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David Catanach
We spent a lot of time looking around at gazebos before settling for this one and we are certainly glad made this choice. This is certainly an impressive addition to our garden and we delighted with all aspects from the initial phone call to the sales office to the finished construction. Bought and erected in August 2017 we were initially given 6-8 weeks delivery. Not a problem. It was delivered 7 days later which did gave us a problem for storage and the groundwork hadn't even started but it gave us the impetus to install this before a family party at the end of August. Full marks to Dunster House for speedy delivery and two excellent and helpful delivery guys, well worth the extra service. In terms of erecting this, it is definitely a two man job at least. So me (62) and my son (30) set about it over the course of what time we had available to meet the end of August deadline. If you want the job done properly i.e. level, square and minimum of angst and maximum satisfaction then set yourself for these sorts of timings. We are not experts and this is the first gazebo either of us have ever constructed. It took 4 hours to get 90% of the frame up onto the footings we had previously installed. It took another 4 hours to get the frame finished and roof and 'other bits' done. Instructions that came with the parts did make sense if you simply take time to study it before hand. Then came the shingles. This will take the two of you a full day at best on a roof this size because you have to line up every sheet square on and in line with the rest and nail it to the board. A nail gun may help but we only had a hammer and you have to go in sequence as you move along. Alternatively, you could employ a couple of blokes to do the job for you. The end result though, when done properly, is well worth it and we are pleased as punch with it. We have already dined more times alfresco under the gazebo since it was built than we have all summer. The bottom line is that I now have to go about getting a much bigger table as the one we have looks like a pimple in the vast space underneath the roof according to my wife! A small price to pay indeed so be aware that installing this gazebo may lead on to other things. Well worth it and a big recommendation from us to buy this gazebo from Dunster House. Money well spent. Points to note/suggestions/ fly-in-the-ointment. Use an impact driver if possible for the screws and the bolts. If the hole for the fixing isn't pre drilled, then make a pilot hole especially for the smaller pieces at the top of the roof. For the roof boards, I am sure this will be obvious to some, spend 20 -30 minutes laying them out from the shortest up to the longest. There should be 8 of each. This way you can pick them up in sequence and the time spent doing it this way saves a lot more if you just scrabble around - see photo The finials at the bottom of the posts could have been finished better so that it looks like the post and finials are made from one piece of wood instead of square cut and looking like add ons - which they are. That's a personal and subjective observation. Could have done with half a dozen more sheets of shingles as it would have meant that we could place single shingles along the roof ridge. Not being experts in this form of construction a few more spare would have helped but fair play to the QS at Dunster House as there was no other wastage. We have edged the roof with plastic rain deflectors so that any rainwater that runs down the roof and tries to run back up under the lowest shingle (as it will tend to do with shingles), will not get past the deflector and will fall into the guttering to be taken away. That way water is kept away as much as possible from the wooden structure and minimising any rot. Again on the subject of installing the shingles, a little more help and guidance would not go amiss - the internet and you-tube is fine but hints and tips from the manufacturer would have been preferable. But in the end we got by and didn't need technical help over the phone.
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Bethany Fernihough
Our two children (5 and 3) absolutely love their climbing frame! They are out playing on it for hours. The balcony is fantastic as they have a great view over the garden and hop fields (and pretend they are pirates!). There is also plenty of room there for them to put some of their toys. The slide is the perfect size and is slippery enough to give them a thrill everytime they go down it. My 5 year old has mastered the monkey bars and my youngest can easily get up the steps to the balcony on her own. She's a little bit too small to try the monkey bars but it won't be long until she can. The swings are perfect and they love being able to swing at the same time. Underneath is a little area that they treat as their 'den' which also shelters them from any rain that is lurking . It took my husband only a few days to put up (on his own I must add - although he does think he's the incredible hulk!), and we couldn't be more pleased with our purchase.
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Bethany Fernihough
Our two children (5 and 3) absolutely love their climbing frame! They are out playing on it for hours. The balcony is fantastic as they have a great view over the garden and hop fields (and pretend they are pirates!). There is also plenty of room there for them to put some of their toys. The slide is the perfect size and is slippery enough to give them a thrill everytime they go down it. My 5 year old has mastered the monkey bars and my youngest can easily get up the steps to the balcony on her own. She's a little bit too small to try the monkey bars but it won't be long until she can. The swings are perfect and they love being able to swing at the same time. Underneath is a little area that they treat as their 'den' which also shelters them from any rain that is lurking . It took my husband only a few days to put up (on his own I must add - although he does think he's the incredible hulk!), and we couldn't be more pleased with our purchase.
