Search thousands of topics on CostHelper

BROWSE ALL TOPICS >> babies & children  cars  consumer electronics health & personal care home & garden personal finance  pets  schools small business sports weddings
CostHelper > Home and Garden  > Driveways, Pools & Outdoor Living > Playhouse

Playhouse Cost


How Much Does a Playhouse Cost?

 
low costCardboard or Cloth Playhouse: $25-$400average costMolded Plastic Playhouse: $80-$600+high costWooden Playhouse: $200-$10,000+
Typical costs:
  • A corrugated cardboard or cloth playhouse that can be stored when not in use typically costs $25-$150, depending on size and materials, but a few can be $200-$400 for larger and more detailed models. Most can be set up indoors or outdoors in good weather. For example, the 4.5'x3' and 4' tall My Very Own House Cottage ($30-$40) is made of sturdy white cardboard that children can color; the train-themed Pacific Play Tents Grand Central Station House[1] ($60 or $105 with optional crawl tunnel) is 58"x48"x58" with mesh roof windows for fresh air; and the 53"x42" and 65" tall Dexton Fengi Princess Cloth Playhouse[2] ($220-$300, plus $55-$70 for optional princess floor quilt) is 100% cotton with a candy-stripe roof, embroidered designs, white tie-back curtains and a lightweight metal frame.
  • A molded plastic playhouse can cost $80-$600 or more depending on size, style and accessories. Smaller versions may be used inside or outside, but larger ones are typically used outdoors. For example, the 43.25"x30.25"x43.5" American Plastic Toys My First Playhouse[3] ($90-$120) has a working doorbell, a mailbox with a flag and a table top, while the 58"x50"x51" Little Tikes Classic Castle[4] ($360-$550) has a built-in slide, lookout tower, crawl-through door and pretend fireplace. Molded plastic playhouses are typically designed for younger children two or three to six years old.
  • Wooden do-it-yourself kits with pre-cut lumber and all the hardware are advertised as relatively straightforward to assemble can cost $200-$10,000, depending on size, style, type of wood and amenities like working windows or a loft area. These can resemble a log cabin, a fairy-tale structure, a mini-mansion or other structure. For example, the all-cedar Backyard Discovery Winchester Playhouse[5] ($400-$450) is a country-style "cottage" that is 5.67'x5.33' and 5.67' tall, with a wood roof, front porch dormer and shutters that open and close. The Kids Crooked House[6] costs $1,449 for the original 4'x6' playhouse kit with porch; $2,149 for the deluxe 4'x8' playhouse with dormer and porch; or $4,449for the 4'x18' double deluxe model (shipping is extra). And the Little Cottage 10'x16' Grand Portico Mansion[7] ($6,580-$9,570 depending on whether it's DIY or pre-assembled and move-in ready) has 22 working windows with safety glass and screens, a loft with a ladder and 10 flowerboxes.
  • Hiring a handyman or contractor to assemble a wood playhouse kit can cost $50-$200 for a simple kit or $500-$3,000 or more for large, complex projects that can take up to a week to build.Kids Crooked House[8] estimates its kits can be assembled in an hour by two adults with simple tools, and offers a set-up service in some areas for $499. HGTV estimates that building a basic prefab playhouse kit takes a full day.
  • Do-it-yourself construction from scratch (no kit) is possible for those with moderate to strong carpentry skills, and costs will vary depending on materials and the size and scope of the project. For example, ThisOldHouse.com explains how to build a fort[9] using fencing panels, estimating this easy to moderate project costs about $175 and takes three hours. FamilyFun magazine describes building a backyard playhouse using lattice[10] in 10 hours for $250-$340. DIYNetwork.com estimates building a deluxe playhouse[11] from scratch is a moderately difficult project that takes two days and $250-$500.
Related articles: Swing Set, Handyman

