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Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:39 pm
by billc
Hi, my first post here, but I thought this looks like a really good forum and very useful website!
We are looking to buy a house, but the entire back garden is covered in tarmac/asphalt and is a tennis court....
Neither of us play tennis, so we would be removing the tarmac and reverting to traditional lawn.
Before we put an offer in for the house, we'd love to know the approximate cost to have this work done. I can't imagine there's much under the tarmac as it's not designed to hold cars etc (no vehicular access). Obviously we'd need to get rid of the waste tarmac as well.
Approx size is 33.5m x 16.5m
Could anyone give us an idea please?
Many thanks,
Bill
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 10:34 pm
by GB_Groundworks
if it built properly the there will be lot underneath it, the lta spec is something stupid like 600mm of type 1 compacted in 150mm layers. we quoted on one a few years back its to stop subsidence so you get an even bounce etc.
but then again we didn't get the job as some just used brick hardcore and threw some base ontop
cost is a hard one depends on so many factors, your better of asking for permission to get contractors to quote or get the house owner to get 3 written quotes on headed paper. you'll have to dig up and get rid of the tennis court and then get the soil and turf in, then access etc will affect the price.
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 10:34 pm
by billc
Update:
I've just been reading an old post on grassing over a tarmac courtyard....
Seems like this might be an idea as no vehicles need to drive over. Drainage would be the only problem I can see- maybe just drilling holes in tarmac would be okay????
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 10:37 pm
by billc
GB_Groundworks wrote:if it built properly the there will be lot underneath it, the lta spec is something stupid like 600mm of type 1 compacted in 150mm layers. we quoted on one a few years back its to stop subsidence so you get an even bounce etc.
but then again we didn't get the job as some just used brick hardcore and threw some base ontop
cost is a hard one depends on so many factors, your better of asking for permission to get contractors to quote or get the house owner to get 3 written quotes on headed paper. you'll have to dig up and get rid of the tennis court and then get the soil and turf in, then access etc will affect the price.
Thanks for that- I didn't realise there was so much to consider when laying a tennis court (and then so much to remove when getting rid of it).
I like the idea of getting the vendors to get quotes 
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 11:00 pm
by GB_Groundworks
we've quoted on jobs for vendors and potential buyers before, just make sure they're on headed paper and uneditted haha 
and drilling holes and grassing over is a no go, wont work.
the only other option would be to go the no mow way, astroturf and hard paving etc.
Edited By GB_Groundworks on 1257721308
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 11:48 pm
by billc
Thank you very much for your reply!
Very helpful indeed! I'll let you know how we get on.
Bill
Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:23 pm
by Big Phil
asphalt tennis courts 'should' be porous. the surface has to be flat so that won't allow for cross falls, and you don't want to be tripping over ironwork either.