Artificial Grass Cost Guide for the UK

Quick cost overview

• An average UK garden (around 70m²) typically costs £800-£3,500 in total.
• Ground preparation and base work is the most common unexpected cost.
• The grade of grass you choose makes the biggest difference to the final price.

In this cost guide we will talk about:

1. Artificial Grass Cost Breakdown 2026
2. Artificial Grass Installation Cost per M²
3. Additional Artificial Grass Costs to Budget For
4. Artificial Grass vs Real Turf Benefits
5. What Is the Life Expectancy of Artificial Grass?
6. Find Landscape Gardeners On MyBuilder
7. FAQ: Common Questions about Artificial Grass Costs

Artificial Grass Cost Breakdown 2026

Artificial grass has become one of the most popular garden upgrades in the UK, and costs in 2026 are more competitive than ever.

The average UK installation comes in at around £2,000, but what you pay depends heavily on the size of your garden, the grade of grass you choose, and the condition of the ground beneath it.

Here is what drives the final figure:

• Garden size: a small garden of around 36m² typically costs £400-£1,500 fully installed, an average 70m² garden runs £800-£3,500.
• Grass grade: budget artificial grass starts from £5 per m² for materials; premium grades reach 40 per m², with a noticeably more realistic finish
• Ground preparation: levelling, removing old turf or concrete, and laying a compacted sub-base typically adds £200-£800 to the total.
• Extras: weed membrane, underlay, adhesives, and edging add a further cost.

For context on how artificial grass fits into a wider garden project, see our garden landscaping cost guide.

Artificial Grass Installation Cost per M²

The total cost of artificial grass splits into two parts: the material itself and the labour to lay it. Most landscapers quote a combined per-m² rate that covers both, but it's worth understanding what each element costs separately so you can assess quotes accurately and spot anything that's been left out of a headline figure.

Material costs vary significantly by grade, the difference between a budget roll and a premium product isn't just price, it's pile height, fibre density, UV protection, and how closely it resembles a real lawn underfoot. Labour costs are more consistent, typically running at £25-£60 per m² depending on the complexity of the job and your location.

Full installed costs (materials + labour):

Item	Typical Cost
Budget artificial grass, installed	£30-£50 per m²
Mid-range artificial grass, installed	£50-£70 per m²
Premium artificial grass, installed	£70-£100 per m²
Labour only (per m²)	£25-£60 per m²
Weed membrane	£0.50-£1 per m²
Underlay	£5-£10 per m²

Budget grades suit low-traffic areas like decorative borders or side passages.

Mid-range is the most popular choice for family gardens, it looks convincing and holds up well to regular use. Premium grades, with longer fibres and UV stabilisation, are worth the extra cost if the lawn is a focal point of the garden or sees heavy footfall.

Not sure which grade is right for your garden? Post your job on MyBuilder and ask local landscapers directly, most are happy to advise on the best specification for your budget and how the ground is used before you commit to a quote.

Find installers near you

Additional Artificial Grass Costs to Budget For

The per-m² price is only part of the picture. Several additional costs can affect your final bill, and being aware of them upfront helps avoid unpleasant surprises once work begins.

• Ground preparation: if the existing surface is uneven, heavily compacted, or needs drainage work, expect to add £200-£800 to the project cost. This is the most commonly underestimated element of the job
• Sub-base installation: a crushed stone or MOT Type 1 sub-base is needed for proper drainage and stability. This adds £30-£50 per m² to material costs but is essential for a long-lasting result
• Old turf or concrete removal: breaking up and removing an existing surface adds to labour time and usually means skip hire, which costs £200-£500 depending on size and location. See our skip hire cost guide for a detailed breakdown
• Access charges: gardens with no side access take longer to work in and may require materials to be carried through the house, adding to labour time

Always ask for a fully itemised quote before work begins, a low headline rate can quickly climb once ground prep and ancillary costs are added in.

Artificial Grass vs Real Turf Benefits

This is the question most homeowners wrestle with before committing to artificial grass. Both have genuine advantages, the right choice depends on how you use your garden and how much maintenance you're willing to do.

• How much is turf laid per square metre? The total installed cost of a turfed lawn, including ground prep, usually lands between £20-£45 per m², making it cheaper upfront than artificial grass in most cases.

• Real turf is the cheaper option upfront. Materials run £10-£25 per m² including ground prep and labour. A natural lawn looks and feels more authentic, supports biodiversity, and is better for the environment. For a full breakdown of turf laying costs, see our turf laying cost guide.

