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Site Prep First

Court Design & Site Preparation in San Antonio

Get a court that drains correctly, sits level, and holds up through South Texas heat and clay-soil shifts.

  • On-Site Evaluation
  • Written Estimate
  • Backyard to HOA
  • Final Walkthrough
Prepared sports court site with graded compacted aggregate base and drainage channels ready for surface installation.

What Goes Wrong

Where rushed site prep fails, and what the right approach looks like

Skipped Drainage

When drainage paths are not designed into the layout, water collects under the surface and accelerates cracking and shifting.

Drainage Path Design

The builder maps drainage outlets during layout staking so water moves away from the court from day one.

Loose Subgrade

Unstable or uncompacted subgrade, common in San Antonio’s clay-heavy soils, causes the base to settle unevenly after rain.

Compacted Gravel Sub-Base

Unstable material is removed and a gravel sub-base is compacted to a tolerance that prevents settling under the finished surface.

Wrong Layout Fit

Placing the court boundary without accounting for clearances and edge borders often leaves a court that is too small or poorly positioned.

Staked Layout Check

The builder stakes the full court boundary, including clearances, before excavation begins so the fit is confirmed on the ground.

No Site Record

Without a written site plan, grading decisions made during prep are lost, making future repairs or expansions harder to price and execute.

Written Site Plan

A site plan documenting all grading and drainage decisions is produced before the base layer is poured.

Common problems, answered

Before the Surface Goes Down

Site prep is the step that determines whether your court holds up or cracks

Skipping or rushing ground preparation is the most common reason courts develop cracks, puddles, and uneven spots within the first year.

Request a Site Visit

We arrange a site measurement and layout staking session before any ground is broken. The builder checks the existing slope, marks the court boundary, and identifies where fill dirt or excavation is needed to achieve a consistent grade. San Antonio’s expansive clay soil requires a drainage path designed into the layout from the start.

Excavation and subgrade compaction follow the layout check. The builder removes unstable material, brings the base to a consistent level, and compacts a gravel sub-base to a tolerance that prevents settling under the finished surface. South Texas heat cycles accelerate cracking when this step is skipped or done to a lower standard.

Once the compacted sub-base passes a flatness check, the site is ready for the base layer, concrete slab or asphalt. Edge boundary marking and drainage outlet positioning are confirmed at this stage, before any surface material is poured or laid. A written site plan documents the grading decisions made during prep.

Why Choose Us

Why San Antonio Sports Courts for site prep & design?

Accountability and process at every stage, from the first slope check to the signed-off site plan.

Evaluation Before Any Commitment

Every enquiry starts with an on-site drainage and slope check, no scope is written until the ground is seen.

Itemised Written Estimate

Base prep, surfacing, fencing, and line marking are listed as separate line items so nothing is hidden in a lump sum.

Local Soil Knowledge

Scopes account for San Antonio’s clay-heavy conditions, with drainage planned accordingly.

Final Walkthrough Included

The site plan and all grading decisions are reviewed with you before the base layer is poured or the job is signed off.

Residential to Commercial Scope

We arrange site prep for backyard courts, HOA facilities, school campuses, and commercial properties across the San Antonio area.

Aerial view of multiple illuminated tennis courts at night with bright floodlights.
Finished regulation tennis court with acrylic surface and crisp white line striping backyard

How It Works

From first enquiry to a prepared, build-ready site

Request a Site Visit

  1. 01

    Request a Site Visit

    We schedule a site visit to check slope and drainage, and confirm whether the site needs grading, excavation, or fill work.

  2. 02

    Review Your Written Scope

    You receive an itemised estimate covering layout staking, subgrade compaction, drainage path work, and base layer readiness, no lump sums.

  3. 03

    Approve the Site Plan

    Once prep is complete and the sub-base passes a flatness check, the builder walks you through the documented site plan before any surface is poured.

Pricing Estimates

Typical Court Design & Site Preparation Prices

JobTypical cost
Site evaluation and layout$500-$1,500
Grading and drainage prep$5,000-$15,000
Full prep for a new court pad$10,000-$25,000
These prices are estimates and often vary with the condition, size and scope of each job. Message or call us for a free, no-obligation quote.
See all prices

Common Questions

Questions about court design & site preparation in San Antonio

  • How do I know if my site is ready for a court?

    An on-site evaluation checks slope, drainage, soil stability, and available footprint before any work is scoped. Most yards need at least some grading or drainage work, very few are ready as-is. The evaluation identifies exactly what your site needs so nothing is assumed.

  • Will poor drainage damage the court later?

    Yes. Water that pools under or around the court erodes the base, causes the surface to heave, and accelerates cracking. Drainage is planned before the build starts, not added as an afterthought, because fixing it after the surface is down costs significantly more.

  • How do you make sure the court fits my space with room around it?

    The on-site evaluation measures the usable footprint and maps required buffer zones, typically 6 to 10 feet on each side depending on the sport. The layout is marked and confirmed before any grading begins, so the court dimensions and clearances are locked in from the start.

  • How do you handle slope before the court is built?

    Slope is addressed through cut-and-fill grading, retaining where needed, and establishing a 1 percent cross-slope on the finished base to shed water. The method depends on how steep the site is and which direction it drains, both are assessed during the initial site visit.

  • What clearing and grading are included before the court goes in?

    Clearing covers vegetation, debris, and any obstructions within the court footprint and buffer zone. Grading follows, cutting high spots, filling low ones, and compacting the sub-base to a consistent grade. Both are itemised in the written estimate before work starts.

  • How do you keep the court from ending up too small or in the wrong spot?

    The layout is staked and measured on-site during the evaluation, accounting for sport-specific dimensions, buffer zones, fencing lines, and any setback requirements. You review the marked footprint before grading starts, so the position and size are confirmed before anything is moved.

  • Will the prep work help prevent cracks or settling later?

    Yes. Cracks and settling almost always trace back to an inadequate base, insufficient compaction, wrong material depth, or poor drainage underneath. Proper sub-base preparation addresses all three before the surface goes down, which is the most effective way to prevent those problems from appearing later.

  • Will the prep work help prevent standing water on the court?

    Yes. Drainage planning is built into the prep phase, not added after the fact. The base is graded to a consistent slope so water moves off the surface and away from the court perimeter, reducing the conditions that cause pooling, surface degradation, and slippery playing conditions.

More questions about Court Design & Site Preparation?

Tell Us Your Site & Sport

We schedule a ground and drainage assessment, and give you an itemized written estimate before anything is booked.

Request a Site Visit