How much does a synthetic lawn cost? [November 2024]

How much does the actual artificial turf cost?
 

Artificial turf is usually priced per square metre, varying in cost depending on the turf quality. 

You can choose to supply the turf yourself or have your gardener source it locally for you.  However, note that you’ll often be charged an additional 20% to help cover your gardener's time and effort sourcing. 
 

What other factors affect the cost of laying artificial turf?
 

In addition to the size of your garden, and turf quality, there are many other factors to consider when calculating the cost of installing a synthetic lawn. The shape of your garden, pre-installation prep and where you live are all important cost factors.
 

1. Where you live
 

You'll typically pay a premium for gardening servcies in London, where you can expect to pay at least 20% more compared to other areas of the UK.  
 

2. Shape of your lawn
 

More turf may be required when installing a synthetic lawn on an irregularly shaped garden. As artificial turf usually comes in large rectangular rolls, you’ll need to modify your turf to fit a more curved or irregularly shaped lawn. This also applies if the garden has features such as pathways running through the lawn. This will typically result in more units of turf needed and more wastage. 

This means that laying artifical turf on irregularly shaped lawns will typically take longer when compared to square or rectangle lawns, resulting in higher costs.
 

3. Ground preparation

Before your gardener can even begin laying any turf, the soil beneath needs to be properly prepared and ready for installation. The ground should be clear of any weeds, stones or existing turf before levelling out to create a smooth surface. The ground should have a very slight slope to it in order to ensure proper drainage once the turf is laid.

When laying artificial turf, it’s important to lay down a barrier to stop weeds from growing up through the turf once installed. This is often called a weed barrier or landscape fabric. 

This process can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a few days, depending on the size of your lawn. Whilst you can cut costs by doing this yourself, it’s often tricky to get right the first time, so it’s usually easier to hire a professional to take care of it. 

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Should I make the switch to artificial turf?
 

Deciding between artificial turf or real grass can be a tough decision, with both options having many benefits and drawbacks. Synthetic lawns are becoming increasingly popular, with 21% of UK homeowner having either replaced their natural grass lawn with artificial turf or plan to do so in the future. [1]

The lower maintenance that comes along with a synthetic lawn is certainly a reason why many are making the switch. Unlike natural grass, synthetic turf doesn't require regular mowing, watering, or weeding. Although occasional cleaning may be needed to remove bird droppings, leaves and other debris, this is typically a quick task using a brush. This can mean that an artificial lawn may save you money on your water bill in the long term, especially in the summer. [2] 

Artificial turf is incredibly durable, often lasting up to 20 years when properly installed. You won’t have to deal with patchy or discoloured areas, ensuring a green garden all year round, no matter the weather. 

However, a synthetic lawn often comes with a high initial installation cost. Laying artificial turf often takes longer to install than natural grass because it requires more careful placement to ensure a seamless, natural apparence. Artificial turf also typically costs more per square meter. Despite the higher upfront cost, the long-term savings on maintenance usually make artificial turf a more cost-effective choice.

Of course, while artificial turf is certainly getting more realistic year by year, it still doesn’t fully replicate the lushness of real grass turf, and the biodiversity it brings. Therefore, many are still choosing to opt for a real grass lawn. 

You can read more about laying real grass turf in our turfing cost guide.

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What are the different types of artificial turf?

Not all artificial turf is the same. There's three main types of synthetic grass to choose from - nylon, polypropylene and polyethylene.

Nylon 

Nylon is the most durable of the three types of artificial turf materials, being 26% stronger than Polypropylene and an impressive 33% stronger than Polyethylene. [3] This makes Nylon an excellent choice for high-traffic areas or households with kids and pets. However, Nylon can be quite rough to touch, known for causing ‘turf burn’. Due to it's strengh, nylon often tops out as the most expensive option. 

Polypropylene

Polypropylene is generally the most budget-friendly type of artificial grass. While it offers reasonable durability, and is soft feeling, it often falls short in other areas, such as appearance, as it tends to look less realistic compared to other materials.  

Polyethylene

Polyethlene combines the best qualities of both plastics, making it the most popular choice for artificial turf. [3] It’s durable, soft to the touch, and resilient, providing a natural look and feel. It’s usually good value for money, typically sitting somewhere between Nylon and Polypropylene on price point. 
 

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Can I lay artificial turf myself? 

Whilst it may be tempting to lay your artificial turf yourself to cut costs, installing a synthetic lawn can be deceptively tricky. 

Installing artificial turf is a skilful task, requiring a lot of precision, and intense labour. A professional gardener has the knowledge to prepare the ground properly and install turf on all types of lawn shapes and sizes. They also have professional tools and materials to get the job done to a high standard. 

A professional gardening service will often also guarantee their work for 72 hours, returning to fix any problems if there’s any issue with their work. 
 

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Where can I find a gardener to install a synthetic lawn? 
 

There are many ways to find a professional gardener to install a synthetic lawn. You could start by searching on social media, or ask friends and family if they have any recommendations if they’ve had any recent garden work done. Community boards and local forums are also excellent places to look for trusted gardeners. Your local garden centre may also have a list of reliable contacts or may even offer turf installation services themselves.

To take the hassle out of finding a trusted gardener, you could book with a professional tradesperson service, such as Housekeep. Simply tell us what you need doing, and we’ll give you a quote. We’ll instantly match you with an experienced, vetted gardener as at a date and time that suits you. 
 

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Sources

1. Aviva: Number of UK homes with artificial lawns expected to grow 
2. Lawn master: Watering your lawn
3. Neograss: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Artificial Grass For Your Garden Lawn