Best in Backyards

The guys who installed the swingset were very nice and hard working. Swingset was installed in less than 4 hours. They were super nice to us and our kids and left the yard spotless. However, after final inspection of the swingset (which I did unfortunately after they had left) I found a few issues. The bottom rails on the base of the lower playdeck were not level. This was apparently done because the ground was not 100% level, and instead of digging down a couple inches for maybe a 2 ft run, they just attached the boards slanted to follow the grade of the land. I wish they would have made me aware of the issue. I would have done the digging so the boards could be installed correctly. I don't think the crooked boards effect the stability. But they do look bad. A second issue is that all the connecting bolts are supposed to be countersunk so that they don't stick out above the boards and pose a hazard for the kids. There are at least two bolts which stick out quite a bit. I think they are like that because they placed them in the wrong spot and there are bolts on the opposite side of the boards which prevent them from being driven in all the way. Third issue is the installation of the corkscrew slide. The lip at the bottom of the slide holds a lot of water. I think it's installed at the wrong pitch. I visited the BIB location after rainfalls and never noticed water sitting on that part of the slide. Fourth installtion issue is the location of the optional 14' slide. The brochure shows the slide located in the front of the set, between the rock wall and the shorter slide. The display model I saw had it installed in the front. The guy I ordered it from confirmed that it would be installed in the front. The installers wanted to install it on the back. When I asked why, they said the set had been reconfigured and that's where it goes now. I told them that I was told it would go in front. They called HQ and got he OK to install it in front. After they left, I noticed that it didn't sit flush on the deck. Then I noticed that the reason for that was the "reconfiguration". Again, not a huge issue. But, it would have been nice to know up front. The last installation issue is that when three kids are swinging at the same time, the swing beam creaks ALOT. I'm not sure if that is really an issue. But, it's loud enough that the kids slow down their swinging to stop the creaking (which might not be a bad thing, but, still.) Regarding materials, I was a little disappointed in the quality of the wood. We looked at several display models before we ordered and the wood on those all seemed to be pretty solid. Many of the pieces on our set have cracks or knot holes or splits. Some are warped and some even have decent sized gouges. The warranty doesn't cover any of these issues because supposedly they don't negatively effect the stability of the swingset. But, these are expensive sets (to me anyway). I would have thought the quality of materials would be better. The swing beams are also too small for the bracket they are installed in. A shim was placed in the bracket to make up the space. The bracket was obviouly designed for full sized 2x6 planks, which these are not. The hardware seems to be high quality. Only issue there is that the glider swing somehow retains water inside. When the kids swing on it, you can hear the water swishing around. Again, not a structural issue. But, for the money, I would have expected better. Lastly, we have recently discovered black mold growing on mutiple boards. I have read that this can happen if the set is in a shaded area, which it is. But, we've only had the set for a few months. If it was going to happen, I would have expected it to happen if the sealant or stain needed to be reapplied, not three months after install.

I have no problems with the quality of the product or the workmen the installed it, my problem is with the company Best in Backyards does nothing and I mean nothing to keep the customer up to date on things when a problem appears and the job can not be completed as scheduled. To me communication is an important key in successful business and they just didn't do the follow up. A couple of delays because of weather, and not having the correct items to complete the order had me calling Best instead of the Company calling me.

A 1-2 day job took two weeks to complete. You over billed me and after many phone calls and almost a month it took to get my payment reimbursed. I also had to trust you with full payment up front even though the job wasn't started for 4 weeks.

My buying experience with your sales person was exceptional and the delivery people were nice - HOWEVER my play house was delivered with missing shingles on the Peak of the roof which will cause a problem soon. I have called 3 times left messages and talked to a women and a man - I noted it on the deliver paper and the deliver man said he would come back - NO ONE has EVER come back to fix the roof. I cannot recommend you if you are not willing to follow through on your promises to repair. Please Fix the roof as promised before winter - let me know when. 203-223-3945 Cindy Blizzard 31 Park Lane Ridgefield CT 06877.

The installer told me he couldn’t install the stakes to secure the trampoline. During a storm the trampoline tumbled and I had to pay over $200 to get it fixed. Not to mention he was able to install the stakes this time.