Do NOT put in a pickleball court until you’ve watched this…

Summary

This video offers comprehensive advice for installing a pickleball court, emphasizing the importance of proper sizing, with a recommended 30x60 ft area instead of the standard 20x44 ft. It discusses the high costs involved, estimating $15,300-$40,000 for materials, labor, and extras like fencing and custom paint. The host shares insights on weather considerations, the curing process for concrete, and the inevitability of touch-ups. Tips include choosing stain-resistant colors, considering court location to minimize maintenance, and the option to save on fencing and nets. The video concludes with a product recommendation for high-quality pickleball paddles.

Takeaways

• 😀 Proper sizing is crucial: A regulation pickleball court is 20x44 ft, but a recommended size for actual play is 30x60 ft to accommodate the space needed.
• 💸 Cost considerations: Beyond concrete, consider the costs of paint, labor, fencing, and potential lawsuits if the court is not properly sized for safety.
• 🏗️ Concrete volume: For a 30x60 ft court, expect to use approximately 1,800 sq ft of concrete at a cost of $8 to $9 per sq ft.
• 🎨 Specialized paint: Pickleball courts require acrylic paint specially formulated for the game, which can be expensive and prone to staining if not chosen carefully.
• 🔨 Labor and materials: The total cost for a professionally installed pickleball court can range from $25,000 to $40,000, not including potential DIY savings.
• 🌧️ Weather impact: Proper grading is essential to prevent water pooling and staining. Weather conditions can significantly affect the timeline and success of the project.
• 🏞️ Fencing considerations: For privacy and to contain the ball, consider taller fencing, especially if neighbors are close. The standard 4ft may not be sufficient.
• 🎨 Custom colors: Custom court colors can be achieved but require special mixing and may increase labor costs and the potential for color mismatch during touch-ups.
• 🧹 Ongoing maintenance: Regular upkeep is necessary to prevent leaves and debris from affecting play and to maintain the court's appearance.
• ⏱️ Curing time: Concrete requires a curing period of 30 days or more before painting, which can delay the project timeline significantly.
• 🛠️ DIY vs. Professional: While DIY might save money, it could increase time and stress. Hiring a professional contractor can ensure a smoother process but at a higher cost.

Q & A

What is the recommended size for a pickleball court according to the video?

The video suggests that while a regulation pickleball court is 20x44 feet, the actual size should be 30x60 feet to accommodate for safety and playing space.

Why did the video creator decide to expand the court size beyond the regulation dimensions?

The video creator wanted extra space to play and avoid stepping off the court, so they added 2 feet on each side and 5 feet on the front and back, resulting in a 24x54 feet court.

What was the cost of concrete for the pickleball court as mentioned in the video?

The cost of concrete for the pickleball court was calculated to be $8 to $9 per square foot, totaling approximately $15,300 for the concrete alone.

What additional costs were considered in the video for a pickleball court installation?

Additional costs included paint, labor, fencing, net installation, and concrete formwork, which could raise the total cost to between $25,000 and $40,000.

What is the importance of proper grading on a pickleball court as discussed in the video?

Proper grading is crucial to prevent water pooling and staining, which can damage the court surface, especially in areas with occasional rainfall.

Why might higher fencing be necessary for a pickleball court, and what height was recommended in the video?

Higher fencing is necessary to prevent balls from flying over and annoying neighbors. The video recommended considering 10-ft fencing instead of the 8-ft used.

What challenges did the video creator face with custom paint colors for the pickleball court?

Custom paint colors were difficult to mix correctly, leading to increased labor costs and the potential for color mismatches during touch-ups.

What maintenance tools did the video suggest for upkeep of a pickleball court?

The video suggested keeping a push broom and a battery-operated leaf blower on hand for regular court maintenance.

How does weather impact the installation timeline of a pickleball court according to the video?

Weather impacts the timeline by affecting the curing process of the concrete and the painting conditions, potentially delaying the project by weeks or months.

What is the curing period for concrete in a pickleball court as mentioned in the video?

The video states that the concrete needs to cure for a total of 30 days or more before painting can commence.

What is the video creator's advice on whether to DIY or hire a professional for pickleball court installation?

The video creator advises against doing it yourself due to the complexity and potential for mistakes, recommending hiring a professional contractor.

What alternatives did the video suggest to reduce costs for pickleball court installation?

The video suggested using a netting system instead of a high-end fence, purchasing a net from Amazon, and investing in good quality paddles for cost-effectiveness.

