Avoid costly mistakes and get guaranteed quality
A sports court is a long term investment. Whether you are building for a school, estate, club or private property, the final quality depends entirely on the contractor you choose. A poorly built court will crack quickly, cost more to repair and eventually become unsafe for players. Choosing the right contractor protects your investment and ensures your court performs at a high standard for many years.
This guide explains what to look for before hiring a tennis, netball or basketball court contractor in South Africa.
The contractor must have court specific experience
Sports courts are not the same as normal paving or tar surfacing. They require
Correct levels for drainage
Athletic grade surface systems
Player safety standards
Accurate line marking for each sport
Always choose a company with real sports court experience, not a general surfacing contractor.
Ask for
Photos of completed projects References from schools or estates Proof of workmanship on actual courts
Proper construction method must be included
Professional sports court builders follow a clear system
Strong base construction
Asphalt surfacing to the correct thickness
Acrylic sports coating
Line marking to sport standards
Fencing and optional lighting
If any of these steps are skipped, the court will not last. Long term problems always start with shortcuts.
What should be in the quotation
A good quotation must include
Asphalt thickness (critical for lifespan)
Type and brand of acrylic coating system
Drainage and slope design
Crack repair method if resurfacing
Warranty or guarantee terms
Full details of posts, fencing or optional upgrades
If a quotation is vague or too short, expect hidden costs and unexpected issues later.
Important questions to ask your contractor
How do you ensure proper drainage
Which acrylic coating brand do you use
Do you follow Tennis SA and Netball SA standards
Do you provide your own machinery
How long have you been building sports courts
Do you offer a workmanship guarantee
A reliable contractor should answer these comfortably and provide proof when requested.
Warning signs of a risky contractor
✘ Very cheap pricing (often thinner asphalt or weak materials)
✘ Offering “paint” instead of a proper acrylic coating
✘ No mention of slope or drainage planning
✘ No portfolio of school or club projects
✘ Only using rental machinery
✘ Rushing the work without proper compaction
Cheap shortcuts always lead to expensive future repairs.
Why choosing the right contractor matters
The difference between a good and bad court usually becomes clear within six to twelve months.
Bad construction leads to
Cracks
Dips
Slippery unsafe surfaces
Short lifespan
Wasted budget
Good construction provides
Professional performance
Safe play
Low maintenance requirements
A long lifespan of fifteen to twenty five years
Work with proven sports infrastructure experts
William Gift Civil builds and resurfaces sports courts with guaranteed quality.
We specialise in
Tennis courts
Netball courts
Basketball courts
School and estate sports upgrades
Our complete service includes
Base works
Acrylic surfacing
Line marking
Fencing and lighting installation
Call or WhatsApp
+27 82 428 1251
We Build Quality That Lasts