I can't Believe the REAL cost of Building Two Pickleball Courts

Summary

In this video, Steve shares the completion of his two post-tension concrete pickleball courts in Arizona, a project he started six months ago. He discusses the construction process, from laying the concrete to installing fencing, painting the courts, and adding a basketball hoop. Steve highlights the importance of post-tension concrete for durability and provides a cost breakdown, including expenses for concrete, fencing, and nets. The courts also feature a seating area and plans for a gazebo, and he hints at turning the space into an Airbnb rental. Steve reflects on the challenges of being his own contractor but expresses excitement about the final result.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker, Steve, completed the construction of two post-tension concrete courts on November 15th, 2023.
• 🛠️ Steve purchased the land six months ago and decided to install these courts, which took about three weeks to complete.
• 🏠 Steve plans to use the area as an Airbnb location where people can rent, train, or host parties.
• 🌳 The area includes artificial turf, a seating area, and will eventually have a gazebo.
• 🏀 A permanent basketball hoop was added, adjustable from 7 to 10 feet for additional activities.
• 💰 Steve managed the construction as his own general contractor, reducing costs but dealing with more daily involvement.
• ⚒️ The total cost of the concrete for both courts was about $38,000, with $10 per square foot as a general estimate.
• 🧱 Steve repurposed some fencing from a previous project and added more fencing to improve durability, costing about $122,000.
• 🎨 The cost to paint the courts was between $5,000 and $7,000, completed by an experienced professional.
• 🎾 The pickleball nets and posts, bought from Steve’s company Armor Pickleball, cost around $500 per set.

Q & A

What type of courts were built, and how many?

Two post-tension concrete courts were built on the land.

Why did the speaker choose post-tension concrete for the courts?

Post-tension concrete was chosen because it is more durable and doesn't require saw cuts like regular concrete with rebar, making it last longer and look better.

What was the total cost for the concrete work on the courts?

The cost for the concrete alone was approximately $38,000, calculated at about $10 per square foot.

What additional features did the speaker add to the courts area?

The speaker added artificial turf, a seating area, permanent fencing, and an adjustable basketball hoop. A gazebo is also planned for the future.

How much did the fencing cost?

The bid for the fencing was about $122,000, but the speaker reused some materials from a previous project, reducing the cost slightly.

What type of nets and posts were used for the courts?

The speaker used Edwards posts for the nets, costing about $475 each, and permanent nets from Armor Pickleball, which cost around $150 each.

Why did the speaker decide to build new courts in a different location?

The original courts were located in Whitman, Arizona, but the area was too desolate and difficult to access. The new location is more centralized, close to Phoenix and other nearby towns.

How much did the painting of the courts cost, and what colors were chosen?

The painting cost between $5,000 and $7,000. The courts were painted in US Open blue on the outside, light blue inside, and medium gray in the service boxes and kitchen.

What additional lines were painted on the courts besides the pickleball lines?

In addition to the pickleball lines, a three-point line and a free throw line were painted for basketball on one of the courts.

What was the total estimated cost for the project, including all features?

The total estimated cost was around $112,000 to $122,000, which included concrete, fencing, nets, posts, painting, and additional features like the basketball hoop.

Outlines

00:00

🏗️ The Final Day of Construction

Steve celebrates the completion of two post-tension concrete courts after six months of construction. The courts, now fully finished, are set to be a personal oasis where people can rent Airbnbs, train, or host small gatherings. The courts feature artificial turf, permanent fencing, and beautiful color combinations with light blue inside and dark blue outside. Steve explains the importance of the permanent fencing, especially for teaching and ease of use, and emphasizes the professional craftsmanship involved in the construction process.

05:00

💸 Cost Breakdown and Key Construction Choices

Steve provides a detailed breakdown of the costs involved in the construction of the courts. He notes that the total cost for the two courts amounted to approximately $38,000 for the concrete alone, with the overall project costing much more. Steve explains that using post-tension concrete is crucial for durability and longevity, contrasting it with regular concrete. He mentions the additional costs for fencing and the basketball hoop, and highlights that while the process was costly, it was a worthwhile investment for the long-term use and functionality of the courts.

Keywords

💡Post tension concrete

Post tension concrete is a type of construction method where steel cables are embedded in the concrete and tensioned after the concrete has set, providing additional strength and durability. In the video, the speaker highlights the importance of using post tension concrete for the courts to ensure long-lasting results and avoid cracks or saw cuts, which are common with regular concrete.

💡Fencing

Fencing refers to the barrier installed around the perimeter of the courts to keep balls from escaping and to enhance the functionality of the playing area. The speaker mentions permanent fencing, which was installed 5 feet around the courts for convenience, especially during training sessions. He also advises adding top and bottom rails for added durability.

