What’s the Price of Artificial Grass? 2022 Installation Costs
The term artificial grass might still strike fear in many – in the past, fake grass has been synonymous with lurid greens, spiky strands, and when warm, the smell of hot plastic. Thankfully, things have come along since then, and manufacturers have now created artificial grass which looks nearly as good as the real thing.
Artificial grass can be a great low-maintenance option for those wanting the look of a grass lawn without any of the fuss of seeding, watering and weeding. Easy to install and incredibly effective, artificial lawns are a remedy for the time-conscious gardener who doesn’t necessarily have the time to care for a living lawn.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- How much artificial grass costs
- What affects the cost of artificial grass
- How you can save money on artificial grass
- What’s involved in laying artificial grass
- How to find a professional to lay artificial grass for you
If you’re considering a garden overhaul, but are short on time, an artificial lawn can be the way to go. Keep reading to find out how to get the garden of your dreams at the most cost-effective price.
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How Much Does Artificial Grass Cost?
Depending on the type of artificial grass you choose, your costs will be higher or lower. Below is an estimated range of turf from budget to premium, with their associated costs based on a small, 50 square metre garden:
| TYPE | COST PER SQUARE METRE | SMALL GARDEN (50 SQUARE METRE) | LABOUR COSTS | TIME REQUIRED | ESTIMATED TOTAL COSTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget artificial grass | £10 | £500 | £3,375 | 1 to 2 days | £3,875 |
| Mid-range artificial grass | £22 | £1,100 | £3,375 | 1 to 2 days | £4,475 |
| Premium artificial grass | £27 | £1,350 | £3,375 | 1 to 2 days | £4,725 |
As predicted, budget artificial turf is less expensive than premium, but prices tend to drop per square metre with the more material you order, so don’t shy away from the more expensive options just because you have a larger area to cover, as the bulk cost may pleasantly surprise you.
At the lower end of the scale, budget artificial grass can cost as little as £10 per square metre, giving a small garden of 50 square metres an anticipated cost of around £500. Taking between one to two days to complete, with added labour charges, you can expect a total cost of around £3,875.
Looking at mid-range artificial grass next, your cost per square metre rises to £22, giving the small garden a value of £1,100 for supply costs only. When the labour charges for one to two days are added on, the total comes to £4,475.
Finally, for the most high-end of our selection, the premium artificial grass can cost £27 per square metre, making the small 50 square metre garden £1,350 for supply costs only. When the labour fees are added on, this totals to £4,725 for supply and labour.
Are you ready to get started on your artificial grass project? HouseholdQuotes can help you find the right artificial grass fitters.
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What Affects the Cost of Artificial Grass?
As with a standard lawn, the factors that affect the cost of artificial grass are similar. Here’s where you can look to save or spend, depending on your budget.
Garden Size
The larger your garden, the more artificial turf you’ll need, which will increase your overall costs. However, small spaces can end up being more expensive per square metre as discounts can be given when the turf is bought in bulk for larger gardens.
Don’t shy away from getting quotes for a larger area first if you’re unsure if your budget can stretch to it.
Your Garden Shape
Similarly, the shape of your garden can impact the price you’ll pay. As artificial turves come in rectangular shapes, choosing organic lines like circles and ovals will increase the cost of your renovation due to the amount of wastage and cut-offs you’ll create from making the shapes.
Your Choice of Artificial Grass
Much like real turf, the grade of artificial grass you choose will bring prices up or down. As we have seen in the price comparison table above, the more premium your selection, the higher your cost will be.
The Type of Underlay
Also known as a shock pad, underlay is used to create a cushioning effect underneath your artificial lawn, as well as offering safety features if children fall over on the surface – it’s also great for helping rainwater to drain away.
There are different types of underlay depending on your wants, with different thicknesses affecting their price. For instance, a 35-millimetre thick underlay can cost £39 per square metre, while an 18-millimetre thick absorber can cost £29 per square metre.
If You Choose Any Accessories
Further to essential underlay, there are several accessories you might need to add to your artificial lawn shopping list.
