Building a sand volleyball court isn’t digging a hole and dumping sand in it. It’s a legit construction project—one that, when done right, becomes a killer feature for your property. Done wrong? You get puddles, compacted mud, and regrets.
The Meanwhile Brewing Mess
Meanwhile Brewing in Austin wanted a sand court for live events, weekend leagues, and an all-around vibe boost. So they hired someone else to get it done.
But halfway through the build, that contractor bailed—leaving behind a rough pit, poor drainage, and unusable materials.
That’s when we got the call.
We stepped in, scrapped the failed layout, installed proper drainage, brought in the right sand, and built them a pro-grade court they could actually use.
They could’ve saved a ton of time, money, and frustration by calling us first—but hey, that’s part of the story now.
So How Do You Build It Right?
Here’s our step-by-step breakdown—with real numbers and no sugarcoating.
Step 1: Planning & Layout
For a standard beach volleyball court, the playing area should be 52′ x 26′ (16m x 8m).
But just as important is the space around it:
-
Minimum setup (aligns with USAV standards):
Plan for about 72′ x 46′ (22m x 14m) total space (includes ~10 ft / 3m of clearance on each side). -
Ideal / competition-style setup (aligns with FIVB standards):
Plan for 90′ x 60′ (28m x 18m) total space (with 20 ft / 6m of clearance around the court).
Important: There should be no unpadded obstructions (fences, poles, walls, etc.) within this clearance area for safety.
If you have the room, go bigger—it makes the court safer and much more enjoyable to play on.
Step 2: Excavation & Drainage
- Excavate 12–24″
- 1% slope for drainage
- Install French drain or center spine system
- 4–6″ gravel base + landscape fabric
Why it matters: Without drainage, you’ve got a mud pit—not a court.
Step 3: Sand Selection
Recommended sands:
- Custom volleyball blends (Best)
- A1 White Silica (Better)
- A1 Masonry Sand (Good)
Washed, rounded, low-dust sands that drain well and are soft on the joints. The lighter the color the less hot it is and generally the prettier it looks.
Volume formula:
Length × Width × Depth ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards Cubic Yards × 1.35 = Tons
Typical court = 150–200 tons = $7,500–$15,000 delivered.
⚠️ Pro Tip: If full-size dump trucks can’t access your site, costs go up fast.
Step 4: Border Construction
- Use earth berms or flush concrete
- Avoid: landscape timbers or PVC
Clean, safe borders help contain sand and avoid trip hazards.
Step 5: Net Systems
We recommend the Pop Bazooka E-Z Adjust system. Same one used at Meanwhile Brewing.
- Height adjustable
- Commercial grade
- Sleeve-based install
Cost: $2,000–$5,000
Step 6: Optional Add-Ons
- Fencing: 8–10 ft nylon mesh or vinyl chain link
- Lighting: LED fixtures on 18–25 ft poles
Cost range: $2,000–$10,000+
Real-World Installs
- Meanwhile Brewing – Austin, TX
- Vizcaya HOA – Round Rock
- Paloma Lake HOA
- Travisso – Leander, TX
- Rock House Bar – Lake Travis
Full Cost Breakdown
| Component | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Sand (200 tons) | $9,000 – $20,000 |
| Site Prep / Dirt Work | $5,000 – $30,000 |
| Gravel/Rock Base | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Drainage & Fabric | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Net System | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Retaining/Fencing | $4,000 – $12,000 |
| Optional Lighting | $2,000 – $10,000 |
| Total Estimate | $30,000 – $70,000+ |
How to Get Started
- Send us photos and your site address
- We’ll check access, grading, layout
- You’ll get a custom estimate with timeline + finish options
Don’t Get Burned
Meanwhile Brewing learned the hard way that fixing a bad install costs more than doing it right from the start.
Work with a team that’s built volleyball courts all over Texas—residential, commercial, and everything in between.
