How to Build an Outdoor Basketball Court? – DIY Guide

Building an outdoor basketball court has to be done professionally.

By professionally, I don’t mean you need help from an expert. You can become an expert yourself with my DIY (Do It Yourself) hacks and tricks.

So, if you live and breathe NCAA and NBA, it is the time to learn how to build your own outdoor basketball court!

Build Your Own Outdoor Basketball Court - DIY Guide

How To Build a Basketball Court in Your Backyard – DIY Guide

Step 1 – Determine the Location

The first and foremost step is to determine the available location for setting up an outdoor basketball court.

Considering that they are permanent, so make sure to think twice!

Find a flat spot. Make sure the location of the court is open and has the smoothest surface. And do not neglect to contact the community associations and the neighbours.

Therefore, see to it to notify your local energy company of your intent to dig.

CALL811.com has extra information on what to prepare for and specifically how you need to adhere to the process of digging in your backyard.

These precautions will assist you to avoid difficulty later on.

Sometimes, some neighbours are not satisfied with outdoor basketball courts and may release a complaint against you. Better be safe than sorry!

Step 2 – Choose the Size

If your plan is to build your own outdoor basketball court, size is one of the most typical considerations. You can build a half-court or even a full-sized regulation court.

Here are the most common dimensions:

  • For the NBA court, the regulation sizes are 94 feet long and 50 feet wide.
  • For high school courts, the court sizes are 84 feet long and 50 feet wide.
  • The junior high school court sizes are 74 feet long and 42 feet wide.
  • Half-court usually is 50 feet long and 47 feet wide.

Here is a comprehensive guide to basketball court sizes.

It is rarely possible to adjust the recommended regulated basketball court size for a home. So, it’s best to go for the half-size basketball court.

It is the ideal size for a home outdoor basketball court. And it can also adjust pretty smoothly in a house’s backyard.

Step 3 – Get the Hoop

Have you finalized the hoop yet? Which in-ground hoop you will purchase?

Order your hoop before you start working on your outdoor basketball court and cementing the ground. Cementing the court and hoop installation go hand in hand.

Outdoor Basketball Hoop

My best recommendation is Spalding 888 Series in-ground hoop.

Here’s a pro tip! Schedule your concrete process when the hoop will arrive.

Once you have that in hand, note the hoop’s overhang, and plan the placement of the hoop anchor, and free throw. Don’t forget to measure the three-point lines!

Step 4 – Decide on the Surface

Now, you can surface your basketball court with concrete, asphalt, sports titles, or synthetic sports surface.

Some people say that the best surface is synthetic because it will enhance the overall look but also ensure accuracy with ball bounce, reduce sound production, and minimizes injuries during the game.

Being an old-school fan myself, I would recommend asphalt surface. It just goes hand in hand with an outdoor basketball court, doesn’t it?

In any case, this shouldn’t be a hard decision. All choices are right. It’s just a matter of personal preference.

Step 5 – Level the Ground

At this point, you know the desired size, you have the location, you have the hoop in your hands, the surface in mind, and are ready to pour some concrete.

Before you jump to concreting phase, make sure the space is carefully dug up and levelled as well.

The recommended course of action is to excavate 4.6 inches or 115 mm to 117 mm below the surface level.

It will allow a 100 mm concrete slab and sports surfacing to settle down easily.

Mark off the area you want to flatten with a tape measure. Dig through the area, turning over the grass and topsoil and exposing underlying rocks.

Then, rake through the dirt and topsoil, removing rocks and grass that will impede the base of the basketball goal. Continue to rake until the soil is free of debris.

However, if you plan to elevate the concrete slab, then there is no need to excavate at all. But be sure to remove any grass beforehand and level the ground.

Don’t forget to check with your local zoning regulations. Attain any required permit in advance.

Also, check out this video for more visual instructions on how to dig and level the ground as well as on how to pour the concrete surface (next step!).

Step 6 – Pour the Concrete

Gather, prepare, and then pour a 100 mm thick concrete slab. The slab should match your court design and measurements.

It is the most crucial step in building an outdoor basketball court, so be sure to do it the right way.

Get professional help to source the required materials and expertise in finishing the concrete.