These range from anti-weed membranes to stop anything from growing through your lawn to maintain a pristine surface, to joining tape and adhesive to make sure the curves can have a strong bond and stay firmly in place after laying.
How Can I Save Money on Artificial Grass?
Comparing quotes is a great way to potentially reduce the cost of your artificial grass. HouseholdQuotes can help you get quotes from multiple artificial grass fitters near you, so that you can find someone that suits your budget.
Click the button below to get started:
Like most renovations, it’s best to get hold of some samples before settling on your chosen turf. Something which looks good online might not in reality, and this precautionary measure can save you money in the long run – as well as the time it takes to return unwanted batches.
This way, you may find that a budget option suits your needs and style better than a more premium cut, which will save you spending more on something you can get for less.
Getting hold of roll ends or offcuts of artificial grass can be a great way to shave money off your renovation. These will typically be sold at discount prices but will be in odd sizes and lengths and they might not be in your first-choice grade.
However, these remains make a great investment if you’re looking to touch up a certain area, or turf a small amount of space in your garden. A quick search online will reward you with suppliers, so it’s worth taking a look to see if there’s something suitable for your needs.
Though many other projects offer the chance to do some groundwork as a way to reduce installation costs, scraping off pre-existing turf is unlikely to affect your quotes. This is because it doesn’t take installers very long to cut out existing turf; most of the skill is in building the wooden frame, levelling out the kiln-dried sand, rolling out the artificial grass and then sealing the edges together to avoid unsightly joins.
However, unlike some other home renovations, laying artificial turf is something you can do yourself – even if you’re not too experienced with DIY. Most manufacturers have instructions on their website to outline the equipment you’ll need, as well as best-practice processes to get it looking right.
What’s Involved in Laying Artificial Grass?
Artificial grass is incredibly simple to lay and can be done by yourself. Here are the steps you’ll need to take.
Depending on the type of ground you’re starting with, this can range from removing stones and old turf to excavating an area if it’s particularly uneven or sloping.
If removing turf, it’s suggested you do so to a depth of 40 millimetres, then add in a layer of sharp builder’s sand of around 35 millimetres, ready for the artificial turf to sit on top of.
Adding in a weed membrane isn’t essential, but it’s best practice to keep any persistent weeds at bay and to prevent them from breaking through your artificial turf.
Rolling out the artificial grass is next. Make sure the grass is laid in the same direction as one another so the blades point in the same direction to make everything look uniform and full.
Now is the time to make everything stay in place. Use jointing tape on the ground, on top of your membrane, and add adhesive on top of it – then, press the artificial turf down firmly on top of those areas, careful not to get any adhesive on the blades.
Running your hands or using a brush over the grass can help to make it look fuller and helps to disguise any joins where the turves butt up against each other.
You can also add ground pins near the edges of the turf to keep everything flat and in place if desired.
Should I Choose Real Turf or Artificial Grass for My Garden?
Knowing which turf is right for your garden can be tricky, but there are some clear-cut differences between real and artificial turf to help you decide what’s right for you.
| GRASS TYPE | ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial | Easy to install, without the need of a professional; little to no maintenance required; great for shady areas; no need to mow | Higher up-front costs; doesn’t feel like real grass; no micro-habitat for garden life |
| Real | Real turf can be budget-friendly with economy turf being very affordable; variety of grades and types; creates a natural habitat for insects | Can become expensive when considering premium styles; needs maintenance; can die and will need attention; weeding is required |
The main advantage of artificial grass is that after installation, you can walk on it immediately, making it perfect for children and pets. It’s also easy to install and can be laid yourself without the need of a professional, helping to keep costs low.
As expected, there’s little to no maintenance once it’s laid, and easy to clean when needed, and is great for heavily shaded areas and balconies where natural grass wouldn’t survive. There are a variety of lengths, depths and colours to suit your style – and there’s no need to mow – ever!
There are higher up-front cost than real turf alternatives, but can be laid by yourself which can help to offset the cost of the material. Artificial grass doesn’t feel like real grass, and there’s no micro-habitat for garden life.
