How Much Does Artificial Grass Cost in the UK?

Home Updated July 2026 11 min read

Artificial grass has moved well beyond the gaudy green carpet of the 1990s. Modern products look convincing, drain well and hold up to children and pets for ten years or more. The question most homeowners ask first is a simple one: what will it actually cost to replace my lawn?

The honest answer depends on three things: the size of your garden, the quality of turf you choose and how much groundwork is needed before a single blade goes down. This guide breaks down every cost you are likely to face in 2026, from materials to labour to the small extras that often catch people out.

Quick Answer

Artificial grass itself costs roughly £8 to £35 per square metre for the material alone, depending on quality. Once you add installation labour, ground preparation, a weed membrane, silica sand infill and edging, most homeowners pay between £40 and £120 per square metre all in. A typical 30 square metre back garden therefore costs between £1,200 and £3,600 fully installed, with the mid range sitting around £2,000 to £2,500.

What Affects the Cost of Artificial Grass?

No two installations are identical, and several factors push the final bill up or down significantly.

Turf quality: Cheap polypropylene grass fades and flattens within a few years. Mid grade polyethylene products last eight to twelve years. Premium C-shaped or W-shaped blade profiles feel softer underfoot and cost more but hold their shape far longer.
Pile height: Shorter piles of 20 to 30 mm suit patios and balconies. A natural lawn look needs 35 to 40 mm pile. Ultra-long 40 to 50 mm products are lush but harder to brush clean and cost more.
Garden size: Smaller areas cost more per square metre because the setup costs of skips, labour and tools spread across fewer metres.
Ground condition: Compacted soil needs less work than soft, waterlogged or uneven ground. Removing an existing lawn, digging out tree roots or improving drainage all add to the bill.
Access: Narrow side gates, steep slopes or awkward shapes mean extra labour time and higher costs.
Region: London and the South East typically add 15 to 25 percent to labour rates compared with the Midlands or North.

Artificial Grass Material Costs Per Square Metre

The table below shows typical 2026 supply-only prices per square metre for artificial grass rolls available in the UK. These are retail prices; trade or bulk orders can be 10 to 20 percent cheaper.

Grade	Typical Use	Price Per m²
Budget (polypropylene, short pile)	Balconies, patios, temporary use	£8 to £14
Mid-range (polyethylene, 30 to 37 mm pile)	Most back gardens, family use	£15 to £22
Premium (C-shaped blades, 35 to 40 mm pile)	High-traffic gardens, show lawns	£23 to £35
Ultra-premium (multi-tone, soft touch)	Prestige projects	£35 to £55

Always buy slightly more than your measured area. Allow at least 10 percent extra for wastage, particularly on irregular shaped gardens or where pile direction needs to be consistent throughout.

Full Installation Costs by Garden Size

The figures below are all-in estimates for a straightforward installation on reasonably level ground with normal soil conditions, using mid-range turf. They include removal of an existing lawn, compacted aggregate base, weed membrane, silica sand infill and jointing tape where needed.

Garden Size	Approximate Area	Typical Total Cost
Small patio or side passage	10 m²	£600 to £1,200
Small back garden	20 m²	£900 to £2,000
Average back garden	30 m²	£1,200 to £3,000
Large back garden	50 m²	£2,000 to £5,000
Very large garden	80 to 100 m²	£3,500 to £8,500

Premium turf, complex shapes or significant groundwork can push costs toward the top of these ranges or beyond. A garden with serious drainage problems, for example, may need a full permeable sub-base of crushed aggregate 100 to 150 mm deep, adding £10 to £20 per square metre to the groundwork bill alone.

Labour Costs and What Installers Charge

Most artificial grass installers charge either a day rate or a price per square metre for their labour. In 2026, expect the following rates across the UK.

Labour only (per m²): £15 to £35 per square metre for fitting on a prepared surface, depending on complexity and region.
Day rate per installer: £200 to £350 per person per day. Most small garden installations use two people and take one to two days.
South East premium: Rates in London and surrounding counties run 15 to 25 percent above the UK average.
Scotland and Northern Ireland: Labour rates tend to be 5 to 15 percent below the national average, though material delivery costs may offset some of this.

The labour element typically covers measuring and marking out, removing the existing lawn or hard surface, excavating to the correct depth, laying and compacting the aggregate sub-base, fitting the weed membrane, cutting and seaming the grass and brushing in the infill. Some installers charge separately for skip hire, so confirm this before signing anything.

Additional Costs to Budget For

Several smaller items are easy to overlook but quickly add up on a real project.

Skip hire: Removing turf and soil usually fills a 4 to 6 cubic yard skip. Expect to pay £200 to £380 depending on your area and the volume of waste.
Crushed aggregate sub-base: A 75 to 100 mm compacted layer of Type 1 MOT or granite dust is standard. Material costs around £40 to £70 per tonne, and a 30 m² garden typically needs 3 to 5 tonnes.
Weed membrane: Budget grade rolls cost £0.50 to £1.50 per m². Good installers use 100 gsm or heavier products that last the life of the grass.
Silica sand infill: Most mid to premium grasses need 3 to 5 kg of kiln-dried silica sand per square metre to keep the blades upright. Sand costs £0.80 to £1.50 per kg bought through an installer.
Nails, adhesive and jointing tape: Allow £50 to £150 for fixings on an average garden.
Edging: Timber baton edging or proprietary aluminium edging strips cost £5 to £15 per linear metre supplied and fitted.
Power broom hire: If the installer brushes in the infill by hand on a large area, some charge separately for power broom hire, around £40 to £80 per day.

