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myCost of Laying Turf
At a Glance
- The average cost of laying turf per m² is about £15.
- Most jobs take 3 days to complete for a 100m² garden.
- A complete breakdown of laying turf costs, including the different types of turf available.
- How long turf installation takes, the installation steps, as well as the best time to lay turf in the UK.
- How to find turf layers near you using MyJobQuote.
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Want to find out lawn turf cost per m²?
The cost of laying turf can vary depending on what type of grass turf you choose, how large your garden is, and where your home is within the country.
To give you a rough idea, in terms of laying turf per m², it will typically cost around £15 per m².
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Table of Contents
How Much to Turf a Garden?
Looking for turf prices?
If you’re looking to lay turf in your garden and want to work out a rough budget, there are several variables you’ll need to consider.
Costs vary considerably depending on the quality of grass turf you choose. For standard turf, you can expect to pay around £12.50 per m² in total (materials and labour), rising to around £15 per m² for premium grades.
To give you a rough idea by garden size, for a small 50m² garden you're looking at around £120 to £1,250 for the turf itself. The wide range reflects the difference between budget and speciality meadow turf. For a medium garden of 250m², expect to pay between £600 and £6,250, and for a large garden of 450m², between £1,100 and £11,500.
To find out how much grass turf you need, you'll need to know how big the area is that you want to lay turf. If your garden is an exact square, 10 x 10m, then you’ll need 100m² of turf.
But what about other sizes? Here's how to calculate the amount of grass turf you need:
- To calculate the area of a roughly square or rectangular garden, multiply the width in metres by the length in metres.
- To calculate the area of a triangle, you multiply the length of one side by the length of the distance to the point on the line perpendicular to it. Then, divide your answer by 2.
Most people will have a much more oddly shaped garden, and will want to add a few extra metres of grass turf in case of cutting mistakes and mismeasurements. If your garden is hard to measure, you’re better over-guessing quantities than under.
The type of grass turf you choose will affect your overall turf installation costs, which we'll cover in the next section. The location of your property shouldn’t affect how much you pay for laying turf, as many of the best types of grass turf are available online with standard delivery rates. However, in some locations, you may be able to get a different type and pay a different price at a local garden centre or DIY store.
Lastly, you will pay different prices for your contractors, but £150 to £200 per day is a good average to work from.
Do you always need to add topsoil when laying new turf down? Or is it only when you need to level out the area?
"If your soil is poor quality and has been neglected over the years, give your turf the best start at adapting to its new environment by adding a layer of topsoil. Turf ideally needs around four inches of topsoil to root in."
Garden Turf Prices
Lawn turf prices will make an enormous difference to your overall turf installation costs. Here's what you can expect to pay:
| Garden Size | Budget Turf | Standard Turf | Luxury Turf | Meadow Turf |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per m² | £2.40 | £3.50 | £4.70 | £25 |
| Small garden (50m²) | £120 | £175 | £235 | £1,250 |
| Medium garden (250m²) | £600 | £875 | £1,200 | £6,250 |
| Large garden (450m²) | £1,100 | £1,600 | £2,100 | £11,500 |
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You can expect to pay anywhere between £2.40 and £4.70 per m² for budget through to luxury turf, meaning 100m² will cost between £240 and £470 for materials alone, before factoring in labour.
The difference in cost is due to the composition of the grass – and the composition you choose will depend on your requirements. A hardwearing turf is a great choice for gardens with rough and tumble children, energetic dogs, and sporty families.
However, someone who wants the beauty of a perfect lawn will want a more luxurious composition. A good quality grass will be a blend of meadow grass, fescue grass, and ryegrass.
You can also get meadow turf, which is full of natural wild seed. If you wish to incorporate this into your garden, you can expect to pay about £25 per m².
Turf Laying Cost Calculator
How Much Does Turf Installation Cost?
Here is a closer look at labour costs and typical timescales.
You can expect to pay between £150 and £200 per day for turf laying specialists.
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Laying the grass turf itself is the quickest part of the project. The bulk of the work goes into preparation, such as removing the existing surface, digging to a suitable level, and adding fresh topsoil or improver.
Many specialists recommend leaving the ground to settle between preparation and laying. As a rough guide, allow around 60 minutes per m² for preparation by hand rather than using a digger, and once everything is in place, a gardener can lay around 30 to 35m² of grass turf per day.
When it comes to the type of contractor, a professional turf layer brings specialist knowledge and can handle most scenarios your garden and ground will present. A landscape gardener has a broader skillset and may also offer advice on laying out the grass turf area to complement your garden better. Alternatively, a trainee labourer will cost less, but comes with less experience.
| Labourer Type | Knowledge of Turf / Turf-laying | Complementary Knowledge | Cost per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialist Turf-layer | High | Medium | £150–£200 |
| Landscape Gardener | Medium-High | Medium-High | £110–£180 |
| Trainee Labourer | Medium – Low | Medium – Low | £75–£100 |
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How Much Is Turf?
