| budget |
a plan for money where money spent (expenditure) is balanced against money available or coming in (income). To go ‘over budget’ is to spend more money than you have available, and to ‘come in under budget’ is to finish a project with money left over. The budget can also be the total sum of money set aside for a project. |
| catalogue |
a list of items, and in this context, probably a brochure displaying a range of goods for sale |
| contingency fund |
money set aside in a budget to pay for an emergency or something that isn’t planned |
| delivery |
in this context, the delivery of an item often comes with extra fees and conditions |
| discount |
a reduction from the normal price |
| expenditure |
money that is spent, for example, on playground equipment |
| free quote |
when builders offer to look at a site without charging to give an estimate (or quote) on how much a project will cost |
| grant |
money that is given to people or projects, usually by a local council, trust or a public body, after a successful application has been made. Unlike a loan, a grant does not have to be paid back |
| hidden extras |
extra costs, which may not be obvious straight away, that have to be paid on top of the basic price of something, such as VAT, delivery charges and installation fees |
| income |
money that comes in, for example, from fundraising |
| installation |
the fitting out of equipment so that it is safe and ready for use, often at an extra cost |
| labour |
in this context, the cost of all the work needed to install the equipment or prepare the ground |
| landscaping |
introducing features such as ponds, trees and flowers, to an outdoor site to make it more interesting |
| market research |
collecting information about what people think, usually about products or services, but in this case about changing a playground |
| material costs |
the price of goods and equipment |
| mini-digger |
a small digging machine, usually with caterpillar tracks, used on minor construction projects. It can dig a hole up to about two metres deep |
| no obligation |
when builders offer to give a free quote, there is usually ‘no obligation’ to employ them afterwards. This way you can get quotes from several builders without having to worry about who to choose for the work |
| play bark |
wood chippings layered on the ground to provide and define a safe playing area |
| PTA funds |
money held by a Parent Teacher Association |
| safety surface |
tough, shock-absorbent artificial ground material, to help prevent injuries |
| scrubland |
land with stunted trees and shrubs |
| special offers |
reduced prices often given because of special circumstances, for example, to clear old stock or as part of a promotion |
| supplier |
the person or company that is providing the equipment or materials |
| target |
in the context of a budget, the total amount you are aiming to spend or raise. If you are ‘on target’, you are keeping to your plan |
| Tarmac |
a type of hard surface made by sealing small pieces of stone in hard tar that is used in some playgrounds |
| underestimate |
to think that something is less than it actually is. A builder might underestimate how much sand he needs to build a new playground |
