to discuss further.

Welfare

Welfare facilities, such as access to toilets, are a requirement for all playground installation projects to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of our installation team. Where these facilities are not available on site, a portable toilet unit will be included in your quotation.

If you can provide access to suitable welfare facilities for the full duration of the installation, this can be removed from your quotation. Please speak to your Area Sales Manager or Project Manager to discuss further.

Post Installation Inspection

A post-installation inspection is a requirement for all projects where play is unsupervised, such as those for local authorities or leisure and tourism sites. This inspection is conducted by a third-party RPII registered company to ensure that the completed installation complies with BS EN 1176 & 1177 Playground Equipment & Surfacing standards. The inspection covers all aspects of the playground to confirm its safety and adherence to regulatory requirements.

Following the inspection, you will receive a full copy of the report upon sign-off of your installation, providing confirmation that the playground meets all necessary standards for safe use.

Enduro Track Mats

Enduro mats are required for playground installation sites where protection of the surrounding outdoor space is essential, particularly when accessing areas with grass or soft soil. These durable, high-density mats provide an effective ground cover solution, allowing site vehicles and machinery to move across the area without causing damage. They help prevent rutting, erosion, and wear, preserving the integrity of the surrounding outdoor space during the installation process.

If your playground installation site requires the use of Enduro mats, this will be reflected in your quotation.

Poor Access

A poor access charge may be applied where there is no direct or straightforward access to the installation site. This includes situations where machinery or skips must be set up some distance from the working area due to access restrictions, meaning materials and tools need to be manually transported a significant distance. Examples include narrow single-access gates, steps, steep slopes, tight pathways, or in scenarios where the installation site is an internal quad, requiring access through a building.

The charge reflects the additional labour and time required to safely complete the installation under these conditions. If you’re unsure about access to your site, please speak to your Area Sales Manager or Project Manager for further guidance.

Step 4: Surfacing & Landscaping Enhancements

Artificial Grass Repair Kit

An artificial grass repair kit is used when new playground equipment is installed into an area with existing artificial grass that is being retained.

To install the equipment, sections of the artificial grass are carefully cut to allow for the excavation and installation of timber uprights. Once the equipment is securely in place, the artificial grass is reinstalled using specialist adhesive and jointing tape, ensuring a high-quality, durable finish.

The repair kit allows for a clean and professional reinstatement of the grass surface, maintaining the overall appearance and functionality of the play area.

Timber Edging For Bark Pit

We can install a timber-edged bark pit to define the operating area beneath and around the playground equipment. This provides a contained space for loose-fill surfacing, such as play-grade bark or woodchip. The pit will be constructed to the appropriate depth and dimensions based on the equipment’s critical fall height, in line with BS EN 1176 and 1177 safety standards.

This installation allows the customer to add their own play bark, ensuring the area meets the necessary impact absorption requirements and complies with safety regulations.

Turf / Topsoil & Seed

Turf or topsoil and seed may be included in your quotation to establish a well-maintained grass surface around the play area. This natural surfacing option is suitable for use beneath equipment with a free fall height of up to 1.5 metres and, when properly maintained, meets the impact attenuation requirements set out in BS EN 1176 and 1177 safety standards.

By preparing the ground with quality topsoil and either laying turf or applying grass seed, we help create a safe, usable, and visually appealing outdoor space.