Refurbishment
Squash court refurbishment: repair, renew or replace?
A practical guide to inspecting an ageing court, defining the work and comparing refurbishment with a new court.
In short
Inspect the whole court before choosing a treatment. Floor sanding alone will not solve a failing wall, unsafe glass, poor lighting, water damage or an access problem.
Published by Squash Dog, a trading style of Fagan Consulting Limited. Reviewed 10 September 2026
Coverage note
This is a project-planning guide, not an engineering, safety or professional condition survey. Close a court and obtain competent advice when a defect could put players or staff at risk.
Start with a whole-court inspection
- Record the court's age, construction, dimensions, use, known repairs, closure history and current maintenance routine.
- Photograph defects only where you have permission, and mark their location on a simple court plan.
- Check the playing floor, subfloor, walls, corners, tin, glass, doors, locks, lighting, ventilation, drainage and surrounding circulation.
- Ask players and operators what has changed: slipping, inconsistent bounce, glare, noise, condensation, loose boards, cracks or recurring downtime.
- Separate cosmetic wear from defects that affect safety, playability, compliance or the ability to operate.
Floor condition
A timber floor may need cleaning, sanding, resealing, line marking, local board repairs or more extensive renewal. The correct treatment depends on the remaining board thickness, flatness, moisture, fixings, subfloor and existing finish.
A rubber or synthetic system may need a different cleaning, repair or replacement method. Do not assume that a product designed for a sports hall is automatically suitable for squash movement, grip, ball response or court dimensions.
Ask the contractor to state the proposed finish, expected grip, slip-testing method where relevant, drying and curing time, line-marking system, warranty and maintenance instructions.
Walls, glass and tin
- Inspect plaster or panel walls for cracks, hollows, loose sections, impact damage, patched areas and changes in rebound.
- Check glass panels, fixings, seals, doors, handles, locks and protective interfaces for damage or movement.
- Inspect the tin and its fixings, especially where impact or corrosion could create a sharp edge or an unreliable sound.
- Ask how preparation, repair, curing, painting and final inspection will be carried out, and whether the playing area must remain closed during the work.
Lighting, ventilation and access
A court can look newly finished and still be unpleasant or unsafe to use if lighting produces glare or shadows, ventilation leaves it overheated or wet, or the route into the court creates a trip or accessibility problem.
Include light levels, uniformity, glare, emergency lighting, ventilation, temperature, condensation, changing access, spectators, fire arrangements and clear circulation in the scope. Outdoor projects need additional consideration of weather, drainage, corrosion and security.
Repair, refurbish or replace?
| Option | May fit when | Evidence still needed |
|---|---|---|
| Repair | The defect is local and the underlying court remains sound. | Cause of failure, compatible materials, safe completion and likely recurrence. |
| Refurbish | Several surfaces are worn but the structure, space and use case remain suitable. | Whole-court condition survey, programme, downtime, warranties and future maintenance. |
| Replace | The court is structurally unsuitable, repeatedly failing or no longer fits the intended users. | Removal, new design, foundations or subfloor, planning, cost, access and operating model. |
| Repurpose or close | Demand, access, safety or operating economics cannot support continued squash. | Evidence of alternatives, community impact, consultation and a responsible transition. |
Write the scope before requesting quotes
Give each bidder the same information and ask for a line-by-line response. Require separate prices for inspection, preparation, floor, walls, glass, lighting, ventilation, line marking, cleaning, disposal, testing, project management and aftercare.
Ask what the client must provide, including access, power, protection, storage, out-of-hours working and a clear court. Confirm the proposed handover checks and the information the operator will receive for routine maintenance.
Primary sources
The process is Squash Dog guidance. Supplier pages are used to identify possible service categories and questions, not to certify any proposed method.