There are 2 main costs to consider when purchasing grass turf: the price of the turf itself, and delivery. These vary depending on where you buy from.
Buying In Person
Purchasing from a DIY or garden shop means no delivery charges. This can work out cheaper for smaller quantities, though it comes with logistical complications if you have a large garden. Bear in mind that grass turf dries out quickly on display, so ask your retailer when deliveries arrive and aim to collect on the same day.
Buying Online
Online DIY and garden retailers often have a minimum order amount, plus a delivery fee. An online turf specialist is usually a better option. Turf is typically cut to order and delivered quickly, with a wider range of grass turf types available.
| Buying Method | Typical Delivery Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DIY/garden shop (in person) | No delivery charge | Best for small quantities, but turf may not be as fresh |
| Online DIY/garden retailer | £20–£30 flat fee | Minimum order often applies, so not cost-effective for small areas |
| Online turf specialist | £1–£2.50 per m² | Lower rates for larger orders, with a minimum order from around 10m² |
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Types of Turf
Grass turf broadly falls into 2 categories. The composition you choose will depend on how the lawn will be used. A hardwearing turf suits gardens with children or pets, while a more refined blend (typically meadow grass, fescue, and ryegrass) is better suited to a decorative lawn.
Meadow turf, which contains natural wild seed, is also available at around £25 per m².
Whichever type you choose, buy from a reputable seller working to the Turf Growers Association (TGA) standard.
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What Impacts the Cost of Laying Turf?
While turf quality plays a large role in the overall price, it isn't the only factor. Here are the main things that will affect your total cost.
Garden Size
The larger the lawn, the more rolls of turf and preparation work required, which increases both material and labour costs proportionally.
Type and Quality of Turf
Budget hardwearing turf is the most affordable option, while ornamental or fine turf for a decorative lawn sits at the premium end. Prices range from around £2.40 per m² for standard grass turf up to £6.90 per m² for premium grades.
Ground Preparation
Poor or neglected soil may require topsoil before laying, which typically costs £45 to £135 per m³. Removing old turf or rubble adds further time and may require equipment such as a small digger, usually available to hire from around £200 for the first day, with additional days at £50 to £75.
Labour
Most landscapers charge by the day, and rates will vary depending on location and experience. As a guide, a skilled turf layer can cover around 30 to 35m² per day. For larger gardens, labour time and cost can add up quickly.
Access and Location
Difficult access, such as slopes, steps, or narrow passages, slows down the work and increases labour costs. Properties in London and the South East typically attract higher rates than other parts of the UK.
Extras
Some jobs may require additional work, such as neatening brick borders or minor drainage corrections. A clear, even garden will keep costs down, while an overgrown or uneven plot with buried rubble or old concrete will require more time and materials.
I have a very small front garden. I would like it sorted out, as it's in a fairly bad shape, so I guess dug out and turned over with new turf. I was just quoted £560 - is this the average?
"I personally don’t think that’s a bad price. You have one man’s labour for the day and materials, he may have a labourer to help, will take the rubbish away, and the admin for the job. It seems a fair price."
Alternatives to Turf
Turf isn't the right option for everyone. If you don’t fancy the upkeep of it, then you may prefer a solid surface that needs less care. So, what are the alternatives?
Decking
Decking gives you a flat, usable space straight away. Timber and composite boards are the most common – wood needs treating now and then, while composite costs more up front but is easy to look after. Decking installation costs vary quite a bit, but mostly, it works out at about £25 to £85 per m². The material you pick makes quite a bit of difference.
Artificial Grass
Modern artificial grass is considerably more realistic-looking than older alternatives, and comes in a range of lengths and qualities. Prices typically range from £10 to £25 per m², depending on the grade.
Patio
At the cheaper end, basic concrete slabs come in at about £30 per m². Or look at stone or patterned paving which is roughly £75 per m². Once laid well, it’ll last years with little more than the odd clean.
The average cost of a patio is between £900 and £2,500 for a standard-sized area (20m²).
Gravel, Slate or Bark
If you're looking for something a bit cheaper, then go for something a little looser – gravel, slate chippings, or bark mulch. Gravel starts at around £35 per m³ and bark from £40 per m³. For a cheap slate, you're looking at £75 per m³. A weed membrane underneath helps keep things tidy.
How do I go about levelling a garden to have it paved and turfed?
"You will firstly need to bring in topsoil have it compacted down, then put a 100mm subbase - again compact this down - and then it will be ready to have new turf laid."
Benefits of Laying Turf
- Great for resale – A smart real-grass lawn is a massive selling point and buyers with pets and kids will pay more for it.
- Space to relax – a simple patch of grass that’s perfect for 5 minutes’ peace and a good read.
- Kind to the wallet – usually the most affordable option versus artificial grass, decking, or paving, notably for wide spaces.
