The only way to answer this question is if we know the details of your project. For example, we need to know the size and condition of the site, and the quality of artificial grass you want. These factors determine artificial grass installation costs. They are also unique for each project. Therefore, you will only get an exact quote after a professional inspect or knows more about your garden.
However, if you are looking for an estimate, the answer is £55 to £75 per square metre. That should be enough to hire a professional artificial grass installer to complete the entire process. By this, we mean the installer will do everything, including removing any existing turf, preparing the site, and installing the artificial grass turf.
Still, this is only an estimate. The actual cost could be higher or lower. Once again, you will have to wait for an exact quote. However, in the meantime, here is everything you need to know about artificial grass prices. Let’s show you how to calculate artificial grass installation costs, make the right choices and save money, even when installing natural grass.
What Influences the Cost of Artificial Grass?
Here are the four main cost factors that artificial grass prices.
The Type or Quality of the Artificial Grass
The artificial grass strips are the most important and expensive materials in this project. Therefore, this is the factor with the most significant influence on artificial grass installation costs. Simply put, the higher the cost of the grass strips, the higher the cost of the project.
Obviously, the differences in quality and type are driving these price differences. The higher the quality of synthetic turf, the more durable, realistic and expensive it is. Budget artificial grass is the least durable, realistic and expensive. It costs around £16.99 per square metre. Premium artificial grass costs £30.99 per square metre, while mid-range grass costs £23.99 per square metre.
Aside from these budget ranges, you can also consider the manufacturing material. The three most common materials for artificial grass are polypropylene, nylon and polyethylene. Polypropylene artificial grass is the least expensive, durable and realistic, while nylon is the most expensive, durable and realistic. However, you will find low- and high-quality artificial grass available for all three manufacturing materials.
The Size of the Site
Size is the next significant factor that influences artificial grass installation costs. The bigger the space, the more time, materials and labour it will take to install the turf. Therefore, artificial grass installation costs increases along with the size of the space. In other words, it will cost more to install artificial (or real) grass in a large garden.
The good news is that you can save money on larger projects by negotiating for better rates. On the downside, some installers charge a minimum fee. Therefore, you could lose money when installing artificial grass in a small garden.
The Accessibility and Condition of the Site
Accessibility is the ease at which the installer(s) can access and work within the site. It is an issue of logistics and convenience. Basically, it affects their ability to work and move materials and equipment to and from the site. Therefore, every artificial grass installer considers accessibility before quoting their rates. The less accessible your garden is, the higher they will charge you.
The second factor, the condition of the site, determines how much work installers must do to prepare the area before finally installing artificial grass. For example, they might have to remove existing turf or level the ground.
Our estimate for artificial grass installation cost already accounts for site proportion tasks. However, have it at the back of your mind that installers often increase their rates if the space needs extra work. They might even hire specialist equipment for an additional fee.
The Location of the Site
Your location could also affect artificial grass installation costs. For instance, installers in urban areas usually charge higher than those in rural areas. Those coming from afar might also want higher rates. Even supply costs could rise for these same reasons.
Breakdown of Artificial Grass Costs
Table 1: Full Breakdown of Artificial Grass Installation Cost
| Detail | Cost |
| Artificial grass | £16.99 – £30.99 per square metre |
| Skip hire | £200 – £250 |
| Labour | £100 – £200 per day for a landscape gardener |
| Subbase | £25 – £37 per square metre |
| Jointing Adhesive | £1.20 – £2.20 per square metre |
| Fixing pins | £0.9 -1.2 per square metre |
| Weed membrane | £3 – £10 per square metre |
| Kiln dried sand | £1.3 – £2 per square metre |
| Artificial grass installation cost for a garden of 40 square metres | £2,200 – £3,000 |
Our Artificial Grass Cost Calculator
Here is a complete cost breakdown of the artificial grass installation process. To make things easy for you, we have added a cost per square metre for each item. Use this as your artificial grass cost calculator. Just follow its formula.
Total cost(£)= The size of the garden (in square metre) × the cost of the material (£/square metre)
Here are some examples. The total cost of artificial grass you need for a garden of 40 square metres is:
£679.6= 40 square metres × £16.99 to £30.99 per square metre
Using this same cost calculator, you will discover that it takes £2,200 to £3,000 to install artificial grass in a garden of 40 square metres.
Artificial Grass
As mentioned earlier, this alone costs around 16.99 – £30.99 per square metre, depending on the quality of the artificial grass. However, some installers can get the grass and other supplies at better rates. You also have the option to do the buying yourself. There are quality artificial grass available online and in local stores.
Skip Hire
The installer(s), either you or the professional, will need a skip to remove the old turf and other waste materials from the site. You can hire one for about £200 to £250.
Labour costs
Installers usually charge around £100 to £150 daily for artificial grass installation. However, the total labour cost depends on the number of workers and the days it takes to complete the job. So, you could be looking at up to £500 in labour costs. Either way, look for an installer with experience to ensure high-quality artificial turf installation.
