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How much does Artificial Grass Installation cost? 2023

Artificial grass costs
£40 per square metre

on average, including materials and fitting.

Is your garden looking a little drab? Artificial grass may be just what you need to bring it back to life! Not sure how much artificial grass installation costs? Read on to find out how much you'll pay based on your garden size, your location, and more.

With 88% of people in the UK having access to a garden, and our busy lives making our time increasingly precious, it's no surprise that many people are opting for artificial grass over the real thing. Artificial grass is low maintenance, pet friendly, and looks great all year round. With less time spent having to maintain your grass, you’ll have more time to relax and enjoy your garden. 

You might be considering rolling up your sleeves and laying artificial turf yourself. While it is entirely possible to do this, hiring a trusted professional will ensure that the grass is laid to a high standard, minimising the need to relay it after a few years and reducing costs later down the line. But how much does artificial grass cost?

In this guide we'll explore the cost of artificial grass, from the price of materials to the labour involved. A quick note before we begin: these estimates are based on our own data and research, but as they are averages, the best way to get an accurate number for your own project is to request free quotes from local artificial grass installers.

How much does artificial grass cost to install?

artificial grass

Gardens come in all shapes and sizes, so the price of artificial grass installation varies depending on the job. To give you a rough guide, we’ve put together a handy breakdown of average costs of artificial grass installation based on the prices of local UK professionals: 

Supply and fit (professional provides and fits artificial grass):

Average cost (per square metre) £40
Minimum cost (per square metre)£20
Maximum cost (per square metre)£75

What's included in the cost?

artificial grass

In this calculation, we've included artificial grass installation costs and materials. However, there are some other materials you may need to factor in. Check with your professional to see if these are already included in the quote:

Additional artificial grass charges
ItemCost
Adhesive£2 per square metre
Weed membrane£1 per square metre
Fixing pins£12 per metre edge
Crushed granite underlay£120 per tonne

If you're having your entire garden landscaped, it might be cost-effective to have your lawn artificially turfed as part of the same project. Here's our guide to the cost of landscaping to help you get started.

What changes the cost of installing artificial grass? 

artificial grass

The cost of laying artificial grass installation can vary depending on different factors. These include: 

  • Size of the garden

  • Type of surface 

  • Location 

  • Quality

Size of the garden

The bigger your lawn, the more artificial grass you will need, and the more labour needed to install it - so it’s not surprising that the size of your garden is one of the biggest factors to affect the price. To give you a rough estimate of how much you can expect to pay depending on the size of your garden, here’s a rough estimate: 

Size of gardenTotal installation costs (supply and fit)
10m2£500
20m2 £1,000
30m2 £1,500
40m2£2,000
50m2£2,500

The average garden size in Great Britain is 180 square metres, just over half the size of a tennish court. In Greater London this is lower, at 140 square metres (or a mere 16 square metres in the centre), while homes in Scotland have an average garden size of 226 square metres, although this varies widely by region.

Need an artificial grass cost calculator? Measure the desired lawn area of your garden and multiply its size in square foot by £40 for a ballpark figure.

Type of surface 

Another factor affecting price is the type of surface you're working with. In a nutshell, the more difficult it is for the grass to install, the more expensive it will be. If grass can be directly laid onto a concrete surface, for example, this is a quick and simple process. If your professional has to lay turf on top of existing grass, they'll have to remove the grass first, increasing the labour as well as the cost. 

The average cost of grass removal in the UK is around £400 for a medium-sized garden. If you're removing the lawn yourself, you'll also need to hire a skip; but if you're leaving it to your professional artificial lawn installer, they can help you dispose of the grass responsibly.

You may also need to have your garden cleared so the artificial turf can be laid. Here's our guide to the cost of garden clearance.

Location

Like most things, the cost of installing artificial grass will cost more if you live in a larger city, such as London. The silver lining is that gardens tend to be smaller in the capital, which means that you’ll probably end up spending less overall. To give you a general idea, here’s the average cost of artificial grass installation (in total) for a medium-sized garden depending on location: 

LocationAverage cost (in total)
London£2,000
Nationwide£1,500

Quality 

If you’ve ever heard of the saying ‘you get what you pay for’, this is definitely the case with artificial grass. There are many different types of artificial grass, with prices varying significantly depending on the quality. 

Different grass types provide different benefits. Nylon, for example, is particularly strong so it’s more likely to withstand heavy usage. Polyethylene is ideal if you want your grass to look and feel as close to real as possible. Your professional will be best placed to advise you on the best type of grass for your budget. 

Artificial grass types and costs
Grass typePrice per square metreNotes
Value £14-£17Shorter pile
Mid-range£22-£25Mid-pile, usually two tone
Premium£25-£30Most realistic, three to four tone

Artificial grass costs vs real turf

Installing artificial grass typically costs around £40 per square meter, which includes both the cost of materials and labor. This upfront cost is relatively high compared to natural turf, which generally costs between £5 to £10 per square meter. However, real turf installation costs can rise significantly when accounting for soil preparation, labor, and ongoing maintenance, such as watering, fertilizing, mowing, and pest control. Over time, these maintenance expenses can accumulate, making natural grass potentially more costly in the long run.

How to save money on artificial grass installation

artificial grass

Don’t worry - you don’t need to break the bank to get the garden of your dreams. Read our handy tips on how to keep artificial grass installation costs to a minimum. 

  • Try before you buy - Think carefully about the type of grass you want before hiring a professional to install the whole thing. While you may think a budget option is the better choice, you might regret not choosing a more premium choice for a higher-quality finish. 

  • Opt for high-quality grass - Although it’s more expensive than other types of grass, choosing high-quality grass is an investment in the long-run, as it will last for many more years and will require low-maintenance, equalling low costs! 

  • Compare quotes - To ensure you get the fairest price, make sure you compare quotes from multiple professionals. 

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