Site Selection
Space is the first killer—no room, no game. Look for a flat slab of at least 78 feet by 36 feet, plus runoff. If you’re eyeing a backyard, measure twice, cut never. A slope? Flatten it or kiss the idea goodbye.
Surface Choice
Hard, clay, grass—pick your poison. Hard courts are cheap, low‑maintenance, and forgiving on the wallet. Clay offers slow‑play and that nostalgic smell, but it demands daily watering and rolling. Grass feels like a dream, yet it screams “upkeep” each season. Your budget decides the surface, not your fancy.
Foundation & Construction
Concrete base—don’t skimp. A 4‑inch slab poured with a vapor barrier will hold up for decades. Reinforce with rebar; a thin slab will crack under the stress of a serve. Install proper drainage, or watch your court become a mud pit after the first rain.
Lighting & Fencing
Night matches demand LED floodlights—120 foot‑candles on each side, no flicker. Fence the perimeter with at least 10‑foot high chain‑link, topped with a net to keep balls from becoming neighborhood souvenirs. Forget the fence, and you’ll be buying balls for the whole block.
Acreage Regulations
Check local zoning—some towns ban anything bigger than a half‑court. Permits? Yes. A short call to the planning department can save weeks of demolition.
Equipment & Accessories
Net, posts, and a baseline line—standard. Add a ball machine if you’re training solo, and a bench for the coach. All these little extras can be bought from english-tennis.com and installed in a weekend.
Cost Breakdown
Hard surface: $30K–$45K. Clay: $40K–$60K. Grass: $70K+. Add lighting, fencing, and permits, and you’re looking at a six‑figure project if you go full‑scale. Trim the budget by going half‑court, or choose a pre‑fabricated modular deck.
Timeline
Permit approval: 2–4 weeks. Excavation and slab: 1 week. Surface installation: 1–2 weeks. Lighting and fencing: another week. In total, expect 6–8 weeks from start to first serve.
Actionable Tip
Grab a tape measure, walk the lot, and draw a chalk line; if the line fits, call a contractor today.**
