Cedarshed Review

Friday, December 9th

2022 Playhouse Reviews

Cedarshed

• Customize your playhouse with multiple designs and add-on options
• Prices start at $5,479 on Backyard Kids Clubhouses and $6,164 for Kids Bunkhouse Kits
• Free shipping
• "A+" rated by the BBB
• In business for 40+ years

Cedarshed is based in British Columbia and has been making playhouses, sheds and pergolas from Western Red Cedar for over 40 years. There are two styles of playhouses available here, Bunkhouse Kits and Clubhouse Kits, and you'll need some basic carpentry skills to put yours together (or to hire someone else who does).

Clubhouse kits in multiple sizes

Cedarshed's Clubhouse Kits are priced from $5,479 to $8,759. You'll see all of the different configurations in the dropdown box, with lower pricing on OSB roofs (that will require you to buy and install shingles or metal roofing) than on cedar roofs. Sizes range from 8x12 to 10x20, and all styles include a covered porch. It's not easy to tell from the product images how to get a slide included, since the designs are all one-story models.

Choose a bunkhouse for a larger floor plan

Bunkhouses have a slightly different style and are generally larger than the clubhouses, starting in a 9x10 size priced at $6,164 and going up to a 12x14 for $8,889. These models have 6' high interior walls, so you can add a storage loft if you wish. While all of these playhouses have opportunities for upgrades and options, the lack of photos showing more than just a few outside shots leaves a lot to the imagination.

You'll want to add a finish for greater longevity

We appreciate that some details on care and maintenance are provided on the Cedarshed site. They recommend that you apply a protective finish within two weeks of assembly, depending on what's appropriate in your geographic area. This could include water-repellent preservative and oil with fungicide, semi-transparent stain, solid color stain, or paint.

Positive feedback from customers

Reputation-wise, Cedarshed is probably not going to be a disappointment. The company has an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, and the handful of reviews we found on the website, the company's social media channels, and a few other places were positive overall.

Limited warranty and return period

There are a couple of reasons why Cedarshed doesn't rank as highly as their competitors. First, the company offers no refund/return policy: all sales are considered final once they've shipped, and the only exception is for items that are damaged in transit and can't be salvaged. Also, you only have 14 days from the date of delivery to notify Cedarshed if there are any broken or missing pieces; unless you get an extension (in writing) within that first 14 days, you'd better plan on setting up your playhouse soon after it comes. Finally, their playhouses and other structures are only warrantied for one year after purchase; another cedar-based playhouse brand in our review offers coverage of 1-2 years on accessories and 5-10 years on the wood components.

Good playhouses, less-than-impressive process and policies

Could you get the playhouse of your dreams here? Maybe. Will it take quite a bit of extra work to determine if Cedarshed has what you want, how long it will take to get to you, and how to put it together? Absolutely. And, there are other cedar playhouse companies out there that aren't quite as difficult to figure out. We wouldn't say there's anything bad about Cedarshed; it's just not quite up there with our highest-ranked retailers.