A basketball court could be a great addition to your backyard. If you are ‘all about that ball life’, having your own court could be a dream come true. It also makes for a great investment, as it increases the value of your property by 10%.
It also creates a great bonding experience for your family and friends. The value of having a basketball court in your backyard has never been higher than now.
With the pandemic looming large over everyone’s minds, a home court is probably one of the safest ways to enjoy basketball, get some exercise and have some fun after sitting indoors on Zoom calls all day.
Let’s Talk Numbers
Have you always wanted a basketball court in your backyard but didn’t know how much it would cost you? Or do you want one but don’t know how to go about it? No need to panic, we’ve got you covered!
We’re going to break down how much it costs to build a backyard basketball court for you. There are basketball courts for all kinds of price ranges.
Several factors affect the cost and your preferences ultimately decide the kind of court you end up with. Don’t you worry, we are here to hold your hand through the entire process!
A half-sized court can cost you between $12,000 to $35,000. A full-sized backyard basketball court can vary from $45,000 to $70,000.
On average, a backyard basketball court costs about $35,000. The cost goes up or down depending on the size and other specifications you choose.
Factors Affecting Cost
Here’s what determines the cost of building a backyard basketball court:
Size
The size of your backyard basketball court can make a major difference to the cost. Even adding or subtracting 2-4 inches will create a significant change in the numbers.
- Full-Size Court: 94×50 feet—for hardcore enthusiasts who need an NBA-sized court.
- Junior Court: 74×40 feet—for homeowners who don’t have enough space for a full-sized court.
- High School Court: 84×50 feet—slightly smaller than full-sized courts.
- Half-Court: 47×50 feet—half the size of a full-size court.
- 3 on 3: 30×30 feet—small, compact, ideal for families and cost effective.
Ground Zero
Once you decide the size of your b-ball court, the first step is to level the ground. Depending on the slope of the ground, the cost of leveling may increase.
Going by the average, it might cost you anything between $1,000 to $3,000 to level the ground for your backyard basketball court.
Laying the Foundation
Once the ground is level, you will need to lay a concrete slab with a rebar before you install the court. The court needs a sturdy foundation for safety reasons. It also needs to be perfectly flat and have decent grading work to ensure drainage.
This cost varies based on the ground and its conditions, ranging from $3,000 to $10,000. If your yard is sloped, expect to pay on the higher end of the spectrum.
Base Material
Now we get to the interesting part! There are many options to choose from, all with their own set of advantages. We suggest you keep your budget and preferences in mind while picking the base material.
Here are the most common base materials for backyard basketball courts:
Wooden Flooring
Who doesn’t love a good hardwood floor? Wooden flooring is an amazing choice for your backyard basketball court. Playing on hardwood floors is much better for your feet than concrete or asphalt.
Be warned though, a hardwood base is one of the pricier options. It can cost you anywhere between $14,500 to $23,500 for a half-court, depending on the kind of wood you choose. Wooden floors are also high maintenance, and vulnerable to bad weather.
Tiles
Polypropylene tiles are a popular choice as they are cost effective, resilient and easy to install. They snap into place and can endure for years.
There is little to no maintenance involved. However, it is hard to get a grip while playing on a tiled surface, as they are very smooth.
Tiles will cost you between $7,000 to $16,000 for a half-court, depending on your choice of tile.
Laminate
If you love the classic hardwood basketball court look but can’t afford it, laminate flooring is the next best thing. It is also very easy to install, making it very popular for DIY renovations.
Laminate might be more suitable for indoor courts, as they won’t last very long outdoors without protection. The cost of laminate floors for a half-court ranges from $9,500 to $14,000.
Concrete
Concrete is certainly a cost-effective solution for b-ball court flooring. It can range from $4,500 to $11,500 for a half-court. It is durable and low maintenance, though it may be a little uncomfortable to play on until you get used to it.
Concrete floors may not be the best idea if you live in a colder climate, as they can develop cracks in lower temperatures.
Asphalt
Asphalt is by far the most cost-effective choice. For a half-court, it can cost you anything between $4,100 to $9,400. It’s low maintenance and extremely durable in warmer climates.
However, if you live in an area with temperatures below freezing in the winter, asphalt might develop cracks and shatter easily.
Rubber
Rubber is easy on the ankles, making it a popular choice for many basketball enthusiasts. It needs to be reinstalled every few years as it will wear out over time. It can cost between $9,400 to $18,800.
Game Lines
Once you’ve laid the base material, the next thing to do is paint game lines. The cost of painting game lines on a half-court is $300.
Accessories
Now that the court is ready, it’s time to pick your accessories!
Hoops
You can’t call it a basketball court if there aren’t any hoops! First, you need to decide if you’d like one hoop or two. Next, you pick the kind of hoop you want.
In-ground hoops are most common, but there are tons of options to choose from. A basketball hoop can cost you anything between $50 to $5,000 depending on quality and type. If you travel a lot, portable basketball hoops are also an option.
Lights
You need some kind of lighting to ensure that you can shoot hoops any time you want. It also makes your court much safer.
Again, there are many options to choose from, from LED lights to floodlights. Based on the lights you choose and the size of your court, the cost can go from $100 to $2,500.
Scoreboard
Having a scoreboard can give your backyard basketball court a very professional feel. They make matches a lot more fun and you get to indulge your competitive side.
You can get a basic scoreboard for about $200. If you are interested in a more elaborate setup, electronic scoreboards can cost you between $2,000 to $10,000, depending on size and specifications.
Fence
If you are tired of knocking on your pesky neighbor’s door each time your ball bounces into their yard, we suggest you install a fence around your backyard basketball court. The chain-link fence is most common and will cost you around $2,000.
Labor
We often forget about labor costs while estimating the cost of the project. The cost of professional labor for your backyard basketball court will depend on where you live and the nature and complexity of the job.
However, based on averages, you can expect to pay between $300 to $500 per day.
Maintenance
As you’ve probably guessed, the level of maintenance your court needs depends on the base material you picked. In any case, clearing debris, inspecting drainage from time to time and sweeping the surface is enough for most courts.
If you chose a floor susceptible to weather, it might be worth considering a basketball court bubble. It protects your court from the weather, and you get to enjoy your court regardless of the weather or time of the day.
It will definitely reduce maintenance costs and efforts too. A basketball court bubble starts at $10,000.
Pro Tips
- It might be tempting to attempt a DIY on your backyard basketball court, but it isn’t that simple. It requires a lot of planning and heavy machinery, so unless you have construction experience, it might be best to leave it to the professionals.
- Fix a budget keeping your preferences in mind. Get estimates from at least a couple of places before you decide on a contractor.
- You will definitely need to obtain a permit before installing a backyard basketball court. Check with your city hall or town hall for details. Consult your neighborhood association too.
- Before you begin installing the court, make sure the driveways and gates on your property are wide enough for moving equipment, machinery and delivery of materials.
The Final Word
So, how much does it cost to build a backyard basketball court? The cost of building your own backyard basketball court is highly variable. We’ve broken down all the factors that affect it and you are now one step closer to having the perfect b-ball court in your own backyard.
Now that you know everything about the cost of building a backyard basketball court, you can go ahead and achieve your dream with no doubts. We’re sure that you’ll have ‘nothing but net’ pretty soon!