💡Painting courts

Painting the courts involves applying different colors and lines to mark playing zones, such as service boxes and kitchens, and can significantly impact visibility and the overall look. The speaker explains the specific color choices, such as light blue and dark blue, and shares the importance of getting an experienced painter to ensure professional results.

💡Artificial turf

Artificial turf is a synthetic grass-like surface often used in areas where low maintenance and durability are required. In the video, artificial turf is installed in the seating area around the courts, providing a comfortable space for players and guests. While the speaker mentions it as a side addition, it enhances the aesthetic appeal of the area.

💡Basketball hoop

The basketball hoop refers to the adjustable regulation-height hoop that was installed near the courts, allowing players to enjoy basketball during downtime. The hoop is adjustable from 7 to 10 feet and adds a recreational feature to the space, making it more versatile for various activities.

💡General contractor

A general contractor is responsible for overseeing construction projects, coordinating various aspects of the build, and managing subcontractors. The speaker took on the role of a general contractor for his courts, which allowed him to save costs but also led to additional stress and the need to be involved daily in the construction process.

💡Sleeves and posts

Sleeves and posts refer to the removable net posts and their respective anchors, which are embedded in the concrete. This setup allows for easy net removal when necessary, without damaging the court. The speaker discusses how the nets and posts were designed for durability and how the posts are inserted into concrete sleeves for stability.

💡Landscaping

Landscaping involves altering the physical terrain and adding features such as plants, pathways, or seating areas to enhance the environment. The speaker mentions doing some landscaping after the concrete was laid, which included artificial turf and pavers, adding both visual appeal and functional spaces around the courts.

💡Cost breakdown

The cost breakdown refers to the detailed explanation of the expenses incurred during the construction of the courts. The speaker breaks down costs for items like post tension concrete, fencing, painting, and additional features like the basketball hoop. This helps viewers understand the financial aspect of building similar facilities.

💡Pickleball

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. The speaker’s project centers around building two pickleball courts with precise measurements and high-quality materials to ensure a professional playing experience. Pickleball is the primary activity the courts were built for, and the speaker highlights the features designed for the sport.

Highlights

Completion of construction on two post-tension concrete courts.

Steve bought the land six months ago and finished construction in three weeks.

Plans to rent out the space for Airbnb, allowing guests to train or host events.

Features include artificial turf, seating areas, and plans to add a gazebo.

Permanent fencing added to avoid ball chasing during teaching sessions.

Custom colors on the courts: light blue inside, dark blue outside, with gray service boxes.

The post-tension concrete method was chosen for durability and long-term use.

Basketball hoop added, adjustable from 7 to 10 feet, allowing for recreational use.

Steve acted as his own general contractor, saving costs but dealing with daily management.

Total cost for the courts was approximately $38,000 just for the post-tension concrete.

Fencing was reused from a previous project, but new fencing was estimated at $122,000.

Court painting cost ranged from $5,000 to $7,000, completed by an experienced painter.

Basketball lines added sparingly to maintain the focus on pickleball.

Pickleball nets were purchased from Armor Pickleball, with Steve being the CEO.

Total for basketball hoop installation, including concrete base, was about $2,800.

