Hi and welcome! Here are answers to our most frequently asked questions.
Q: Where are you located?
We are based in Southern California and service areas in the San
Diego region. For a travel fee, we will also install in Orange County,
Los Angeles, and nearby areas.
Q: Do you ship? Or sell plans to DIY?
No, we do not ship. The cost of shipping would is very pricey with a
high risk of damage during transport. We also do not sell plans. Each
playhome is custom and unique so we don’t have an official set of
blueprint plans.
Q: What’s the process?
First, fill out our quick questionnaire so we can get to know you, your kids, and your yard space a little better!
Then, we will reach out to schedule a consult call to go over the process in detail.
If you like what you hear, we will start on your playhome design and
mood board (example below). This requires a $250 design fee that goes
towards the purchase of your playhome.
When your custom design, agreement and cost is presented to you, a
50% non-refundable deposit secures and locks in your install date! Why
is it non-refundable? After we receive your deposit, we start the
process of purchasing materials, paint, décor and customized items such
as signs. Then we start the cutting and painting process. At this point,
we are already spending hours of design, time and labor. Most of the
materials and décor is also non-refundable for us.
On the date of install, we come with the playhome 80% done. Most our
work is done off site so that on install day, we just need to assemble
the walls, roof and add décor. When we leave, the playhome is ready for
play! Our install takes about 5-8 hours and very rarely do we need 2
days.
Q: What’s the cost of a playhome? What are the dimensions and what’s included?
Our standard playhome is $4,000 and 4 ft deep by 8 ft wide and 6 ft tall (at the tallest peak)
This includes:
- 2 window cuts with trim (1 window includes a counter ledge for eating snacks, serving, arts and crafts, etc.)
- 1 door cut with trim
- Roof made of plywood on a slant (towards the left, right or back – depending on the design) *read other option below
- Millwork, Labor and Materials: lumber and hardware
- Paint: 2 color choices for interior, exterior and trim
- Basic décor which could include house numbers, sign, hanging planter, mailbox, wall organization and activities/toys.
Now that you know all about our standard playhome and cost, the skies the limit in how you want to customize it!
IMPORTANT: With the rising cost of lumber and paint
since Covid-19, we reserve the right to increase our prices accordingly.
We are a small business and grateful to have survived the setbacks
caused by the pandemic.
Q: What are the add on options?
Some of the most common add on features for our playhome is:
- Dutch door (half door)
- Full door
- Deck (bottom wood floor for playhome)
- Window coverings (plexi glass, shutters, etc.)
- Swing beam
- Slide
- Solar powered bistro lights along the roof line
- Battery operated pendant light
- Deluxe décor (wall decals, rug, more storage organization, toys, custom items)
- Additional paint color (pop of a 3rd color of back wall, door, etc)
- Play kitchen, chairs, and furniture
Make it two stories, add a fenced deck, an elevated deck, how about a barn door… the skies the limit from here
Q: Are your playhomes weatherproof?
Well, this depends on your definition of weatherproof.
In California, we are lucky enough to have beautiful weather year
round. The items inside the playhome (chalkboard, wall paper roll for
coloring, toys, etc. are not necessarily weatherproof but they are
protected because they are inside the playhome. The items that are not
inside such as mailboxes, planters, signs and chairs – we do our best in
selecting items that are more durable. Kids chairs are usually plastic,
metal/steel and easily able to wipe clean, swing attachments/cushions
are made for outdoors, etc.
Q: What are the roof options?
Our standard roof (included in the cost) is made of plywood with
exterior paint and primer (usually in a satin finish). Because of the
slant design (and beautiful California weather), the rain run off keeps
the playhome dry.
There are options to add laminated roof shingles (looks like
sandpaper) or cedar wood shingles (which is hard to source in CA since
wood shingles is illegal due to the wild fires but can get shipped in
small quantities)
There is an added cost for labor, materials and installation. Most
families opt out of paying this once they find out the cost. This takes
an additional day after install.
Q: What type of surface is best for playhomes?
Turf, pavers, cement and wood deck on LEVEL ground are the best
options to install a playhome. If you have real grass, pea gravel, etc.
we recommend adding a deck of some sort. We do not do “tree houses”-
playhomes on top of trees.
Q: Can you add wallpaper or decals?
We do not recommend wallpaper because not all wallpaper is created
equal. Most wallpaper is meant for installation on drywall, not wood.
Therefore, it’s hard to find wallpaper that will stick and adhere
smoothly. If you are ok with some bumps and bubbling, we can certainly
do it. For added wall décor, we highly recommend decals or a pop of wall
color.
Q: What are the paint color options?
Whatever you want! Of course we have our favorite paint colors that
we’ve used time and time again but we can match your house and/or your
yard with whatever color you choose!
Q: What is the upkeep for a playhome?
Wood (just like your home) contracts, expands and cracks. You might
notice changes like this in your baseboards or patio furniture in your
backyard. Same thing happens to the playhome framing, roof, and walls.
Over time (2-3 yrs), you may want to freshen up the playhome with
spackle and fresh coat of paint.
As for cleaning, dust/vacuum the playhome like you would patio
furniture and rugs. If the kids wrote all over the walls with crayons
and markers, magic erasers work great!
Q: Do you remodel existing playhomes? Or offer virtual services out-of-state?
If you have an existing playhouse and want to make it more
aesthetically pleasing, we offer services to remodel to make your
playhouse a home. This service starts at $1,200 (not including labor for
repaint or décor).
NOTE: Our design services are comparable to an interior designer and charge $120/hour
Q: I am a carpenter and/or interior designer and looking to work with the Mini Playhomes team! Are you hiring?
Great, we are always looking to expand and service other areas of the United States, please e-mail us gn@miniplayhomes.com