How it Works
The first step is determining if it’s possible to move one of our playhouses into your backyard. Jason will either ask for measurements and pictures of your yard or he will do a site visit depending on your location. The A-Frame playhouses require 7 feet of clearance. The Hyde Park playhouses require 8 1/2 feet of clearance. Playhouses not in stock normally take between 3 to 8 weeks to build, depending on the playhouse. If you decide you’d like a custom playhouse then this process may take longer. If you’d like some guidance, Shanna is available to help you with selections (lighting, flooring, built-ins, special features, etc.). To reserve a spot on our schedule, we ask for half down. We accept personal checks, venmo (friend to friend), or paypal (service fee will be added). We will collect the remaining balance once the playhouse is delivered.
Delivery
Your playhouse will be moved to your home and put in place by Jason Sulak. Buyers living within 50 miles of central Austin, Texas will have FREE shipping! Each additional mile over the initial 50 miles will have a charge of $5 per mile. You may also set up your own shipping if you’d prefer.
Site Preparation
The buyer is responsible for prepping the playhouse site on their property. This includes moving fences and preparing the foundation (putting down cinderblocks and leveling ground). It is the responsibility of the buyer to check on HOA restrictions.
Playhouse Dimensions & Construction
All playhouses in the Hyde Park Collection are 8 feet long, 6 feet deep, and 7 feet tall. Our playhouses are constructed like a real home, built to last. The base of the playhouse is built using pressure treated lumber. The walls and roof are constructed using 2 by 4’s. The roof has twenty-five year, three-tab asphalt shingles. All playhouses are primed and painted on the interior and exterior. Please visit our custom playhouse section for more information about custom sizes.
Warranty
We provide a one-year warranty on the workmanship of all our playhouses. We stand by our work, but should anything go wrong we encourage our clients to reach out to us immediately so we can solve the problem.
Maintenance
Required maintenance includes: paint touch ups annually (we will provide left over paint), caulking the gaps between the exterior boards as they separate over time (A-Frame model), washing the exterior (at least once a year or as needed), and the porch will need to be re-stained as it fades.
Electricity
Each playhouse in the Hyde Park Collection has its own breaker box with a thirteen-foot extension cord attached that can be plugged into your home's outdoor outlet. If the thirteen-foot extension cord isn't long enough, you can extend it with any extension cord. You may also choose to wire it directly to your home which would eliminate the need for the extension cord. The first option is what we offer, but you can hire an outside electrician to wire it directly to your home's breaker box. The A-Frame playhouse (open air) in the 78704 is NOT wired for electricity. The A-Frame playhouse (closed) is not wired for electricity but has an a/c port plug and an a/c unit.
Giving Back to the Community
Character Builders is excited to donate 1% of the profit of each playhouse sold to a local children’s charity. Your family will decide between Helping Hands Home for Children, Wish Connection, or Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas. A certificate of good character will be mailed to your family.
Benefits of a Playhouse
We know there are many ways to spend your money to help cultivate a childhood that is fun and enriching. Why should you invest in a playhouse?
It is a station where the imagination can run free, a whole world that is just theirs. It coaxes young ones away from the all-pervasive screens, encouraging physical movement and social interaction with friends. Make-believe play is proven to support social and emotional development, improves language and communication skills, and develops problem-solving abilities.
If you need more convincing, here’s a list of additional reasons to give your kids the gift of one of our thoughtfully designed playhouses:
Hands-on, engaging fun: Our playhouses have many interactive features that light up smiles and bring the imagination to life. Light switches, push lights, operable windows, a doorbell, a kitchen, a play phone, and window boxes for gardening give your little one(s) an immersive and realistic experience of playing house.
Lots of opportunity for play: We put a lot of thought into the layout. The flexible design gives lots of options for different types of play. The space can transform from a house to a restaurant, bakery or a marketplace. There’s space that can be utilized as a reading nook, an art studio, or a homework station.
Gorgeously designed space that your kid(s) will love: Our playhouses have a fairytale feeling, with an aesthetically pleasing exterior and lots of magical touches inside. Both nostalgic and modern, you’ll find handmade fixtures and old-time elements that add a special charm. It’s the perfect size for a child, while being comfortable enough for adults to join in the fun.
Playhouses build character: A sense of ownership comes with a playhouse, which can help develop important traits. It gives your kid(s) a sense of control, while promoting independence and responsibility. It sets the scene for imaginative play, which fosters creativity and cognitive growth.
