So, I decided to build a sports court in my backyard because the kids were always fighting over screen time. Figured basketball would get them outside more. Started by measuring the space – needed about 30 feet by 50 feet for a half-court setup. Went to Home Depot first thing Monday morning, not realizing how bad this would gut my wallet.
The Material Shock
Thought concrete would be cheap. Ha! Calculated like this:
- Digging equipment rental: $160 bucks for the weekend
- Concrete delivery: Dude quoted $1200 just for the base layer
- Asphalt alternative? Still $900 after taxes
Almost backed out right there. Had to postpone two weeks just to save up more cash.
Nightmare Installation
Hired this contractor named Dave who swore it’d take three days max. Day one – his crew shows up late and digs trenches too shallow. Day two – rain turned the yard into mud soup. Day three – concrete truck got stuck in my neighbor’s rose bushes. Cost me $175 to replace those stupid roses.
When they finally poured the slab? Found air pockets everywhere. Dave’s all “oh we’ll just patch it” – ended up paying extra for rebar reinforcement. Total waste of another $850.
The Hidden Money Pits
Forgot about the damn hoop until last minute. Basic model? $129. But the kids whined for a “pro-style” adjustable one – $399. Then wife says we need benches, so another $250 at Costco. Lighting for night games? Blew $300 on floodlights.
By month’s end:
- Total materials: $2900
- Labor: $2100
- Random crap: $1100
Keep finding receipts in my truck – extra bags of sand, court liner, stupid measuring tape I bought four times.
Was It Worth the Bloodbath?
Kids play daily now instead of fighting over Fortnite. My son actually made the school team last month. But that slab cracked after first winter anyway – paying for sealant next weekend.
Would I do it again? Only if someone else foots the bill. Feels like feeding cash into a woodchipper. Next time? Might just buy them disco balls instead.