Looking at real turf next, it can be cost-effective if choosing budget varieties; while grass seed is incredibly affordable if you’re willing to invest the time to tend to it while it beds. Turf is available in a variety of grades and types, from budget to premium to wildflowers, which can offer great biodiversity and a natural habitat for a range of species – including bees!
The disadvantages include it being expensive if opting for premium styles, which will also need professional care if you choose a bowling green or golf course finish. Real turf needs to be left for 2 to 3 weeks before you can walk on it, which isn’t ideal for children and pets, and can become susceptible to weeds and can die if not properly looked after.
Real turf needs mowing, which can become tiresome if you’re not naturally green-fingered.
How Do I Find and Hire Someone to Lay Artificial Grass?
Finding the right artificial grass fitter can be challenging. At HouseholdQuotes, we can connect you to artificial grass fitters in your area.
Click the button below to tell us more about your project, and we’ll help you find someone quickly and easily:
If fitting artificial grass isn’t something you feel comfortable with, seeking recommendations from family, friends and neighbours is a great way of finding reputable tradesmen who can complete the job for you.
Ensuring the Professional Is the Right Fit
If you’re hiring a professional to lay your artificial turf for you, there are a few essential things you should find out before you settle on hiring them. Firstly, obtaining a written quote is essential.
Within this quote, finding out whether or not rubbish removal is included is important so you’re not left with a pile of old turf and soil to get rid of by yourself once the job is done. With written quotes, you can see what’s included and what isn’t – so if any problems happen during the job, you can always refer back to the quote to see what was agreed.
If the professional isn’t coming from friends and family references, finding out their experience and seeing examples of their past work is important to make sure they’ll be able to tackle your project. If you require a lot of excavation or have a bespoke shape you want to create, you want to make sure your needs align with their abilities.
Finally, seeing if they have insurance is important to keep you covered in the event of any trouble during the project, for damages to both physical property and any accidental injuries.
Final Checklist
Deciding on artificial grass for your garden is a great way to quickly and easily rejuvenate a tired space into somewhere inviting and ready for the summer months.
Here’s our final checklist to make sure you have everything covered when it comes to getting the job done:
- Order turf samples to see what you like in person – sometimes budget options can look as good as more premium ranges!
- Calculate the amount you need, accounting for any areas where you’ll need to trim or shape the turf to make an organic shape like an oval or circle
- Remember to check retailers for offcuts or roll ends if you’re covering a small area to cut your costs down
Use HouseholdQuotes to find local artificial grass fitters and potentially save money on your artificial lawn installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does Artificial Grass Last?
One of the greatest advantages of artificial grass is its lifespan. If well maintained with cleaning and care, they can last for around 20 years without fading or flattening, making it a great investment.
How Do I Maintain My Artificial Lawn?
One reason many people get artificial grass is that it’s easy to maintain. Simply sweep from time to time to remove leaves and twigs – you can even use a hoover!
When it’s muddy, wash out the grime with a light spray of the hosepipe and a brush. And, if you’ve got pets, just pick up after they’ve gone to the loo and disinfect the area.
Is Artificial Grass Safe for Children and Pets?
Unlike real grass, artificial means there is no need for the use of fertilisers and pesticides, which can be harmful to both animals and humans.
Some artificial turfs can contain crumb rubber which is made from recycled tyres, which can be toxic. However, you can find artificial ranges which don’t use this type of infill, so it’s best to check the composition before buying and checking with the retailer to make sure the type you choose is suitable for your use.
Can You Lay Artificial Grass on a Slope?
Yes! If levelling out an area proves to be too costly, you can lay artificial grass on the slope instead. It will require a little more work than a flat patch, but this guide can take you through the steps if it’s something you want to take on yourself.
Can Artificial Grass Give You an Electric Shock?
Static energy can build up on artificial grass, which can lead to shocks, especially in periods of extreme temperature or dry air. A quick online search can help you debunk myths and reduce static charges from your artificial lawn.
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