How Much Does Artificial Grass Cost? UK Installation Prices and Money-Saving Tips

There was a time when simply talking about getting artificial grass fitted would inspire raised eyebrows from others. After all, artificial lawns were once dismissed as something far too uncomfortable, unattractive, and unbelievable when compared to the real thing. 

However, over the years manufacturers have made some incredibly realistic fake grass that’s lush, colourful, and comfortable to walk on. This has led to an increased interest in artificial grass prices, fake lawn design ideas, and artificial grass installation.

When it comes to an attractive but straightforward lawn without the hassle of planting, seeding, and watering, an artificial lawn can be the ideal solution for modern garden needs. In fact, laying artificial turf can offer people who are short on spare time the ultimate alternative to living grass.

In this article, we’ll be covering the following aspects of artificial lawn matters: 

• The cost of artificial grass
• The additional expenditure that comes with that artificial grass price 
• How to calculate how much your artificial grass cost will be 
• Whether cheap artificial grass is worth the price 
• How you can save money on your artificial lawn 
• Laying artificial grass yourself 
• Tips for those looking to hire an artificial lawn professional
• Comparing artificial grass and real turf 
• Ideas for artificial grass maintenance

How Much is Artificial Grass? Updated Prices for 2023

Finding the cost of artificial grass for your garden ultimately depends on several different factors. The main deciding factors in an artificial grass quote are based on your budget, the associated artificial grass installation cost and the size of your garden. 

So, how much is artificial grass per square metre? And what will the cost of laying artificial grass be for your specific garden? Below is a breakdown of some of the estimated costs that take the above factors into account.

Garden Size	Cost of Materials	Cost of Labour	Estimated Time	Approx Total
Small (25m2) gardens using budget artificial grass	Estimated costs of roughly £7 – £10 per m2 as supply only  (£175 – £250)	Estimated £100 – £150 per day in labour costs	1 day	£275 – £400
Medium (50m2) gardens using mid-range artificial grass	Estimated costs of roughly £11 – £23 per m2 as supply only  (£550 – £1,150)	Estimated £300 – £400 per day in labour costs	2 days	£1,150 – £1,950
Large (100m2) gardens using premium artificial grass	Estimated costs of roughly £40 – £70 per m2 as supply only  (£4,000 – £7,000)	Estimated £500 per day in labour costs	4 days	£6,000 – £9,000

While the above table has some sound estimates for you to work from, prices can fluctuate depending on how much material you decide to order per square metre, the type of grass you decide to use, and the condition of your garden. 

In other words, you may find that your price for artificial grass drops when taking bulk orders and the health of your garden into consideration. So be sure to explore the options available to you in the premium and mid-range artificial grass categories before settling on a budget alternative.

The True Cost of Artificial Grass

Just like you would with a traditional lawn having natural grass planted in, you’re going to have to consider some additional factors in your spending. And while the cost of artificial grass UK residents can expect to pay may vary, you can narrow down your budget by taking these things into account now rather than later. 

Understanding artificial grass prices with these other variables in mind, whether it’s preparing the ground or working out how much turf you’ll need per square metre, means gaining a better understanding of what you’re going to be paying for. 

Calculating How Much Artificial Grass Will Cost

The overall artificial grass cost UK residents can expect to pay can be calculated by taking the following things into consideration:

Your garden size

The size of your garden plays a pivotal role in the overall cost of fake grass installation. The bigger garden you have, the more fake turf you’re going to need to fill it. But as stated above, just because a garden space is smaller, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’ll be the cheapest way to lay artificial grass. 

Many larger gardens can get a great deal on the cost of artificial grass by purchasing it in bulk. In general, it’s always best to explore those larger options before looking into those smaller ones. 

Your garden shape

While laying artificial turf in a more traditionally shaped square garden can be a relatively straightforward process, there may be more costs involved with lawns of other shapes. Any outdoor space that deals with natural grass alternatives will need to consider how the shape of the space works, and how much artificial turf it’ll take to fill its width. 

And because artificial turf comes in specific-sized rolls, some wastage in cutoffs may come into play as part of your installation cost. 

Your garden preparation 

When calculating the total price for artificial grass installations, don’t overlook the accessories that you may need to prepare your garden properly. To create a clean and clear surface for your fake grass to settle on without unwelcome weeds coming through, look into getting some weed membrane that’s quick and easy to use to prevent future issues. 

