How to move a swing set to a new home

The backyard playground is more than an entertainment area for the kids – it’s a locus of adventures, challenges, and fun. It has a special place in your children’s hearts and they would be truly upset to no longer have it. So, leaving the swing set and play equipment behind when moving to a new home is not something you want to do. Besides, you have probably invested a lot of money in your current play set and wouldn’t like to just give it up.

Moving a swing set, however, is not an easy feat – it takes a lot of work and care. You need to disassemble the set, pack it properly, and find a way to transport it to your new home. Then, you need to reassemble it and secure it in its new place. And you need to ensure that the equipment stays in perfect condition throughout the entire process.

To be able to achieve that you need to know how to move a swing set the right way – and you need to be aware of all the little details, so everything goes smoothly and your kids can continue to enjoy their beloved outdoor playset – and can make a lot of happy memories – in your new home.

Is your swing set worth moving?

As unwilling as you (or your children) may be to let go of the backyard swing set, sometimes moving it to your new home may just not be worth it – if the swing set is damaged or too worn out, if it is anchored to the ground with concrete, if there isn’t enough space for it in your new property, etc.

So, before you start planning the swing set relocation, you need to check the condition of the play equipment and consider the following questions:

1. Is there a good spot for the swing set at the new home? If there isn’t, then there is no point in bringing the set with you.
2. What kind of swing set do you have? Larger sets are more difficult to relocate than smaller ones. And, sometimes, it may cost you more to move your old swing set than to purchase a new one after the move. (If you have a high-quality set, though, relocating it will probably be much cheaper than buying a new one of similar quality.)
3. What is the condition of the swing set? Are there any broken parts? Splintered pieces of wood? Rust spots (on metal playsets)? Rotten wood (for wood playsets)? If the set is badly damaged, it makes no sense to move it to your new place. And even if it is in good overall shape and you decide to relocate it, this would be the perfect time to get replacements for worn out or damaged parts – or to make upgrades.
4. How is the swing set anchored to the ground? If it is anchored in concrete, freeing it will require special tools (a jackhammer or a sledgehammer) and a lot of effort – and the swing set may be easily damaged in the process.
5. Can you disassemble the playset yourself? If you have some experience, the right tools for the job, and the instruction manual for the set, you should be able to complete the task without any hiccups. If you don’t have enough time, though, or if you don’t want to risk it, you’ll have to pay professionals to disassemble the set.

Once you know the answers to the above questions, you will be able to make an informed decision about whether to relocate your children’s swing set or not. And if you decide that the set is worth moving, you will have to find a safe and efficient way to take it to your new home.

Will movers move swing sets?

The easiest way to move an outdoor playset is to hire professional movers to do the job for you.

Most moving companies will move a swing set – the pros can even disassemble and reinstall the set for you (at an extra cost, of course).

What to expect from swing set movers

Playsets vary greatly in size and features, so the pros will first need to evaluate your swing set:

• If the set is in a poor condition (rotten wood, broken parts, etc.), the movers may refuse to move it as doing so may result in personal injuries and/or property damage;
• If the set is large and has many add-ons, the professionals will determine which pieces should be taken apart, so the set becomes safer and easier to relocate;
• If the set is small, the pros may be able to move it without disassembling the whole thing.

In case your swing set requires disassembly, you need to decide whether to do it yourself or pay the movers to perform the task (the cost can be negotiated with the moving company and may be included in the total cost of your move or charged separately).

If you requested professional disassembly and reassembly, the movers will bring the necessary tools and equipment on moving day and will take the swing set apart. The pieces will be safely packed and carefully loaded and secured into the moving truck.

Upon arrival at your new property, the movers will do a quick evaluation of the area and will offer advice about the placement of the playset. Then, they will reassemble the set and position it in place. When ready, the pros will double-check that all nuts, screws, and bolts are tightened and will make sure the swing set is secure and ready for use. After a final walk around, the swing set movers will gather their tools, remove used packing materials, and collect payment.

Related: What to expect from professional movers

How much does it cost to move a swing set

The cost to move a swing set can be anywhere between $100 and $1000, depending on the size and type of the set and the relocation distance. The bigger the set is and the more attachments it has (slides, ladders, ropes, monkey bars, etc.), the more difficult it will be to relocate and the longer the job will take, so the cost will be higher. The swing set movers will charge significantly higher rates for a luxury swing set than for a standard A-frame swing set with two swings and a slide, of course.

Usually, the cost of moving a swing set is included in the total cost of your move – so, when moving an average size swing set (2-3 swings, 2 add-ons), you can expect it to increase your final relocation costs by about $300.

Bonus tip: Prices vary from company to company, so be sure to get several estimates before deciding on movers to hire. (See also: Reasons to get multiple moving quotes for your relocation)

How to move a swing set by yourself

If you think that paying for professional swing set relocation services isn’t worth it, you can move the set by yourself. It won’t be easy, but it’s doable.