Outlines

00:00

🏓 Insights on Installing a Pickleball Court

The speaker shares their experience and advice on installing a pickleball court, emphasizing the importance of proper sizing. They recount their mistake of underestimating the space required for the court, leading to additional work and costs. The video provides a detailed account of the unexpected challenges and expenses involved in the project, such as the need for more concrete than initially planned, the high costs of specialized paint, and the importance of considering the court's location to minimize maintenance and potential disputes with neighbors.

05:01

🎨 Custom Colors and Maintenance for Pickleball Courts

The speaker discusses the difficulties of achieving custom paint colors for pickleball courts, highlighting the labor-intensive process and potential increase in cost. They also touch on the issue of color choice affecting the court's maintenance, noting that lighter colors are more prone to staining. The paragraph concludes with advice on the upkeep of the court, including the need for regular cleaning to prevent water damage and the importance of considering the court's location to minimize the impact of weather and leaves.

10:02

⏱ Weather Impact and Touch-ups for Pickleball Courts

The speaker highlights the significant impact of weather on the installation and painting process of a pickleball court, stressing the need to plan the project during the appropriate season to avoid delays. They also mention the curing period required for concrete before painting, which can extend the project timeline. Lastly, they discuss the inevitability of touch-ups, especially with custom colors, and provide tips on cost-saving alternatives for fencing and nets, as well as a recommendation for high-quality pickleball paddles.

Keywords

💡pickle ball court

A pickle ball court is a specific type of sports court designed for the game of pickleball, which is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. In the video, the speaker discusses the process of installing a pickle ball court, emphasizing the importance of proper sizing and planning. The court's dimensions are crucial, with a regulation size being 20x44 feet, but the speaker advises a larger size of 30x60 feet for safety and playability.

💡sizing

Sizing in the context of the video refers to the dimensions of the pickle ball court being installed. The speaker initially thought a 24x54 feet court would suffice but later discovered that a 30x60 feet size is more appropriate to accommodate the game's requirements and safety margins. This keyword is central to the video's theme of providing practical advice for installing a pickle ball court.

💡concrete

Concrete is the material used to construct the pickle ball court's surface. The video discusses the cost and volume of concrete required for such a project, with the speaker highlighting that the cost of concrete alone for a properly sized court can be significant. Concrete's thickness and the need for a large volume are emphasized, as is the importance of not cutting costs on this material for safety reasons.

💡cost

Cost is a recurring theme in the video, as the speaker outlines the various expenses associated with installing a pickle ball court. From the concrete to labor, paint, fencing, and nets, the total cost can range from $25,000 to $40,000. The speaker advises viewers to consider all costs, not just the concrete, when budgeting for a pickle ball court installation.

💡fencing

Fencing is discussed as a necessary component to contain the game and prevent balls from flying off the court. The speaker mentions different heights of fencing, from 4 feet to 8 feet, and even considers the benefits of 10-foot fencing. Fencing is crucial for neighbor relations and the overall functionality of the court, as it prevents disturbances and potential property damage.

💡paint

Paint is another significant cost factor in constructing a pickle ball court. The video specifies the need for acrylic paint specially formulated for outdoor sports courts, which is more expensive than typical paint. The speaker also discusses the challenges of achieving custom paint colors and the potential for staining, especially with lighter colors.

💡grading

Grading refers to the process of leveling and sloping the ground to ensure proper drainage. The speaker mentions that the grading must be perfect to prevent water from pooling and causing stains on the court. This is an important step in the installation process, as improper grading can lead to maintenance issues and potential damage to the court.

💡upkeep

Upkeep involves the regular maintenance required to keep the pickle ball court in good condition. The video mentions the need for sweeping off leaves and water, and possibly washing the court. The speaker suggests providing tools like a leaf blower for guests to maintain the court, emphasizing the importance of upkeep for a positive user experience.

💡weather

Weather plays a critical role in the installation process, particularly for pouring concrete and applying paint. The speaker notes that concrete cannot be poured in the rain, and paint requires specific temperature conditions to dry and cure properly. Weather can significantly impact the timeline of a pickle ball court project, making it a key consideration in planning and execution.

💡curing

Curing is the process of allowing concrete to dry and solidify after it has been poured. The video explains that concrete requires a minimum of 30 days to cure before painting can begin. This waiting period is essential for the structural integrity of the court and must be factored into the project timeline.

