Concrete pad in back yard

[R-Audi]

Looking at getting a concrete pad put in my back yard, and looking for advice/suggestions/opinions.

I have about a ~400sf portion of my yard which currently has a trampoline on it... and the tramp has basically wrecked the grass, causing the entire side to be dirt/mud/gross. While I think we can ditch the tramp in a few years, we are looking at other options that could translate to other uses. (Basketball, street hockey, whatever kids games)

Initially thought of fake grass... but it looks like it costs more than concrete. Then Sports Court material, but you need a concrete base and then it costs more than concrete.

Anyone else done this? Concrete company referrals?

For what its worth, the other side of the yard is still grass... this would just be between my house and the detached double garage on one side.

[mr2mike]

Poor image but this is a typical tennis court asphalt pad.
Adjustable basketball net and their kids seem to ride bikes and toys on it.
I'd put some spots for a net sport like badminton, etc and then it's multi purpose.
I think the paint seals it a bit plus allows for easy mini court games.

Unfortunately not friends with them so no idea on company contact or cost.

[Buster]

Concrete pad you say?

Ask Elon.

[G-ZUS]

Buddy of mine does concrete. He did a great job on my steps/walkway years ago. If you're interested in his contact, pm me and ill give you his number.

[89coupe]

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Buddy of mine does concrete. He did a great job on my steps/walkway years ago. If you're interested in his contact, pm me and ill give you his number.

Can you PM me his info

Thanks

[ThePenIsMightier]

Compared to any other type of hardscaping, concrete in a backyard is virtually irreversible, so please consider it very carefully and from a long term perspective. This will very likely diminish your resale value and limit your market of buyers when (not if) you choose to sell.
It also usually looks like shit as it's very difficult to blend into an overall backyard theme. Less is more.

[KRyn]

I sent you a PM with a contact.

[schurchill39]

Our neighbours have a pad in their small backyard and the kids and all of their friends play on it all the time. There is always a hockey or basketball game going on. I disagree with ThePenis that it will hurt resale, a 20x20 pad would still attract families as long as you still had a sizeable lawn. Its when it starts taking up 75-100% of your backyard where it turns into an eyesore.

[pheoxs]

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Our neighbours have a pad in their small backyard and the kids and all of their friends play on it all the time. There is always a hockey or basketball game going on. I disagree with ThePenis that it will hurt resale, a 20x20 pad would still attract families as long as you still had a sizeable lawn. Its when it starts taking up 75-100% of your backyard where it turns into an eyesore.

Yeah, entirely depends on the lot. If it's a skinny infill with no yard and you turn it to concrete then it will absolutely hurt value. But if you have a good sized lot with lots of grass otherwise then having a rec area won't hurt anything.

I would be also mindful of kids overshooting the goal though, maybe consider a way to put up netting on part of the court.

[mr2mike]

Has to be built in suburbs for families to love it. But you also do need to maintain it.
Can't imagine removing it if pad frost heaves, and surface degrades.

[R-Audi]

Here is a crappy picture from Google maps showing my backyard and the proposed area which we are thinking about the concrete pad. (in red) Grey area below the red is my garage. Could go a bit wider, but we do have a 'garden' and tree on the right hand side.

[spike98]

The bigger question will be what else could you do for $15k that would improve your life move than a concrete pad.

[R-Audi]

15k?!?! Online quotes for that size are 2-3k.. plus site prep (grass removal/levelling etc)

[pheoxs]

Your setup looks awfully similar to mine. The area between my garage and the house is all concrete for a hot tub and still leaves tons of green space for the lawn / firepit area. Plus you can use the garage to mount a hoop.

15k would be quite high. Going DIY route you'll probably have ~3k in just material (5 yards of concrete, rebar, aggregate base, forms). Excavation depends how you want to dig and you'll have some costs to haul it away.

[R-Audi]

Taken from a local contractors website:

What does is cost to pour a 20’ x 20’ concrete slab?

Cost break down:

- Concrete volume required = 4cm3

- Concrete costs = 4 x $320 = $1280

- Concrete small load charge = $250

- Rebar reinforcement (include double row at edges)= $252

- Labour = $800


Total = $3112

[riander5]

Good luck with that ^

Actually, good luck. You have to tell us what it ends up costing in the end.

[ThePenIsMightier]

I should know this way better, by my gut feel is that concrete is closer to $400/m^3 and that the labour for detail, place & finish will be closer to $10/sq-ft than $7.

[spike98]

A turnkey slab with broom finish will run you about $25 a sqft. Its a small job so typically you'll get the "make it worth your while" price which could push it closer to $30.

Don't rely on the BS online quote shit, get someone out and have them actually quote the job. Just the distance from the street to the pour could up the price.

[ExtraSlow]

For a square pad with vehicle access. Do it yourself with the u-cart stuff. Concrete is not rocket appliances.

Where do you live? Maybe I'll help for 36 bud lights..... Actually no, I'm not that helpful.

[R-Audi]

Thats good to know, I am just going by what several websites said in terms of cost. I really have no idea for comparisons sake. If its even 5k plus, its certainly not worth it.