Whether you want to build a pickleball court for business or have your own backyard court, finding the right contractor can be challenging.
If you don’t know where to start, this guide can teach you what to look for, along with some suggestions for the best pickleball court builders nationwide.
What to Look For in a Pickleball Court Builder
Finding the best sports court builders in your area is the first step to guaranteeing that your public or private pickleball court respects the USA Pickleball set-up rules and regulations. A few things to check when choosing a contractor are experience, estimated time, and costs. Local presence is also important, especially if you also require court maintenance.
Experience
The first thing to check before starting a new pickleball court construction is the contractor’s experience. Most firms offering pickleball court construction are actually specialized in tennis courts.
While the two sports (and court types) are similar, USAPA and the American Pickleball Association set specific regulations regarding the size, surfaces, and texturing.
For instance, outdoor tennis courts can have a clay, grass, asphalt, or concrete surface, but only asphalt and concrete are acceptable pickleball court surfaces, at least for official play.
Experienced contractors can also choose the right texture and color depending on the climate in your area. Things are more relaxed for indoor courts, as all indoor court materials can make a suitable pickleball court surface.
You should ideally find a contractor in your area. Some firms build courts nationwide, but you should choose one wisely. Depending on where they are actually from, they might fail to evaluate the specific needs an outdoor court may have in your zone.
Materials Used
Beyond the actual choice of surface, you should consider the quality of materials. There are various ways to check construction material quality, including on-site tests and inspection of random samples. However, these methods are generally expensive.
While you may not want to invest in these tests, trustworthy contractors can provide you with a list of suppliers and brands used. In this way, you can check the composition of concrete, for example, or the texture’s resistance under the elements.
The goal is to build a court that is as low maintenance as possible. You want to assess everything from the composition of the base to the integrity of the surfacing systems used.
Quality materials are generally more expensive than cheap ones, but you’ll save in the long run.
Time to Build
Another thing to evaluate between signing a contract is the time required to prepare the terrain and install the court.
We’re not talking about the waiting time here – reputable contractors are usually in high demand and may have you wait a while before they actually start working on your project. What you should find out is how much time it takes them to build the pickleball court once the work begins.
Experienced contractors shouldn’t need more than a full working week to complete pickleball court construction. Terrain preparation usually takes around three days, and another one to three days are needed to install the court, based on project complexity.
Reputation
Before signing a contract, it is also crucial to check the builder’s reputation. Firms with a bad history generally have bad reviews online. You can also search for the contractor’s name on the Better Business Bureau website. The BBB can give insight into a company’s background and help you choose a reputable contractor.
Cost
Lastly, consider the cost without forgetting that reputable builders typically charge more than untrustworthy businesses. Not only do they use higher quality – and, hence, more expensive – materials, but you’ll also pay for expertise. Despite the higher upfront costs, you’ll save in the long run. Quality pickleball courts last for 25 or more years.
As a rule of thumb, it can cost you anywhere between $15 and $40 per square foot to build a pickleball court. Standard materials sit at the lower end, while revolutionizing pickleball court surfaces or cushioned pickleball court surfaces are more expensive. Add-ons, such as portable net systems and unusual color coatings, can increase the final quote.
Some of the Best Builders for Pickleball Courts
1. CourTex Construction, Inc.
- Specialized in: Outdoor pickleball courts
- Served area: Austin, TX, San Antonio, Dallas-Fort Worth
- Services: Court designing and construction, acrylic resurfacing, multi-game courts
- Phone: 512-461-0519
Founded in 2000, CourTex Construction, Inc. is one of the most reputable pickleball and tennis court builders in Texas. The company specializes in outdoor multi-game and sports-specific courts, including pickleball, tennis, and basketball.
A court designing service is also available if you don’t have a blueprint already, as well as the application of acrylic resurfacer products and drawing of pickleball lines in an existing or new court.
2. DeShayes Dream Courts
- Specialized in: Outdoor pickleball courts
- Served area: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware
- Services: Pickleball court design and construction, multi-game courts
- Phone: 877-928-4653
Born as a constructor of basketball courts, DeShayes Dream Courts became one of the most popular builders of outdoor pickleball courts in Pennsylvania and surrounding areas.
The contractor is experienced in building tournament-sized as well as backyard courts. Services include court lighting setup and renovation. Multiple sports courts include hybrid pickleball, tennis, and badminton courts.
3. Sport Surfaces LLC
- Specialized in: Outdoor and indoor pickleball courts
- Served area: Florida
- Services: Court designing, construction, resurfacing, maintenance
- Phone: 888-423-1120
Serving West Palm Beach and other Florida areas, Sport Surfaces LLC is a reputable constructor of pickleball courts for private homes, schools, parks, military establishments, retirement facilities, country clubs, community centers, and more.
What sets them apart is the use of environmentally friendly sports surfaces, advanced coating systems, and customized solutions for each playing surface. The company also provides court maintenance services and pickleball court accessories.
4. Sport Pros USA
- Specialized in: Outdoor and indoor pickleball courts
- Served area: New Jersey, New York Metro
- Services: Court designing, construction, resurfacing, maintenance
- Phone: 866-570-0653
Sport Pros USA has served the NY metro area for over 15 years, building indoor and outdoor courts for a variety of sports, pickleball included.
The builder designs and constructs residential and commercial courts alike, both options respecting the USAPA and Pro Pickleball Association tournament regulations. With a free on-site estimate, you can also make sure the cost is within your budget.
5. North State Resurfacing Co
- Specialized in: Outdoor and indoor pickleball courts
- Served area: North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia
- Services: Court designing, construction, resurfacing, maintenance
- Phone: (919) 365-7500
Mainly specialized in court resurfacing, North State Resurfacing Co is a trustworthy builder. Whether you need a new pickleball court built from scratch or want to convert existing tennis courts to pickleball, this firm provides these services.
Court resurfacing services are comprehensive and suitable for anything from a worn-out surface to changing pickleball court surface colors.
Key Takeaways
- Reputable contractors usually offer inclusive services from construction to maintenance.
- Before signing an agreement, make sure the contractor provides a clear timeline and costs estimate.
- The official court surface for outdoor courts is asphalt or concrete. Acrylic and vinyl are acceptable indoors.
- The average cost of building a pickleball court goes from $15 to $40 per square foot based on court type (indoor or outdoor), surface type (asphalt or concrete), add-ons, and other variables.