How much does it cost to build a pickleball court? You may be wondering this question if you’re tired of waiting for an open court. Or maybe you prefer to play at night and your local courts are only available during the day. In this article, we’ll break down the costs and some considerations you need to know to build your own pickleball court.
Note: You should always check your local building codes before adding any structure to your property.
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How Much Does it Cost to Build a Pickleball Court?
There are several factors to look at when determining how much it is to build a pickleball court. These include things like court type (indoor or outdoor), geographical location (which can impact what type of building permits you need, if any), and construction costs (if you plan to hire someone else). You may also want to add some additional features, such as lighting and a perimeter fence, which will also influence the overall costs.
Indoor or Outdoor Court
One of the first considerations in building a pickleball court is where you want to play. Indoor vs. outdoor courts range widely in cost. The biggest influence on price here is the type of surface material you choose. Indoor courts may use wood, tile, or rubber flooring, while outdoor courts are often concrete or asphalt.
Indoor Surface
According to Home Court Advantage (a company that specializes in building residential and commercial courts), the average cost for an indoor residential pickleball court surface is $2-5 per square foot. The typical pickleball court is 20 ft. wide by 44 ft. long. But if you add the extra 10 ft. for an out-of-bounds area, the total court size will be 40 ft wide by 64 ft. long. This means the cost for an indoor surface will be around $5,160-12,800.
Outdoor Surface
For an outdoor pickleball court, you need to consider some other factors such as slope and drainage. You may also want to add an acrylic resurfacer to give the court a more level and cushioned feel. The average estimate for pouring a concrete court is $4-8 per square foot, or around $10,240-20,480.
Construction Costs
If you’re paying someone else to build a court for you, the initial cost will be higher. This varies greatly depending on your local builders. But you can look to pay anywhere from around $5,000-15,000, give or take.
Material Costs
When paying a contractor, the material costs will be included in what you owe them. But if you’re planning to make a DIY court, the price of materials will depend on how much work needs to be done and what tools you already own. For example, you’ll need to rent or buy a concrete mixer for an outdoor court as well as several hand tools to make the court level and smooth; however, if you already have an existing concrete structure you’re hoping to convert into a court, then you may only need acrylic resurfacer. You’ll also need paint and a net.
Building Permits
In some areas, you may be required to have a building permit. This will likely cost anywhere from $100-300.
Lighting or Fencing Additions
For an enclosed pickleball court or nighttime play, you may want to add some lights or a fence to the perimeter of the court. A chain link fence will cost around $1,500-2000. Adding two streetlights to either side of the court can raise the price an additional $500 or so.
Conclusion
How much does it cost to build a pickleball court? This question is influenced by several factors, including what type of court you’re looking to build, where, who is going to build it, how much work is already done, and any additions you want to throw in. If you plan to build your own court and already have a playable surface, you could spend as little as a couple thousand dollars. But starting from scratch, you can expect to spend at least around $12,000, up to around $35,000 or more.
What do you think, is it worth having your own court at home? Let us know in the comments below!
To view court dimensions and essential lines, check out this article.