Last updated October 2026
Play and Sport Surfaces arranges annual and post-installation playground inspections by independent inspectors, and turns the findings into a priced repair or resurfacing quote, for schools, councils, parks, holiday parks and housing estates across the UK. RoSPA’s 2026 rates quoted to one parish council start at £83 plus VAT per play area for its reduced annual visit. Annual inspections are usually booked in spring, so repairs are done before the summer peak.
Every public play area needs three levels of check, and only the annual one has to be done by someone independent.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Inspection | How often | Who does it | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Routine | at least weekly | the manager or staff, written down | your staff time | RoSPA guidance, 2026 |
| Operational | often quarterly; may not be needed with a good routine check tied to the annual | the manager or staff | your staff time | RoSPA guidance, 2026 |
| Annual | yearly | a specialist not connected with the operator or manager | from £83 + VAT per play area (up to five items, May visit), £4 + VAT per extra item | RoSPA rates quoted to Milford on Sea Parish Council, 2026 |
| Annual, special visit | yearly | as above | £274 + VAT first area, £125 + VAT each further area | Same schedule |
| Post-installation | once, before a new play area opens | an independent inspector | quoted per site | RoSPA service list |
What inspections are needed, and how often?
Three, at different intervals. RoSPA’s guidance says routine inspections should happen at least weekly and be recorded, carried out by the manager or staff using a checklist from the equipment supplier. The operational, quarterly-style check may not be needed if a good hands-on routine check is linked to the annual inspection. The annual inspection should be done by a specialist with no connection to the playground’s operator or manager.
All inspections should follow EN 1176 part 7, the part of the playground equipment standard that covers inspection and maintenance.
What does an annual playground inspection cost?
From about £83 plus VAT per play area. RoSPA’s schedule for one parish council in 2026 gave a reduced annual rate of £83 plus VAT per play area, covering up to five items, plus £4 plus VAT for each item over five, for visits in May. A one-off special visit was £274 plus VAT for the first area and £125 plus VAT for each further area. A quarterly programme for four areas was £649 plus VAT per visit.
How it works
- 01Send a plan and photosThe site, the surface and the date it must reopen.
- 02We check the groundLevels and where the water drains.
- 03Written quoteBuilt around your reopening date.
What does an inspection look at on the surface?
Whether it is sound and still protects a fall. RoSPA says surfacing should be checked carefully for soundness, and that impact attenuation testing can be added to the annual inspection where needed. In practice that means lifted edges, splits, worn areas under swings and slides, loose fill that has been kicked away, and whether the surface depth still suits the fall height of each item. The critical fall height guide explains that link.
Who should inspect a new play area before it opens?
An independent inspector, before children use it. RoSPA lists post-installation inspections as their own service, separate from the annual check. Developers handing a play area to a council or management company, and schools opening a new playground, use the report as evidence that the area was built to the standard.
How do inspection findings become a surfacing quote?
Send us the report. Each surfacing finding is priced as its own line, usually in the order the report ranks them by risk, so you can fix the urgent items first and plan the rest. Small faults go into wetpour repair; worn-out zones go into a new surface on safety surfacing for playgrounds.
Can our own staff do the weekly check?
Yes, and RoSPA expects them to. The manager or staff should be trained, use a checklist from the equipment supplier and record each check. Keep the records with the annual report, because they show the area is being looked after between specialist visits.
Do sports surfaces need inspecting too?
Yes, though not under the playground standard. Tennis courts, MUGAs and pitches are checked for surface wear, drainage, lines, fencing and goals. See MUGA resurfacing and tennis court cleaning for those surfaces.
What’s included
- Booking of an annual or post-installation inspection with an independent inspector
- A copy of the inspection report for your records
- A priced quote for every surfacing finding, ranked by urgency
- Repairs or resurfacing carried out once you approve them
What’s not included
- VAT, shown separately
- Repairs to play equipment, unless listed
- Your own weekly routine checks
- Impact testing, unless listed
Illustrative example
From the Milford on Sea schedule only; not our job. A parish council has two play areas, one with seven items. At the reduced annual rate it pays £83 for the first area (up to five items) plus £8 for the two extra items, and £83 for the second area, about £174 plus VAT in total, compared with £399 plus VAT for a special visit to both.
Who does the work
Play and Sport Surfaces is a WeDo Property Services service. Alex Winser books the independent inspection, receives the report and runs any repairs, and the surfacing teams carry out the surfacing work.
FAQs
Is RoSPA the only inspector we can use?
No. RoSPA advises an independent specialist; tell us if you already have an inspector and we work from their report.
Do you inspect your own installations?
The annual inspection is by an independent inspector, not by the team that laid the surface.
When is the best time for an annual inspection?
Spring, so repairs are done before the busiest months.
What if the inspection finds a high-risk fault?
Close or fence the item and send us the report; urgent surfacing faults are priced first.
Is VAT included in inspection fees?
No. VAT is shown as its own line.
Sources
- RoSPA Play Safety, Inspection and maintenance of playgrounds, updated Mar 2026
- RoSPA Play Safety, services, read Oct 2026
- Milford on Sea Parish Council, RoSPA play park inspection schedule, June 2026