Which components determine the total investment in a padel project?

The total investment in a padel project consists of several cost items that can vary widely from one situation to another. As a rough guideline, an indoor padel court turnkey is possible from around €23,000, while a complete outdoor padel court including foundation quickly starts from around €50,000.

The exact price always depends on the type of court, the location, the foundation situation and any additional provisions such as noise measures. The sections below answer the most common questions about costs, so that as a client you can better estimate what to take into account.

What are the biggest cost items when building a padel court?

The total cost of a padel court is determined by four main components: the steel structure including glass and fencing, the foundation, the artificial turf and the LED lighting. On an outdoor padel court the foundation is generally the largest single cost item. On an indoor padel court the proportions are different, because the foundation is in many cases simpler or already in place.

An overview of the main cost items:

• Steel structure, glass and fencing: the cage structure is the technical core of the court. On outdoor courts the structure has to be built heavier because of wind load and weather conditions.
• Foundation: the largest variable cost item on outdoor projects. The price depends heavily on soil conditions, location and the foundation type chosen.
• Artificial turf: the quality and specification of the artificial turf affect both the price and the playing experience. Padel-specific artificial turf meets the requirements of Kiwa ISA Sport.
• LED lighting: lighting requirements differ depending on use. Recreational use calls for a different installation than competitive play.
• Installation and groundwork: transport, assembly and any civil works form a separate cost item that differs per location.
• Optional extras: sound-absorbing panels, ball catchers, sliding doors or extra fencing are additional items that increase the investment.

With a turnkey project, all of these components are included in a single total price. If you only buy materials and install them yourself, you pay less per court, but you also take on the responsibility for the execution yourself.

How much does the foundation of a padel court cost?

The foundation costs for an outdoor padel court are on average between €20,000 and €40,000 per court. This is a wide range, because the foundation depends heavily on soil conditions, the accessibility of the location, the foundation type chosen and the civil works required. With existing tennis courts, part of the substructure can sometimes be reused, which can save costs.

There are three commonly used foundation types for padel courts, each with its own properties and price implications:

• Drainage concrete: a water-permeable type of concrete in which rainwater drains straight through the foundation into the subsoil. Drainage concrete is highly stable, suitable for heavy loads and lasts 25 to 40 years on average. Often combined with a ring foundation.
• Supersub: a foundation solution based on foam concrete. Lightweight, self-levelling and shock-absorbing. Supersub is water-permeable in outdoor applications and can in many cases be poured within a single day, which keeps installation costs down. The thickness generally varies between 10 and 15 centimetres, depending on the situation.
• ZOAB asphalt: a porous asphalt variant that lets water through. Less common for padel, but a suitable option in certain situations.

The right choice depends on the location, the use and the budget. We always advise on the basis of a site check and soil probing data. You can find more information about the different options on our page about a padel court including groundwork.

For indoor projects the foundation is in many cases simpler. When an existing concrete floor is present and no adjustments are needed, the foundation item can turn out considerably lower or even largely fall away.

What is the cost difference between an indoor and an outdoor padel court?

An outdoor padel court is structurally more expensive than an indoor padel court. As an indication, an indoor padel court turnkey is possible from around €23,000, while a complete outdoor padel court including foundation starts at around €50,000 on average. This difference is explained by three factors: heavier structural requirements, a more complex foundation and additional protection against the weather.

Why is an outdoor padel court more expensive?

On an outdoor padel court the steel structure is exposed to wind, rain and temperature changes. This places higher demands on the material and the structural design. The steel structure must be calculated for wind load in accordance with the applicable standards and is hot-dip galvanised as standard and finished with a high-quality powder coating for corrosion protection. Both protective layers reinforce each other and contribute to a longer lifespan.

In addition, the foundation on outdoor projects is a separate and substantial cost item, whereas on indoor projects in existing halls the concrete floor is often already there. Permitting also plays a bigger role for outdoor courts, which can indirectly affect project costs through the studies and procedures required.

When can an outdoor padel court work out cheaper?

When converting an existing tennis court, part of the substructure can sometimes be reused. This can lower the foundation costs considerably. The exact saving always depends on the technical condition of the existing floor and the requirements placed on the new padel court. A site check beforehand gives insight into the possibilities.

What influence do sound-absorbing panels have on the total project costs?

Sound-absorbing panels increase the total investment, but the exact additional costs depend on the number of panels, the configuration and the structural modifications required. What many clients do not know in advance is that the placement of panels also affects the steel structure itself. Panels reduce the wind permeability of the cage structure, which increases the wind load on the structure. This means the structure must be structurally calculated and, in many cases, reinforced.

When sound-absorbing panels are included in the engineering phase, this can be taken into account directly in the design. This is technically and financially more advantageous than adding panels to an existing structure afterwards, where the structure still has to be assessed and possibly modified.

