5 Questions to Ask About Installing or Completely Resurfacing Tennis or Game Courts

A tennis or game court is the perfect way to add some fun to your yard. But if you have an old, bumpy, and cracked court, it can lead to injuries while also detracting from your curb appeal. Use these residential tennis court questions when talking to a pro to help you make the best use of your investment—whether you decide to install a new court or resurface an old one.

When do you need your game court installed or resurfaced?

Pouring concrete or asphalt during high heat, extreme cold, or rainy, hail-ridden, or snowy weather can distort the surface materials or prevent them from curing. To avoid this, don’t install a tennis or game court during the winter or summer. Instead, aim to install it during mild, warm temperatures to ensure you have a smooth surface. 

What type of game court do you want?

The type of game court you want will influence how you approach installing or resurfacing it. For instance, pickleball and tennis courts have several similarities, but they’re also different enough for a noticeable difference between the sizes, costs, and materials needed for the projects. A local tennis court contractor can help you choose which surface is best for your sport.

What type of court surface are you interested in?

There are five types of court surfacing materials for tennis courts, including asphalt, clay, concrete, grass, and turf. Concrete and turf have the least amount of maintenance but also cost the most. Clay, asphalt, and grass are significantly more cost-friendly, but their high maintenance needs can make them unsuitable for anyone wanting to enjoy the court without the extra upkeep. 

How much will it cost to install or resurface a game court? 

Costs for installing a tennis or game court range from $5,800 to $75,000, while resurfacing costs range from $2,500 to $12,600 on average. The type of court, location, and surface material impact the final price point, so work with a contractor to accurately estimate the total project cost to avoid going over budget. 

Here’s a cost breakdown for installing or resurfacing game courts by sport type and material:

• Basketball court installation: $8,600 to $42,000

• Pickleball court installation: $19,400 to $51,800

• Tennis court installation: $30,000 to $75,000

• Tennis court resurfacing: $2,500 to $12,600

• Concrete resurfacing: $3 to $5 per square foot

• Asphalt resurfacing: $2 to $5 per square foot

Can you install a tennis or game court in your area?

Be it a nightmarish homeowner’s association (HOA) or local building regulations, sometimes building a tennis or game court on your property isn’t an option. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so contact your local building department and HOA, if you have one, to confirm that they allow game court installations. Even if you can build a game court, you may need to acquire building permits before you can start the project. 

Your game court installation pro can help you plan for the necessary permits. Building permit costs vary by the project scope, with most demolition projects costing around $200, while outdoor projects range anywhere from $100 to $500 on average.