Ground-Up Readiness
A flat yard or existing slab is not automatically ready, get slope, soil, and drainage confirmed in writing before base work begins.
What Goes Wrong
The failure modes below show up after construction, and fixing them costs far more than getting the base right the first time.
A court graded outside the accepted slope tolerance sheds water unevenly, leaving low spots that pool after every rain or irrigation cycle.
A laser level survey maps the existing grade across the full footprint before any excavation begins, so the target slope is set precisely.
Southern California clay soil expands and contracts seasonally; a base laid without a stability check can heave and crack the surface above it.
A soil stability assessment identifies clay-heavy areas before compaction begins, so unstable material is removed rather than buried under the subbase.
Drainage lines retrofitted after the base is compacted disrupt the subbase layer and rarely achieve the same water-clearance performance as planned placement.
Drainage lines are positioned during the layout phase, before excavation closes, so water has a clear path away from the base from day one.
An existing concrete slab with low spots, surface cracks, or inadequate drainage will transfer those defects directly to the finished court surface.
The builder documents cracks, low spots, and drainage failures before recommending resurfacing over the slab or full removal and replacement.
Scope of Work
From the first measurement to a compacted, drainage-ready base, every phase of ground-readiness before a surface is laid.
The full footprint is measured and slope-mapped so grading targets are set before any ground is moved.
Clay content, soft spots, and existing drainage paths are checked to determine excavation depth and drainage line placement.
Unstable material is removed and the ground is cut or filled to achieve the correct slope tolerance across the court area.
Aggregate base is laid and compacted in stages with a plate compactor or roller until the layer meets load-bearing requirements.
Drainage lines are set during base formation so water clears the subbase before any surface material is installed above it.
Usable court dimensions are confirmed against local setback and lot-coverage rules, then marked on the prepared base.
Crack, slope, and drainage check before resurfacing or removal.
Excavated material removed from site after grading.
Boundary lines marked on the compacted base before surfacing.
Extended excavation for sloped or terraced LA County lots.
Why Choose Us
Ground-readiness work sets the condition of every phase that follows, here is what makes the difference at this stage.
The itemised estimate covers base prep, drainage, and layout as separate line items, no bundled guesswork.
The ground and drainage are assessed in person before any booking or deposit is required.
Setback and lot-coverage rules vary across LA County cities; usable dimensions are confirmed before layout marking.
Sloped lots and clay-heavy ground are common here; the assessment accounts for both before excavation depth is set.
The completed base is reviewed against the written scope before the job is closed out and signed off.
The Process
01
Tell us the location, approximate dimensions, and any known slope or drainage issues on the site.
02
The site survey covers the ground and drainage, and delivers an itemised written estimate covering each prep phase.
03
The builder excavates, sets drainage lines, and compacts the subbase to a stable, slope-correct base ready for surfacing.
Pricing Estimates
| Work type | Typical estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Basic grading and site preparation | $2,500-$12,000 |
| More involved excavation and site preparation | $12,000-$25,000 |
We schedule a ground assessment, check drainage, and put the full scope in writing before anything is booked.