What should be included:
  • Playhouse kits typically include written instructions, and some companies give DIY advice by phone or email. While some kits include everything needed to build the playhouse, others require the customer to purchase roofing supplies, paint, long lengths of lumber or other supplies; always clearly understand what is and is not included.
  • Large kits are typically delivered to the customer's driveway, and arrive on a pallet in a semi-truck. It may be necessary to arrange for a fork lift or lift gate to unload the pallet. Little Cottage Co. illustrates how its DIY kits and pre-assembled playhouses are delivered[12] .
Shopping for a playhouse:
  • Apartment Therapy explains what to consider when choosing a playhouse[13] .
  • Playhouses are available from big-box stores like Target[14] or Walmart[15] ; home improvement centers like Home Depot[16] or Lowe's[17] ; or online retailers like Amazon[18] or Playhouses.com[19] .
  • Verify that a contractor is properly insured, bonded and licensed; ask for and check references.
post Post   Comments (1)  
CostHelper News


7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd
As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013


7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget
End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013

‣ All CostHelper Blog Posts


What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Swing set
Amount: $1,000.00
Posted by: Tar in Lee’s Summit, MO.Posted: May 9th, 2019 06:05PM
Type of Material: WoodStyle of Playhouse: Slide swing
Brand: Kidkraft
Copper ridge play set
F29055
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam


 

Comment On Your Experience With a Playhouse
 
Subject:  *
Amount Spent:  *
Type of Material: Style of Playhouse: 
Brand:   
Comments: 
Purchased:  Year: 
City:  * State:  *
 
Information about you:
Email:  * Email addresses are not displayed.
Name:  This is the name we'll display with your post.
me on this computer
*=required field.
 



External Resources:
  1.  www.amazon.com/Grand-Central-Train-Station-House/dp/B001T1GDUK/ref=sr_1_39?s=toys-...
  2.  www.playhouses.com/indoor-playhouses/cloth-playhouses/fengiplayhouse.cfm
  3.  www.americanplastictoys.com/prodDetail.php?psProduct=18000
  4.  www.littletikes.com/kids-toys/classic-castle?Product_ID=2318
  5.  www.swingsetsonline.com/backyard-products/play-houses/Winchester-Playhouse/
  6.  www.kidscrookedhouse.com/default.aspx
  7.  www.cottagekits.com/index/GrandPorticoMansion/
  8.  www.kidscrookedhouse.com/delivery.aspx
  9.  www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20175898,00.html
  10.  spoonful.com/crafts
  11.  www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-build-a-deluxe-playhouse/index.html
  12.  www.cottagekits.com/faq.htm
  13.  www.apartmenttherapy.com/choosing-a-playhouse-149587
  14.  www.target.com/s/playhouse#keywords=playhouse&searchNodeID=1038576|1287991011&ref=...
  15.  www.walmart.com/browse/outdoor-play/playhouses-furniture/4171_14521_86643/?browsei...
  16.  www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?keyword=playhouse&selectedCatgr...
  17.  www.lowes.com/pl_Playhouses_4294816938_4294937087_?Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0|...
  18.  www.amazon.com/s/nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=playhouse&x=0&y=0
  19.  www.playhouses.com/
More Home and Garden Topics
Check Out All Costs for Home and Garden How Much Does a Kitchen Remodeling Cost? How Much Does a Propane Tank Cost? How Much Does a Plumber Cost?

Search Thousands of Topics on CostHelper.com

 
Today's Featured Cost Articles

About CostHelper
CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community
UTI urgent care visit
Paid: 147.00
Visit was $135. Antibiotics was $12. Waiting for four hours in the waiting room and the visit was quick... [more]
-nervouschomper
Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Cost
Spanish Medical Interpreter
Paid: 150.00
I worked with SynShyne Services out of Monroe, NC. They were so worth the price! Professional, friendly, accurate, great attitude and always on time. I recieved an itemized report after every contact and a user friendly invoice weekly... [more]
-Gregory Richardson
Interpreter Cost
Dat
Paid: 495.00
This is how much I am paying... [more]
-Calista Christian
Dental Admission Test Cost
Shingrix
Paid: 48.00
... [more]
-Not that BB
Shingles Vaccine Cost
Skin prick allergy test
Paid: 573.00
Took my 9 yr. old in after an allergic reaction to eggs. Several panels for nuts, fish & top 8 allergens. Sure enough, egg came up. Got a script for epinephrine and left... [more]
-D’s mom
Allergy Testing Cost
Estimate for Teeth Cleaning Cat
Paid: 0.00
13 year old cat …teeth extractions, X-rays, blood work, anesthetic, cleaning estimate 2 to 3 thousand... [more]
-Terrimarie
Cat Teeth Cleaning Cost