Bought a second-hand climbing frame, trampoline or playhouse? How to get it home in one piece

Big garden play kit comes up second-hand all the time, usually when children outgrow it, and ex-display sets turn up too. It's a great way to get something lovely for less. The tricky part is that a frame, trampoline or playhouse doesn't go in the boot. Here's a calm way to plan the collection.

1. Before you agree to buy

Ask the seller whether it's still standing or already taken down, and whether all the parts and fixings are there. Ask for a photo of it put up and a photo of the parts if it's in pieces. Check how far it is from the garden to the road and whether there's a side gate.

2. Taking it apart

If it's still standing, agree who takes it down and when. Take photos from every side first, so putting it back together is easier. Number or label the bigger pieces with masking tape. Put every bolt, bracket and washer in a labelled bag and tape it to a main part so it can't go missing.

3. Trampolines

Take the net and padding off first and fold them separately. Springs go in a strong bag or box. The legs and frame ring sections are long, so measure the longest piece. That's what decides whether it fits in a van.

4. Playhouses

These usually come apart as wall panels, roof panels and a floor. Panels are flat but wide, so measure the biggest one. Keep any glazing or windows wrapped in a blanket.

5. Getting it there

If it won't fit in the car, you can post the collection free on Pink Pumpkin Logistics at pinkpumpkinlogistics.co.uk, a UK site where local drivers send quotes for your job and you choose the one you're happy with. There's no obligation to accept. Put in the longest piece size, roughly how many parts there are, whether it's already taken down, and the collection address type (house, garden, gate access). We move the items only, so putting it back up is down to you.

6. If it's a Christmas present

Collecting a big present without the children noticing takes a bit of timing. Pick a school-day slot, and have somewhere to hide the parts, such as a garage, shed or a relative's house, until the big day.

7. Safety when you rebuild

Follow the maker's instructions if you can find them online. Check for rot, rust or cracked parts before anyone plays on it, and leave the safety space around trampolines and swings the instructions ask for.

Happy playing.