• Artificial grass costs more upfront, £30-£100 per m² installed depending on grade, but carries almost no ongoing maintenance cost or effort. An occasional brush and rinse is all it needs to stay looking good for 10-20 years.

The honest summary: real turf is cheaper to install and better for the environment, but it demands consistent upkeep. Artificial grass costs more upfront but pays back in time saved, particularly for homeowners with shaded gardens, young children, or pets that churn up a lawn quickly.

What Is the Life Expectancy of Artificial Grass?

A well-installed artificial lawn should last between 10 and 20 years, depending on the quality of the product, how much foot traffic it receives, and how well it's maintained.

Most mid-range and premium artificial grass products come with a manufacturer's warranty of 8-12 years, it's worth checking this before purchasing.

The sub-base underneath the grass often outlasts the grass itself. If the base is installed correctly with proper drainage, it can be reused when the time comes to replace the surface, which reduces the cost of a second installation.

UV degradation is the main cause of early deterioration. Cheap grades without UV stabilisation can start to look faded and brittle within five years, particularly in south-facing gardens. Spending more on a UV-stabilised product at the outset is a worthwhile investment for any exposed garden.

Regular maintenance also extends the lifespan significantly. Brushing the fibres upright every few months and rinsing the surface occasionally to remove dust and debris keeps the grass looking fresh and prevents matting.

When thinking about lifespan in relation to cost, a mid-range artificial lawn installed for £2,000-£3,000 and lasting 15 years works out at roughly £130-£200 per year. This is less than most households spend on lawnmower maintenance, grass seed, and lawn feed over the same period.

The easy way to compare fairly is to post your job on MyBuilder, where local landscapers respond with transparent quotes you can review side by side. You can check their profiles, read reviews from previous customers, and ask questions before deciding who to hire.

Find Landscape Gardeners On MyBuilder

Getting artificial grass installed well comes down to the standard of the ground preparation, and that's where hiring a verified landscape gardener makes a real difference.

On MyBuilder, you post your job once and receive responses from available landscapers near you. You can then review their profiles, read customer reviews, and browse photos of completed artificial grass projects before deciding who to contact.

All tradespeople on MyBuilder undergo checks at registration, such as ID documents, company details, certifications for regulated jobs, and skill assessments, allowing you to hire with confidence.

Find artificial grass installers

FAQ: Common Questions about Artificial Grass Costs

How Much Does It Cost to Lay Artificial Grass in a Small Garden?

For a small garden of around 30-40m², expect to pay between £400 and £1,500 in total, depending on the grade of grass and the condition of the existing surface. Ground preparation, levelling, removing old turf, and laying a sub-base, typically adds on top of the grass and labour costs.

Getting two or three quotes from local landscapers gives you the most accurate picture. You can browse photos of completed artificial grass projects on MyBuilder to see the standard of work before you hire.

Does Artificial Grass Affect Drainage?

A correctly installed artificial lawn drains freely, the permeable backing and aggregate sub-base allow rainwater to pass through at a similar rate to a natural lawn.

Problems arise when the sub-base is poorly compacted or the wrong material is used underneath, which causes pooling. This is why ground preparation matters as much as the grass itself. If your garden has existing drainage issues, it's worth discussing them with your installer before work begins.

Can Artificial Grass Be Laid on Concrete or Decking?

Yes, and it's one of the most popular uses for artificial grass in urban gardens. Laying artificial grass over concrete or decking removes the need for a sub-base entirely, which reduces both the preparation work and the overall cost.

The grass is fixed using adhesive or nails around the perimeter, and a thin shock-pad underlay is recommended for comfort underfoot. On concrete specifically, make sure any existing drainage points remain unobstructed before the grass goes down.

Do I Need to Remove My Existing Lawn Before Artificial Grass?

In most cases, yes. Leaving existing turf underneath artificial grass leads to uneven settling, drainage problems, and decomposing organic matter that can cause odours and surface movement over time.

The standard process involves stripping the existing lawn, excavating to a suitable depth, compacting a sub-base, and laying a weed membrane before the grass goes down.

Does the Shape of My Garden Affect the Cost of Artificial Grass Installation?

Yes, and it's one of the less obvious factors that can push the final price up. Artificial grass comes in rolls of a fixed width, typically 2, 4, or 5 metres. A garden with an irregular shape, multiple curves, or features like flowerbeds and tree bases cut into the lawn means more cutting, more waste from offcuts, and more seaming work to join sections neatly. This means your labour costs might be more.