How Much Does It Cost to Build a Backyard Basketball Court? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $8,600 - $42,000
To install an outdoor basketball court, you can expect to spend an average of $35,000. Full-courts cost more than half-courts, but labor, land conditions, and materials will also factor into the final price.
For those who believe “ball is life,” having your own basketball court is a dream come true. If you’re looking to turn your backyard into an at-home NBA court, the price tag costs an average of $35,000 and can range between $8,600 and $42,000, depending on several factors. We’ve broken down everything you need to know to determine how much it costs to build a basketball court on your property.
- Average
- $35,000
- Low end
- $3,600
- high end
- $75,200
Backyard Basketball Court Cost Factors
Many factors affect the cost of installing an outdoor basketball court, including the size, land condition, labor, materials, and more.
Court Size
The larger the court, the more it will cost. The size of the court has a big impact on final costs. A full-size basketball court is 94 by 50 feet, or 4,700 square feet. Depending on the amount of land you have to dedicate to b-ball (and your budget), you can opt for a half-court to save on costs.
Generally, building an outdoor basketball court will cost you between $4 to $16 per square foot. You’ll reach the higher end of the range if you opt for premium materials or need to do some grading to prep the site before you build.
| Size | Cost |
|---|---|
| Free Throw Court | $4,000–$20,000 |
| Half Court | $8,600–$40,000 |
| Full Court | $18,800–$75,200 |
Land Condition
If the land you want to put the court on is bumpy and uneven, or there are drainage issues, you'll have to spend a lot of money on preparing the site. Regrading your yard costs between $1,000 and $3,300 on average, while a drainage system costs anywhere from $2,200 to $6,800. This means you could spend up to $3,200 to $10,100 just on land preparation.
Labor
Labor is likely to be your biggest expense, potentially taking up the majority of your budget. Installing a basketball court is hard work with long hours. Labor costs can vary greatly depending on the region. The job size can also increase the overall cost of the labor. Courts take four to six weeks to build, so a full court might cost anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 per day. Hourly rates likely won't apply, even for small courts.
A local tennis court company or service will bill similarly. A tennis court costs between $5,800 and $26,700 to build from scratch.
Base Materials
Most contractors will recommend concrete or asphalt for outdoor courts because traditional hardwood courts won’t withstand weather conditions.
The price of flooring will run from $14,000 to $45,000 for a full-sized outdoor court. Poured concrete costs around $6 per square foot, while asphalt costs around $11 per square foot. Polymeric rubber is also an option, which costs around $8 per square foot.
| Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Asphalt (Half Court) | $16,500–$35,300 |
| Asphalt (Full Court) | $32,900–$70,500 |
| Poured Concrete (Half Court) | $8,800–$22,900 |
| Poured Concrete (Full Court) | $17,600–$45,800 |
| Rubber (Half Court) | $9,400–$28,200 |
| Rubber (Full Court) | $18,800–$56,400 |
Foundation
An outdoor court needs a concrete slab reinforced with rebar as a foundation. As a result, you will need to pour concrete before installing the court. For a typical 4,700-square-foot court, anticipate spending around $28,200 on a concrete slab.
Hoop
A hoop is generally one of the more inexpensive parts of a basketball court, but it will still affect your budget as it can cost somewhere in the thousands. Some types of basketball hoops go for as little as $50. But if you want a permanent, professional basketball hoop installed, you may spend as much as $2,000 per hoop, and $450 to have a local pro install it.
The materials you choose for the backboard could also drive the price up for your new hoop.
| Type of Hoop | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard | $50–$250 |
| Portable | $150–$5,700 |
| Acrylic | $1,800–$4,400 |
| Polycarbonate | $300–$2,000 |
| In-Ground | $400–1,600 |
| Rebounder | $500–$1,000 |
Paint
A gallon of paint costs between $20 and $70 on average and covers between 350 and 400 square feet. Since the average basketball court is 4,700 square feet, this means that you'll pay somewhere between $250 and $950. For concrete, there's a possibility you'll need to do two coats or reapply every couple of years, so anticipate spending $500 to $1,900 for this surface material.
