Cost of indoor rock climbing wall

Climbing can be a fantastic way to get children engaged in sport, just as it can help adults to build strength and maintain fitness. And let’s face it: the idea of building an indoor climbing wall at home is, quite simply, incredibly cool. Here’s how much you can expect the cost of an indoor rock climbing wall to be.

Cost of indoor rock climbing wall

First things first: when you’re considering how much it will cost to build a rock climbing wall, you’ll need to decide whether you’re building it for your sole use, or as a business for recreational use. If you’re going to be expecting people to pay to use your wall, you’ll need to factor in insurances and other business costs.

You’ll also need to consider what else you’re planning on using the space for. For instance, if you’re hoping to build a rock climbing wall in your garage, will you need to leave enough room to park your car? If so, you might need to alter the design of your wall accordingly, such as building it over and around a car parking space.

Similarly, you’ll want to make sure you maintain access to any electrical outlets positioned on or behind your wall. And if you’re planning on covering up any windows or lights with your climbing wall, you’ll need to factor in the cost of adding in new light sources.

Costs will also vary depending on the size of the rock climbing wall, where and how it’s put up, its design and the type of building that will house it.

Costs to consider for an indoor rock climbing wall

Here are the main costs you’ll need to consider when you’re building an indoor rock climbing wall.

• The rock climbing wall itself: You’ll need to budget for the materials and the cost to fit it.
• Flooring: Many rock climbing walls have ‘fold down’ mats that allow you to use the space for other things when the wall isn’t in use. These are included in the cost estimates adjacent. Alternatively, retro-fitted matting could cost you around £200 for each metre of your wall’s width.
• Trades: Remember to factor in an hourly rate for the trades you employ. This could be a carpenter or a builder, although most tradespeople’s insurance won’t cover specialist work like this, so you may need to engage a specialist.
• Safety equipment: Rock climbing can be a dangerous sport. You’ll need to budget for safety equipment such as ropes, helmets and harnesses.

Cost to build a rock climbing wall

Here’s how much you can expect to pay for the two main kinds of rock climbing walls.

Timber with holds

For a 20 m2 timber climbing wall in a traditional building, you can expect to pay around £15,000 in total.

However, if you’re hoping to get this kind of climbing wall installed in a newer-style sports hall with blockwork walls, you’ll be looking at closer to £25,000. This is because timber climbing walls can’t be suspended from non-structural blockwork walls. Instead, they’ll need to be connected to the main structural steelwork.

The price of your timber climbing wall could also vary significantly depending on how many holds you’d like to install.

GRP walls

GRP climbing walls are made from composite materials that are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. However, they typically cost more than timber walls. So, they’re more commonly used outdoors where their weather-resistant properties are more valuable.

GRP walls tend to offer less flexibility when it comes to design, as the moulds follow a particular pattern. Plus, there are fewer suppliers offering them. All in all, you can expect to pay between £30,000 and £45,000 for a 20 m2 wall of this kind.

Key takeaways

• Getting an indoor rock climbing wall is a specialist job. So, we’d advise speaking to a specialist who could both design and install your wall for you.
• The building’s structural integrity is key when getting an indoor rock climbing wall installed. If possible, have structural plans available for your wall designer to use when considering options.
• Remember to factor in additional costs that may arise from the build. For example, you may need to install new light fittings if you cover your current ones with a climbing wall.