Turf laying costs can be remarkably expensive and homeowners around the world often avoid the task. However, with a few smart gardening tips from experienced gardeners you too can afford to lay new turf in your garden. Read on to learn more.

Garden Turf Laying Costs: What Homeowners Need to Know

Turf laying costs don’t have to be prohibitive if you are smart about your gardening plans

Photo by Anna Shvets

Do you want to install new turf in your garden?

New turf brings a fresh, green charm that turns any outdoor space from dull to amazing. But before you dive into this landscaping project, you need to understand the price of laying garden turf and all the factors that influence the final cost.

My extensive experience in transforming gardens for homeowners reveals turf costs as a frequently discussed subject. When you obtain the correct information, you will be able to create an accurate budget and prevent unexpected financial dilemmas.

Through this guide I’ll show you all the necessary information regarding garden turf laying costs for 2025.

What You’ll Discover Inside:

Average Turf Costs Per Square Metre
Real vs Artificial Grass: Cost Comparison
Additional Cost Factors to Consider
Different Types of Turf and Their Prices
How to Save Money on Your Turf Project
DIY vs Professional Installation

Average Turf Costs Per Square Metre

The standard pricing approach for turf installation is to charge based on the area measured in square metres. The pricing system allows scaling according to the dimensions of your garden space.

Real grass turf prices in 2025 typically span from £10 to £30 per m² including both turf and installation labour costs which vary according to quality and regional factors.

The price you pay for the turf material alone will exclude installation charges.

Budget turf: £2 – £3 per m²
Mid-range turf: £3 – £5 per m²
Premium turf: £5 – £7 per m²

You can immediately recognize the quality difference because premium turf establishes quicker and looks better from the beginning while requiring less maintenance during those important first weeks.

But here’s something most people don’t realize…

The actual price of turf represents only a portion of the complete landscaping project expenses. The expenses for your project will multiply significantly when you take into account the costs of labor and ground preparation along with additional materials.

Real vs Artificial Grass: Cost Comparison

Is artificial grass a more advantageous investment option?

Although artificial grass costs between £30 and £60 per m² making it more expensive than real grass it requires less upkeep. The listed price encompasses both the materials and the installation services.

Although starting costs are greater, homeowners frequently find the extended advantages justify the investment.

No mowing, watering, or fertilizing required
Maintains its appearance year-round
Typically lasts 10-15 years before needing replacement
Artificial grass thrives in shaded areas where natural grass cannot grow well

However, artificial grass isn’t without drawbacks. Temperature rises in summer because artificial grass lacks real grass’s natural cooling effect while some people miss the authentic feel of natural turf beneath their feet.

Additional Cost Factors to Consider

The initial cost per square metre doesn’t represent the full financial picture. Multiple elements will have a substantial impact on your complete charges.

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Ground Preparation

The process of preparing and levelling ground before installing turf requires an estimated £20 for every square metre. This includes:

Removing existing lawn or vegetation
Rotavating the soil
Adding topsoil if required
Levelling the surface

The primary cause of turf installation failure stems from inadequate preparation work. Neglecting proper groundwork can cause uneven turf growth and drainage issues which will lead to a lawn failure that requires replacement.

Labour Costs

The cost of gardeners laying turf shows significant variation across different service providers.

Gardeners charge between £15 and £45 per hour or £150 to £200 for each day of work.
Landscape gardener: £180 – £280 per day

The Southeast and London regions of the UK usually see higher rates compared to other areas of the country.

Total Project Size

If you have pets then the type of grass you choose may impact the turf laying costs

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The financial outlay for turfing a garden can range widely from £300 to beyond £3,000 based on factors like garden dimensions and location plus labour expenses.

As a rough guide:

Small garden (20-30m²): £300-£900
Medium garden (40-60m²): £800-£1,800
Large garden (80-100m²): £1,600-£3,000+

Timing Considerations

Turf prices have risen recently and certain suppliers have already implemented price changes as of March 2025 in response to market changes. Turf pricing is influenced by supply and demand changes with spring and early autumn representing peak periods for turf installation.

Different Types of Turf and Their Prices

Not all turf is created equal. Each type of grass variety meets specific needs and features distinct pricing levels.

The following table shows different types of turf with their estimated supply costs per square meter.

Dwarf Ryegrass costs between £2 and £7 per square meter and offers durable coverage perfect for family gardens.
Creeping Red Fescue costs between £3 and £6 per square meter and is well-suited for shaded areas.
Brown Top Bent turf ranges from £2 to £10 per square meter and produces a refined and opulent lawn appearance.
The price for Annual Meadowgrass ranges from £10 to £20 per square meter and qualifies as a more costly specialist choice.

The combination of ryegrass and fescue turf delivers optimal durability and appearance for family gardens. Fine fescue turf varieties deliver luxurious carpet-like lawns but need intensive maintenance and cannot withstand heavy usage.

Discover ways to cut costs for your turf project while maintaining high quality.

Need to maintain quality while reducing expenses? Here are my top tips:

Calculate accurately: Thorough measurement of your garden plot helps prevent purchasing excess turf material.
Consider the season: Purchasing turf becomes more affordable when you buy outside of peak seasons which are spring and early autumn.
Prepare the ground yourself: You can reduce labour expenses by doing the groundwork yourself if you maintain a reasonable level of fitness.
Buy direct from growers: Save money by buying turf directly from farms instead of purchasing from garden centers.
Compare quotes: Request pricing from three separate suppliers and installation companies.

Saving money by compromising on turf quality will ultimately result in higher expenses as you’ll need to replace it when it fails.

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DIY vs Professional Installation

Thinking about laying turf yourself? Here’s what you need to consider:

DIY Installation

Some projects incur high turf laying costs because of their scale, so DIY is key

Photo by Max Vakhtbovycn

Pros:

Significant labour cost savings (£150-£280 per day)
Satisfaction of completing the project yourself
Complete control over the process

Cons:

Physical demanding work (turf is heavy!)
Improper installation methods pose a threat to achieving good results.
Time-consuming (especially for larger areas)

Professional Installation

Pros:

Faster completion
Expert knowledge and equipment
Usually comes with some form of guarantee
Better results, especially on challenging sites

Cons:

Higher cost
Scheduling around contractor availability

Garden spaces smaller than 30 square meters can typically be installed successfully through DIY efforts. Professional installation becomes a valuable choice when dealing with extensive areas or challenging conditions such as slopes and drainage problems.

Key Takeaways on Garden Turf Costs

Garden turf installation costs money but leads to long-term enjoyment and property value increase when executed correctly.

To summarize the key points:

The pricing for real grass turf including both supply and installation ranges from £10 to £30 per square meter.
Artificial grass (supply + lay): £30-£60 per m²
Ground preparation: ~£20 per m² if required
Labour costs range between £150 and £280 daily based on worker expertise.
The overall cost of the project starts at £300 and can exceed £3,000 based on the size of the garden.

The primary elements that determine cost include the garden size, turf quality, ground preparation needs and your choice between DIY or professional installation.

Final Thoughts on Managing Turf Laying Costs

Creating a beautiful lawn requires proper planning and correct installation with quality materials. Understanding the details of your expenses especially the turf laying costs, allows you to achieve excellent value from your money even when costs become substantial.

Taking into account all the previously mentioned factors will enable you to perfectly budget your turf project while establishing a garden you’ll be able to cherish for many years.

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Professional Turf Laying Costs can be a Worthwhile Investment

Investing in professional turf laying costs can save a lot of money down the track

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Proper installation of quality turf creates savings through reduced maintenance and replacement expenses over time. Investing in proper turf installation and quality materials will result in appreciation from both you and your lawn later on.