How Much Does It Cost to Build a Tennis Court?

To help you anticipate the costs of building a tennis court, we've detailed the typical installation costs – including construction, surfacing, and maintenance – so that you can plan ahead and budget accordingly.

Actual tennis court costs depend on a number of factors, including the size and location of the court, the type of tennis court surface you choose, and the company you hire to do the work.

However, in general, your tennis court building cost will be between £170 and £190 per square metre.

If you want a more elaborate tennis court construction, such as a professional-grade court with lighting and other specialist equipment, you can expect to pay closer to £80,000 and upwards.

Sport England also states that, for a Macadam court, you can expect to pay £245,000 for 2 courts with all the surface, lighting and fencing factored in, so there’s no one set figure.

Of course, if you’re simply resurfacing an existing standard tennis court, your costs will be much lower. (This is before considering legal considerations such as planning permission!)

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Tennis Court?

Tennis Court Construction Costs

It goes without saying that installing a tennis court yourself is cheaper than paying a professional company because you're saving on labour costs.

However, a professional tennis court installation company will have more experience, insurance, and knowledge than you're likely to have.

This means there's less chance of mishaps or problems during the installation process. Plus, they should complete it quicker than if you attempted it yourself.

Below, we've broken down the cost factors that should be considered in your budget for your tennis court construction. This information can be useful for proposals for boards of directors, school governors, and other organisational hierarchies.

Planning Permission

Planning permission for a tennis court in the UK typically isn't required for private gardens. However, there are certain instances in which you’ll need to procure planning permission for your tennis court construction:

• Listed buildings: Permission might be needed if the court impacts the building's character.
• Protected areas: Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty or National Parks often have restrictions.
• Significant groundworks: Extensive earthworks may require permission.
• Height restrictions: Courts exceeding a certain height might need approval.
• Floodlights: These often require separate permission due to potential light pollution.

Contact local authorities before getting construction underway; otherwise, you may be hit with hefty fines and might have to stop construction altogether or even remove the tennis court entirely, which can be incredibly costly!

Court Groundworks & Drainage

These are essential for tennis courts, as they prevent flooding on your playing surface, keeping it clear for practice and matches after adverse weather and minimising costly water damage.

The cost of a good drainage system and a drainage connection point can range between £5,000 and £10,000.

This is a significant part of your budget for courts on the cheaper side, but it shouldn't be overlooked, as improper drainage can cause damage that's much more costly to repair in the future.

Tennis Court Fencing

There are many different ways to fence off your tennis court. Whether you’re looking for an expensive, sturdy fence or a more complete court surround system, this can be costly.

Fencing around your court is very important. It will reduce the number of tennis balls lost in the surrounding area and protect players from the wind. Plus, it provides a barrier that can double as a security measure.

View our professional Tennis Court Surrounds Systems

Vehicle Access

It is important to have good vehicle access to your facility during and after tennis court construction. Construction vehicles bringing materials, as well as any excavation vehicles, will need to get as close as possible.

Not only that, but it’s also important to have good access once the court has been built, as maintenance vehicles may need to be able to get close, and people using the tennis court will also need somewhere to park their cars.

Tennis Court Security

As well as vehicle access, during construction, you may also need to ensure that you have security in place to protect vehicles and expensive materials.

Keeping the area fenced off with security barriers and even installing mobile CCTV cameras can be very beneficial. Anti-vandalism measures can also help protect the court from any potential damage.

Investing in tennis court lighting can also help boost security, especially when combined with fixed CCTV, as it's harder to sneak in when it's lit up.

Tennis Court Surfaces

There are many different types of surfaces you can choose for your tennis court, from traditional lawns to more modern hard courts.

Choosing your surface is not only influenced by cost and aesthetics, but it also impacts the way in which your tennis matches will be played and, therefore, is influenced by your play style.

There's no right or wrong choice for your type of court surface, it really depends on how you play tennis and your preferred style.

Tennis Court Resurfacing Costs

There is nothing stopping you from choosing a new surface in the future or revitalising one that you already own. In fact, it's very likely that you'll have to resurface your court surface at some point, so taking into account your tennis court resurfacing costs is important, too.

On average, a tennis court resurfacing project will set you back around £17,000, so ensure you’ve put plenty of thought into your choice first.

Tennis Court Accessories & Finishing Touches

Building a tennis court is more than just installing the groundwork, surface, and surrounds for your court. No tennis court is complete without the accessories and finishing touches that make recreational or competitive play possible.

Here are the tennis court accessories and finishing touches that bring additional costs you need to build into your budget.

Tennis Net & Posts Costs

Purchasing a quality tennis net for your court is important, too, as these are obviously an integral part of the game. Buying a poor-quality tennis net will increase the risk of that net breaking or degrading much faster than one made of sturdy materials.

A net will cost you between £100 to £250, and your tennis posts can be over £2,000, depending on your choice of material and size.

Our Matchplay Tennis Net is a mid-range net featuring a double-stitched vinyl headband and high-strength, 2.5mm twisted polyethylene netting. Its strong structure can withstand all levels of play.

At the top level, our Championship Tennis Net resembles the crisp, perfectly fitted look that’s synonymous with the Wimbledon Championships and other high-profile tennis competitions and clubs across the world.

The more you invest in all areas of your tennis court now, the more likely you’ll have a long-lasting court that won’t require too much maintenance in the future.

Line Marking

A professional will be able to mark the lines on your court accurately, but it’s also possible to do this yourself, and it's not too difficult, provided you have the right tools, such as a wheel transfer line marker and line marking paint, too.

You’ll also have to measure accurately and carefully, as even the smallest mistakes can throw the whole court out of balance and alignment. This is particularly important when building tennis courts for professional play or high-level club tournaments.

Tennis Court Maintenance Costs

Once your tennis court construction is complete, the work doesn't stop there!

Keeping your tennis court well-maintained is essential if you want to keep the surface safe and comfortable to play on. The surrounding fences, nets, posts, pitch dividers, and court lines also need to be taken care of.

You can do this yourself, but you can also pay for professional treatment, which may cost you upwards of £500 depending on the tasks that must be completed.

Tennis court maintenance is an integral part of owning a court – any damage left too long could make it even more expensive or render it unusable.

Tennis Court Installation Checklist

Now that we've considered the major tennis court building costs, you’ll need to follow certain steps to ensure a quality build when it comes to your tennis court installation.

To help with this, you should follow this checklist to ensure that you’ve taken the necessary steps:

1. Site Preparation
2. Choose & Install a Surface Material
3. Add Lighting & Fencing
4. Add Storage
5. Choose Other Amenities
6. Decide On Accessories & Supplies
7. Consider Court Management Options

Summary: Tennis Court Installation Costs to Consider

There's no avoiding the fact that installing and maintaining a tennis court can be expensive, so it's crucial to plan ahead. Know what you want for your court and choose materials carefully to avoid excessive costs.

Investing in high-quality construction materials from the start is vital for ensuring the court lasts a long time and is good value for money.

At Edwards Sports, you can find professional-quality tennis nets, posts, and surrounds for your new or upgraded tennis court.

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