Permits
Building an outdoor or indoor basketball court, which costs $1,900 to $14,400 on average, may require a building permit, given the specialized needs for this type of structure. A licensed contractor can confirm what permits are required and do the necessary paperwork to apply.
Backyard Basketball Court Base Materials Cost
Since the base materials have some of the biggest impacts on the cost of your basketball court, it’s a good idea to examine each material closely before deciding which is best for your budget and lifestyle.
Asphalt
Asphalt costs between $7 and $15 per square foot. The average cost for a full-sized basketball court is $51,700, while a half-court made of asphalt costs around $16,500. Asphalt is a durable material that can withstand the freeze-thaw cycle in colder climates.
However, asphalt has a long cure time, is susceptible to high heat, retains heat, and costs more than the other materials. Also, asphalt’s life span is shorter than concrete, lasting between 20 and 30 years, and it’s a harder material than rubber and concrete, meaning you’re more likely to suffer from more severe injuries if you fall.
Concrete
Poured concrete costs around $6 per square foot, putting your basketball court’s concrete surface at around $28,200 for a full-sized court and $14,100 for a half-sized court. Concrete is a popular option for outdoor basketball courts because of its durability, affordability, and long life span. Concrete is prone to cracking over time, but because concrete can last between 50 to 100, you’ll get the most out of your money by choosing this option.
Rubber
Rubber flooring costs between $4 and $12 per square foot, putting it in the middle of the price range for basketball court flooring materials. You’ll pay around $37,600 for a full-sized court and $18,800 for a half-sized court.
Rubber is gentler on the joints and has a softer landing, so you’re less likely to get hurt. It’s also easy to replace broken parts of your rubber surface if you choose rubber tiles. At the same time, rubber only lasts for 15 to 20 years, so it might not be the most economical choice.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Backyard Basketball Court Yourself?
If you have all the equipment needed to do the job, bought the materials yourself, and have people willing to help you out for free, you could probably construct the court for about $15,000 to $20,000.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
If you decide to install a build a basketball court yourself, you’ll save on the cost of hiring a local paving company. Pros charge around $5 to $7 per square foot, so for a 4,700-square-foot court, you’ll save $23,500 to $32,900 on the cost to pave your court. However, DIYing a basketball court isn’t as simple as laying the groundwork—you need to level the land, ensure there’s proper drainage, and pour concrete.
Unless you have extensive construction experience, you’re better off playing basketball than trying to build the court. One wrong move could turn your project into an uneven and dangerous playing field—not to mention one big money pit once you invest in demolishing it and hiring a pro to pave the way for a successful backyard basketball court.
Needless to say, it's best to pay professionals to ensure everything is done right—just like the game, this is a team effort.
Questions to Ask the Pro
Investing in a basketball court for your backyard is a big deal. As such, you'll want to vet any professionals to ensure you get the best services for your investment. It’s a good idea to have at least three companies in consideration while making your decision. We've rounded up some common questions to ask your installation company before you choose to hire them so that you feel confident in your decision to work with a professional.
What is the timeline for the project?
How does the payment schedule work?
How many years have you been in business?
Are you licensed and bonded?
Do you have a workmanship warranty?
Is there a comprehensive warranty for materials?
What kind of materials do you offer for basketball courts?
What add-ons are available?
Do you offer other services that complement my basketball court?
What is your protocol for dispute resolution?
If I change my mind about something we agreed on, how do you handle that?
Can I see samples of your previous work?
Once your installation company arrives, it’s important to clarify any additional questions you may have. Here are questions you can ask once the team is on-site.
What time will the team arrive?
Will the pros need to access my home for breaks and bathroom use?
Do I need to be home during the installation?
Who should I keep in touch with on the progress of the installation?
Cost of Common Backyard Basketball Court Add-Ons
In addition to your typical basketball court installation, you can choose to install several other add-ons, including lighting, fencing, accessories, and multi-use courts. Here’s how much each could cost you.
