Site Prep
A court built on properly graded, drained, and compacted ground holds up for years, one built on shortcuts does not.
What Goes Wrong
Most court failures trace back to decisions made before the first load of base stone arrived.
Organic topsoil and root matter compress unevenly under load, creating soft spots that telegraph through the finished surface.
The builder excavates to load-bearing soil, removing all organic material before the base layer is placed.
A dead-flat court area traps water after Central Florida’s heavy summer rain, accelerating base erosion and surface damage.
The subgrade is shaped to a precise slope, enough to move water off the court without affecting play or ball roll.
Perimeter drains and catch basins placed after compaction cannot be properly bedded, leaving them prone to settling and blockage.
Perimeter drains and catch basins are positioned and bedded during the compaction sequence, not retrofitted afterward.
Orlando-area clay layers trap water and shift under repeated load, causing the base above to crack and heave over time.
Clay-heavy layers are excavated and replaced with a compacted crushed stone base that drains freely and holds its shape.
Scope of Work
Each phase of the pre-construction sequence has a defined scope, here is what the work includes from first visit to compacted base.
The builder maps the court footprint, checks slope and drainage low spots, and confirms excavation depth to load-bearing soil.
Organic topsoil, root matter, rocks, and debris are stripped from the court area so the subgrade starts on stable material.
Clay-heavy or soft layers are excavated to the depth needed, leaving a firm, uniform subgrade ready for base stone placement.
The subgrade is shaped to a controlled slope that moves water away from the court area without affecting play on the finished surface.
Perimeter drains, catch basins, and outlet pipes are bedded and positioned during compaction, not added as an afterthought.
A crushed stone base layer is placed and compacted in lifts to the specified density, creating a stable platform for the court build.
Full prep for single-court backyard footprints.
Multi-court layouts for shared community facilities.
Larger footprints with complex drainage requirements.
Why Choose Us
Site prep is where courts succeed or fail, here is what sets the approach apart from a general contractor quoting the same job.
Every enquiry starts with a free site visit covering drainage, slope, and soil conditions before a quote is written.
The quote lists every line item, clearing, excavation, drainage, compaction, so nothing is hidden in a lump sum.
We connect you with independent partners who work Orlando-area soil and drainage conditions regularly, not general laborers.
A final walkthrough confirms the site scope is agreed in writing before any base material or equipment arrives on the property.
We arrange site prep for backyard courts, HOA facilities, schools, and commercial properties across the greater Orlando area.
How It Works
01
Share your site details and intended court use, and we arrange a free on-site visit to assess slope, drainage, and soil conditions.
02
You receive an itemised estimate covering clearing, excavation, grading, drainage placement, and compaction before any work is agreed.
03
The builder completes each prep phase in sequence, and a final walkthrough confirms the site is ready before the court build begins.
Pricing Estimates
| Job | Typical cost | Typical size |
|---|---|---|
| Design and layout plan | $1,500-$5,000 | per court |
| Site clearing and grading | $2,500-$10,000 | per site |
| Base and drainage preparation | $8,000-$25,000 | per court |
Share the space and what you want to play. We’ll arrange an on-site evaluation and a written estimate covering every line item.