Yard-First Planning
A court sized to your yard, built on a solid base, ready to use year-round.
What Goes Wrong
Rushed site prep and guessed layouts are the two most common reasons backyard courts fail early.
A surface laid over uncompacted fill will crack within a few seasons as the ground shifts beneath it.
The builder compacts aggregate or pours concrete before any surface goes down, removing the root cause of cracking.
Estimating court size without measuring slope and clearance often leaves the finished court too tight to play on comfortably.
An on-site evaluation checks grade, drainage, and usable footprint so the layout is confirmed before base work begins.
Standing water under or around a court degrades the base and creates a slick, uneven playing surface over time.
The builder grades the sub-base and surrounding area so water moves away from the court, not under it.
Choosing a surface without matching it to the sports being played means markings that conflict or a tile that suits one game poorly.
Surface type and multi-sport markings are selected together so basketball, pickleball, or both fit cleanly on one layout.
Scope of Work
From a compact half-court to a full multi-sport layout, the scope is set by what your yard can hold.
A half-court fits most residential lots and gives a full basketball key and three-point arc in roughly 30 by 25 feet of usable space.
A regulation-length full court runs 94 by 50 feet and suits larger lots where the full game experience is the goal.
One surface marked for basketball and pickleball, or other combinations, so the court earns use from the whole family.
Modular sport court tiles are installed over a prepared base, giving a cushioned, weather-resistant surface with good drainage.
In-ground hoop installation is scoped as a separate line item so the estimate reflects exactly what gets built and anchored.
Grade and drainage checked before layout is drawn.
Compacted aggregate or concrete base before surfacing.
Durable color finish applied over a prepared slab.
Regulation markings painted for each sport chosen.
Surface slope set so water clears the court area.
Why Us
Every step from first look to final walkthrough is documented, so nothing is left to assumption.
No number is put on paper until a builder has physically checked the ground, slope, and drainage on your lot.
Base prep, surfacing, markings, and hoop installation each appear as separate line items, no bundled totals to decode.
The job is not closed until a walkthrough confirms every element matches what the written estimate described.
Permit rules vary across San Diego County cities, and the builder flags what applies to your address before work starts.
If an existing slab or worn surface is the starting point, repair and resurfacing are within the same scope of service.
The Process
01
Tell us the site address and the sports you want to play, and we’ll arrange a builder to assess the ground and drainage.
02
The builder produces an itemised written estimate covering base prep, surfacing, markings, and any hoop or fencing work.
03
The court is built to the agreed scope, then a final walkthrough confirms every element before the job is signed off.
Pricing Estimates
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Small backyard play court | $20,000-$35,000 |
| Standard backyard multi-sport court | $25,000-$50,000 |
| Larger backyard court with added features | $35,000-$80,000 |
We’ll arrange a local builder to assess the ground and drainage, then put the full scope in writing before anything is booked.