Transcripts

hey everybody it's Steve again check it

out it is November 15th 2023 and it was

the final day of construction the courts

are done

yes I bought this land about 6 months

ago decided to put in two post tension

concrete course and now it is finally

finished it looks amazing thanks for

joining me for this journey it's pretty

sweet I can't believe that in probably

about 3 weeks time we got dirt and now

we got quartz I'm going to talk you

through the process so watch all the way

to the end if you want to know how much

it cost to build your own and this is my

own little Oasis you're going to see

probably a Airbnb or two here people

will be able to rent the Airbnb stay

here do some training or have a little

get together a party with their friends

we got artificial turf seating area I'm

going to put a gazebo here eventually

one thing that I don't love is whenever

I'm teaching and then I have to go chase

the balls so I wanted permanent fencing

check it out on the courts inside side

here we have a nice light blue I got

these beautiful colors I got dark blue

on the outside they call it US Open blue

light blue down here service boxes in

the kitchen I got a medium gray you

don't want to get a light gray cuz then

it's kind of hard to see there's a lot

of reflection this is Arizona by the way

the guy that I hired has been painting

quartz for 45 plus years he did a

stellar job as you can see right around

everywhere there's that fencing that I

mentioned so 5 foot around the perimeter

put some pavers outside all the gates

over

here we've got a nice little area with

eight feet in between the two quarts so

you got some walking room in between

quarts decided to put the net here and

uh two Nets that pull out they're in

sleeves obviously got the 36 34 in the

middle 36 High the posts are removable

we got some sleeves into the concrete

and look at this over here I decided to

put in a basketball hoop too so we got

an adjustable basketball hoop you can

shoot around it's a regulation height 10

ft it's adjustable down to 7 feet uh so

the kids are going to have fun here or

if we have some downtime be fun to play

some basketball out here too so this is

kind of my setup I am so excited I'm

going to tell you about the cost in a

few minutes but take a look around look

at how pretty it is it is awesome when I

first started this process I actually

had two courts in Whitman Arizona about

25 minutes away from surprise but the

problem with that is it's kind of a

desolate area there's nothing around

it's off of a mile dirt road it's kind

of hard to get to so I wanted another

piece of land to kind

of uh be more centralized so this is

right off the 303 in Camelback Road

really close to Phoenix about 20 minutes

from Phoenix 15 or so minutes or even 10

minutes from goody year about 15 minutes

from Surprise where I live we got the

concrete contractors in Earl did a great

job Earl and Mike they laid the concrete

in and then I decided to do some

Landscaping too so after the concrete

was in um we had the fencing people come

next the fencing people took about a

week to finish their job but first of

all the concrete so I want to caution

you a little bit I decided to be my own

general contractor so the cost was

definitely lower but it also had more

headache involved like I was here pretty

much every day um watching everything

making sure everything was going smooth

got it done it looks beautiful people

that I got to do it uh definitely knew

what they're doing the painter has been

doing painting HTS for like 45 years the

folks that I had doing the concrete have

been doing post tension for 30 plus

years and then we got pays done and the

whole nine yards so the cost for

everything now I'll break it down for

you in a little bit but like I

said prices vary depending on the time

uh the cost of materials the cost of

Labor so I'm going to give you a

ballpark and it's it's kind of General I

got bids for two courts all the way up

to 120,000 for two courts which I

thought was amazingly ridiculous because

they were a luxury Builder whatever that

means I decided to go with post tension

courts so that's really important

because you want post tension concrete

don't go with the regular concrete with

rubar uh it just doesn't last and then

you have to have saw cuts every eight

feet it does not look good I have some

courts done in Whitman and I use that

method of of concrete it was way cheaper

at the time it was about 2 years ago

that I put that Concrete in the whole

court cost is about 20,000 or so just

for the concrete this one is way more

than that but it's definitely going to

last for the long run I decided to go 64

ft by 60 ft for the two courts so this

one Court here would be 32 ft by 60 ft

and the second Court would be the same

thing so the cost just for the concrete

alone you could um ballpark about $10 a

square foot but it's about

$38,000 or so and that was just for the

concrete but it is post tension they did

a great job with it I have no complaints

with that but the fencing it was a

little bit different the bid that I got

was about

$122,000 so give or take it was about

$112,000 but I did have some fencing

from my previous job uh my my Whitman

land so I kind of reuse some of the mesh

remember think about adding the bottom r

Rail and the top rail it's going to give

you a little bit more durability this is

not construction or commercial grade

fencing so it's still like the high-end

residential grade I think it's like 16

gauge now painting the courts you know

there's various different people that

will stripe your quarts for you the ones

that I the one that I went with he's

very experienced he did a great job he

gave me a great price as well but really

you're looking on a price for about 5 to

7,000 on average for painting a court

now this guy was is meticulous he gave

me beautiful lines he's been doing for

45 years if you look at over here I

actually have a couple of lines for the

basketball hoop too so on the court

there's just a three-point line and a

free throw line I don't want it to be

too invasive on the court so that's why

I just decided to go with just a couple

lines now if you look at the Nets armor

pickall has the nets for you they're

about $150 each the very durable

permanent Nets I bought the Edwards post

um online and got them for about I want

to say 475 each or so and then there's

sleeves that go into the concrete and

then I did a little Center little Center

thing Center strap holder down in the

middle and I did that for both cours so

all together it was about $500 or so for

per set and then the Nets are sold

separately like I said about $150 each

from armor pickle wall.com so those Nets

are great I'm the CEO of that company so

obviously there's going to be good

quality there so yeah that's kind of the

the main cost then I decided to do some

papers on the outside um then I also

decided to do some artificial turf um I

don't really want to include the cost

for that that's not really related to

the pickle ball courts so I hired the

the concrete guy to put in some extra

concrete around the hoop the base of the

hoop I just paid him about $250 extra

for that and then I actually bought a

really nice basketball hoop that's

adjustable online and I bought a pretty

high-end basketball hoop so that one ran

about $2,800 so that was kind of a

Splurge but all in all I am happy with

everything that I did with my courts

please like And subscribe and tell your

all your friends about this but I

thought you'd be curious to know about

the cost of building courts so there you

go see you next

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