Subbase
Your new artificial turf needs this to keep it stable, especially if it will see heavy foot traffic. A subbase also helps with drainage. You can use crushed granite or concrete. Fill the subbase to about 18 to 30 mm deep. This will cost around £25 to £37 per square metre.
Jointing Adhesive
The installer(s) will arrange and cut the grass strip to fit the shape and size of your garden. Then use jointing adhesive to hold the strips together to create a seamless artificial grass lawn. This will cost you about £1.20 to £2.20 per square. They sell tubes of grass jointing adhesive for around £6.50.
Fixing pins
After the adhesives, your installer will use pins to hold the grass strips in place. This costs about £0.9 to £1.2 if they use 150mm steel pins every 200m. The pins sell for around £24 per pack of 100 units.
Weed membrane
This goes before the subbase to prevent weeds from growing through. It will cost you about £3 to £10 per square metre.
Kiln Dried Sand
Finally, your installer(s) will fill the newly-installed artificial grass with kiln-dried sand. They will spread the sand all over the grass and then use a brush to push it into the base. The total cost of kiln-dried sand used should add up to about £1.3 to £2.0 per square metre. You can get a 20kg bag of kiln-dried sand for around £5.5.
Artificial Grass vs Natural Grass
Both artificial and real grass have their advantages and disadvantages. So, let’s do a head-to-head comparison. Maybe this will help you confirm if synthetic grass turf is right for you.
Installation Cost
Natural grass (aka, real turf) wins here. Artificial grass installation costs £55 to £75 per square metre. Natural grass installation costs a fraction of that, just £10 to £25 per square metre. Even with additional features like a sprinkler system, it will still cost less than an artificial turf.
Maintenance Costs
Artificial grass maintenance cost is pretty much nonexistent. All you have to do is wash and brush it occasionally. The only time you have to spend money is when you refill the kiln-dried sand. But even this costs next to nothing compared to the maintenance costs of natural grass. Plus, leftover sand from the initial installation could serve you for a while.
On the other hand, natural grass maintenance costs over £200 to £300 per year. Therefore, it could surpass the initial installation cost of an artificial turf within a decade. So, artificial grass is king when it comes to maintenance costs. It will save you a lot of money and time.
Environmental friendliness
Both artificial and natural grass have their pros and cons in this regard. For example, you don’t need to mow artificial grass turf. Therefore, you won’t be releasing more carbon monoxide into the atmosphere.
You also don’t have to use chemicals and fertilisers that could harm the environment, kids and pets. However, the manufacturing process of most artificial grass products is not environmentally friendly.
Natural grass, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. It requires mowing and chemicals that could harm the environment. However, it is also an active beneficial member of the environment. A natural grass lawn helps the environment by absorbing heat and carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. It also attracts wildlife.
Long-Term Investment
Artificial grass is the better long-term investment. Look at it this way. A good artificial grass turf lasts for more than 15 years with minimal maintenance needs. During that time frame, a natural turf could set you back by double the cost of a new artificial turf. Therefore, although artificial turf installation costs more, you will save money in the long run.
3 Ways to Save on the Cost of Artificial Grass
Here are three ways to save money on artificial grass installation costs without compromising quality.
Buy Budget-friendly Grass and Supplies
You don’t need the most expensive artificial grass on the market. Remember that everything follows the law of diminishing returns. So, the difference in quality is negligible once you reach certain price points. On the other hand, you also need to avoid extremely cheap artificial grass. Focus on finding the artificial grass that offers the best value for money.
Install the Artificial Grass Yourself
A DIY installation is the most effective way to save money on this project. By doing the job yourself, you can cut down artificial grass installation costs by close to 40%. Even doing just a bit of the job yourself cuts costs significantly. For example, you can remove the old turf and dispose of the waste yourself.
Above all, anyone can install an artificial grass lawn themselves. All you need are the right guide, equipment and experience. Therefore, if you have the time and want to save money, consider doing a DIY install.
Negotiate
Everything is negotiable, including artificial grass installation costs. So, ask installers for better rates. Ask them about their deals and discounts. In fact, check with a couple of installers before settling on anyone.
Conclusion
Professional artificial grass installation costs £55 to £75 per square metre. However, this will vary depending on the quality of the grass and the size, accessibility, condition and location of the site. So, you can’t get an exact estimate until an installer inspects the site and provides a quote. Until then, use our artificial grass cost calculator to get an estimate. Then use the rest of the discussion to find a good deal and make informed decisions.
However, regardless of the installation cost, synthetic grass is a more than worthy alternative to natural grass. It’s a safer, lower maintenance and better long-term investment. Plus, when you use quality artificial grass, people must inspect it closely before knowing it’s not a “real lawn.” Therefore, an artificial lawn could be perfect for your garden, office or park.
