Anyone for Tennis?

As the leaves fall and inclement weather returns, a game of tennis may be the last thing on your mind. However just imagine a lazy summer afternoon spent courtside, racquet in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. Sound appealing? Adding a tennis court to your home can add value to your house, but the preparation can take several months. So if you want to avoid queuing for a court during the Wimbledon frenzy next year, get planning now!

As with most home improvements, conventional tennis courts come with a hefty price tag, with professional contractors charging between £15k to £40k. Perhaps this can be justified if it adds value to the house but homeowners need to think carefully about their outside space. If a tennis court is going to dominate the garden, it may lower the value of the property. Ideally, tennis courts should be built where there are approximately 2 acres of ground. 

Before you can plan your courts, you need to seek advice from the Local Planning Authority. They will look at fence heights, change of land use and drainage. To limit debris falling onto your court, try to locate away from overhanging branches.  Aesthetically, grass courts look the best but they are high maintenance so perhaps consider an all-weather court. Specialist contractors will probably dig the base of the court in winter and lay the surface in spring. 

Can I do it myself?

Deciding to build your own tennis court can reduce costs to as little as £5000, but there are many key factors to consider before work commences. 

Think about your surface. A cement or asphalt course helps keep costs low and requires little maintenance. It is also possible to purchase click together synthetic tiles for your court. Whilst this type of surface is more expensive than cement or asphalt, it requires minimal maintenance and can last up to 25 years. 

Contact your local equipment hire company to get quotes for diggers and any other machinery. Think about the access to your property for these large machines. 

Ensure that the court had good drainage to prevent water from collecting on the court surface. 

Consider the type and size of the fence you are going to construct around your court as this can be one of the larger costs. As a rule, the higher the fence, the more it is going to cost but if you live close to neighbors, it will probably prevent arguments. 

Floodlighting is another consideration. Whilst it can be appealing to play at night, this is going to push up the cost. Additionally, the Local Planning Authority will need to be informed if lights are installed.  

Once your base is complete, you can paint the lines for your court. This is a relatively straight forward task for any DIY enthusiast. You may also want to consider painting basketball or football lines in a different color, just to maximize the use of the space