Site Prep First
A court that stays level, drains cleanly, and holds its bounce starts with the ground beneath it, not the surface on top.
What Goes Wrong
The failure modes below show up years after installation, but they are set in motion on day one.
Clay-heavy subgrade holds water and shifts seasonally, causing the base layer to heave and crack from below.
A soil evaluation before excavation sets the correct depth and drainage spec for the actual ground conditions present.
A flat or reverse-graded site traps water under the base, softening the subgrade and accelerating surface failure.
The subgrade is cut to a minimum 1 percent fall so water moves off the court rather than pooling beneath it.
An existing patio or old court slab that looks sound may be undersized, cracked, or sitting on unstable fill.
The slab is measured, checked for level, and assessed for structural integrity before a reuse or replace decision is made.
Tree roots and organic material left in the subgrade decompose over time, creating voids that cause uneven settling.
Roots, topsoil, and organic debris are removed down to stable subgrade before any base material is placed.
Scope of Work
This phase handles everything from the first measurement to a compacted, level base ready for the next stage of construction.
Court boundaries are staked on-site to confirm the space fits the intended sport dimensions and any required setbacks.
Subgrade condition is evaluated, then topsoil and organic material are excavated to the depth the soil assessment specifies.
The exposed subgrade is graded to establish a consistent drainage slope that moves water away from the court footprint.
Drainage pipe is placed at low points and clay concentrations identified during the site evaluation to prevent water trapping.
A gravel base layer is compacted and tested for density, then retaining edges are set to hold the base in position.
Residential lots, including mature-tree root clearing.
Multi-court layouts with shared drainage planning.
Larger footprints with access and setback review.
Assess reuse or replacement for old courts and patios.
Why Choose Us
Site prep is where the long-term outcome of a court build is decided. Here is what the process looks like when it is handled with accountability.
An itemised written estimate covers base preparation, drainage, and all prep line items before any ground is broken.
Every enquiry starts with a ground and drainage assessment at the actual site, not a phone estimate based on square footage.
Every project accounts for Wake County’s clay-heavy subgrade, with excavation depth and drainage pipe placement set accordingly.
Residential lots, HOA facilities, school grounds, and commercial sites are all within the service area and handled routinely.
A final walkthrough confirms every scope item is complete and the base is ready before the job is signed off.
The Process
01
Describe your site and intended sport. We schedule an on-site ground assessment.
02
You receive an itemised estimate covering excavation, grading, drainage pipe, base compaction, and retaining edges as separate line items.
03
The site is cleared, graded, drained, and compacted to spec, then a final walkthrough confirms the base is ready for the next stage.
Pricing Estimates
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Site visit and layout plan | $500-$2,000 |
| Grading and base preparation | $3,000-$10,000 |
| Excavation and drainage work | $8,000-$25,000 |
| Full court site prep package | $10,000-$35,000 |
Describe the space and the sport. We schedule a ground and drainage assessment and put the scope in writing.