It is also necessary to plan the concrete when the weather is predicted to remain dry for at least 72 hours. It is the time required for the concrete to settle.

But if for instance, it rains, all your efforts will get wasted. So, be sure the weather is dry!

I recommend installing the hoop at the time when pouring the concrete slab. It will save you from extra expenses.

Step 7 – Install Your Hoop

You are finally at the stage where your dream will come true. Your basketball hoop is ready to be installed!

When installing a basketball hoop, make sure to follow the official installation guide that comes with it. You can also get some help when installing the hoop as it is a time-consuming task.

You may need different power tools and a ladder as well. For a beginner, the installation may take up to 5 hours. So be patient!

By the way, if you don’t know how here is a guide for installing an in-ground hoop.

Step 8 – Install Court Surface

In case you have decided on a concrete surface for your outdoor basketball court, you can skip this step and jump to painting lines.

But if you want to put something special over the concrete, keep reading this step.

Asphalt would be my number one choice. If you would like the same top surface, my recommendation is to call a company and let professionals do the job.

On the other hand, if you opt-in for synthetic sports tiles, you can do it yourself.

Here is a helpful video guide…

Step 9 – Paint the Lines

If your outdoor basketball court is going to be topped with tiles, then your job is done! But if you have decided on concrete alone or with asphalt on the top, this is the last step!

Don’t know how to do it? No worries. Either acquire a basketball court line pattern package or study guideline basketball court dimensions (FIBA, NBA, NCAA, etc).

Then, get some concealing tape, paint, chalk, string as well as a tape measure and start making lines. Watch some YouTube video clips if you need inspiration.

Once you’re done, let the paint dry at least overnight.

And that’s it! You have just built your own outdoor basketball court!

How Much Does It Cost to Build an Outdoor Basketball Court?

Many people believe that it is cheaper to play at a gym or recreational arena or on public courts. Maybe so. I believe the home court is cheaper in the long run.

But still how much does it cost to build an outdoor basketball court at your home?

The question is rather simple but the answer to it is rather complicated! The cost starts from $11,000 and may reach a height of $76,000.

The average cost of building an outdoor basketball court is $35,000.

This cost implies when building a full-sized regulated court. If you are building a half-sized court the cost will go down.

In this case, you can expect a cost of $8,600 to $38,000 only. The average cost becomes somewhat $16,500.

However, some people opt for a much smaller space of 9.2 meters by 9.2 meters.

And in this case, the cost now falls from $3,300 to $15,000 with an average of $6,380.

The other costs you must consider are:

  • Levelling the Ground – So, add around $1,500 for a half-sized court. If you are going for a smaller space, the average cost would be around $800.
  • Concrete Slab – The average cost is $7 to $8 per square foot. Therefore, for a half-sized court, the cost may become $18,800 easily. Reduce the amount to $10,000 for a smaller size court.
  • Top Surface – If money is not a problem, then go for asphalt tarmacadam. Asphalt cost around $3 to $4 per square foot!   The next best option is EPDM polymeric rubber. It will cost around $1.5 to $2 per square foot.
  • The Hoop – This one is most necessary by all means. Be ready to spare $1,000 to $1,800 depending on the quality and brand of the basketball hoop.

Final Words

Now you know how to build an outdoor basketball court in your backyard from scratch!

Before you go outside and play some basketball on your new court, you should also think about some accessories for your playground.

Netting or fencing can assist balls from damaging windows or going away over the neighbour’s fence.

It’s ideal to prepare for this before pouring the concrete foundation so that you can set netting poles right into the concrete, as opposed to needing to screw them into the concrete.

Netting will cost you anywhere from $2000-$3500. An alternative and cost-friendly option are to opt-in for Goalrilla Yard Guard.

Goalrilla Basketball Yard Guard Easy Fold Defensive Net System Quickly Installs on Any Goalrilla Basketball Hoop

Painting a custom-made logo can add a wow factor to the court. Utilize a stencil or have a professional do this for you.

Another cool thing you can add to your newly built court is an outdoor light pole so you can play basketball even when the sun goes down!

And if you have any questions about how to build an outdoor basketball court, feel free to reach out below!

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