The panels we use consist of rock wool with a bulk density of 160 kilograms per cubic metre, finished with plastic mesh and a metal profile. They are installed gap-tight, which is important for the acoustic performance. Small openings can negatively affect the performance of a noise measure.

In a practical measurement at LTC Hofgeest, an indicative noise reduction of approximately 3 dB(A) was measured within the configuration studied, after correction for background noise. These results apply only to the situation studied and must not be used as a general performance figure for other projects. You can find more background on how acoustic solutions for padel work and where they are used on our specialist page.

Whether sound-absorbing panels are necessary is determined by an independent acoustic consultant on the basis of the site-specific situation. We do not carry out acoustic studies ourselves, but we supply the technical product specifications and structural data needed for those calculations.

Why do quotes from different providers vary so widely?

Price differences between providers arise from fundamental differences in how a padel court is produced and delivered. Most Dutch providers import their steel structures from Spain, pay transport costs and add a margin on every component. We produce the steel structure entirely in our own factory, which removes intermediaries, import margins and dependence on foreign production schedules.

Besides the origin of the structure, the following factors also play a role in price differences:

• What is included: some quotes cover only the superstructure, without foundation, artificial turf or lighting. A comparison only makes sense when the scope is the same.
• Quality of materials: the steel grade, the type of artificial turf, the lighting installation and the protective treatment of the structure have a direct effect on both price and lifespan.
• Warranty terms: we offer a 15-year warranty on the steel structure. This is an exceptionally long term in the market. Not all providers state this explicitly.
• Certification: in the Netherlands, materials must be inspected by Kiwa ISA Sport. Not all providers work exclusively with certified materials.
• Customisation and engineering: a provider that makes a structural calculation per location works differently from a provider that supplies a standard product. This difference is reflected in the price and in the quality of the end result.

A lower price is not by definition a better choice. In practice, a cheaper structure of lower quality leads in the long run to higher costs due to maintenance, replacement or technical limitations when expanding.

Which hidden costs are often overlooked in a padel project?

When budgeting a padel project, a number of cost items are regularly left out or insufficiently included in the initial calculation. In practice this leads to unpleasant surprises during or after construction. The most common are:

• Acoustic study: when the location is close to homes or other noise-sensitive uses, an acoustic study is often a mandatory part of the permit process. The cost of this is regularly not budgeted in advance.
• Structural reinforcement for noise measures: when sound-absorbing panels are used, the steel structure often has to be reinforced. This modification is not always included in an initial quote.
• Permit costs and fees: municipalities charge fees for processing an environmental permit. The amount differs per municipality and per project size.
• Civil works: groundwork, cables, pipes, drainage and accessibility of the location can bring additional costs that fall outside the standard court investment.
• Inspection after handover: for official matches, an inspection by Kiwa ISA Sport is mandatory. This is a separate cost item that is not always included in the project budget.
• Maintenance: artificial turf, lighting, glass and connections require periodic inspection and maintenance. A realistic multi-year maintenance plan is part of a complete investment assessment.

You only get a complete picture of the total project costs once all of the items above are included. When requesting a quote, we always advise asking explicitly which components are and are not included.

How do you request a reliable quote for a padel project?

A reliable quote for a padel project starts with a clear description of the situation and your requirements. The more concrete the information you supply, the more accurate the quote. Always ask for an itemised statement, so you can compare what different providers actually deliver.

The following information is useful when requesting a quote:

• The number of padel courts you want and the type (indoor or outdoor, Pro or Panorama).
• The available space and the location (address or site plan).
• Information about soil conditions, if available.
• The foundation solution you want, or a request for advice on this.
• Any requirements from the municipality or surroundings, such as noise measures.
• The desired schedule and the available budget as a guideline.

When comparing quotes, always check whether the foundation, artificial turf, LED lighting and installation are included. A quote for the superstructure alone looks cheaper on paper, but is not comparable with a turnkey price.

At I-Padel, as a Dutch padel court producer, we always work with a structural calculation per location. This means the steel structure is tailored to the specific conditions of the site, including wind load, soil conditions and any noise measures. That way you can be sure the quote matches the real situation and not a standard product that still has to be modified later.

Would you like to request a quote for a custom padel court? Then get in touch for an initial exploration. We will discuss the location, your wishes and the technical conditions, so that you receive a quote that matches your project.

Curious what a complete padel court costs?

Request a project-specific quote for a padel court including installation, artificial turf, LED lighting, foundation or groundwork and any preparation for sound-absorbing panels. We prepare an itemised quote that matches the situation at your location, so that you get a realistic picture of the total investment. You can find more information and a request form on our page about the cost of a padel court.

Frequently asked questions