Sports Then and Now

If you are a professional tennis player at heart or you simply love hitting aces to get your daily cardio and stay physically fit, you may be toying with the idea of installing a tennis court on your property. One thing all homeowners need to get a court within their property bounds in uninhibited space. Once you have space, the rest of the feat is in the planning and the physical labor. Here’s what you should know before you start buying decor to make it look like you have Wimbledon in your backyard:

Start with the Zoning First

The very first thing that any property owner needs to do when planning to install a tennis court is to get approval by the city zoning officials or by the Homeowners Association. If you live in a neighborhood without an HOA, the first step would be to contact the city you reside in for information on zoning restrictions and how to apply for a permit.

If you live in a community where there is an HOA, you will need to review your bylaws first. These bylaws will clearly lay out restrictions and what is needed to get approval to build a tennis court. Since the zoning and permitting process can take a significant amount of time, it’s wise to start this early on with the city.

Drafting the Plans and Lay Out

You should always assess the grade of the land before you choose the layout of your court and where you’ll start installing. You will need to choose between clay courts, asphalt courts, and grass courts. After pinpointing the right choice, it is the time to clear the land and start with grading for a completely level playing area with a controlled grade just for draining the court in the rain. These are important factors to account for when you are drafting plans.

Budgeting the Cost

You could spend as little as $5000 to complete and as much as $25,000. How much you wind up spending depends on how much permits cost, how much of your land you have to grade, the blacktopping company that you hire, and the upgrades that you select for your court. Some of the upgrades that could increase your budget include:

• Exterior lights
• Fencing
• Equipment organizers
• Scoreboard
• Rebound nets and backboards
• Clocks
• Chairs or benches for spectators
• Outdoor water fountains

It is nice to be able to walk right out your patio door to play on a tennis court that was made for you. While this is a great luxury, it is one that you must really plan for. Permits alone can take months or years to obtain without the right installer. In addition to this, maintenance costs will rear their ugly head every year. Keep all of this in mind as you plan to get your own court.