How do I check wear and tear on a children’s indoor play centre’s equipment?

Begin with your own eyes, preferably on a busy day. Look at foam padding for tears and compression, netting for fraying, and joints and fasteners for looseness or rust. Check flooring seams, the condition of slide surfaces, and whether any area is roped off or patched. Take photos of anything doubtful so you can discuss it later with the seller.

Then ask for the paper trail: inspection logs, repair invoices, manufacturer instructions and the names of anyone who services the structures. A well-run centre keeps these in order. Gaps are informative, and so is a long list of small repairs that seem to repeat on the same piece. Ask which items are near the end of their useful life, and what the owner has been postponing.

Finally, consider an independent inspection by someone qualified in play equipment, and speak to your insurer about what they expect to see. Ask your accountant how equipment is carried on the statements, and whether upcoming replacements might fall to you after closing. If financing is part of your plan, a lender may want a clear picture of the equipment’s condition as well. Make any findings part of your discussion with the seller before you proceed.

Key takeaways

• Inspect padding, netting, fasteners, flooring and slide surfaces yourself, ideally on a busy day.
• Ask for inspection logs and repair invoices, and compare them with what you saw.
• Consider an independent inspection and ask your insurer what they expect.