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Bethany Fernihough
Our two children (5 and 3) absolutely love their climbing frame! They are out playing on it for hours. The balcony is fantastic as they have a great view over the garden and hop fields (and pretend they are pirates!). There is also plenty of room there for them to put some of their toys. The slide is the perfect size and is slippery enough to give them a thrill everytime they go down it. My 5 year old has mastered the monkey bars and my youngest can easily get up the steps to the balcony on her own. She's a little bit too small to try the monkey bars but it won't be long until she can. The swings are perfect and they love being able to swing at the same time. Underneath is a little area that they treat as their 'den' which also shelters them from any rain that is lurking . It took my husband only a few days to put up (on his own I must add - although he does think he's the incredible hulk!), and we couldn't be more pleased with our purchase.
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Bethany Fernihough
Our two children (5 and 3) absolutely love their climbing frame! They are out playing on it for hours. The balcony is fantastic as they have a great view over the garden and hop fields (and pretend they are pirates!). There is also plenty of room there for them to put some of their toys. The slide is the perfect size and is slippery enough to give them a thrill everytime they go down it. My 5 year old has mastered the monkey bars and my youngest can easily get up the steps to the balcony on her own. She's a little bit too small to try the monkey bars but it won't be long until she can. The swings are perfect and they love being able to swing at the same time. Underneath is a little area that they treat as their 'den' which also shelters them from any rain that is lurking . It took my husband only a few days to put up (on his own I must add - although he does think he's the incredible hulk!), and we couldn't be more pleased with our purchase.
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Gareth Lloyd
Excellent product and service from Dunster House. Having researched between a few companies, the quality is definitely superior and a worthy investment. Children are very pleased with the outcome. Self assembly includes drilling pilot holes, measuring, and ensuring things are level, so would strongly urge a competent level of DIY skill and recommend building at least the main tower on a flat and level surface (i.e. not on your lawn or the final resting place). Overall very pleased with both the product and the service, and would highly recommend Dunster House and this mid-level product.
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Andrew Giles
Supplied within a week and placed into the back garden by 2 very polite delivery personnel. Balconyfort was supplied with very clear and detailed build instructions. Timber and fitments are in exceptional good order with all timber well protected. Took 2 of us (my daughter and her OAP dad) about 12 hours or so to erect; as weren't clock watching in any event. Hardest part was the lift of the roof but we managed OK. I'm very impressed with the quality of the product and finish and have no hesitation in recommending Dunster House to anyone considering purchasing a similar product. Haven't included photographs as those on the website all adequately display what my daughter and I have built for the grandchildren. Many thanks to all at Dunster House for a first class service/product from ordering, through to delivery. 2 very happy grandchildren now have the summer to play at 'Nannies Park'. :o)
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Andrew Giles
Supplied within a week and placed into the back garden by 2 very polite delivery personnel. Balconyfort was supplied with very clear and detailed build instructions. Timber and fitments are in exceptional good order with all timber well protected. Took 2 of us (my daughter and her OAP dad) about 12 hours or so to erect; as weren't clock watching in any event. Hardest part was the lift of the roof but we managed OK. I'm very impressed with the quality of the product and finish and have no hesitation in recommending Dunster House to anyone considering purchasing a similar product. Haven't included photographs as those on the website all adequately display what my daughter and I have built for the grandchildren. Many thanks to all at Dunster House for a first class service/product from ordering, through to delivery. 2 very happy grandchildren now have the summer to play at 'Nannies Park'. :o)
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Gerry Corrigan
We bought the climbing frame and found it easy to assemble. Our grandchildren love it and play every day in it. Wonderfully strong and materials of excellent quality. Best thing we ever got.
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Brendan Burke
This is a good product. The packaging looks quite small when it's delivered but everything is there. The wood and the majority of the screws (save 2 or 3) and bolts are good quality. Mine got delivered on a wet day so make sure you let the wood dry out before attempting to assemble it otherwise you'll have problems. I managed to do the majority of it myself but you do need a second person at times. My son loves it and will hopefully enjoy it for many years to come. Well worth the money.
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