Backyard Discovery Oakmont All Cedar Wood Playset Swing Set

Yes, it's not going to last 20 years, but I get the feeling most negative reviewers here are reviewing their own assembly and handy abilities (and lack thereof). It's correct that this can be assembled in one or two days, but that is not the total time you need. Leveling your build site is key (no yard is free of bumps or completely level).After leveling the ground, I used river rock and some gravel to lay the main foundation for the tower to stand on (not in any of the kid play zones, just where the wood meets the ground). The leveling of the tower must also be leveled with where the swing "A" piece goes - that is key to prevent creaks and other structural issues when a kid is swinging. Before assembly, I stained/water sealed all the wood by laying out all the pieces, two coats, to ensure water sealing and a good color. That takes a full day in itself and then maybe another day to ensure all pieces are fully dry. If you want this wood to hold up in the weather, it must be stained/sealed. I figured it would be easier than staining it after assembly. From beginning to end, this is more of a one week project if you want to do it right. AGAIN, the key to all this is a perfectly level site from the tower to where the swing set posts meet the ground. I used the bucket and level string method (google it).After leveling and placing the river rock foundation, I used different ground anchors that I found here on Amazon that go deeper and hold better than what was provided by Backyard discovery, since it's windy in my neck of the woods.I finished in early May 2020 (quarantine project) and it's now December 2020. My kids played on it all summer and fall (and still do), and the set doesn't rock back and forth or make noises at all - because of the proper leveling and rock foundation it sits on. The set has gone through several thunderstorms, rain, hail, severe winds, an adult who decided to swing on it multiple times without checking weight requirements, and possibly snow later this month. I'm confident I will get a minimum of 5 years out of it, and likely more if I keep the wood maintained with regular stain applications.If you think this is a furniture assembly project, this isn't for you. Best to hire someone. This is an outdoor wood project, and you will have to know your way around the dirt, site prepping, and improvising some new solutions, especially if you miscalculate the leveling. We had to drill our own holes a couple times too, no big deal. If you can handle all of that extra stuff outside of the instruction manual, go for it. It's a good deal. The only suggestion I have for Backyard Discovery is to offer some optional foundation/leveling kit for those who need it, along with better ground anchors. And yes I replaced one of the swings with a ladder for some variety.

This is a great set for young kids particularly during a time of social distancing where public parks are off limits. It has swings, a slide, a play fort and is attractive-particularly for an Oregon Duck fan. The assembly was time consuming but the directions were reasonably clear. The 3D app was pretty useless as it did not show the part numbers, just told you the parts. Others had complained about holes that did not line up, but my set had only a couple of places where the holes were not quite deep enough. The assembly took two handy guys about 8 hours, but we did break for lunch and moved wood chips to prepare the bed for the set. What makes this such an outstanding buy is the quality of the slide, the nice swings and the adorable fort.

Delivery was easy but that’s where it ended. Instructions not specific enough ( parts with same label not interchangeable but you don’t find out until 3 steps later and random extra holes). A lot of extra screws too, yeah I double checked I put it together correctly. Quality definitely lacking in the “wood”. I thought it was going to be sturdy but I was wrong. Pieces already splintering and peeling, some too long and others don’t line up with predrilled holes. Will take 2 people 6-8 hours with trying to understand what piece and which orientation is needed, the app helps but doesn’t line up with paper instructions. Take a look at another company.

I didn't want to spend thousands of dollars on a playset that is too big or fancy. I found this one to meet the needs of my kids and backyard.It came in one long large box (~250lbs) and the XPO delivery guys were able to bring it to my backyard without an issue or haggle. Took me from the beginning to end about 7 hours with another helper or so taking our time and having breaks and lunch.Just lay out the pieces in alphanumeric order and that'll help you with the building process. Also lay out the bolts/screws and washer the same way. It'll be best to have 2-3 drills handy (at least one corded power drill will help speed things up too when the other drills battery are low).The overall quality is on the average side. The wood pieces themselves are light and the thin stain coating will start peeling off on some pieces of the wood. I hope to get at least 3 seasons out of it in sunny So Cal weather before really having to sand/replace parts.Regardless of what I think, the kids, neices, nephews love it. From the 1 years old to the 10 years old. It's sturdy enough on the top playhouse and the swings (until the big kids start swinging really high and then the playset will rock and creek). Of course I don't have it on the levelest of ground (put on top of grass) but it's stronger than it looks and feel.I've added 2 toddler bucket seat swing and some accessories to spify it up (steering wheel, binoculars, tic-tac-toe) and some solar lights around it for night time play.