Are you interested in hard courts, cushioned courts or soft courts? How much time and money is available for court maintenance? Will the courts be used for competition or for casual play? Are you building for year-round or seasonal use?

There are many types of courts available today, and surface technology is constantly changing. No one type of court is right for every installation. There are tremendous variances in cost, durability, playing characteristics, maintenance needs, weather resistance and other factors.

How much can you afford to spend? Developing a budget may be the most difficult step in the construction process. You may have to make some concessions, but in order to make informed choices, you should know what is important to you.

Do you need a completed facility now or can you wait a while for landscaping, court amenities and other finishing touches? Do you want a first class facility regardless of cost, or is cost a limiting factor? Are you absolutely certain about a given surface, or type of fencing, or specific site, or are you willing to consider substitutions? Working within a budget involves considering various alternatives and making choices, but choices don't have to mean compromising the end result.

-- Tips courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com