Alright folks, today I’m sharing how I finally figured out my backyard sport court project after driving myself crazy with research. Started simple – wanted a multi-use space for basketball, maybe some tennis practice. Thought it’d be cheap until reality smacked me.
First Reality Check
Went straight to Home Depot for concrete quotes like a total rookie. Worker laughed when I asked for DIY court costs. Turns out you don’t just pour concrete and call it a court. Ground prep alone needs:
- Excavators to level your yard
- Gravel layers for drainage
- Reinforcement steel grids
- Specialized court mix concrete
My budget? Disappeared faster than cookies at a kid’s party.
Surface Surprise
Got excited seeing modular sport tiles advertised cheap. Ordered samples – felt like standing on Lego bricks. Professional polypropylene systems? Big shocker there:
- $8 per square foot for entry-level
- $12+ for UV-resistant stuff
- Extra $3/sq ft for shock pads
- Installation? Ha! Add 30% more
My neighbor’s like “just paint asphalt”. Quick math: $6k for asphalt + $500 for paint + rain ruining everything in 3 months. Nope.
The Actual Build
Hired contractors finally. Worst part? Everyone counts different:
- Guy A quoted $25k flat “turnkey solution”
- Guy B said $60 per sq ft + extras
- Permits? Oh yeah, forgot that
- Foundations cost doubled after they hit bedrock
Ended up with half-court instead of full, added lights later. Final price tag? $32k after all the surprises. Saw the bill and nearly fainted.
Would I do it again? Yeah honestly. Kids live out there now. But saving up for two freakin’ years first.
