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Backyard Courts

Backyard Sports Courts in Austin

A court sized for your yard, built on a stable base, ready for basketball, pickleball, or both.

  • On-Site Evaluation
  • Itemised Estimate
  • Final Walkthrough
  • Permit Review Included
An outdoor multi-sport court with a pickleball/tennis net and a basketball hoop, next to a modern building and artificial grass, surrounded by lush hedges.

Built Right or Built Over

Where backyard courts fail, and how to avoid it

Skipped Base Prep

A surface laid over uncompacted fill or clay soil will crack and shift within a few seasons of Austin’s wet-dry cycles.

Compacted Sub-Base First

The builder excavates to stable ground, compacts a graded aggregate layer, and sets drainage slope before any surface goes down.

No Drainage Design

A flat slab with no drainage provision will hold standing water after every heavy rain, making the surface slippery and shortening its life.

Graded Drainage Built In

The court footprint is graded to a minimum 1% slope so water clears the surface quickly and does not pool at the edges.

Wrong Surface Choice

Choosing a surface without knowing the soil conditions or intended sport leads to a court that wears unevenly or plays poorly.

Surface Matched to Site

The on-site evaluation determines whether sport court tiles, an acrylic coating, or a poured slab suits your yard, budget, and sport.

Permit Surprises

Starting a slab or fenced court without checking Austin city requirements can halt the build mid-project and require costly changes.

Early Permit Review

We review Austin residential permit requirements before the scope is written, so approvals are in hand before ground is broken.

Scope of Work

What a backyard court project covers

From the first site measurement to the final line stripe, every element is scoped in one written estimate.

Perimeter Fencing

Chain-link or vinyl fence scoped with the court, not added later.

Court Lighting

LED fixture layout for evening play, sized to the court area.

Line Striping

Regulation line marking in acrylic paint for each sport.

Basketball Hoop Installation

In-ground or surface-mount hoop set as part of the build.

Site Grading & Drainage

Slope correction and drainage provision before any surface work.

Permit & HOA Review

Austin permit requirements checked before the scope is finalised.

Yard-First Planning

What it takes to fit a court in your backyard

The ground conditions under your yard determine every decision that follows, from base depth to surface type.

Request an Estimate

Austin’s clay-heavy soil expands and contracts with seasonal rain, which means drainage and sub-base compaction are the first things a builder checks, not the surface. We arrange an on-site evaluation that measures your yard’s footprint, slope, and soil conditions before any scope is written. That assessment determines whether a concrete slab, sport court tiles, or a graded aggregate base makes sense for your specific site.

Once the ground conditions are understood, the scope maps a court footprint that fits your yard and the sport you want to play. A half-court basketball layout, a regulation pickleball court, or a multi-sport setup each has different clearance requirements. Fencing and lighting are scoped in the same estimate, not added later, so the final number reflects the complete project.

Austin city permit requirements apply to slab-based or fenced court construction in most residential neighborhoods. We review those requirements as part of the planning process so there are no surprises mid-build. A final walkthrough confirms every item in the written scope, surface, drainage provision, fencing, and line marking, before the job is signed off.

Why Choose Us

Why choose us for your backyard court in Austin?

Every project starts with a site evaluation and ends with a signed-off walkthrough, no scope added after the estimate.

Written Estimate Before Any Work Starts

The itemised estimate covers base prep, surfacing, fencing, and line marking, nothing is added after you approve it.

On-Site Evaluation, Not a Phone Quote

A site visit measures slope, soil, and drainage before any price is discussed or scope is written.

Permit Review as Part of Planning

Austin residential permit requirements are checked before the scope is finalised, so approvals are in place before work begins.

Final Walkthrough Before Sign-Off

Every scope item, surface, drainage, fencing, and line marking, is confirmed on-site before the job is closed out.

Resurfacing & Repair Available

If an existing court is cracked or worn, we can arrange resurfacing without a full rebuild, assessed on the same site-visit basis.

