How far is the nearest basketball court to your home? It could be as close as your backyard! If you are tired of driving to the nearest court, we've researched how to build a concrete basketball court to provide you with step-by-step instructions. 

To build a concrete basketball court, follow these steps: 

1. Evaluate the size of your backyard.
2. Determine if the backyard will need inspection before laying the base.
3. Hire laborers to pour the concrete.
4. Wait for the curing process to be completed.
5. Play ball!

The idea of playing basketball in the comfort of your backyard is exciting, but you first have to understand how to build a concrete basketball court. Please keep reading because we have outlined how to do each step for this project from start to finish.

How To Build A Concrete Basketball Court

Evaluate the Size of Your Backyard

Based on the space available in your yard, you can determine what size court you can build. To evaluate the size, consider using a measuring wheel that makes measuring distance easy. Measuring wheels make outdoor projects more convenient by measuring the boundary lines of your property.

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Determine if the Backyard Needs Inspection Before Building

Depending on local building codes for your area and the make-up of your backyard, it might need an inspection before building. You'll want to obtain any necessary permits before you start digging up that lush lawn. Also, inspect the area to be sure you do not have below-ground plumbing, tree roots, or any hazards that potentially can be damaged or cause damage to a concrete court.

Select the Builders

Considering that you are not a construction expert, the next step would be to find builders that have experience laying concrete. There are plenty of local professional builders and contractors willing to give great prices to lay concrete with a 4-inch pad and incorporate steel reinforced rebar and saws to cut expansion joints. It is always a great idea to gather estimates from each company to compare prices.

What Is A Good Size for A Backyard Basketball Court?

Basketball courts require a large area for distant running up and down the court away from an opponent. The length from the hoop can result in players having to shoot more challenging shots. Having too short of a court can eliminate the competitiveness of the game if the players are consistently worrying about stepping out of bounds. 

Approximating the size of a basketball court can be tricky. The size of a professional basketball court measures 94 feet long by 50 feet wide. This significant length may not be necessary for friendly games in the backyard. You and your friends may feel overwhelmed by the size and tire quickly. 

We will also assume that your backyard is not the same size as a college stadium, so there are other court sizes to consider. For instance, a highschool court measures around 84 feet long by 50 feet wide. Considering a high school basketball court size is reasonable because it does not take away from the game itself. It allows for a proper game without calling in professional players or skills. 

What Is A Half-Size Basketball Court?

If your backyard is not quite large enough to host a high school-sized basketball court, there is no need to panic. A full-sized court is great for full team games. However, if using a backyard court for one on one or three on three games, then a half-court may be ideal. Half-courts are legitimately half of a full basketball court in length but not in width. The dimensions for a half-basketball court are 42 feet long by 50 feet wide. Half-court is a great option for those focused on shooting hoops rather than running the full court. 

Is Concrete Or Asphalt Better For A Basketball Court?

Is it generally hot or cold where you live? Temperature matters due to the materials filling in the base of the court. The court will need to be filled in by concrete or asphalt, and both will play a role in the game's feeling of temperature. 

Concrete is considered ideal for basketball courts because it acts as a permanent structure with minimal maintenance once installed properly. Additionally, light-colored concrete absorbs less heat than black asphalt, which means that the light-colored concrete would be less hot to play on. Asphalt is a reasonable option for the base of the court. However, consider the heat absorbed by asphalt during the summer months before starting your project. 

What Kind Of Concrete Is Best For Basketball Courts?

If you are looking for longevity and very little maintenance of the basketball court, concrete is the best option. There is a standard pour of concrete used for basketball courts, a 100mm (or 4" thick) concrete slab using 3500 PSI concrete, and 1/2″ rebar for reinforcements. This pour-thickness and type of concrete are essential to the plan because both are typically done professionally. The concrete is meant to set and dry for about 72 hours. 

How Much Does It Cost To Pour A Concrete Basketball Court?

Now that you know the details of how to install a basketball court, and what size court you'd prefer, let's take a look at the approximate cost. It is always best to consider local state and building codes before starting the build.

Concrete Pouring Cost

For the standard choice of poured concrete, the prices range from $1.25 to $1.75 per square foot for materials and $2.50 to $8 per square foot for installation. This ends up totaling anywhere between $15,000 to $45,000 for a full-size court and $3,500 to $9,000 for a half-court. For an alternative poured concrete, the prices range from $8 to $20 per square foot for materials and labor.

Asphalt Pouring Cost

For the standard choice of poured asphalt, the prices range from $3 to $4 per square foot for materials. This ends up totaling between $14,000 to $18,000 for a full-size court and $7,000 to $9,000 for a half-court. The prices could increase if there are drainage issues that need to address before installation can begin. 

How Long Does It Take To Build A Backyard Basketball Court?

Building a standard court can take anywhere between two and four weeks. Timing ultimately depends on the base material chosen. For a concrete base, the project takes closer to four weeks at a minimum. For an asphalt base, potentially double the time due to the two weeks are set aside for the curing process before surfacing the court. Even so, a month or two is not a long wait to have the convenience of a basketball court in your backyard! 

Conclusion

So there you have it! You now understand the steps necessary to take to build a basketball court in your backyard. Take the time to consider which size would be best for your home by evaluating your skills as a player and measuring the area dedicated to the court. Then begin to budget the cost of materials and plan ahead for the time necessary to set aside for the project. All in all, it is doable with this information in mind. And the payoff will be worthwhile to have some games played in the comfort of your own backyard.