Pickleball Court Construction in Northwest Washington
Backyard pickleball courts,
built for Northwest weather.
We build pickleball courts from bare ground to finished lines for homeowners, HOAs, and clubs across Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Island, and San Juan Counties — on a base designed to drain and not crack.
Sizes & Layouts
How much room you need.
The playing lines are the same everywhere. What changes is how much run-off you leave around them and how many courts you fit.
Single court
30' × 60'
Recommended overall pad
Fits the 20' × 44' playing area with room to chase a lob and space for a perimeter fence. The most common backyard build.
Tournament run-off
34' × 64'
Per court
More room behind the baseline and beside the sidelines. Worth it if the court will see competitive play.
Two courts
About 60' × 64'
Side by side
Two courts sharing one slab and one fence. A second court costs noticeably less than the first because the site work is shared.
What's Included
From dirt to dinks.
Every pickleball court we build goes through the same sequence. The work you never see — grading and the base — is what decides how long it lasts.
Base
Site prep, drainage & slab
We survey the site for slope, drainage, and equipment access, then excavate, grade, and pour. For Pacific Northwest freeze-thaw we usually recommend post-tensioned concrete; reinforced concrete and asphalt are workable lower-cost options.
- ✓ Site survey and layout
- ✓ Excavation, grading, and drainage
- ✓ Post-tensioned or reinforced concrete slab
- ✓ Asphalt option for budget builds
Surface
Acrylic surfacing & lines
A resurfacer base coat, two color coats, and textured lines pulled to USA Pickleball dimensions. A cushioned system is available if joint comfort matters — common on courts that will get a lot of play.
- ✓ Acrylic resurfacer and two color coats
- ✓ Optional cushioned surface
- ✓ 10+ color choices
- ✓ Lines to USA Pickleball spec
Finish
Nets, fencing & extras
Permanent net posts and a regulation net, then whatever else the court needs: perimeter fencing, gates, windscreens, and LED lighting for evening play.
- ✓ Permanent net posts and net
- ✓ Perimeter fencing and gates
- ✓ Windscreens
- ✓ LED court lighting (optional)
Before You Build
Decisions worth getting right.
These are the choices that come up on almost every backyard pickleball project.
Orientation
Run it north–south
A court laid out north to south keeps the low morning and evening sun out of players' eyes. On tight lots we work with what the yard allows.
Noise
Plan for the pop
Pickleball is louder than tennis. Court placement, which way it faces, and acoustic windscreens all help on close lots.
Surface
Standard or cushioned
Standard acrylic plays fast and costs less. A cushioned system is easier on knees and hips for players who are out there every day.
What It Costs
Pickleball court pricing.
Ballpark ranges for a single court on an easy, level site, before fencing and lighting. We give you a real number after a free site visit.
| Base | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt | $32K – $43K | Lowest upfront cost; more crack maintenance over time |
| Reinforced concrete | $37K – $50K | What most of our backyard courts are built on |
| Post-tensioned concrete | $40K – $54K | Best crack resistance in freeze-thaw |
Moderate site prep adds about 15%, difficult sites about 35%. Fencing starts around $13K, lighting around $18K, windscreens around $1.5K, and a cushioned surface around $6K. Each additional court on the same slab runs about 85% of the first.
Want a number for your own yard? Try the cost calculator or read the full cost guide.
Common questions about pickleball courts
How much does it cost to build a backyard pickleball court?
On an easy, level site a single court runs about $37,000 to $54,000 before fencing and lighting, depending on whether the slab is standard reinforced concrete or post-tensioned. Asphalt starts lower, around $32,000. Sloped or hard-to-reach sites add roughly 15 to 35 percent, perimeter fencing starts around $13,000, and lighting around $18,000.
How much space do I need for a pickleball court?
The playing area is 20 by 44 feet. We recommend about 30 by 60 feet overall so there is room to run down a ball and to put a fence around it, and about 34 by 64 feet if you want tournament-style run-off. Two courts side by side typically need about 60 by 64 feet.
Can you add pickleball lines to my tennis court or driveway?
Usually, yes. A standard tennis court footprint can hold up to four pickleball courts, or you can blend pickleball lines onto the existing tennis layout. A driveway or slab works if the surface is sound and drains well. See multi-sport conversions for options.
Is pickleball noisy for the neighbors?
It is louder than tennis — the paddle pop carries. On tight lots we talk through where the court sits relative to neighboring houses, which direction it faces, and whether acoustic windscreens on the fence make sense before anything is poured.
How long does it take to build a pickleball court?
About two to three weeks of build time once work starts. Acrylic surfacing needs dry, warm weather to cure, so in Northwest Washington the surfacing itself happens roughly late spring through early fall. Base and concrete work can often start earlier.
Do I need a permit for a backyard pickleball court?
It depends on your jurisdiction and scope. Grading volume, drainage changes, fence height, and lighting are the usual triggers. We flag what your site is likely to need during the free estimate; permit fees are separate from the project price.
Related pages
- tennis-to-pickleball conversions — add pickleball to a court you already have.
- pickleball court resurfacing — recoat and restripe a worn court.
- tennis court construction — if you want the bigger footprint.
- basketball courts — half-courts that can carry pickleball lines too.
We work throughout Northwest Washington — Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Island, and San Juan Counties — including Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale, Blaine, Mount Vernon, Burlington, Anacortes, Oak Harbor, Stanwood, Marysville, and Friday Harbor. Site visits are free anywhere in that range.
Ready to talk through your court?
Free on-site estimates across Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Island, and San Juan Counties. We come out, look at your space, and give you a real number.
Or call (360) 504-8647Licensed and insured in Washington. Lynden-based crew.