Price Guide: How Much Does Artificial Turf Cost?

If you’re considering installing artificial grass in a new yard or replacing existing natural grass with synthetic turf, you’re probably wondering: How much does artificial turf cost? And how long will it take before it pays for itself and I realize a return on my investment in cost savings?

These are all great questions, and below is a pricing guide with some answers.

Artificial Turf Cost Factors

The cost to install artificial turf varies depending on:

• The size of the area where it will be installed, and how much synthetic turf is needed. (Artificial grass is priced and sold by the square foot).

• The type and quality of the artificial grass.

• The amount of professional labor involved in the installation, which usually includes:
  >> Removing any existing turf.
  >> Preparing the ground and doing any other site work needed for the installation (e.g., creating an even surface, adding a weed suppression membrane, etc., prior to the lay-down and installation).
  >> Rolling the artificial grass out, fastening it into place, piecing the seams together, and trimming the edges.
  >> Grooming the surface with brooms, rakes, or power brushes to give it a finished look.

• The complexity of the installation (i.e., whether the installation will involve slopes, odd shapes, etc.)

• Whether your city offers any tax credits and/or rebates for installing artificial grass.

That said, just to give a specific pricing example, one of TheHomeMag' Northern California’s professionals, Purchase Green, offers a wide variety of premium, high-quality synthetic grasses that range from $1.61 to $3.49 per square foot. Professional, experienced installers in the industry typically charge between $8 – $12 per square foot.

How Long It Takes Before Artificial Grass Pays For Itself

Installing artificial grass does require a large up-front investment. But once it’s installed, it can save a homeowner or business a considerable amount of time and money for up to 10-20 years afterward in:

• Monthly and yearly water bill savings.

• Not having to buy lawn mowers, trimmers, and other lawn care equipment, or pay for expensive fertilizers and insecticides, or grass aeration.

• The energy required to mow, weed, and maintain it.

As a result, the average installation often pays for itself in 3-5 years.

Installation Time

Artificial grass can be installed on nearly any surface, as long as the proper preparation work is done ahead of time (be sure to check with your city and local water agency before installing it, as some cities have restrictions on using synthetic grass). And depending on the complexity of the installation, a 500-square-foot professional installation can usually be completed in 1-2 business days.

For additional info, see the benefits of having artificial grass professionally installed.

In closing, if you’re currently considering installing grass in either a new or existing area, artificial grass can be a great alternative. After all, it comes in a wide variety of styles to fit your budget, and even pays for itself over time. What could be better than that?

If you’re concerned with the cost of a full artificial grass installation, then check out our guide to DIY installing artificial grass. That can certainly help reduce the project cost.

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