💡touch-ups

Touch-ups refer to the necessary maintenance to fix any cracks or wear in the paint lines of the pickle ball court. The speaker points out that even a newly installed court will require touch-ups, especially if custom colors are used. This keyword highlights the ongoing costs and maintenance associated with a pickle ball court.

Highlights

Proper sizing of a pickleball court is crucial, with a regulation size being 20x44 ft, but ideally should be 30x60 ft for safety and gameplay.

The cost of concrete for a pickleball court is significant, with $8 to $9 per square foot, totaling around $15,300 for just the concrete.

Labor costs for installing a pickleball court are high, and specialized acrylic paint for the court is expensive.

Fencing is necessary to prevent balls from flying over and potentially annoying neighbors, with 8ft being the minimum recommended height.

Custom colors for the court require special mixing and can increase labor costs and the risk of color inconsistencies.

Lighter colors are more prone to staining, so choosing darker shades can reduce maintenance and upkeep.

Regular upkeep is necessary to prevent water pooling and staining, including sweeping and potentially washing the court.

The location of the court should be considered to minimize leaf fall and reduce the need for constant cleaning.

Weather conditions, especially rain and temperature, can significantly impact the timeline of a pickleball court project.

Concrete curing is a necessary step that requires a 30-day waiting period before painting can commence.

Touch-ups will be required even shortly after the court is painted, especially with custom colors.

Hiring a professional contractor is recommended over DIY to save time and avoid potential headaches.

Cost savings can be achieved by opting for simpler fencing and netting systems, and by purchasing nets online.

Investing in high-quality pickleball paddles can enhance the gameplay experience, as recommended by the video creator.

