Expect to see an approximate rate for turf installation of £20-25 an hour or about £788 – £1163 for the entire project. This number may vary depending on where you're located and where your natural turf installation expert is travelling to you from.
Natural Turf Installation Costs
| UK National Minimum Cost | £788 |
| UK National Maximum Cost | £1163 |
| UK National Average Cost | £1075 |
| Average Range | £788 – £1163 |
Included in This Price Guide
Considerations
Laying turf can instantly transform the landscape of your outdoor space. A lawn made of natural turf is vibrant and gorgeous and ready for use almost right away. Turf is a great option for a lawn makeover, especially if you have children and pets. You'll only need to keep them off the area for a few days, rather than trying to keep them away from new grass for weeks! If getting a fantastic looking lawn in a short amount of time is important to you, laying turf is the option you'll want to pursue.
Size of Area
Whether you're looking for an entire yard's worth of turf or something on a smaller scale, you'll need to know the size of the area you're looking to cover. Most turf is priced out by the square foot. So, the size will influence the turfing costs.
If you're not sure how large the area is, don't worry! You can always get proper measurements of the area from your turf specialist. They can provide a more specific idea of the size and how this will affect the cost of your project.
Also, consider the layout of the area when working out your budget. If you have to fit turf around gardens or trees, you may see an increase in cost. This is because for a proper installation you will need to trim pieces of turf to match the shape of your yard. This adds labour and time, especially if you need to custom-fit a large area of the lawn.
If you're not sure the best way to approach installing natural turf in your existing outdoor space, a landscaping service can help you create an effective plan.
Preparation
Before laying turf, the area will need to have some work done to prepare it. Make sure to move anything that normally sits on your lawn such as garden furniture or children's toys.
This is your chance to have the beautiful lawn you've always dreamed of and a little prep work can go along way. Take the time to get rid of weeds or patches of less desirable grass. That way it won't return to spoil your new lawn.
If your lawn is uneven, this is also the perfect time to flatten it out. Dig down high sections or fill in the valleys. Check the depth of your chosen turf to see how much correction you'll need for a consistent, level surface.
When it comes time to lay down the turf, you'll want to have nicely prepared soil as your base. This is the best medium for your turf to set up roots. The soil will require cultivation to be turned into a fine tilth. Mix manure in with the soil to help it retain moisture. If you have to rent tools to till your soil or purchase manure or fertiliser, make sure to add these items to your budget.
Preparing your lawn ahead of time can help you cut costs. However, if you don't have time let your turf installer know so they can allot time to take care of prep work once they arrive.
Type of Turf
It's important to find the type of turf that will suit your needs and budget. Even if you're looking to keep your turfing costs low, you'll have some choice of turf.
Multi-purpose traditional turf will withstand high-wear from children or pets. Then, if you have a shaded garden, look for a variety that is marked as shade tolerant. Even if this costs a bit more, it will be great in the long run as it will thrive even with indirect or low light.
Fine turf has a beautiful appearance but has a higher cost and requires more maintenance. Another option would be wildflower turf. Although costly, this variant can make planting wildflowers as easy as establishing a turf lawn.
The quality and grade you choose will affect your budget, so it's worth the time to investigate which type is right for you.
Maintenance
After your turf has been laid, it's important to take care of it. You want it to stay healthy and lush. Even in cooler weather, when less maintenance is required you should still take care to put together a regular schedule.
While the turf if rooting remember to avoid walking on it. Otherwise, it could be lifted away from the soil underneath.
Watering
Give your lawn a thorough watering right after it has been laid. The water will need to penetrate the layer of turf right down to the soil below. This is arguably the most important step to establishing your lawn. The best time to water your lawn is first thing in the morning or later in the evening.
You'll need to water it daily for at least two weeks after it has been laid. Keep it moist but not sopping wet. If the weather is warm or dry, you'll need to water for a longer time, even if up to a month.
If you aren't able to keep to so many waterings, consider finding a gardener to maintain your lawn for you. Keep in mind you'll need to budget for the additional cost.
Mowing
You'll have to wait several weeks to mow your lawn after turf has been laid. When you first mow the lawn, it should be at one of the highest settings on your mower.
If your lawn mower has been acting up and is in need of repair, then now would be a good time to get it fixed. That way your lawn mower will be set when your grass starts growing!
Further Considerations
Certification
The Turfgrass Growers Association is a quality standard for turf sold in the UK and Ireland. This can be a useful benchmark for determining the quality of your turf. However, there may be other guarantees that are unique to your brand of turf. So keep an eye out for these as well.
Timing
You'll also need to consider the time of year when planning your project. Laying turf in autumn will give you the best results as you'll be able to stay off it, but a turf specialist should be able to tackle your project at any time. They may recommend a more intensive care routine for a spring or summer installation. More frequent watering is required through these drier months so your new turf can properly establish its roots.
Summary
Already have an idea of the area you'd like to cover, the type of turf you'd like to use? That's great! However, even if you aren't at that stage yet, you can still get an idea of the cost.
As you fill out the Near Me request form you'll find tips about the essential information your turf installer needs. So why not get a free custom quote? Simply fill out a request for bids at Near Me and connect with a turf expert today.