And while you’re adding weed membrane to your checklist, be sure to get some adhesive tape to keep everything flush and solid in place. This combination of jointing/adhesive tape and good weed membrane fabrics will help to set the ideal surface for laying artificial grass. 

Your choice of fake grass

Real grass will cost more depending on the quality of grass you want, and the same principle applies to the prices of artificial grass. The better quality of artificial turf you want, the higher you’re going to have to pay to get it. 

Broadly speaking, you’ll encounter the following types of artificial grass: 

• Polyethylene artificial grass: resistant to weather and general damage, this fake grass is considered more upscale and luxurious than other fake lawn options. Polyethylene artificial grass feels soft and extremely realistic, but the price of this artificial turf per m2 will reflect these benefits. 

• Polypropylene grass: a mid-range artificial grass that looks a lot like real grass, this fake grass option is relatively resilient and neat to the eye. Polypropylene grass becomes slippery when it rains and comes in the mid-range price per m2. 

• Nylon artificial grass: also commonly known as polyamide, this more mid-range budgetary alternative to real grass is the original artificial lawn option. With prominent and strong fibres, this plastic is made from expensive and durable materials. 

Your choice of artificial lawn underlay 

Part of your artificial grass maintenance is ensuring that you’ve made some form of cushioning under your turf. To do this, make sure to add some underlay to your artificial grass pricing, which helps to add some padding beneath your fake lawn to prevent rainwater damage. 

With a range of underlay to choose from when you lay artificial grass, it’s important to explore the different thickness options available. They tend to be between 10 – 20 millimetres thick, although you can find underlay that’s 35+ millimetres thick too. The thicker the underlay, the more you’ll pay per square metre. 

Is Buying Cheaper Artificial Grass Worth it?

While the price of artificial grass in the premium ranges may be higher, choosing basic quality artificial grass isn’t always as cost-effective as you think. And when you take the lifespan of budget fake grass into account against the higher quality material of the mid-to-premium turfs, spending more now may save you more money in the long run. 

Broadly speaking, budget artificial grass will last between 7 to 8 years. On the other hand, higher-priced options can potentially last anywhere between 10 to 20 years. 

Money-Saving Tips to Reduce Your Fake Grass Cost 

So, how much does artificial grass cost? It depends on how you approach the process, the size of your artificial grass project, and whether your artificial grass installation is going to be outsourced or done via the DIY approach. 

Below are some of the most cost-effective ways of reducing your spending when installing artificial grass. 

Try some samples before you install fake grass 

Having some samples of artificial turf helps you to make that final decision with more confidence. Not only will it give you a better idea of how your artificial lawn will look in real life, but it will also save you a lot of time and money due to last-minute regrets resulting in returns of the turf you’ve already bought. 

Consider using some roll ends or offcuts 

Not all artificial grass installation plans are going to be for large and expansive gardens. Many people also lay artificial grass on patios, balconies, and other spaces. For projects like this, looking into discount offcuts of artificial grass can save you a lot of money due to the unusual and mixed sizes of the turf itself. 

If you’re looking to reduce your overall artificial grass cost in a small garden space, it’s also worth searching for these roll ends and offcuts online, as you may find you’re able to fill your space for a fraction of the price per square metre. 

Lay artificial grass DIY style 

While most people prefer using an expert to install artificial grass, there’s nothing wrong with rolling up your sleeves and doing it yourself to reduce your artificial grass installation costs. And with so much information online about how to install artificial grass, and manufacturer directions available, it’s a straightforward process that doesn’t require you to be a DIY expert. 

How to Lay Artificial Grass Yourself: A Guide 

Installing artificial lawns via DIY can be a simple process that reduces your overall turf grass cost, depending on the existing turf and type of ground you’ll be working on. For most garden spaces, you can conduct a basic artificial grass installation using the following steps. 

Measuring the area

To learn how much fake grass you’ll need per square metre, get your lawn space measured out. The full area of your lawn will need to be covered, so be sure to measure up to the longest and widest parts of your garden. 