Transcripts

so you want to install a pickle ball

cord at your property well don't until

you finished watching this video anyway

cuz yeah I've had a few installed over

the last year and I wish I had known a

few things before I got into this whole

mess but now I do and I think I'm

finally at a place where a I can give

you some pretty solid insight and advice

and B I don't have a b because I'm

winded why did I do this to myself one

serve but whether you want to install a

pickle ball cord at your primary

residence or at an Airbnb where you want

to boost Revenue I've got 12 tips for

you that will save you time money effort

energy heartache heartbreak on today's

episode FR

built the first thing I want to talk

about is the proper sizing of a pickle

ball court this might seem like a pretty

standard pickle ball court and it is

kind of a regulation pickle ball court

is 20x 44 ft and so when I was getting

this pickle ball cord installed I told

my contractor well we'll need a little

bit of extra space to play so why don't

we get ourselves 2 ft on each side and

an extra 5 ft on the front and the back

bringing my total pickle ball quart size

to 24x 54 ft and I thought that was

enough but what we didn't know is that

you actually need a little bit more

space than that and I'll tell you why so

check this out you can kind of see

there's a little bit of space right here

well because I'm not on perfectly flat

ground one thing I didn't account for

was the fact that you know if you're

really playing you might have to step

off so knowing that we actually did more

research and found out that even though

a pickle ball court is 20x 44 F feet the

actual quart size should be 30X 60 not

24x 54 which is what we did and it's

caused a little bit of a disruption cuz

we've had to go and add gravel and grade

it a little bit around the side but it's

one of those things that you should

definitely know and account for and you

don't want to cut cost on concrete when

you're doing this mostly because you

want to have a safe playing size and if

you can't afford the extra concrete then

you can't afford the lawsuit number two

thing I wish I had known is the cost you

think it's just going to be concrete and

concrete's pretty cheap but not really

at the scale of a pickle ball cord I

mean just mathing that out you're

looking at 30X 60 ft should be 1,800 ft

but also your pad has to be pretty thick

too so the volume of concrete is quite

High and the cost just the cost of

concrete comes out to $8 to $9 per

square foot so let's just mat that out

at $8.50 the pure cost of concrete for a

pickle ball court if you're doing it the

right way is going to come out to

$15,300 and that is just the concrete it

does not include the paint does not

include the labor the labor is expensive

the paint isn't just typical Sharon

Williams or bear paint it's acrylic

paint that is specially formulated for

pickle ball quarts and it's really

really really expensive and on top of

that if you're in a residential area

like I am you don't want a ton of pickle

balls flying over the fence a because

it's expensive B because it's going to

annoy your neighbors so you really do

have to take into consideration some

kind of fencing mechanism as well and

then you've got the net I've got surface

mounted Nets here that alone could be

500 to 800 bucks the fencing the paint

the labor the actual cost of the

concrete the form wors for the concrete

you're looking at about $25 to $40,000

to properly and professionally get a

contracted pickle ball court now of

course if you were to self-c contract it

and sub it all out yourself you could

definitely save some money but if you're

like uh-uh I ain't about that life and

you're going to hire it out 25 to 40

Grand is what you can expect to pay

another thing I had wish IID considered

was that you know in Texas it does rain

it's hot but it does rain every so often

you want to make sure that the grading

on your pickle ball cord is perfect

otherwise it's going to pull up and

you'll have to sweep it you'll have to

do something to get it clean because if

you don't it could stain this is an

Airbnb that I'm at and I haven't had

guests in like a week and I had just

this nasty Brown puddle right here and

you can't really tell now well actually

I guess you can kind of tell but the

water was just sitting here for like a

week and it stained it which is kind of

a bummer because my beautiful new pickle

ball court already has some water stains

going on so keep a push Brom like this

handy because you're going to have to be

sweeping off a lot of water if you don't

have a perfectly leveled and sloped

pickle ball court the fourth thing I

think going back to the fencing you can

kind of see it here right this is 4ft

fencing but if you are next to neighbors

as I talked about you're going to need

higher fencing this is 8ft fencing and I

honestly wish I would have gone for

10-ft fencing I know it's a small

difference but that extra 2 ft actually

makes a huge difference when you're

talking about how intense a pickle ball

game can be I'm telling you they fly

over pretty often 8 ft catches like 80

90% but it's that other 10 to 20% that's

very frustrating when it happens the

fifth thing that I wish I had known is

that custom colors are very hard you can

hopefully tell that this is a hot pink

and baby blue pickle ball court in the

reference photo we put it right here

this is what we were going for this is

what we got this actually looks really

great I'm super happy with it but the

reason I bring it up is that we had to

custom mix these colors my contractor

lost a lot of nights of sleep trying to

come up with these colors mixing and

remixing and formulating he was like an

alchemist over there to get what we got

here which again looks really really

amazing but if you have the idea to do

these bright and colorful quarts totally

fine just understand they don't make a

paint like that and so your labor price

might go up as your team tries to make

this color and they might mess it up too

and you might have to buy extra paint

which adds to the cost so keep that in

mind most paint manufacturers have a set

of like 10 to 12 different colors that

you can choose from if you want your

life to be easier choose one of those 10

to 12 colors six while we're here let's

combine four and five maybe pick a paint

color that's not going to stain bright

pink sitting water stains very very

easily but if you had like dark green

dark maroon anything in that color

palette you're totally fine but the

lighter it is the more it's going to

stain which is honestly kind of a bummer

if you spend $2 to $40,000 and your

pickle ball court doesn't even look new

for all that long so really keep this in

mind if you care about Aesthetics and

upkeep number seven upkeep in logistics

one of the things you have to keep in

mind if you're going to have this as a

Airbnb amenity which is the case for all

three of my pickle ball courts I just

talked about the water pooling I talked

about the broom talked about some of the

staining that happened here well you're

going to need someone to pretty

consistently come and sweep up and

