So I finally tackled that backyard sport court project this summer. Always wanted a spot for the kids to play basketball and maybe some pickleball too. But man, the flooring costs? That part almost made me bail.
Started with Crazy High Quotes
First I called three local companies near me. Guy shows up, measures my 30×20 foot space, then drops the bomb: “Base cost starts at twelve grand.” My jaw literally dropped. When I picked it up off the grass, he’s explaining about “sub-base prep” and “poured rubber systems” – sounded fancy but my wallet felt faint. Another quote came back at $14k! I’m sitting there thinking: forget NBA dreams, my kids are getting a dirt court at this rate.
Dug Deep for DIY Options
Went full internet detective mode after those quotes:
- Researched interlocking tile systems
- Called suppliers pretending I was a school coach
- Hauled samples home in my pickup truck
- Made the kids stomp on test pieces for durability checks
Turns out those commercial rubber tiles? Gold-plated pricing. Found PVC sport tiles for half the cost. Still hurt though – $4.50 per tile adds up fast when you need 500+ pieces.
The Sneaky Hidden Costs
Almost ordered everything online until my neighbor Frank stopped me. “Your ground level?” he asked. Cue me facepalming hard. My “flat” yard had a 5-inch slope. Had to:
- Rent a compacting machine ($175/day)
- Buy crusher run gravel ($300 delivered)
- Pay two teens with shovels pizza + cash
Weather delayed us twice. Rain turned my gravel pit into a mud wrestling ring. Total unexpected costs ballooned to nearly $2k.
Final Numbers Stung
Here’s what it actually cost me:
- Tiles: $6,300
- Site prep: $1,850
- Border system: $400
- Shipping pallets: $350
- Me buying bandages after dropping a tile on my foot: priceless
Total damage: $8,900. Not twelve grand but still aches the wallet. Kids love it though. Watching my daughter sink jump shots? Almost makes the credit card bill hurt less. Almost.
