Building a court is a sequence of well-understood steps. Here's the process start to finish so nothing surprises you.
1. Plan the space & layout
Confirm you have room for at least a 30 × 60 ft pad (play area is 20 × 44 ft), orient it north–south to limit sun glare, and check setbacks and any permit requirements.
2. Site prep & grading
Clear, level, and grade the area, then establish a slight slope (about 1%) so water sheets off. Proper sub-base compaction and drainage here is what keeps the finished court from heaving or cracking. Budget roughly $2,000–$10,000 depending on the site.
3. Pour the base
Install the concrete or asphalt base — the foundation that is two-thirds of a court's cost and the key to longevity. Post-tension concrete is the most crack-resistant option.
4. Surface & color
Once cured, apply the acrylic surface system — resurfacer, cushion layers if desired, and color coats — then paint the regulation lines.
5. Net, fencing & lighting
Set the net (34" at center), add fencing to contain play, and install LED lighting if you want evening use. Run any electrical conduit during the base stage to avoid cutting in later.
6. Play
A typical backyard build takes about 2–4 weeks once site prep begins, weather and curing permitting.
You can save on labor, but the base (grading, drainage, concrete) is where most failures happen. A poured slab that cracks ruins the surface above it — most homeowners get better value from a pro base, even on an otherwise hands-on project.
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