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DIY Dad Builds Incredible Climbing Frame For Kids From Scratch For £2k

  • Craig Charlton, 35, wanted to build his kids the climbing frame of dreams
  • Craig watched YouTube videos for help and inspiration
  • Craig pulled off the project for £2,000, with similar frames costing £9,000 online
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If you need inspiration to keep your kids busy this summer, look no further than this incredible handmade climbing frame.

Craig Charlton, 35, a dad of two and operations director from southeast England, wanted to build his kids the climbing frame of dreams, but didn’t want to compromise on quality or spend a fortune on a shop-bought one.

Instead, he built one himself, watching YouTube videos for help and inspiration.

Considering similar frames can cost up to £9,000 online, Craig is pretty chuffed that he pulled off his project for £2,000.

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Craig told money-saving Facebook group DIY On A Budget UK: "We recently moved into our new house and wanted something to help keep the kids entertained.

"We looked at the climbing forts available online and they were either rubbish quality or hugely expensive, but you get what you pay for.

"I wanted best of both worlds, have my cake and eat it, so instead, I decided to build my own.

"I looked at YouTube videos and the frames available commercially then just cobbled together all the best elements of each design.

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"I wanted it to last so over-engineered everything and bought high-quality treated timber.

“I removed the turf and laid a sub-base for the garden slabs so I had a nice flat solid foundation to work from.

“Then it was time for the 4 x 4 posts as the main uprights tied together with cross members.

“I then put up the walls of the 'den' and the surrounds for window and doors, laid the decking, and built the stairs, scramble board, rock wall and steps.

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“I put the roof on, stained the whole structure, added accessories and filled up the sandpit.

"Building the 'wobbly bridge' took a lot longer than anticipated!

“My tips are to get the design right first - its so much easier and quicker when you are not problem solving and scratching your head every five minutes.

"Lay a solid foundation and make sure it's nice and flat.

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"Get good quality timber and hardware so it lasts - its going to take more timber than you think and with the increasing timber price you need to find a good timber merchant who isn't going to rip you off.

“It's easier with two people – unfortunately my fiancé was pregnant at the time so I wasn’t afforded that luxury!

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"Don’t forget the cost of the tools! If you haven’t got a mitre saw, stand, drills, drivers, clamps, spirit levels (the list goes on!), it's all going to add to the job cost – but once you have them you can put them to use on many other projects.

“I had great fun building it and it's so rewarding when we see the kids having fun.

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“It's great when they have their friends and young cousins over to play.

"All in all, it was about £2,000, including all the timber, hardware and accessories.

“For something this size and quality, that represents a significant saving.

"You get what you pay for.

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“There are cheaper 'shop bought' frames out there but I wanted something strong, with good quality materials and to last.

"I also thoroughly enjoyed doing it, so you get that sense of achievement too which you would never get if it was just purchased!”

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Tom Church, co-founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, comments: “Craig’s kids are lucky not just to have this epic climbing frame, but also to have such a dedicated dad!

“With such a high-quality design, materials and build, I have no doubt his kids will love and use this climbing frame for many years to come."

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