Aerial view of multiple illuminated tennis courts at night with bright floodlights.
Finished regulation tennis court with acrylic surface and crisp white line striping backyard

The Process

From first enquiry to finished court

Request an Estimate

  1. 01

    Request Your Evaluation

    Submit your yard details and we arrange an on-site visit to measure slope, soil, and drainage before any cost is discussed.

  2. 02

    Review Your Written Estimate

    You receive an itemised estimate covering base preparation, surface material, fencing, lighting, and line marking in one document.

  3. 03

    Build, Inspect & Sign Off

    The builder completes every scoped item, then a final walkthrough confirms the surface, drainage, and markings before handover.

Pricing Estimates

Typical Backyard Sports Courts Prices

JobTypical cost
Shooting court$15,000-$42,000
Half-court basketball$30,000-$65,000
Pickleball court$40,000-$80,500
Full-court basketball/volleyball/short tennis$80,500-$105,000
Full-court basketball$75,000-$175,000
Tennis court$120,000-$250,000
These prices are estimates and often vary with the condition, size and scope of each job. Message or call us for a free, no-obligation quote.
See all prices

Common Questions

Questions homeowners ask before starting a backyard court

  • How much does a backyard sports court cost?

    Most backyard sports courts come in at $15,000-$42,000, depending on size, surface type, and what add-ons you include. A basic half-court with a modular tile surface sits at the lower end, while a full court with concrete base, fencing, and lighting sits higher. An on-site evaluation produces an itemised written estimate so you see exactly where the money goes.

  • What makes the cost of a backyard court go up or down?

    The biggest cost drivers are court size, base type, surface material, and how much site prep the yard needs. A flat, accessible yard with stable soil costs less to prepare than a sloped lot that needs grading and drainage work. Fencing, lighting, and multi-sport line markings each add to the total.

  • How much does size change the price of a backyard sports court?

    Size is one of the largest single cost variables. A half-court basketball setup (roughly 30 by 30 feet) uses far less material and base work than a full 94-by-50-foot court. Every additional square foot adds base material, surfacing, and labor, so scaling up has a near-linear effect on the final number.

  • Will a backyard court fit in my yard?

    It depends on which sport you want to play and whether a full or half court works for you. A half-court basketball setup needs roughly 30 by 30 feet; a singles pickleball court needs 30 by 60 feet. An on-site evaluation measures the usable space, accounts for setbacks and obstacles, and confirms what fits before any work begins.

  • How do I know if my backyard has enough space for the games I want to play?

    Start with the minimum playing dimensions for each sport, then add at least 6 feet of run-off space on every side. Basketball half-court needs about 30 by 36 feet total; pickleball needs 30 by 64 feet with overruns. An on-site evaluation maps your yard against those numbers and flags any obstacles like trees, slopes, or utility lines.

  • Do I need a permit to build a backyard basketball court?

    In most Austin-area jurisdictions, a ground-level sports court does not require a building permit, but fencing above a certain height often does. Rules vary by city and neighborhood, so it is worth checking with your local permitting office before breaking ground. An on-site evaluation can flag likely permit requirements for your specific address.

  • Will my HOA need to approve a backyard sports court?

    Many HOAs require approval for permanent outdoor structures, including sports courts. Restrictions often cover surface color, fencing height, and lighting. Review your HOA’s CC&Rs before committing to a design, and submit plans early since approval timelines vary. Every scope covers HOA boards on community-scale courts as well; see Commercial HOA & School Courts.

  • What site prep is needed before building a backyard court?

    Site prep typically covers clearing vegetation, grading the area to a consistent slope for drainage, compacting the sub-base, and pouring or laying the chosen surface. Unstable or expansive soil may need additional base depth or a gravel drainage layer. Every project starts with an on-site evaluation that determines exactly what prep your yard requires. See Court Design & Site Preparation for more detail.

More questions about Backyard Sports Courts?

Get a Written Estimate for Your Court

Tell us the site and the sport, and we’ll arrange an on-site evaluation and itemised written estimate covering base prep, surfacing, fencing, and line marking.

Request an Estimate