How do you compare different padel court providers?

The most effective way to compare padel court providers is to look beyond the price per court. How a provider produces, what exactly is included in the quote, which warranties are given and whether the provider can deliver customisation for your location are at least as decisive for the final investment. The questions below help you compare quotes and providers fairly.

What should you look for in the structure of a padel court?

The steel structure is the foundation of every padel court and largely determines the lifespan, safety and maintenance of the facility. When assessing it, look at the type of steel used, the corrosion protection method and the certifications the structure complies with. A structure that complies with EN 1090-1 and is built to execution class EXC3 offers a higher level of quality assurance than a structure without demonstrable certification.

For outdoor padel courts, corrosion protection is a particularly relevant point. A structure that is both hot-dip galvanised and finished with a high-quality powder coating, also known as a duplex protection system, offers considerably more protection than a structure with a paint layer alone. The zinc layer protects the steel against corrosion, while the powder coating protects the zinc layer against UV radiation, wear and weather.

Also ask every provider about the welding work. Welds that comply with ISO 3834-2 indicate that the production process is controlled and documented. This is relevant if you later ask a structural engineer or the municipality to assess the court.

One point that is regularly underestimated is the effect of noise measures on the structure. When sound-absorbing panels are fitted on the outside of the cage structure, the closed surface area increases and so does the wind load on the structure. The structure must be recalculated accordingly. Not every provider can handle this, especially when the structure is imported and not produced in-house. You can find more information about structure and wind load on our structure page.

What is the difference between a turnkey provider and a materials supplier?

A turnkey provider handles the entire process from design to handover, including groundwork, foundation, steel structure, glass, artificial turf, LED lighting and installation. The client has one point of contact and one responsible party. A materials supply means the provider only supplies the required materials and the client arranges the installation, often through their own construction crew.

Which service is most suitable depends on your own capacity and situation. Turnkey is generally the most practical choice for tennis clubs, municipalities and commercial operators who have no installation capacity of their own. It means you do not have to manage several parties yourself as the client and carry the risk if the interfaces between those parties don't fit together.

Materials supply without installation is mainly relevant for parties that have their own construction crews and are simply looking for a reliable supplier of materials. This model is used, among other things, for projects abroad, where local installation teams handle the assembly.

An important difference between providers is whether the complete package genuinely comes from a single source. Some providers coordinate several suppliers and subcontractors, while others organise everything in-house. With a true turnkey provider, there can be no debate about who is responsible when something is not right. That is a relevant distinction for an investment that has to last for decades.

How do you compare quotes from padel court providers fairly?

Quotes from padel court providers can only be compared fairly when they contain the same components. Ask every provider explicitly what is and is not included, because the price per court says little without context. A quote that covers only the superstructure is not comparable with a quote that also includes foundation, artificial turf, LED lighting and installation.

For every quote, check at least the following points:

• Is the foundation included, and if so, which type?
• Does the artificial turf include the sand infill and lines?
• Does the LED lighting include installation and wiring?
• Are transport and installation costs included?
• Is a structural calculation per location included?
• Which warranty periods apply to the structure and the other components?

Outdoor padel courts need extra attention when comparing quotes. Foundation costs depend heavily on the location and can vary considerably based on soil conditions, accessibility and the civil works required. A quote for an outdoor padel court without a foundation component is therefore difficult to assess for completeness.

Finally, always ask where the structure comes from. Providers that import from Spain face transport costs, lead times and an import margin. Providers that produce in-house can make a different offer on these points. This is not better or worse by definition, but it is relevant information when assessing a quote.

Which warranties should a padel court provider be able to offer?

A serious padel court provider offers at least a warranty on the steel structure, the artificial turf and the glass, although the warranty terms may differ per component. Always ask for the warranty provisions in writing and check which components the warranty covers and under what conditions.

For the steel structure, a fifteen-year warranty period shows that the provider has confidence in its own production quality. We provide a fifteen-year warranty on the steel structure of our courts, based on the use of S350 structural steel, hot-dip galvanising and a high-quality powder coating. The premium artificial turf carries a five-year warranty, which safeguards UV resistance, wear resistance and sports-technical properties.

