Court Design & Site Preparation Questions

Yes, drainage is assessed during the on-site evaluation before any work is quoted. Poor drainage is one of the most common causes of court failure, so identifying low spots, runoff paths, and soil permeability upfront is a standard part of the process, not an add-on.

Soft or uneven soil must be addressed before the base goes in. The fix typically involves excavating to stable ground, adding compacted aggregate base material, and re-grading to the correct slope. Building over soft soil without correction causes the court to settle and crack, often within the first year.

Yes. Tree roots continue to grow after a court is built and can lift or crack the surface from below. Buried debris like old fill, stumps, or rubble creates voids that lead to settling. The site evaluation looks for these issues, and any roots or debris in the build zone are removed before the base is laid.

Yes, on both counts. An inadequate base leads to differential settling, which creates high and low spots that affect ball bounce and footing. It also concentrates stress in the surface layer, causing cracking and delamination well ahead of the surface’s normal lifespan. Base quality is the single biggest factor in how long a court performs.

Freeze-thaw cycles push moisture into the base and expand it, which lifts and cracks the surface. The fix is excavating below the frost line and using well-draining aggregate that does not hold water. Keeping moisture out of the base material is the primary defense against heave damage in climates with regular freeze-thaw cycles.

Clearing and excavation scope varies by lot condition, but the itemised written estimate you receive after the on-site evaluation breaks out base preparation costs separately so you can see exactly what site work accounts for. Overall project investment typically runs $2,500-$7,500, with site conditions being one of the main variables.

Site preparation is included as a line item in the itemised written estimate, not billed as a separate contract. You see base preparation, surfacing, fencing, lighting, and line marking broken out individually, so there are no bundled costs that hide what the ground work actually involves.

Yes, every court build requires site preparation. The ground must be graded, compacted, and properly drained before any surface goes down. Skipping this step leads to cracking, settling, and uneven play surfaces within a few seasons. Every project starts with an on-site evaluation to determine exactly what prep your specific yard needs.

Almost no yard is ready as-is. Most residential lots have enough slope, soft spots, or drainage issues to require at least some grading. The on-site evaluation identifies what your yard actually needs, so you get a clear picture before any work begins rather than surprises mid-project.

A standard pickleball court needs roughly 30 by 60 feet of clear space; a half-court basketball setup needs at least 42 by 37 feet; a full tennis court needs 60 by 120 feet. The on-site evaluation measures your available area and accounts for fencing setbacks, so you know exactly what fits before committing.

No. Resurfacing projects sometimes require base repairs -- filling voids, addressing drainage issues, or grinding down high spots -- before a new surface layer can go down. Skipping base work on a resurfacing job and simply coating over problems shortens the life of the new surface significantly. Court resurfacing follows the same evaluation process.

A gentle slope is workable and often just needs cut-and-fill grading to create a level pad. A moderate slope requires more excavation on the high side and fill compaction on the low side, which adds to the base preparation scope. The on-site evaluation determines whether retaining walls or additional drainage are also needed.

Sometimes, but only if the existing slab is structurally sound, properly sloped for drainage, and free of significant cracks or heaving. A slab that fails any of those checks needs to be removed rather than built over. The on-site evaluation determines whether your existing concrete is a usable base or a liability.

A new base is almost always the better long-term choice. Existing surfaces carry hidden problems -- poor slope, weak sub-base, old cracks -- that transfer straight through to the new court. Starting fresh gives you a base built to the correct spec, which directly affects how long the surface holds up and plays true.

Yes. Court grading requires a precise cross-slope, typically around 1 percent, to shed water without affecting play. A few inches off in the wrong direction creates standing water or a noticeably tilted surface. Achieving that tolerance consistently across a 30-by-60-foot or larger area requires laser-grade equipment and experience with court-specific tolerances.

The crew clears the area, removes vegetation or existing material, excavates to the required depth, and grades the ground to a precise slope for drainage. A compacted aggregate base is then installed before any surfacing begins. Each step is sequenced so the finished base is stable and ready to hold the surface layer long-term.

Disturbance is limited to the court footprint plus a working margin for equipment access. Crew routes and staging areas are planned to avoid unnecessary damage to surrounding lawn or landscaping. After the base is complete, the perimeter is cleaned up and graded to tie back into the existing yard grade.

Yes, demolition and removal of existing material is part of the site preparation scope. Old concrete, artificial turf, or other surface material is broken up, hauled off, and disposed of before grading begins. This is included in the itemised estimate so you know the cost upfront rather than discovering it as a separate charge.

Most residential site prep takes one to three days, depending on how much clearing, excavation, and grading the lot requires. Larger commercial or HOA projects with more complex drainage needs can run longer. Your written estimate will include a project timeline so you know what to expect before work starts.

Clay soil is excavated deeper than normal, and a thicker compacted aggregate base replaces it to break the capillary connection between the clay and the court surface. French drains or perimeter drainage channels are added where needed to carry water away from the base. This combination prevents the heaving and soft spots clay soils cause when they absorb moisture.

The court surface is graded to a controlled slope so water sheets off rather than pooling. Perimeter drainage channels or French drains direct that runoff away from the base and surrounding yard. In Raleigh’s heavy summer storm pattern, getting this detail right at the design stage prevents erosion and base saturation over time.

Usually yes. A yard that looks flat often carries grade changes of several inches across a full court footprint. A slope check and soil assessment confirm whether the ground is ready or needs correction before excavation begins.

Sometimes, but it depends on the slab’s condition, dimensions, and drainage. Cracks, movement, low spots, or the wrong size often make replacement the better option. An on-site evaluation determines which path makes sense before any scope is written.

Without drainage pipe and a planned runoff slope, water pools on or under the court after rain. On Raleigh’s clay soil, that softens the base and accelerates surface cracking. Drainage is planned during the site assessment, not added later.

No. It also applies when replacing an old court, expanding a play area, or correcting a surface that has started to settle or collect water. The goal is the same in each case: get the ground stable and properly drained before any surface work begins.

Root and debris removal is part of the clearing and excavation phase. Mature trees are common in Raleigh backyards, and root clearing is factored into the site assessment and estimate before work starts.

The on-site measurement and layout staking confirm whether the footprint fits with adequate clearance on all sides. If the space is tight, the evaluation covers what court dimensions or orientations are workable for the site.

Yes. The base is compacted in layers using aggregate material sized and graded to resist settling under load and seasonal moisture changes. Proper compaction at each layer is what separates a court that stays flat for years from one that develops low spots and cracks within a few seasons.

Hidden issues like buried debris, unexpected soft soil, or root systems are documented and discussed with you before additional work proceeds. Nothing is done without your sign-off. The on-site evaluation catches most surprises early, but when something unforeseen appears, you get a clear explanation and updated scope before the crew continues.

Our partners stand behind their base work. Any base-related defect that appears after installation is addressed through the partner responsible for the build. The final walkthrough before sign-off is the checkpoint where base quality is confirmed, so both parties agree the work meets spec before the project closes.