- Eco-friendly by nature – blades of grass trap tiny particles and give the air a gentle clean.
- Ready-made lawn – from bare soil to a proper garden in a day. Laying turf gives you instant coverage and a tidy finish.
- Straightforward installation – easy to put in place. Give it a good base and look after it for the first few weeks and you’re sorted.
- Plenty of finishes – durable grass for daily use or richer, ornate turf if you want that manicured finish.
Can I Lay Turf Myself?
Yes, you can. That said, we don’t recommend it for most gardens. A neat, long-lasting lawn comes down to the prep, meaning soil condition, levels, drainage, and compaction. That’s the bit DIY guides can’t judge for your plot.
If the base isn’t sorted, problems crop up fast. Soon, you’ll see lumpy ground, water pooling where it shouldn’t, and grass turf that won’t root at the edges and never really bed in properly. And that’s before you stumble across buried rubble, tree roots, or shallow pipes under the soil.
If you still want to have a go, keep it small and simple, and stick to basic, open areas. If your garden’s particularly challenging (slopes, tough soil, roots, or a lawn that takes a battering), you’ll save yourself some trouble by getting a specialist in.
Want it right first time round? Get quotes from local turf layers near you. You’ll get proper prep, faster laying, and advice on aftercare so it beds in well.
I had new turf laid in September and first cut it in November when it was about a foot high. Since then, it has become patchy, with areas where the grass appears pressed down and isn’t growing. How can I fix this, and what would it cost?
"I’d suggest ensuring the ground stays damp, avoid walking over it, and spread the area with grass seed and feed, progress will be slow due to the time of year but your efforts will have strong fruition by early spring. While the grass is young, cut it regularly and keep uniform length but do not cut more than a 1/3 off at a time."
Checklist: Hiring a Garden Turf Installer in the UK
If you’ve decided that you’d rather leave the job to the professionals, there are a few things you should look into before you hire a landscaper or turf installer.
- Experience and past work – ask how long they’ve been laying turf and request photos of their past work. While there aren’t any qualifications needed to install turf, a good installer should have a portfolio. Also, you could ask previous customers to share what they thought about how well the job was done for them.
- Qualifications – do they have any linked qualifications, such as horticultural degrees or landscaping courses? While not directly about turf-laying, they give a lot of information and context about soil, grass, etc., which would give that individual a big advantage.
- All-in-one or extras? – is the quote including equipment, turf delivery, the skip and removal of waste, or will those be billed on top?
- Advice included? – check if they stick to laying grass or if they’re happy to advise on drainage, soil prep or wider garden work.
- Insurance – do they have public liability in place? If not, they won’t be protected against accidents or damage while they’re working.
- Guarantees – ask if they’ll guarantee the turf or the workmanship. And don’t be afraid of getting proof in writing.
- References and reviews – be sure to ask for references, or have a quick dig online at online reviews. This will give you a bit of an insight into how reliable they are.
- Quote in writing – their quote must spell out what’s being done, how long it’ll take, and precisely what you’ll pay.
FAQs
What Is the Best Time to Lay Turf?
Autumn and spring are ideal, as cool temperatures and regular rain help roots take. You can lay turf in summer if you water more, and in mild winters if the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged.
How Do I Care for New Turf in the First 6 Weeks?
- Watering — keep the grass damp for the first couple of weeks. This is so it can bed in a bit. If the weather’s hot, give it a soak every day. But if it’s cooler and damp, you won’t need as much. Just don’t let it dry out.
- Mowing — once it hits about 5–7cm, it’s ready for a trim. Go easy on the first cut – set the mower high and only take the top off. You can drop it lower bit by bit after that.
- Walking on it — try to stay off the lawn for the first 2 weeks or so. It’s easy to check if it’s rooting. Just lift a corner – if it won’t budge, it’s settled in nicely.
- Feeding — once it’s taken root, a light feed in spring or summer will help it thicken and green up.
Can I Lay New Turf Over My Old Lawn?
No, it’s a false economy. The old grass and thatch stop roots from bedding in, any bumps or hollows show through, and you’ll drag weeds and pests into the new lawn.
Strip the old turf, then you’ll need to level the ground. Add a bit of decent soil on top, press it down gently, and give it a good rake until it’s a fine tilth before laying. That way, your turf takes hold faster and stays looking even.
How Long Does Turf Take to Root?
Freshly laid turf generally takes around 2 to 3 weeks to start rooting into the ground. A simple way to check whether the turf has rooted is to lift a corner gently. If it resists, it is starting to root. For roots that have bedded in deeply enough for regular use and mowing, it usually takes around 6 weeks.
How Much Topsoil Do I Need When Laying Turf?
As a guide, quality turf needs around 100mm of topsoil to root into properly. To work out how much you need, multiply your lawn area in square metres by 0.1 to get the volume in cubic metres. For example, a 50 square metre lawn would need around 0.5m³ of topsoil.
