Cost guide
How much does turf laying cost?
There's no single price per square metre that's fair to every garden. Two lawns the same size can cost quite different amounts depending on what's underneath and how we get to it. Here's what goes into a turf laying quote, so you know what you're paying for.
The short answer
The turf itself is only part of the cost. What makes the biggest difference is the work before it goes down: lifting an old lawn, taking the waste away, levelling, and bringing in topsoil where the soil is thin. A clear, flat patch of good soil costs less to turf than a mossy, bumpy lawn behind a terrace with no side access.
That's why we price each garden on its own and itemise the work, so nothing is hidden in a single figure.
What affects the price
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Lawn size | More square metres means more turf, more preparation and more time |
| Lifting the old lawn | Cutting out old turf and taking it away adds labour and disposal |
| State of the ground | Compacted, weedy or stony soil needs more work before laying |
| Topsoil | Thin or poor soil needs topping up; dips need filling |
| Levels and slopes | Uneven or sloping ground takes longer to prepare |
| Access | Back lanes, steps or carrying everything through the house take more time |
| Builders' rubble | Heavier and costlier to dispose of, so it's priced separately |
What a quote usually includes
A clear turf laying quote breaks the job down so you can compare like with like. Ours list the parts that apply to your garden:
- Lifting and removing the old lawn, where there is one
- Ground preparation: breaking up, clearing and levelling
- Topsoil, if the soil needs topping up
- Supplying the turf
- Laying, edging and watering in
- Taking waste away
- Builders' rubble, as a separate item if needed
Ways to keep the cost down
If budget matters, a few things genuinely help:
Where cutting corners costs more
Skipping preparation is the false economy. Turf laid over old grass, compacted clay or rubble often struggles, and replacing a failed lawn costs more than doing it properly once. Read why you should never lay turf over old grass.
- Clear the garden of furniture, pots and stored items before the day
- If your builder is still around, ask them to take their own rubble and spoil
- Turf the main lawn now and leave a far corner for later
- Tell us about access up front so the quote is accurate first time
Getting an accurate quote
The more we know, the more accurate your quote. A rough size helps, and our garden calculator makes that easy. Tell us how we get to the lawn, what's there now and whether there are slopes or wet patches. Sometimes we'll need to see the garden first; if so, we'll arrange a time.
Common questions
Why don't you show a price per square metre?
Because the turf is only one part of the cost. Preparation, access and waste vary so much between gardens that a single figure would be misleading. Your quote is worked out for your garden instead.
Is VAT included?
Yes, our quotes include VAT.
Is the old lawn removal included?
Where your garden needs it, lifting and taking away the old lawn is listed on your quote. Builders' rubble is priced separately.
Do I pay everything up front?
No. You hold the date from just £100 deposit, which comes off the total; you pay what's left when work starts.