actually take care of the Court you

might need someone to come and spray it

down you might need someone to come wash

it at the very least you want to to

leave a leaf blower a battery operated

leaf blower at your property which is

what I do here so that your guest can

actually go around and clean it up

because if a guest is booking your

property specifically because of the

pickle ball court I'm going to tell you

right now they're going to be super

super bummed and disappointed in the

experience if it's covered in leaves

that's something you have to think about

now I think most reasonable people

understand we're surrounded by trees

leaves are going to fall onto the court

which is why I really advocate for a

battery powered leaf blower so you at

least give them the opportunity and the

ability to easily clear off your pickle

ball CT and a push Brom too it's like 12

bucks makes a huge difference for people

and on that same note consider the

location of where you're going to be

installing your pickle ball court

because as you can kind of see there's

trees right here literally surrounding

the entire pickle ball court now I

didn't really have an option this is the

only place a pickle ball court could

have been installed but sometimes you

might have a big lot I'm going to tell

you if you can install your pickle ball

court away from trees where leaves are

falling all day and night on it it's

going to save you some serious upkeep

number eight uh this one is huge weather

weather is going to impact you really

quite a bit at at many instances in your

journey specifically you can't really

pour concrete if it's raining and that

part kind of sucks but really where

weather kills your pickle ball project

is the paint if you're trying to paint

your pickle ball court if you paint it

and then it rains well guess what your

paint job is ruined but on top of that

what really killed us there for a solid

2 3 weeks was the actual temperature you

cannot paint a pickle ball court when

it's cold outside because the paint will

not dry and cure correctly and so it

really delayed us and we were getting

into the winter when it was going to be

cold very consistently but because it's

Austin Texas sometimes it's cold

sometimes it's hot during the winter you

really don't know and so when we

actually painted it we had no notice it

was like 8:00 a.m. that day and my

contractor was like hey I think it's

going to be above 70 let's go for it so

then they painted it and they had to

create this giant plastic tarp situation

that covered this entire court so that

leaves wouldn't fall and stick to the

paint going back to consider your

location because location weather and

rain can absolutely kill the timeline of

your pickle ball court project nine I

think this one was kind of a bummer to

find out but whenever you pour a pickle

ball court it's not like you can just

start painting it there's a thing called

curing with concrete meaning you pour

your concrete you dry and it actually

needs to get solidified and dry 100%

that is the very Layman version of

curing but you have to let the concrete

breathe and cure for a total of 30 days

or more before you can ever paint it and

I found this out specifically for this

court that I'm standing on because it's

the first time I had ever had a concrete

slab poured for a pickle ball court the

first one I ever did I got resurfaced so

I'll put you in my mindset imagine you

get the court poured you're super

excited you're like oh my gosh when can

we actually get started painting and

then your contractor's like well you got

to wait a month and then you wait a

month and you're super excited and then

it's cold outside and it's rainy and you

can't actually paint it because of the

weather that's what you have to be ready

for for any pickle ball court project it

could take you 2 or 3 months before you

ever get it done so plan it out

accordingly and in the correct season

because if you have this Bright Idea

during the winter well you're probably

going to have to wait till

spring 10th and final tip I know I said

12 but I think I combined a few is get

ready for touch-ups as you can see right

here our lines are already starting to

kind of crack in

break see that right here this pickle

ball cord is less than you know a month

and a half old 2 months old at the max

so a bit of a bummer but that's just

what happens you know you get it painted

you start playing you're going to have

to come in and do some touch-up that's

going to be really hard whenever you go

with really custom colors like we did

I'm sure my contractor wrote down the

exact formula that he used but pain is

so temperamental that you know we may

never get these colors exactly like this

again we'll get pretty close but luckily

the touch-ups that we're going to be

doing are on the white lines and that's

a standard color and I talked to my

contractor about it this morning he's

like hey I'm going to go back and he

knew I was here and he's like hey I'm

going to go back and touch it up don't

worry about it before I even said

anything because he said that when he

painted it guess what it was too cold

and rainy which did lead to some

cracking but no big deal because he's

going to come by and take care of it but

it is something you should for so those

are my tips if you're thinking about

doing it yourself I'm probably going to

say better not but if you want to I

guess you can go for it you'll probably

save some money but where you save money

you will absolutely not be saving

yourself time and heartache I would say

it's best to hire a contractor to do

this type of thing but if you were going

to do it yourself and you were going to

paint it yourself and you weren't going

to do the fancy chain Ling fence then I

think you could probably get this job

done anywhere from 18 to 22,000 bucks

which is still pretty high but much

lower than 25 to 40 Grand so so you

can't save money but I suppose you could

still save money by hiring a

professional contractor and just telling

them not to do this fence we actually

did like a netting system like a like a

batting cage gen netting system where we

did 4x4 posts we actually did this at a

different property we got 4x4 post

installed and then we put batting cage

gen netting which is like a total of 500

bucks to do all that versus uh 7 $8,000

for what you see here and then last

moneys saving tip you don't have to go

with the $ 5 to $800 surface mounted net

you could just buy a net off of Amazon

that you can assemble and put in a bag

and that's like 80 to100 bucks that

right there could save you a ton of

money oh and one final little thing when

it comes to paddles invest in the good

stuff Doug from bread and butter sent me

these These are the filth paddles best

pickle ball paddles I've ever played on

not a sponsored ad just genuinely really

like the product okay that's it if this

video was helpful hit the like button

and the Subscribe button and any

questions that you have in the comments

below I'll try to answer them if I can't

I'll ask my contractor to answer them

which I'm sure he'll do so catch you on

the next episode of RA build see

you