How to prepare for moving a swing set

The first thing to do when planning to relocate a swing set is to take note of how the structure is put together, gather the supplies you’re going to need, and ensure some help:

• Take photos of the play set from different sides and angles, so you have a visual guide when reassembling the swing set at your new home;
• Label all parts of the playset and mark all connecting joints that will be taken apart (use a marker or tags);
• Consider sealing/staining the swing set to reduce the risk of damages during the move;
• Gather the necessary tools (a wrench, a screwdriver, etc.) and packing supplies (large moving boxes, sealable plastic bags, plywood sheets, plastic wrap, heavy-duty packing tape, etc.);
• Ask a friend to help you disassemble the set and load it on the moving vehicle.

Bonus tip: Keep in mind that even when the set is disassembled, some of the pieces may be quite big – make sure the moving vehicle you’re going to use to transport the swing set to your new home (a rented moving truck, a pickup truck, etc.) is large enough to fit all the pieces. (See also: What size moving truck do you need)

How to disassemble a swing set

If your playset is not a luxury model and doesn’t have a very complicated design, you should be able to disassemble it without a problem:

• Spray all bolts with a spray corrosion solvent and let it sit for about an hour before you start disassembling the set – this will help loosen stuck bolts and nuts;
• Remove the swings first – unhook them from their hinges on the crossbeam;
• Detach slides, monkey bars, ladders, rings, and other add-ons;
• Disconnect the main crossbeam from the posts and the fort – unscrew the pieces slowly and carefully;
• Decide if the A-frame or any other sections of the playset need to be broken down further. (If the play set includes a fort or a clubhouse, measure its height and width to determine if it will fit on the moving truck or not. It is usually a good idea to remove the roof to reduce the size and weight of the fort and make it easier to carry and more space-efficient inside the truck.);
• If the set is anchored in concrete, use a jackhammer or sledgehammer to “free” the posts.

Bonus tip: If you break a piece while disassembling the set, do not throw it away – you will need it to find the right replacement.

How to pack the disassembled set

After you take the swing set apart, you need to ensure the safety of the pieces during the move:

• Fasten the removed bolts and screws to the pieces they belong with or put them in a sealable bag and label it accordingly (so you know which hardware parts came from where);
• Wrap the swing seats in protective coverings (old clothes or towels will work best), then wrap the swing chains around them. Use some plastic wrap to secure the “bundles” and prevent the protective wrapping from falling off and the chains from tangling;
• Pack smaller elements in large moving boxes with plenty of padding inside;
• Wrap the swing crossbeam and the other larger pieces of the set in moving blankets or other appropriate protective materials (old blankets and linens will do). Secure the wrappings in place with plastic wrap.

How to load the swing set on the moving truck

Once you’ve packed the disassembled playset, it’s time to load it on the moving vehicle. The individually wrapped larger pieces (swings, crossbeam, etc.) and the smaller parts packed in boxes will be easy to load. The fort, however, will require some more effort (and heavy lifting):

• Lay a large sheet of plywood in front of the fort and place the fort on top of it on its side;
• Stand on one side of the plywood sheet and have your helper stand on the other. Grab the sheet securely at the corners and lift it simultaneously with your partner. (If the fort is very big and heavy, you’ll need 4 people – one person on each corner – to carry it. Alternatively, you can slide the fort to the truck, with one of you pulling the plywood sheet and the other balancing the fort.);
• Carry the fort to the moving vehicle and load it carefully on the back of the truck.

It is recommendable to load the fort first.

How to reassemble the swing set at your new home

At your new home, unload all the playset pieces and take them to the location where you want the backyard playground to be (pick a level area, free of obstructions, with enough clearance (there should be at least 6 feet in front of the swings), and at an appropriate distance from your neighbor’s property (according to the local regulations)). Inspect the pieces to make sure they didn’t sustain any damage during the move (replace lost or broken parts).

Follow the swing set assembly instructions and refer to your own photos to put the set back together. Start with the main tower and the A-frame, reattach the main crossbeam, and work your way out to the accessories.

Once you’ve got the set reassembled, anchor it firmly in place. Make sure the structure is stable and well secured before you let your kids use it.

Good to know when moving playground equipment

1. How to move a wooden swing set – Whether your children’s playset is made of wood, metal, plastic, or a combination thereof, the above tips will help you ensure a safe and smooth swing set relocation. Moving a wooden swing set, however, requires extra care as wooden sets are quite valuable and easily prone to damage;
2. How to move a big swing set -The best way to move a large swing set is to take it apart – moving it in one piece will not only be very difficult, but may easily result in damages and injuries;
3. If you’re moving in the winter, the risk of damaging the swing set will be much bigger – you can easily break the boards or posts when trying to remove them from the frozen ground. Besides, you’ll most likely need to store the playset someplace safe (in a shed, garage, basement, storage unit, etc.) until spring, as the ground at your new property will probably be too cold and hard to safely reassemble the set and anchor it in place;
4. It is a good idea to create a protective surface under the swing set (sand, rubber mulch, wood chips, pea gravel, etc.) when installing the play equipment at your new property after the move.

Related: How to move outdoor furniture