Investing in playground equipment is more than just a financial decision—it is a commitment to creating safe, engaging, and durable outdoor environments that support the growth and development of young children.
However, even the most high-quality equipment and surfacing are subject to wear and tear over time. That is where warranties come in! A well-structured warranty protects your playground investment and provides peace of mind, knowing that deterioration and defects will not disrupt outdoor play for long.
At Kaplan, we pride ourselves on delivering and installing high-quality playground products backed by exceptional warranty coverage. In this article, we will share everything you need to know about our playground warranties, including what is covered, what is not, and how you can file a claim should the need arise. Whether you plan to upgrade an existing outdoor environment or design a brand-new playground, understanding warranty coverage will help you make confident, informed decisions about your next steps.
Do playground warranties matter?
It's no secret that playground equipment can be pricey, and installations can be messy and sometimes time-consuming. Even so, the reward of a well-designed, age-appropriate playground that supports the growth and development of young children is unmatched. Warranties on labor, parts, and materials ensure your investment is always protected.
Warranty coverage also enhances the safety of your playground equipment and helps you maintain compliance with state standards and licensing requirements. When you notice a problem with a product's integrity, you can file a warranty claim that will cover the cost of fixing those problems as soon as possible, no questions asked!
What types of warranties does Kaplan offer on playground purchases and installations?
Kaplan is committed to delivering and installing durable, safe playgrounds that support the growth and development of young children. And with our exceptional warranty coverage, we keep this commitment to our customers year after year.
Kaplan offers two types of warranties on our playgrounds. The first covers the labor of installation projects our team completes for you, including the installation of large play structures, surfacing, and outdoor accessories. The second warranty covers defects and deterioration in your playground parts and materials.
Kaplan Labor Warranty
Only customers who enlist the help of Kaplan's playground team to install their playground equipment and surfacing are eligible for labor warranty coverage. This coverage is good for one full year after your installation is complete. Some examples of situations we cover with this warranty include:
- Pieces of equipment installed backward or in the wrong order
- Bolts and screws not tightened appropriately
- Surfacing that is not installed correctly and could pose a potential safety risk
While it is rare that any of these situations occur after a Kaplan-appointed installation, we provide this warranty coverage to bolster our commitment to quality, durability, and safety.
Kaplan Parts and Materials Warranty
All our playground equipment, structures, and accessories come from third-party vendors who determine their warranties' coverage specifications and timeframes. We only work with vendors with a proven record of manufacturing safe, durable, and reliable equipment, so we are happy to support their terms and conditions.
A Kaplan Playground Sales Representative can give you coverage specifics regarding the playground equipment and accessories you wish to purchase. You can expect most of our playground products to come with a warranty with 1-10 years of coverage. Examples of situations our parts and materials warranties cover include:
- A broken step on a climbing structure that is not a result of improper installation
- Structural poles that are bent creating a safety risk for children at play
- Damage to a shade structure that prevents protection from the sun's harmful UV rays
What is not covered under these Kaplan playground warranties?
While we strive to provide warranty coverage that will benefit our customers and protect their playground investment, some exclusions apply. Those exclusions include:
- Fading of equipment or accessory colors due to long-term exposure to the elements
- Normal wear and tear, whether that is from exposure to the elements or exposure to children at play
- Scuffs and scratches that occur when an object or toy comes into contact with the equipment's outer covering
- Misuse of equipment that occurs when children play on items that are not age-appropriate, for example, a school-age child playing on something meant for infants and toddlers
- Any installation concerns or defects that occur during a DIY customer installation or by a third-party installer that is not associated with or hired by Kaplan
What steps can I take to minimize damage or deterioration not covered by Kaplan's playground warranties?
The best way to minimize damage or deterioration to your playground equipment and surfacing is to protect items from sun, rain, wind, and other harsh outdoor elements. Shade structures offer excellent protection for play structures, keep your surfacing cool, and slow down color fading.
Performing routine maintenance inspections will help you find parts, materials, and surfacing issues so that you can file a warranty claim and fix the problems before they become a concern for child and adult safety.
How do I use my Kaplan warranty and file a claim?
If you have a concern about your playground installation, parts, or materials, please contact a member of our playground sales team. They can help determine your eligibility for a labor and/or parts and materials warranty. If so, our team will contact the respective product vendor or installation team and file a claim on your behalf.
Ensure your playground investment stays protected by working with Kaplan!
When purchasing playground equipment and planning your installation, it's important that you work with a company that guarantees quality, durability, and safety. We make that promise to all our customers here at Kaplan, and our warranty coverage plus exceptional customer support guarantees your investment will be protected for years to come.
If you have any questions about warranty specifics, filing a claim, purchasing playground equipment, or how to plan a playground installation with Kaplan Early Learning, contact your local playground representative today. They will happily answer your questions and can even provide you with a custom quote so you can budget for your build.