Playground Safety Inspection & Certification

Inspect playgrounds for safety compliance and hazards

Startup Cost
$8,000-$35,000
Difficulty
Intermediate
Time to Profit
6-12 months
Profit Potential
$5,000-$33,000/month

Overview

Playground inspectors generate $60,000-$400,000 annually with 80-95% margins.

In 2025, playground safety standards reduce injuries.

Revenue from playground safety inspections ($200-$800 per playground), annual inspection programs ($500-$3,000 per playground), safety surfacing testing ($300-$1,500), ADA accessibility audits ($300-$1,500), playground design review and consulting, and safety training for playground supervisors.

Successful inspectors understand CPSC and ASTM playground standards, identify hazards and safety issues, test safety surfacing and fall zones, verify ADA accessibility compliance, and recommend safety improvements.

Schools, parks, municipalities, and childcare centers as clients.

Marketing through school districts, parks departments, insurance companies requiring inspections, CPSI certifications, and playground safety expertise.

Required Skills

  • Playground Safety Standards
  • CPSC & ASTM Guidelines
  • Hazard Identification
  • Safety Surfacing Testing
  • ADA Compliance
  • Risk Assessment

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Growing playground safety awareness
  • Recurring annual inspection programs
  • Multiple playground markets (schools, parks, childcare)
  • Help prevent child injuries
  • Relatively low startup costs

Cons

  • Need playground safety certifications (CPSI)
  • Seasonal demand for playground work
  • Lower fees per inspection
  • Need volume for good revenue
  • School and municipal budget constraints

How to Get Started

  1. Obtain playground safety certifications (CPSI)
  2. Learn CPSC and ASTM playground standards
  3. Invest in surfacing testing equipment
  4. Market to schools, parks, and childcare centers
  5. Conduct playground safety inspections
  6. Test safety surfacing and identify hazards
  7. Provide inspection reports and recommendations

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