Court Design & Site Preparation Questions

An ungraded site creates low spots where water pools under the surface, which undermines the base and causes cracking or heaving over time. Grading establishes a consistent slope, typically 1 percent, so water sheds away from the court rather than sitting beneath it. Without it, even a well-built surface will fail prematurely.

Yes, poor drainage is the most common cause of court surface failure. Standing water softens the compacted base, which leads to cracking, surface bubbling, and uneven play areas. In South Florida’s heavy rain season, a court built on a lot without proper water management can show damage within the first year.

The key checks are ground slope, soil stability, existing drainage patterns, utility line locations, and any fill or organic material buried below grade. Tree roots near the build zone and proximity to irrigation lines also need to be identified. Catching these before excavation starts prevents mid-project surprises that change the scope and cost.

Yes. Lots that hold water or sit in low areas need both precise grading and active drainage features, perimeter channels, French drains, or a raised pad, before the surface goes down. Installing a court on a drainage-sensitive lot without those measures results in base erosion and surface failure, often within the first rainy season.

Yes, clearing, fill, and compaction are all part of site preparation. The itemised written estimate you receive after the on-site evaluation breaks out each element so you can see exactly what the prep scope covers and what it costs before any work begins.

Site prep covers vegetation clearing, topsoil removal, excavation, sub-base fill, compaction, and grading for drainage. Drainage features such as perimeter channels are included where the site requires them. Everything is itemised in the written estimate produced after the on-site evaluation, so there are no line items that appear unexpectedly on the final invoice.

The main factors are how much the existing grade needs to change, soil type and stability, the volume of fill required, and whether drainage infrastructure needs to be added. Lots with significant slope, poor compactable soil, or buried organic material require more labor and material. The on-site evaluation identifies all of these before the estimate is written.

The on-site evaluation is designed to surface these issues before the estimate is written, not after work starts. Soil probing and drainage assessment are part of that visit. If excavation uncovers unexpected conditions, buried debris or soft fill, for example, the scope is discussed with you before any additional work proceeds.

Almost never. Existing yard surfaces have organic topsoil, grass, and uneven grade, none of which can support a stable court base. The area needs to be cleared, excavated to the correct depth, filled with compactable material, and graded before any surface goes down. Skipping prep leads to a surface that shifts and cracks within a few seasons.

Every yard needs some level of preparation, the question is how much. An on-site evaluation checks slope, soil type, drainage, and available dimensions to determine what prep is required. Some lots need only minor grading; others with poor soil or significant slope require more extensive base work before construction can begin.

Yes. Every project starts with an on-site evaluation that measures the usable space, checks setbacks, and confirms whether the dimensions you want are achievable. If the space is tight, the evaluation identifies whether a smaller court or adjusted orientation can still meet your needs. You get a written estimate after that visit.

Yes. Irregular or compact lots can often accommodate a smaller court, a single-sport layout, or an adjusted orientation that fits the available footprint. The on-site evaluation measures the usable area and identifies any setback or access constraints, then the design is adapted to what the space can realistically support. See backyard court options for common configurations.

A sports court requires a compacted aggregate base graded to a precise drainage slope, work that differs from general landscaping or hardscaping. A handyman or landscaper typically lacks the equipment and base-preparation knowledge to meet those tolerances. An incorrectly prepared base voids most surface warranties and leads to cracking that requires full reconstruction to fix.

It is not recommended. Court base preparation requires compaction equipment and precise grading to drainage tolerances that are difficult to achieve without the right machinery. If the base is not compacted and graded correctly, the surface will crack and the work will need to be redone. Coordinating prep through the same team ensures the base meets the surface specification.

The base is graded to a precise cross-slope so water moves off the surface in a controlled direction rather than pooling. On lots with poor natural drainage, French drains or perimeter channels are added to carry runoff away from the base. The on-site evaluation identifies which drainage approach the specific lot requires before any work begins.

Prep starts with clearing vegetation and topsoil, then excavating to the required depth. The sub-base is filled with compactable aggregate, graded to the correct slope, and compacted in layers to meet load-bearing requirements. Drainage features are installed at this stage. The finished base is inspected before surfacing begins.

Equipment access routes are planned to avoid root zones of trees and established plantings wherever possible. Protective barriers are placed at the edge of the work zone, and spoil material is staged away from plant beds. Any landscaping directly in the build footprint is identified during the site evaluation so you can decide how to handle it before work starts.

The court footprint is staked and measured on-site during the evaluation, and the layout is confirmed in the written estimate before signing. Before excavation begins, corners are re-staked to the agreed dimensions so the cleared area matches the approved plan. Any adjustments to orientation or size are made at that point, not mid-dig.

Most residential site preparation takes two to four days, depending on the amount of clearing, the depth of excavation, and whether drainage work is needed. Larger or more complex lots with significant grade changes or poor soil can take longer. The timeline is included in the written estimate so you know what to expect before work starts.

Low-lying areas are addressed by raising the court pad with compacted fill to lift it above the surrounding grade, combined with perimeter drainage channels that direct water away from the base. On flood-prone lots, the drainage design is tailored to the site’s specific flow patterns, which are mapped during the on-site evaluation.

Sandy soil compacts poorly on its own and can shift under load, so it typically requires removal and replacement with a stable aggregate base material. The depth of replacement depends on how far down the unstable sand extends. This is assessed during the on-site evaluation so the base specification is matched to actual soil conditions.

Not if the yard is uneven, soft, or holds water. Most sites need some combination of clearing, excavation, grading, and compaction before a court can be built. Skipping those steps means the surface has no stable base to sit on, and low spots or cracks appear within a few years.

Standing water softens the sub-base over time, which leads to surface cracking and uneven settling. Fixing base damage after the court is built costs significantly more than addressing drainage during site prep. The longer the problem is left, the more of the base is affected.

Not if they are located first. We arrange for utility and irrigation lines to be marked on the surface before any excavation begins. That step is part of the site evaluation, not an afterthought, so the dig plan accounts for what is already in the ground.

Utility lines are located before any digging starts, Florida law requires calling 811 to mark underground lines prior to excavation. Irrigation lines within the work zone are identified during the on-site evaluation so they can be capped, rerouted, or protected. Flagging these in advance is standard practice, not an afterthought.

Every project includes a final walkthrough before sign-off to confirm the base and drainage meet the agreed specification. Specific warranty terms are outlined in your written estimate. If you have questions about what is covered, ask during the estimate review, that is the right time to get the details in writing.

Our partners carry liability insurance covering property damage during construction. Confirm coverage details with the partner assigned to your project, they can provide certificate documentation before work begins. Utility lines are also located prior to excavation to reduce the risk of accidental damage.