Note that warranties are always specific. A warranty on the steel structure does not automatically apply to the coating, the artificial turf or the LED lighting. For each component, ask about the exact warranty terms and what applies in the event of damage caused by weather, intensive use or incorrect installation.

Also ask about the inspection after handover. For official matches, an inspection by Kiwa ISA Sport is mandatory. A provider who has no experience with this, or who cannot supply the documentation, can cause problems when the court is used for competition.

How do you assess whether a provider can deliver customisation for your location?

Customisation starts with a willingness to carry out a site analysis before a quote is issued. A provider who names a fixed price without a site visit or structural calculation generally does not deliver true customisation. Every location has different conditions, such as wind load, soil conditions, available space, surrounding buildings and any noise requirements set by the municipality.

When assessing a provider, ask the following questions:

• Is the steel structure structurally calculated per location?
• Can the provider structurally integrate sound-absorbing panels into the court?
• Can the provider supply all foundation types, including drainage concrete, Supersub and ZOAB asphalt?
• Does the provider work with acoustic consultants and structural engineers?
• Are non-standard dimensions or layouts possible?

Sound-absorbing panels are a good example of a custom component that not every provider can supply. The panels are fixed to the outside of the cage structure and increase the wind load on the structure. The court must be recalculated accordingly. Providers who import a standard structure generally cannot offer this for small numbers of courts. You can read more about the possibilities on our page about acoustic solutions for padel.

A provider that produces in-house can make structural adjustments during the design phase, when an acoustic study shows that additional measures are necessary. This avoids costly changes afterwards.

What does the price of a padel court say about the provider?

The price of a padel court says something about the provider's set-up, but not everything about the quality. A low price may result from in-house production and efficient logistics, but also from cheaper materials, limited warranties or a quote that does not cover everything. A high price is no guarantee of better quality and may also result from import margins and intermediaries.

As an indication, a standard indoor padel court, turnkey including cage structure, glass, artificial turf, LED lighting and installation, is possible from around €23,000 per court. For outdoor padel courts, costs are generally higher, partly because of the heavier structural requirements and the foundation costs. You can find an indication of the cost of a padel court on our costs page.

The Dutch market average for an indoor padel court is higher than €23,000, partly because many providers import their structures from Spain and pass on the transport costs and import margins. Providers that produce in-house can be sharper on price without compromising on quality or warranty.

Always assess a price in combination with what is included, which warranties are given, how the structure is certified and what service is available after handover. A padel court is an investment that has to last for decades. The total cost over its lifetime, including maintenance, repairs and any replacements, is more relevant than the purchase price alone.

Which questions should you ask before choosing a padel court provider?

Before choosing a provider, it is wise to ask a number of targeted questions that give insight into the party's way of working, quality and reliability. The answers help you compare providers fairly and assess whether the provider is right for your project.

At the very least, ask the following questions:

1. Do you produce the steel structure yourselves, or do you import it?
2. Is the structure structurally calculated per location?
3. Which certifications does the structure have, and can you demonstrate this?
4. Which foundation types can you supply, and which type suits my location?
5. Can you structurally integrate sound-absorbing panels into the court?
6. Which warranty applies to the structure, the artificial turf and the glass?
7. Do you work with acoustic consultants and structural engineers?
8. Can you guide us through the permit process?
9. What is the average lead time of a project?
10. Can you show reference projects comparable to my situation?

For outdoor projects, questions about noise and permits are particularly relevant. Noise nuisance is one of the biggest challenges when building outdoor padel courts, especially when the location is close to homes. A provider who has no experience with this, or who cannot supply technical information for an acoustic study, can complicate the permit process. You can read more about this topic on our page about acoustic solutions for padel.

Finally, always ask for an itemised quote that lists all components separately. A transparent provider gives insight into what is and is not included, so you can compare the quote fairly with others.

Curious what a complete padel court costs?

Request a project-specific quote for a quote for a complete padel court including installation, artificial turf, LED lighting, foundation or groundwork and any preparation for sound-absorbing panels. We always look at the specific situation of your location and issue a quote that matches the actual scale of the project. We are happy to think along with you, without obligation.

Frequently asked questions