Outdoor Lighting
If you love an evening playoff match, you’ll want outdoor lighting to keep your court visible. Look for lighting with beam angles to evenly distribute light across the court, minimizing dark spots and glare, as well as fixtures that can withstand weather conditions (and occasional impact with a missed free throw shot). The average outdoor lighting costs anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000.
Fencing
You could spend between $2,400 and $5,700 on fencing for your basketball court. Nothing is more annoying than chasing a runaway basketball before it ends up in the street. The ideal basketball court fence height is between 10 and 12 feet, with taller fencing at the top of the price range. This height helps contain the ball within the court area during games or practices.
However, it's important to consider your local regulations that might specify a particular height.
Additional Accessories
If you want to go all out and give the full NBA effect, outfit your new court with accessories like a scoreboard, bench seating, personal logo, and more. Most of these items, with the exception of flooring choices, can be purchased at the end of your installation project, but it’s important to run the list by your contractor. These will all increase your basketball court costs.
| Accessory | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Scoreboard | $500–$800 |
| Bench | $300–$800 |
| Basketball Rack | $150–$300 |
Multi-Use Needs
If you’re investing in a basketball court, you may consider building a multi-use court to serve many different activities. Many contractors can install a 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 options combining a basketball, tennis, and game court. This can make the court versatile for many different interests—and more attractive for future home buyers who may not be interested in basketball.
Expect to pay more to account for more space, special flooring, and extra time to paint each court’s regulation lines.
How to Save Money on Outdoor Basketball Costs
Outside of taking a DIY approach—which requires a ton of work and is only for truly savvy homeowners—you can cut costs in a few ways. Here are some tips to save money when building a basketball court.
1. Consider a Garage or Driveway Hoop
Scaled-back options like these won't give you a full court in your home, but if hooping on a budget is your goal, they could be solid alternatives you can build faster.
Mounting a garage basketball hoop only costs under $100. With some paint, you can add a half-court on your driveway if space allows.
2. Limit Accessories
Special add-ons like outdoor lighting will keep the game more exciting but definitely add to the cost. Talk to your contractor about what accessories are important to invest in now and which you can wait to save up for. Avoid installing cheaper accessories you may need to replace later, like paying to remove a basketball hoop.
3. Do Renovation Projects Yourself
A poured concrete basketball court could be cheaper than a hardwood indoor court. You can save thousands by digging the space out yourself. Although difficult, digging a uniform, four-foot-deep hole for the area can be something you tackle slowly over a couple of months. Once finished, you can have a local concrete contractor lay concrete and paint the court yourself.
D.P. Taylor contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
So long as your court and hoop dimensions are the same, any basketball player can get a great workout and improve their skills on an indoor or outdoor court. However, you might consider using or building an indoor court if you live in a particularly rainy or windy area, as this can make it difficult to play outdoors.
It’s tempting to try to save money by building an outdoor basketball court yourself, but the truth is laying the flooring requires heavy equipment and lots of labor. So it’s best to hire a professional to do the job.
If you want to know from the outset how much you’re likely to pay to install an outdoor basketball court, create a budget breakdown that lists the following expenses:
Labor: How many work hours will you need, and what is the average price of labor in your area?
Materials: What material do you plan to use, and what is the average price per square foot?
Drainage, grading, and laying cement slabs: Do you need to level or prep your area? Have a professional evaluate your property to determine what you will need to pay a contractor to do this work.
Hoops, lighting, fencing, painting lines, and other extras: What extras are non-negotiable? Create a list of all of the extras you want your court to have.
Asphalt, which is stone mixed with tar, is the most common material for outdoor basketball courts because it’s so sturdy and versatile. However, you don't have to use it: another option is polymeric rubber, which has shock pads that can prevent injury. This option is a little more expensive, ranging between $16 and $25 per square foot.
Materials used for indoor basketball courts, such as hardwoods, aren’t really an option outdoors.