The Short Answer
On our estimates, artificial grass costs about £55 to £90 per m² supplied and fitted, including digging out, a compacted stone base, membrane and edging: £2,750 to £4,500 for a 50m² lawn. The grass itself is only £9 to £35 per m² of that.
The base is what you're paying for. Real turf is £12 to £25 per m², a fraction of the cost, if you're happy to mow.
Lawn cost calculator
Real turf or artificial grass, priced per square metre with the preparation that decides how well it lasts.
Estimated total
£2,750 to £4,500
| Artificial grass, 50m², with sub-base and edging | £2,750 to £4,500 |
Artificial grass prices
| Area | Fitted | Real turf, for comparison |
|---|---|---|
| 20m² | £1,100 to £1,800 | £240 to £500 |
| 50m² | £2,750 to £4,500 | £600 to £1,250 |
| 100m² | £5,500 to £9,000 | £1,200 to £2,500 |
How it's laid
LazyLawn, an artificial grass maker, sets out the method:
- Check cables and water pipes are below the digging depth, then strip the turf to about 50mm.
- Fit edging where there's nothing for the grass to butt up against.
- Lay a Type 1 stone base, then about 6mm of granite dust (or no more than 20mm of sand), and compact it.
- Pin a weed membrane over it, then roll out the grass with the pile running towards the house, which looks best from the windows.
I'd ask every installer to say what goes under the grass and how deep, because that's where cheap quotes differ.
On soil, concrete or decking
LazyLawn's advice on what goes underneath:
- Soil: not directly. Weather breaks a soil base down and that ruins the grass, so it needs the stone and granite dust base above.
- Concrete or tarmac: fine if it's even and drains, cleaned first, with a foam underlay for cushioning and drainage.
- Decking: possible, if the boards are sound rather than weak or mouldy, with an underlay and a weed membrane.
Laying over an existing hard surface skips the digging and the stone base, so if you're quoted for one, ask which method it is.
Other prices you may see
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost for artificial grass to be fitted?
On our estimates, about £55 to £90 per m² supplied and fitted with a proper base, so £2,750 to £4,500 for 50m².
How much does artificial grass cost in the UK?
The grass alone is about £9 to £35 per m²; fitted with the base, edging and membrane, about £55 to £90 per m² on our estimates.
Is artificial grass more expensive than paving?
Usually not: about £55 to £90 per m² fitted, against £85 to £140 for an Indian sandstone patio, on our estimates.
Can you lay artificial grass on concrete?
Yes, LazyLawn says, as long as the concrete is even and drains, with a foam underlay on top. It shouldn't go straight onto soil.
Is artificial grass cheaper than turf?
No. Turf is about £12 to £25 per m² laid. Artificial grass saves mowing but costs several times more to install.
How long does artificial grass last?
It depends on the grass, the base and how hard it's used. I'd check the length of the maker's guarantee and what it covers before you buy.
What are the drawbacks of artificial grass?
Mostly environmental. North London Waste Authority, a public waste body, points out that it's made of plastic that isn't biodegradable and, it says, can't be recycled, and that it gives wildlife no food or shelter. If the lawn just needs to cope with wear, I'd price good turf first.
How we priced thisView sources (5, 1 official)
Rules come from the legislation and official guidance, read at source. Prices are our estimates: we check them against trade price data, retailer shelf prices and specialists' price lists, then build them up from their parts so the totals add up. Below are the sources behind the page; the trade price guides we only compare against aren’t listed. Where sources disagreed, we've said so. More on our method.
- IndustryHow to lay artificial grass: DIY guide, LazyLawn. Checked 16 Oct 2026.
- IndustryHow much does artificial grass cost?, LazyLawn. Checked 16 Oct 2026.
- Trade guideArtificial grass cost, Checkatrade. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
- Trade guideGarden landscaping cost, Checkatrade. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
- OfficialTo turf or not to turf? Why artificial grass is wasteful (16 August 2023), North London Waste Authority. Checked 16 Oct 2026.
