So this hardwood basketball court idea hit me back in March when my kids kept bouncing balls off our slanted driveway. Decided to actually build one myself instead of just daydreaming. Here’s how it all went down dollar by dollar.
Step 1: Measuring & Digging
Grabbed a tape measure first weekend – wanted half-court size for driveway space. Marked 30ft x 30ft area with spray paint. Borrowed my neighbor’s excavator (owe him beers forever) and spent three days digging 8 inches deep. Hit so many friggin’ rocks had to rent a jackhammer mid-way. Wrecked my back hauling buckets of dirt to the dump.
Digging Costs:
- Equipment rental: $220/day (cried paying this)
- Dump fees: $90 for all that dirt/rocks
- Advil & heating pads: Priceless
Step 2: Gravel Nightmare
Ordered crushed stone for base – thought “how hard could this be?” Truck dumped 12 tons in my yard. Spent two weeks evenings with a shovel leveling it just right. Rained twice during this phase… turned into muddy swamp. Had to re-level everything. Felt like Sisyphus pushing gravel uphill.
Base Layer Costs:
- Gravel: $480
- Sweat equity: 14 gallons
- Extra gravel after rain messed things up: $60
Step 3: Wood Shock
Researched hardwood types – maple’s supposedly best for courts. Called three lumber yards. Nearly choked when quotes came in. Seriously thought about paving concrete to save cash but didn’t want busted knees. Got the cheapest grade maple planks. Delivery guy straight laughed at my driveway slope – cost extra $75 just for hassle unloading.
Wood Sticker Shock:
- Maple planks (1,200 sq ft): $4,700
- Nails & adhesive: $220
- Delivery pain fee: $75 (actual line on receipt)
Step 4: Laying & Finishing Hell
Took five buddies two full weekends snapping chalk lines, cutting planks, hammering like madmen. Three planks splintered – had to drive back to lumberyard (another 40 miles). Sanding took three days wearing respirator – looked like snowstorm hit my garage. Then sealing… wind blew leaves onto wet coat twice. Screamed at squirrels.
Installation Costs:
- Pizza/beer bribes: $200
- Sanding gear rental: $125
- Court finish (three coats): $290
- My sanity: Gone
Grand Total Wake-Up Call
When receipts stopped coming, finally added it all:
- Digging/gravel: $850
- Maple & supplies: $4,995
- Everything else: $695
ACTUAL DAMAGE: $6,540
Stared at calculator for ten minutes. Kids dribbling on it now – that “thump” sounds beautiful honestly. Still cheaper than Hawaii vacation? Probably not. Worth it? Ask me after winter thaw when cracks show up.
