Tennis courts are like pools. Not everyone has one, but most people would love having one to call their own. Frankly, there’s a cost involved with having a tennis court. It’s a luxury item that demands your money, time and energy. If you love playing tennis, it’s totally worth having one.
Okay, so you’re thinking of adding a tennis court to your property. How much is it going to cost and how will you figure out if/when you can afford it?
The Cost of a Tennis Court Installation
In general, having a tennis court installed these days can cost anywhere between five to six figures. There are, of course, various factors involved in determining the final price of a brand new tennis court installation. What are some of those factors so you can work on your budget?
Factors That Affect the Cost
First, consider the site where the court will be placed. Does it need a contractor to make it ready for court construction? For instance, does the ground need to be dug up, levelled, etc. in order to accommodate the court? Are there rocks or trees in the way that need to be moved? Is the land uneven, swampy or rocky? First things first, you’d want to talk with a contractor and get an estimate for “clearing and preparing the land” for your court. Note: you’d also want to have the local utilities come by and check for/mark their underground cables, lines and pipes.
Tennis Court Type
Next, you’ll want to figure out what kind of court you’d get. Would it be a hard or soft court? Do you want grass underfoot? Classic Turf Company can work with you on determining what type of court to get, discussing differences between things like “asphalt versus concrete.” Remember, you get what you pay for– a cheap court won’t last long and will need lots of repairs over time. Be sure and ask about Classic Turf’s 20-year “crack-free” guarantee— it sets the company apart from the competition! Furthermore, Classic Turf can also help you figure out what amenities you’d like, including lighting, shade structures, water fountains, backboards and windscreens. The more amenities you add, the higher the overall cost.
Maintenance
What else determines your overall cost? Factor in the need for maintenance equipment, which can include water removers, court rakes, drag brooms and line sweepers. Then there are player amenities, which can include court benches, shoe cleaners, and score keeping units.
Other things to consider when budgeting for a tennis court installation include the need for (and extent of) fencing around the court and landscaping to be done near and around the court. For instance, will you need to pay for tree removal in order to accommodate the court where you want to put it? Will you want to plant new shrubs and add flower beds nearby in order to make the scene more attractive? How about adding a sidewalk to get to the court from your house or main building? Will you want to add a storage shed and/or restrooms nearby?
Finding the Right Installer
Once you have in mind what you want, then you should consult with a court builder to find out prices associated with the various things you’d like. If, for instance, you were to approach Classic Turf, you would want to have a phone conversation covering topics like “base specifications,” “fence specifications,” “type of lights,” “type of surface,” “extras” and “warranties.” You can write down the cost estimates for the various options and then “do the math” to determine a ballpark figure for what you’d ultimately pay. Is this process a bit complicated? Yes. It’s like buying a new vehicle or buying a house. You have to weigh options and say to yourself, “With the money I have now, what can I truly afford?” Then you have to think into the future, and budget accordingly. For example, “In 5 years time, what other costs might come up that I have to cover? What about 10 years or 20 years from now? Should I spend a lot now, or add things at a later date when I can afford them?”
Raising Money
Some people choose to approach banks for loans to finance their tennis court installations. Others do old-fashioned fundraising events like car washes and bake sales and dance-a-thons to raise funds. If, at the moment, you don’t have the money to pay for the whole project, then you should at least start saving money earmarked for “tennis court” in your overall budget. Try putting away $300 a month toward the project, or whatever amount makes sense.
There are generally two types of people when it comes to buying tennis courts: those who think nothing of writing a big check to cover the whole expense at once, and those who save money over time in order to get their dream court months or years later.
Ideally, if you’re thinking of having a court installed, you should do your homework, research it all online, ask lots of questions of companies that install courts, and consult with Classic Turf Company by calling 1-800-246-7951.
