Ground-Up Readiness
A site that drains correctly and compacts to spec means no cracking, no pooling, and no costly fixes after the court is built.
What Goes Wrong & Why
Rushed or incomplete ground work shows up later as cracks, soft spots, and standing water, problems that are expensive to fix after the surface is down.
A court graded beyond 1 percent slope holds water in low corners and creates an uneven playing surface that worsens over time.
The builder measures slope across the full court footprint and grades to 1 percent or less before any base layer is placed.
Without a confirmed runoff exit, San Antonio’s intense rain events back water up under the court, accelerating subgrade movement and surface cracking.
Drainage flow direction is mapped and verified before excavation, so heavy runoff exits the site rather than collecting beneath it.
San Antonio’s caliche and clay-heavy soils expand when wet and contract when dry, causing the subgrade to shift and the surface above it to crack.
A soil check is completed before excavation begins, and compacted gravel is added where the native soil cannot support the base load on its own.
Subgrade compacted in a single pass rather than layers leaves soft zones that settle unevenly once the court carries regular foot traffic and weather cycles.
Mechanical compaction is completed in staged layers, and surface flatness is checked before the site is declared base-ready for the next phase.
Scope of Work
Every task below happens before any base layer is poured, this phase sets the conditions the finished court depends on.
The builder confirms the court footprint, run-off clearances, and boundary positions before any ground is disturbed.
Existing slope is measured across the full site and a drainage path is mapped so runoff exits cleanly after heavy rain.
High spots are cut and low areas are filled to bring the surface within the required slope tolerance across the entire court area.
The prepared subgrade is compacted in layers using mechanical equipment to prevent settling once the court is in regular use.
Surface flatness and drainage flow are verified before the site is signed off as ready for the next construction phase.
Physical stakes mark the court boundary before excavation starts.
Confirms whether native soil can carry the base load.
Added where soil conditions need extra support.
Sets the court perimeter for accurate grading work.
Why Choose Us
Ground preparation is where courts are won or lost, here is what makes the difference when you arrange work through us.
Every enquiry starts with an on-site visit to assess the space and drainage before any scope is written or cost is committed.
Base preparation is listed as a separate line item so you see exactly what the ground work costs before anything is booked.
Our partners work regularly with San Antonio’s caliche and clay conditions and adjust compaction and drainage plans accordingly.
The written estimate is yours to review with no obligation, nothing is scheduled until you approve the full scope in writing.
A walkthrough is completed before the job is signed off, confirming the site meets the base-ready standard before surfacing begins.
The Process
01
Tell us the site location and intended sport, and we arrange a free on-site visit to measure the space and assess slope and drainage.
02
You receive an itemised estimate covering all ground preparation work, grading, compaction, and drainage, before anything is scheduled.
03
The builder completes all grading and compaction work, then a final check confirms the site is base-ready before the next phase begins.
Pricing Estimates
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Design consultation and layout | $1,500-$4,000 |
| Site prep and grading | $5,000-$15,000 |
| Base work and slab prep | $25,000-$45,000 |
Tell us the site and the sport, and we’ll arrange an on-site evaluation and itemised written estimate before anything is booked.