Astroturf and other synthetic grass typically cost about $45-$250 per square metre installed, with a common midrange price near $120 per square metre. The final quote depends on turf quality, project size, ground preparation, drainage, access, and local labor; U.S. contractors often quote by square foot, so 1 square metre equals about 10.76 square feet.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed synthetic turf | $45/m² | $120/m² | $250/m² | About $4-$23 per sq ft; standard residential scope |
| Turf material only | $22/m² | $55/m² | $108/m² | About $2-$10 per sq ft; excludes installation |
| 500 sq ft yard | $2,000 | $6,000 | $11,500 | About 46 m²; prep and access change totals |
| Ground preparation | $11/m² | $32/m² | $75/m² | Removal, grading, and base work vary by site |
What installed Astroturf costs per square metre
For a typical U.S. residential installation, budget $65-$170 per square metre, or roughly $6-$16 per square foot. A basic project on a relatively level, accessible lawn may fall near $45-$85 per square metre; premium turf, extensive excavation, or drainage work can raise the installed price to $180-$250 or more per square metre.
At an average planning rate of $120 per square metre, a 46-square-metre (about 500-square-foot) area comes to approximately $5,520 before unusual site work. Small jobs often cost more per unit because mobilization, delivery, and crew setup are spread over fewer square metres. Larger open areas can receive lower unit rates, although their total project price is higher.
Assumptions: Residential lawn, midgrade turf, ordinary access, standard aggregate base, and no major drainage repair. Prices are estimates, not fixed national rates.
For a straightforward 500-square-foot installation, a practical starting budget is about $3,000-$8,000. Convert a contractor’s quote by dividing the total by the installed square metres, and compare the included work rather than the turf rate alone.
How turf, labor, and base work shape the quote
Installed pricing combines the synthetic grass with site preparation and finishing. The breakdown below shows approximate contributions per square metre for a normal residential job; individual quotes may group these charges differently. For the labor component, a rough estimating method is .
| Quote component | Low | Average | High | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turf material | $22/m² | $55/m² | $108/m² | Basic to premium synthetic grass |
| Labor | $16/m² | $38/m² | $75/m² | Cutting, seams, fastening, and installation |
| Base and infill materials | $7/m² | $19/m² | $38/m² | Aggregate, weed barrier, and infill |
| Equipment and delivery | $2/m² | $7/m² | $18/m² | Hauling, compaction equipment, and site access |
| Removal and disposal | $0/m² | $8/m² | $27/m² | Existing lawn or old turf; may be quoted separately |
Labor is commonly priced as part of the installed rate, but an itemized estimate may show crew charges around $50-$100 per hour per worker, depending on market and trade. A two- or three-person crew can install a prepared, open area faster than a crew working around paths, trees, or narrow gates. Ask whether infill and edging are included; leaving either out can make an apparently low quote incomplete.
Base construction and labor often account for as much of the bill as the turf itself. A quote that lists only grass material is not comparable with a full installation price.
Why pile height, drainage, and square metres change pricing
Turf specifications affect both material cost and installation effort. Entry-level landscape turf commonly costs about $2-$4 per square foot ($22-$43 per square metre) for material. Midgrade products often run $4-$7 per square foot ($43-$75 per square metre), while premium products may reach $8-$10 per square foot ($86-$108 per square metre) or more. Fiber shape, density, backing, color, and warranty also affect the price.
Pile height is one useful comparison point. Products around 1-1.25 inches high may suit many decorative lawns; a 1.5-2-inch pile can look fuller but may require more infill and brushing. Higher pile does not automatically mean better value: a dense, shorter product may hold its appearance better in a high-traffic area. Request the product name, pile height, face weight, and warranty in writing.
Area and layout create another pricing threshold. A mostly rectangular lawn over 1,000 square feet may have a lower installation rate per square foot than a small 200-square-foot patch, while curves and several narrow sections increase cutting waste and seam work. A site with a slope around 15% or more, soft soil, or a drainage problem may need extra grading or a deeper base. Those conditions can add roughly $10-$40 per square metre beyond a standard preparation allowance.
Drainage expectations matter, too. Permeable backing is common, but it does not solve water pooling caused by compacted soil or a poor slope. A contractor may need to shape the subgrade, add drainage aggregate, or install a drain line. Each change should be separately described and priced; otherwise, buyers cannot tell whether the quote assumes ordinary runoff or a drainage correction.
Compare turf by its specifications and site requirements, not by the per-square-metre rate in isolation. Two products with similar appearance can differ in durability, drainage, and included warranty coverage.
Three residential quotes for different lawn sizes
These examples illustrate how scope changes the total. They use approximate U.S. pricing, include ordinary installation materials, and are not guaranteed bids. The square-metre equivalents are rounded; contractors may measure by square foot and calculate material waste separately.
| Example and area | Turf and site scope | Approximate quote | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small patio lawn, 200 sq ft (19 m²) | Midgrade turf, light prep, limited access | $2,400-$3,600 | $126-$189/m² |
| Standard yard, 500 sq ft (46 m²) | Midgrade turf, removal, compacted base | $4,000-$7,500 | $87-$163/m² |
| Open lawn, 1,200 sq ft (111 m²) | Durable turf, broad access, modest grading | $8,400-$15,600 | $76-$141/m² |
The small-area example carries a higher unit rate because fixed setup and delivery charges are divided across fewer square metres. The open lawn can cost more in total while costing less per square metre. Additional pet-use drainage, difficult removal, or premium turf would push any of these estimates upward.
