Building a tennis court at home is an expensive proposition. Tennis has grown in popularity over the past few years. The sport requires a lot of time, energy, and work to become an excellent player. As more people consider purchasing their own tennis court, they are wondering how much it costs to build a tennis court. Tennis courts are definitely not cheap to purchase or construct. They are quite difficult to install and maintain, as well.
This guide will give you an idea of how much money you can expect to spend when it comes to tennis court costs and construction. We will also discuss what factors make a tennis court more expensive, and how you can save a bit of money.
How Much Does a Tennis Court Cost to Build?
The cost of installing a tennis court will depend on the type of material you’re using as the base. Take a look at the typical cost so you can determine where your budget lies. Once you have an idea of how much courts cost, you can determine which type of material is best for you.
Grass Tennis Court Cost
Grass is the original tennis surface. Grass courts require regular maintenance. The starting cost to install a grass tennis court typically starts at $45,000 but that number can quickly increase to six figures.
Artificial Grass or AstroTurf® Tennis Court Price
If you’re looking for a court that won’t require significant maintenance, an artificial turf tennis court may be the way to go. It can become as expensive as actual grass, but you don’t have to worry about the tennis court maintenance costs that go along with a grass court. Estimates here can run from $75,000 to $100,000.
Clay Court Cost
As we look at the different types of court materials and how they impact tennis court costs, clay courts are the most affordable type of tennis court, starting at around $25,000. The typical total cost is $30,000-$80,000.
Keep in mind that while a clay tennis court is the most affordable, it requires constant maintenance. You’ll have to rake the powder sprinkled on top which can pool during play. A clay court provides a slower game and is easy on the knees.
Concrete Tennis Court Cost
When it comes to hard courts, a concrete tennis court is right up there. Concrete courts are very expensive, costing anywhere from $60,000 to $100,000. One of the pluses here is that there is hardly any maintenance, and it is more durable than an asphalt court. So you are getting a lot of value for your money.
Factors That Affect Tennis Court Construction Cost
Size of the Tennis Courts
Many factors can determine how much it will cost to build a tennis court at your home. The first factor is size. Tennis courts are commonly either 53 1/3 feet by 78 feet or 103 1/3 feet by 33 feet, with some courts being as large as 60 feet by 120 feet. Obviously, building one of the larger courts would increase your tennis court cost.
Determining the Ideal Court Size for Your Needs
After seeing how much space you have for your tennis court, you’ll want to think about your needs. How often are you going to use it? Are you planning on playing doubles? These are the types of things that can impact the size of your new tennis court and your tennis court cost.
Installation Method
Another factor to consider when adding up tennis court construction costs is the court installation method you wish to use. Concrete will be more expensive than asphalt, but it has some advantages over its synthetic counterpart. For example, if you want the tennis court to stand out on your property, concrete is less likely to fade than an asphalt surface. Additionally, asphalt courts must be resurfaced every year or so at a cost of $3 to $4 per square foot. You can expect concrete tennis courts to last 20 years and beyond, with an average lifetime of around 25-30 years. Keeping these maintenance costs in mind can help to determine the overall cost of your tennis court.
Location and Site Preparation
When you’re thinking about the tennis court costs you’re going to incur, you want to think about where you’re going to construct it. Part of location and site preparation is evaluating the site and preparing the ground and ensuring proper drainage of your tennis court.
Evaluating the Site for Tennis Court Construction
When it comes to building a backyard tennis court or any type of court, you want to be sure you have enough space to build. To avoid any problems, it’s recommended to work with builders or contractors who specialize in tennis court construction. This way you can be sure that all issues are addressed during the construction of your court.
Preparing the Ground and Ensuring Proper Drainage
Before any type of tennis court is installed, you’ll want to prepare the ground by removing all grass, topsoil, and other non-essential materials from the court. If you have excess topsoil, store it in a safe place so it can be reused for landscaping once the tennis court is complete.
You also want to take consider drainage. Be sure to comply with local regulations and building rules. Keep these factors in mind when tallying your installation costs.
Once the court area is clear, it will need to be filled with an embankment fill. Once this is done, the base of the course can be applied.
Tennis Court Surface Materials
You should also consider the surfacing material you would like to use before building a tennis court. For example, natural clay courts are more expensive than concrete surfaces because they require more water to maintain. Clay courts must be watered regularly to prevent cracking during installation and use. Concrete surfaces can save you considerable money in water, electricity, and maintenance costs in the long run.
Tennis court construction is a very expensive project, but it’s an excellent activity if you would like to join or host tournaments or simply play on your own.
Additional Features and Amenities to Consider with Costs
Don’t forget about some additional features and amenities to help make your court the best it can be. Factoring these into your total cost can give you a cleared picture of what you may spend.
Considering Fencing and Tennis Court Lighting Options
If you’re going to want to play a night or offer that option to whoever will be on your court, you’ll need to install lighting. Most tennis courts need at least four single light poles to be lit properly. These can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 each.
You also want to think about how you’re going to protect your court with fencing. The material you choose will determine the cost. The average cost ranges from $5,000 to $12,000. The cost will also be determined by just how much fencing you’re going to need to protect your new court.
Including Spectator Seating and Player Amenities
Player amenities such as a canopy or tennis air dome may also be a nice touch. This type of structure will protect players from the elements as well as any strong sun. Typically, a dome is best in the north because it can extend the outdoor playing season longer. Domes are extremely expensive running over one million dollars. That is why these are typically reserved for sports facilities and not private courts.
You also want to have seats for your spectators to sit so that they’re not in the way. While they could bring their own chair, having bleachers or other seating is a nice touch whether you have 10 guests or many more!
Posts and Nets
Don’t forget the tennis posts and tennis nets. All courts need a net. The tennis net has a height of 36 inches in the center and 42 inches at the posts. The cost will vary depending on the materials. Tennis nets are mainly made from braided polyethylene to provide stability.
Get In Touch With Our Team To Build a 5-Star Tennis Court
Many professional tennis court construction companies can help you install your new court. These types of projects typically require permits, so talk to an expert if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself.
The cost of building a tennis court can vary greatly depending on factors such as size, installation method, type of material that you wish to use, and more. If you need help determining the cost of building a tennis court, please get in touch with our team of tennis court builders today at (919) 365-7500 to discuss your specifications and design preferences.