Sports court builder (tennis, pickleball, basketball)

Homeowners adding a backyard court, schools, parks departments, HOAs, resorts and private clubs.

A fixed price per project, usually a margin on top of materials and subcontractor costs, plus extras like lighting, fencing and windscreens. Resurfacing work for past clients adds repeat income.

• Construction project management
• Reading site plans and estimating costs
• Managing subcontractors and schedules
• Sales and quoting

• Check your state's contractor licensing board, since many states require a license for projects above a set dollar amount
• Building permits, zoning, setbacks and HOA approval for new courts, which vary by city and county
• General liability insurance, workers' compensation once you hire, and possibly a surety or performance bond for public jobs
• Cash flow: material and subcontractor bills come due before final payment, so use deposits and staged payments in contracts
• Soil, drainage and slab problems can cause cracking later, so get the base work done correctly and put warranties in writing

Startup costs are typically around $30,000 to $120,000, depending on your equipment, insurance, any bonding and how much work you subcontract. Material and subcontractor bills often come due before final payment.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on how many projects you take on and their size. Material, subcontractor and labor costs come out of that revenue.

Check your state's contractor licensing board, since many states require a license above a set project value. Also check building permits, zoning, setbacks and HOA approval, plus insurance and any surety or performance bond needed for public jobs.