Court Design & Site Preparation in Fort Lauderdale

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.