Use both total price and price per square metre when comparing quotes. A low unit rate can conceal exclusions, while a higher rate may include removal, edging, infill, and cleanup.
How long installation takes and what labor includes
A prepared lawn of about 500 square feet may take a two- or three-person crew one to three working days. The schedule can extend to three to five days when workers must remove sod, excavate, correct grade, install drainage, or handle multiple seams and obstacles. Weather, material delivery, and contractor scheduling can also affect the start date.
Ask the estimator to state whether labor includes measuring, excavation, hauling, base compaction, turf cutting, seam tape, perimeter fastening, infill distribution, and final cleanup. Some crews quote a per-square-foot installation rate for a clear, ready site, then charge separately for removal or grading. Labor-only estimates may fall around $1.50-$7 per square foot ($16-$75 per square metre), depending on complexity and local wages.
Access can create a measurable labor difference. A crew able to bring a compact loader close to the lawn may move aggregate efficiently; a narrow passage, stairs, or a long hand-carry route can add several hours or require extra workers. Request a written allowance for access or hauling charges rather than assuming these are included.
Installation duration is a clue to scope, but the task list is what makes labor quotes comparable. The estimate should identify the crew’s preparation, installation, and cleanup responsibilities.
What removal, edging, and pet drainage add
Replacing natural grass generally costs more than laying turf over an already prepared base. Sod or lawn removal and disposal may add roughly $2-$7 per square foot ($22-$75 per square metre), depending on soil volume, hauling distance, and disposal fees. Some contractors include light stripping in their base rate; others charge by area or by load.
Edging can cost about $5-$15 per linear foot for installed plastic, composite, or metal restraint, with material and labor varying by type. Curved borders need more cutting and fastening than straight edges. A compacted aggregate base may be priced into the main installation, but extra depth, soft subsoil, or a retaining edge should appear as a separate line item.
Pet-use lawns may need odor-control infill, more frequent rinsing, or drainage improvements. Specialty infill can add about $1-$3 per square foot ($11-$32 per square metre) compared with basic options. A drain or targeted subgrade correction can cost several hundred dollars or more depending on the length and site layout. Buyers should clarify whether the proposed system addresses urine drainage, surface runoff, or both.
Removal and site corrections can change the budget more than a modest upgrade in turf grade. Have the installer inspect the lawn and itemize disposal, drainage, and perimeter work before signing.
Is premium artificial grass worth its higher price
Basic turf can reduce the initial bill, but low-cost material may have a shorter warranty, thinner appearance, or less suitable backing for the intended use. Premium turf can be worthwhile where appearance, heavy foot traffic, or a manufacturer’s stated durability matters. The installer should provide product specifications and explain whether the warranty covers material defects, fading, seams, installation, or only selected failures.
Artificial turf also has upkeep expenses. Owners typically remove debris, rinse dirt or pet waste, and brush high-traffic areas; occasional infill replenishment may cost about $1-$3 per square foot for material and service. It does not need mowing, but it is not maintenance-free. In hot, sunny locations, synthetic surfaces can become noticeably warmer than natural grass, and shade or rinsing may be needed for comfortable use.
Compare the quote with the actual alternative, such as reseeding, sod, or repairing an existing lawn. Natural lawn repair may cost less upfront but involves recurring water, mowing, fertilizer, and seasonal work. Turf pricing is a larger initial expense, so a five-year comparison should include installation, cleaning, repairs, and expected replacement rather than assuming the full upfront amount is avoided through reduced upkeep.
A higher-grade product is most defensible when its documented performance matches the yard’s traffic and exposure. Paying extra for a feature that does not solve a real site need may not improve value.
Ways to lower an Astroturf installation estimate
Keep the project shape simple where possible. A single open rectangle reduces offcuts and seam labor compared with several small islands around trees and planting beds. Confirm the measured area before ordering; on a small lawn, a few extra square metres can noticeably affect material cost. Ask whether the installer has included a reasonable cutting allowance rather than charging for a large unexplained surplus.
Choose turf by use, not by the most expensive specification. A decorative, low-traffic strip may not need the same density or pile height as a play area. Compare at least two product grades with their per-square-metre prices, warranties, and infill requirements. Retain useful existing edging or sound drainage where the contractor confirms it can be reused safely.
Prepare the site only when the contractor agrees it will reduce the quote. Clearing movable furniture or trimming vegetation may help, but excavation and base compaction are skilled tasks; incomplete preparation can lead to extra charges or poor drainage. Compare three written estimates that state the same area, turf product, base depth, removal, edging, infill, and warranty. Ask each bidder to separate optional upgrades from required work.
Scheduling outside peak spring and early-summer demand may improve contractor availability, though savings are not guaranteed. Avoid choosing a bid solely because its total is lowest: verify material brand and grade, disposal fees, drainage scope, payment schedule, and workmanship coverage. A repair or small patch may be more economical than replacing an entire yard if the surrounding turf and base remain sound.
The most reliable savings come from controlling area and scope while keeping base preparation adequate. Cutting drainage or compaction to reach a target price can create a more expensive failure later.