How much does it cost to build a pickleball court?
How much does it cost to build a pickleball court?
$11 – $28 average cost per square foot installed
$20,000 – $50,000 average total cost to build (30' x 60')
Cost to build a pickleball court
The cost to build a pickleball court averages $11 to $28 per square foot for a concrete pad topped with a colored acrylic surface. Building a pickleball court costs $25,000 to $50,000 to install a 30' x 60' pad that extends beyond the 20' x 44' game area for player safety.
| National Average Cost | $34,000 |
| Minimum Cost | $10,000 |
| Maximum Cost | $70,000 |
| Average Range | $20,000 to $50,000 |
Pickleball court installation cost factors
Pickleball is a popular, fast-paced paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. The court is a badminton-sized court that uses a net similar to tennis. The hollow plastic ball is hit with an oversized ping-pong paddle made of more advanced materials.
| Factor | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Site prep | $2,000 – $10,000+ |
| Base foundation (concrete pad) | $9,000 – $18,000 |
| Surfacing / Painting | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| Equipment (balls, paddles, net, court tape, etc.) | $500 – $2,500+ |
| Fencing costs (optional) | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| Court lighting (optional) | $5,000 – $10,000+ |
| Total cost to build | $20,000 – $50,000+ |
Site prep, grading, and subbase
Site preparation for a pickleball court costs $2,000 to $10,000+, depending on the court size and site conditions. Ideally, you need a flat, level area where you can place the court in a north-south court orientation to minimize direct sun glare for players.
Costs for preparing the site may include:
Land clearing costs $1,200 to $3,700 depending on how heavily wooded the lot is.
Land leveling and grading costs $500 to $5,000 to prepare the site for a subbase.
Fill dirt costs $5 to $25 per cubic yard.
Gravel or crushed stone costs $15 to $75 per cubic yard.
Installing a drainage system costs $1,000 to $4,000.
Check with your contractor about sloping the court .83% to 1% in one direction to quickly drain rainwater before pouring the concrete.
Pickleball court base foundation cost
Concrete is the ideal base foundation for a pickleball court, costing $9,000 to $18,000 for a 30' x 60' pad. Post-tensioned concrete is commonly used for sports courts since the thinner layer is strong, resists cracking, and cures faster than reinforced concrete. Other foundation options include asphalt and clay.
A concrete slab costs $5 to $10 per square foot.
An asphalt pad costs $3 to $7 per square foot.
A clay court costs $3.50 to $12.50 per square foot.
Ask your contractor to countersink holes for ground sleeve sockets before pouring the foundation so when the posts are removed, the holes are safely below the playing surface.
Cost to paint a pickleball court surface
Pickleball courts typically feature a concrete base topped by one of three painted surface options. Most surfaces include a single standard color, with extra costs for multiple color combinations, custom logos, or adding game lines. Painting the game lines on a pickleball court costs $200 to $600.
A standard "hard" court costs $0.50 to $1.00 per square foot installed for the acrylic color system with no cushioning added. Surface prep and color customizations cost extra.
A cushioned acrylic system costs $2 to $4 per square foot installed for liquid acrylic coatings mixed with granulated rubber to provide shock absorption and better ball bounce.
A sport court surface costs $4 to $17 per square foot installed for interlocking rubber tiles that overlay a concrete base.
When choosing court colors, keep in mind that light colors absorb less heat for a cooler court surface, while darker colors will be warmer and melt snow faster in cold climates.
Pickleball net cost
A pickleball net costs $300 to $1,500. A small portable net falls at the low end of the range, while a tournament-grade post & net system falls at the high end. Paddle and ball sets cost $35 to $200. Other equipment like scorekeepers, ball caddies, and paddle racks are also popular.
Cost to install pickleball court fencing
Pickleball court fencing costs $2,000 to $6,000 installed to enclose the 30' x 60' pad area. Ideally, the fence should be 8 feet or taller, but a 4-foot fence can be used with a top pad in place to prevent injuries.
Chain link fencing costs $9 to $30 per linear foot.
Vinyl-coated court fencing costs $10 to $35 per linear foot.
Vinyl fencing costs $15 to $30 per linear foot.
Wood privacy fencing costs $25 to $50 per linear foot.
Cost to install pickleball court lighting
Pickleball court lighting costs $5,000 to $10,000 installed. A typical pickleball court will require 2 or 4 poles that are 20 feet tall, with 4 LED lights mounted on each pole to provide sufficient lighting for night games.
Outdoor landscape lighting costs $800 to $6,000 for a package of 10 to 20 lights installed along the walkway to the court for added safety.
Pickleball court accessories cost
Pickleball court accessories cost $15 to $500 each. Once you get hooked on the sport, you may find yourself shopping for new and fun accessories often. Some common court accessories for a backyard pickleball court are detailed in the following table.
| Accessory | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Ball caddy | $35 – $50 |
| Bench / seating | $200 – $500 |
| Clock / timer | $50 – $200 |
| Court tape or plastic markers | $15 – $35 |
| Paddle and ball sets | $35 – $200 |
| Paddle rack | $25 – $350 |
| Portable net set | $100 – $500 |
| Rebounder net | $100 – $300 |
| Scorekeeper | $50 – $100 |
| Windscreens | $80 – $500 |
Cost to convert a tennis court to pickleball
Pickleball has become hugely popular, so many families and neighborhoods are converting old tennis courts into pickleball courts. The conversion costs about $5,000 to $20,000 to turn one tennis court into 4 pickleball courts by resurfacing the courts, replacing the components, painting new game lines, and upgrading the lighting.
Building a tennis court costs $40,000 to $100,000 for a 120' x 60' court, and turning a rarely used tennis court into 4 popular pickleball courts is a great way to recoup costs.
Pickleball court building FAQs
What is the cheapest way to build a pickleball court?
The cheapest way to build a pickleball court is to add an acrylic court surface and portable nets to an existing concrete slab, garage, or barn space.
How much does it cost to resurface a pickleball court?
Resurfacing a pickleball court costs $1,500 to $3,500 for a standard 30' x 60' pad, which includes repairs of any cracks or low spots, a layer of acrylic resurfacer, two coats of color, and painted game lines.
How much does it cost to maintain a pickleball court?
Maintaining a pickleball court costs $300 to $1,000 per year, depending on how often the court is used. Routine maintenance includes regularly inspecting, repairing, and replacing the court surface and game components.
Backyard pickleball court dimensions and square feet
A standard pickleball court is 20' wide and 44' long, but the pad should extend a minimum of 5 feet around the court for player safety. A 30' x 60' pad totaling 1,800 square feet gives plenty of room for players to chase the ball without leaving the pad.
Getting estimates from pickleball court builders
Some general guidelines to follow when getting estimates from pickleball court builders include:
Get several estimates using similar court sizes and materials to compare.
Choose builders with at least 5 years of experience building pickleball courts.
Review feedback and reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Get written copies of the initial estimate, contract, and warranty before starting construction.
Negotiate a payment plan and don't make the last payment until the project is finished.
Questions to ask
Ask these questions to ensure you hire the right builder for the job:
How many pickleball courts have you built in the last year?
Can I see your company's business license, insurance, and bond guarantees?
What material is best for my court size and location?
What site prep is required to build a pickleball court in my backyard?
What permits do I need for my project? Do you handle the permitting?
How long will it take to build the court? Do you provide a construction schedule?
Does your estimate include site prep? Cleanup?
Do you mark the underground utilities before excavating?
Do you move the plants and sprinkler heads, or do I need to schedule a landscaper?
How much will the project cost? Do you offer a payment plan?