Artificial grass tends to come in rolls of 4 to 25 metres, meaning that any area less than this length will be easily installed. For larger spaces, you may need to plan for seams to be placed in the ground. Don’t forget to allow for cutting in your measurements by adding around 10cm to your estimation. 

Preparing the ground 

Good artificial grass installation needs a stable surface. To accomplish this, remove the existing real grass and dig roughly 12cm deep into the ground. Then spread a 10cm deep layer of yellow kiln-dried sand (some people like to mix the sand with some cement – if you do so, make sure it’s done at a ratio of 1:5 cement:sand). 

Next, you’ll need to level your surface, depending on the length of your fake grass. Create a border around the garden using a board, and make sure the subsurface is at least 2cm under that border. This will help to keep the artificial lawn firmly in place. Finally, use a compactor tool to keep the sand tight together, and flatten out the entire surface.

Installing artificial grass 

If you’ve purchased a weed membrane, be sure to apply it using jointing tape on the top. When you’re rolling out the grass itself, be sure to keep it all laid out in the same direction. All of your fake grass blades should be pointing the same way. 

When your membrane is down and you have added adhesive tape, press your artificial turf down as firmly as possible. If you have to cut your fake grass, aim to keep around 10cm for cutting on all edges as suggested above. 

Check your artificial grass installation for tension or overlapping. Some people also like to add ground pins at the edges of their artificial grass to keep things as flat as possible. Finally, run a brush over the grass to help make it look lusher and hide any joins. 

Finding a Professional Artificial Grass Fitter

If you’re happy to leave this to the professionals when budgeting for your fake grass cost, then it’s important to find the best possible one for your specific needs. 

Getting the right professional on board for installing artificial grass can be easy if you ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you have friends or family who can recommend someone? 
• Are you looking for reputable tradespeople with glowing online reviews? 
• Are you going to several places to find the best quote to fit artificial grass? 
• Is waste disposal, skip hire, and soil removal included in their artificial grass costs?
• Have you found examples of their past work in this field? 
• Are their abilities up to par if you’re using premium artificial grass?
• Are they insured for unexpected issues during the job?
• Have you got an official breakdown of the quote in writing? 

Artificial Grass vs. Real Turf: Which is Right For Your Garden?

There are many clear differences between real grass and artificial lawns. And these differences can vary depending on your space and turf quality. Before making that final decision, be sure you’re aware of both pros and cons. 

Real grass pros

• Budget-friendly options and completely natural 
• Multiple variations of shades to suit all needs 
• Nurtures and welcomes life into your garden 

Real grass cons

• Even budget-friendly options need constant care and attention 
• Can die easily and make your home appear unkempt 
• Regular weeding and maintenance needed across all seasons 

Artificial grass pros

• You can get artificial grass installed easily or even do it yourself 
• Longer-lasting and barely any maintenance required 
• Has long-term benefits for cost after initial spending 

Artificial grass cons 

• Higher initial costs than traditional grass has 
• Has very little resemblance to standard grass when touched 
• Prevents nature and life from inhabiting your garden 

And finally, fitting artificial grass allows you to be able to use and walk on your turf immediately, compared to the several weeks it takes for natural grass to become usable. 

How to Maintain Your Artificial Grass

Unlike real turf, your fake grass price plan doesn’t need much in terms of continued maintenance. However, there are still some ways to ensure you keep your artificial grass free of future issues. 

Be sure to sweep your artificial grass lawn regularly and eliminate those pesky twigs and leaves that can sometimes gather in your space. This can easily be done by hand, or by using a brush or small vacuum cleaner.

Fitting artificial grass means also considering how to deal with pets using the toilet on the surface. Always be sure to pick up after them before disinfecting the area thoroughly (try to avoid using harsh chemicals). For weather conditions that cause mud and grime to cluster on your existing turf, a simple spray of a hose and brush scrub will be more than sufficient. 

Getting Started with Artificial Grass: Your Next Steps

So, how much is fake grass going to cost you? It’s all about knowing which method works best for your space, your budget, and your ability to install artificial grass, whether alone or by using a professional. 

If you can prioritise your needs, and take all of the variable artificial grass installation costs into consideration, you’ll be in the best position to make that final decision for a new lawn. Just remember that while those fake grass costs may seem a little pricey at first, it’s an investment that will serve you well in the long run compared to some of the real turf options.