DIY vs Professional Installation

Fitting artificial grass yourself is possible on a flat, small area but the savings are smaller than most people expect once you account for tool hire, material delivery and the time involved. A DIY installation on a 20 m² garden might save £400 to £800 in labour, but errors in ground preparation are the most common cause of drainage problems, wrinkling and premature failure of the surface.

The main DIY pitfalls are insufficient depth of sub-base, poor compaction, inadequate drainage falls and incorrect pile direction when joining two rolls. Professional installers will also carry liability insurance, which matters if a poorly laid surface causes a trip or water damage. For gardens over 25 square metres or any area with complex shapes, professional installation is almost always better value in the long run.

How Long Does Artificial Grass Last and What Are the Running Costs?

A good quality artificial lawn installed correctly will last eight to fifteen years before the fibres flatten significantly or the colour fades noticeably. Budget products may look tired after four to five years. The main ongoing costs are minimal compared with a natural lawn.

Brushing: A stiff bristle brush or leaf blower twice a month keeps the pile upright. No cost beyond your time.
Cleaning: A specialist artificial grass cleaner costs £8 to £20 per litre and is needed a few times a year if you have pets. A diluted washing-up liquid solution works for light cleaning.
Infill top-up: Every two to three years you may need to brush in additional silica sand. A 25 kg bag costs £12 to £20.
No mowing, feeding, watering or scarifying: The average UK household spends £80 to £200 per year on lawn care products and mower running costs. Artificial grass eliminates most of this.

Getting Quotes: What to Ask Installers

Always get at least three written quotes before committing. When comparing them, make sure each quote specifies the same things so you are not comparing different scopes of work.

Turf specification: Ask for the exact product name, pile height, weight in grams per square metre and any warranty offered by the manufacturer.
Sub-base depth and material: A reputable installer will specify at least 75 mm of compacted Type 1 aggregate or equivalent.
Drainage provision: Ask how drainage from the area is managed, especially if the garden is near a building or on clay soil.
Waste removal: Confirm whether skip hire and disposal of the old lawn is included or charged separately.
Workmanship guarantee: Most reputable companies offer a one to three year guarantee on their installation work separate from any product warranty.
Insurance: Ask for evidence of public liability insurance before any work begins.

Bottom Line

For a typical 30 square metre back garden in 2026, budget between £1,500 and £3,000 for a mid-range artificial lawn fully installed by a professional. Premium products, complex groundwork or a London postcode can push that figure toward £4,000 or beyond. Get three detailed quotes, insist on a proper aggregate sub-base and check the turf specification carefully before you sign. The upfront cost is real, but the saving on ongoing lawn maintenance makes it worthwhile for most households within three to five years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does artificial grass cost per square metre in the UK?

Supply only, artificial grass costs £8 to £55 per square metre depending on quality. Mid-range polyethylene turf suitable for most family gardens costs £15 to £22 per square metre. Add £15 to £35 per square metre for professional installation labour, plus materials for the sub-base, membrane and infill, and the all-in cost typically runs £40 to £120 per square metre.

How much does it cost to turf a 30 square metre garden with artificial grass?

A 30 square metre garden installed with mid-range artificial grass on reasonably level ground typically costs £1,200 to £3,000 all in, including removal of the existing lawn, aggregate sub-base, weed membrane, turf, silica sand infill and labour. A premium product or difficult ground conditions can push the bill toward £4,000.

Is it cheaper to lay artificial grass yourself?

DIY installation can save £400 to £800 in labour on an average garden, but tool hire, delivery charges and the risk of errors in ground preparation often reduce that saving. Poor compaction and inadequate drainage cause the most common failures. DIY is feasible on small, flat areas but professional installation is better value for anything over 20 to 25 square metres.

Does artificial grass add value to a house?

Evidence on this is mixed. A well-installed, realistic-looking artificial lawn in good condition is generally viewed neutrally to slightly positively by buyers. A tatty or obviously fake product can deter buyers. Estate agents broadly suggest it neither adds nor detracts from value significantly, though it does remove the perceived burden of lawn maintenance, which appeals to many buyers.

How long does artificial grass last?

A mid to premium quality artificial lawn installed on a proper sub-base typically lasts eight to fifteen years before needing replacement. Budget polypropylene products may flatten and fade within four to five years. Most manufacturers offer a five to ten year product warranty on decent ranges.

Do I need planning permission for artificial grass?

In most cases no. Replacing a natural lawn with artificial grass in a private garden does not require planning permission in England, Scotland or Wales. However, if your property is in a conservation area or is listed, there may be restrictions on materials used in front gardens. Always check with your local planning authority if you are unsure.

Is artificial grass safe for dogs and children?

Most artificial grass products are non-toxic and safe for both. Look for products that are lead-free and have passed EN71 toy safety testing if young children will use the area. For dogs, good drainage is essential to prevent odour buildup. Specialist pet-grade products with antimicrobial infill cost slightly more, typically £20 to £30 per square metre for the material, but are worth the investment for households with multiple dogs.

What is the best infill for artificial grass?

Kiln-dried silica sand is the standard infill for most residential artificial lawns, costing £0.80 to £1.50 per kg through an installer. It keeps the blades upright and adds weight to the surface. For pet areas, zeolite infill is often mixed in at a ratio of roughly one part zeolite to three parts sand. Zeolite absorbs ammonia from urine and reduces odour. Expect to pay £2 to £3.50 per kg for zeolite.