Backyard pickleball court
The yard you need, what a backyard court costs and how to keep the noise down.
Most yards feel tighter than you'd expect once the tape measure comes out. The marked court is 20 feet by 44 feet. But the slab should be 30 feet by 60 feet, or 1,800 square feet. The slab is the flat block of poured concrete the court sits on. The extra space around the lines is where players chase wide shots. So plan your yard around the slab, not the painted lines. Want real prices? Answer two questions to see prices for your state. Then send your plans to builders who work there.
Will a court fit in your yard?
Run a tape measure over the flattest part of your yard. Look for an open space 30 feet by 60 feet. Allow at least 5 feet beyond the court lines so players have room to move safely.
Flat ground can still lean a little. A builder gives the pad a slight slope in one direction. The pad is the flat area the court is built on.
The slope lets rain drain away instead of sitting on the court.
The standard court starts with a concrete slab 4 inches thick, reinforced with half inch steel rebar. Rebar means steel bars set inside the concrete.
For fencing, 8 feet or taller is the common choice.
Backyard pickleball court cost
A finished 30 by 60 foot court with a fence and lights often costs $20,000 to $50,000. That is the range the price guide HomeGuide gives for a finished court.
The base is a big expense. But snap-together tiles can cost even more. So compare the price of the whole court, not just the surface.
| One court, national average | Total | Per square foot |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt with paint | $8,800–$26,500 | $5–$15 |
| Concrete with paint | $12,400–$31,900 | $7–$18 |
| Cushioned acrylic over concrete | $15,100–$37,300 | $8–$21 |
| Snap-together tiles over concrete | $18,700–$60,700 | $10–$34 |
Acrylic is the paint-like coating that gives a court its color and grip. Cushioned acrylic is that same coating with soft rubber layers under it.
These prices include clearing and shaping the ground, the slab, the playing surface, the painted lines, and the net and posts. They do not include a fence or lights.
Extras change the total. Fencing for one court, about 180 feet of fence, usually costs $1,800 to $6,300. Lighting costs $5,000 to $10,000 or more.
A painted concrete court with a fence and lights costs $19,200 to $48,200 in total.
Prices also depend on where you live. One painted concrete court, without a fence or lights, is estimated at $11,600–$29,800 in Iowa. In Hawaii, the same court is estimated at $13,200–$34,100.
Pickleball court noise
A typical paddle hit is 85 decibels or more. Decibels are a measure of how loud a sound is. That sharp, high-pitched pop is the sound that carries to the neighbors.
The paddle is the easiest place to start. A paddle certified under the USA Pickleball Quiet Category keeps the sound below 80 decibels, down from 85 or more. It also makes the sound lower in pitch.
The company PickleTile rates this change as a 50 percent cut in noise.
Around the court, a barrier such as PICKLEGLASS can cut noise by 50 percent. For comparison, a drop of about 10 decibels sounds close to half as loud.
If you have neighbors close by, mention it on the form.
Cheaper ways to play at home
Want a lower-cost game in your backyard? Sandy Pickle sells a portable court for $179. It is not an official full-size pickleball court.
If you already have a flat slab or driveway, the next step up is a do-it-yourself tile kit laid on top. VersaCourt sells 3 do-it-yourself kits of snap-together plastic tiles. Each kit comes with a lifetime warranty.
If you already have a tennis court, turning it into 4 pickleball courts costs $5,000 to $20,000.
Questions people ask
Is this a DIY project?
Partly. VersaCourt sells three court tile kits you can lay yourself. But the slab under them is a job for a builder.
The ground has to be graded, which means shaped and leveled. The slab also has to be sloped and reinforced with steel.
Then the concrete must cure for at least 30 days before the playing surface goes on. To cure means to let concrete dry and harden.
What does yearly upkeep cost?
Plan on $300 to $1,000 a year for cleaning and small repairs.
When the paint wears through, resurfacing one court costs $1,500–$3,500. Resurfacing means putting a fresh top coat on an old court.