Artificial turf installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What artificial turf installation is

Artificial turf installation excavates the area, builds a compacted gravel base, lays synthetic grass, seams and secures the edges, and brushes in infill so the surface looks natural and drains well. People choose it for lawns that will not grow, play areas, dog runs or spaces that need to stay green with little water or mowing.

Signs you need it

  • Shade, foot traffic or pet damage keeps the natural grass bare or muddy no matter what you do
  • You want a lawn that stays green through the dry season without watering or mowing
  • Standing water collects on the lawn after rain and the ground stays soggy for days
  • A play area or dog run needs a surface that is easier to keep clean and usable
  • Maintaining real turf takes more time, water and money than you want to put into it

What the pro does

  • The crew marks the area, checks for buried lines, and excavates to the depth the base needs for drainage and wear
  • The subgrade is graded to a slope that moves water away from structures, then compacted
  • Crushed gravel base is laid in layers and compacted, then leveled to a tight tolerance
  • Synthetic turf rolls are unrolled, cut to fit and seamed with tape and adhesive, then the edges are secured
  • Infill is spread and brushed into the turf fibers, and the surface is checked for level and drainage before the crew leaves

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Total area and the number of seams needed for the layout
  • Excavation depth and how much soil has to be removed and hauled
  • Base material and how deep the compacted base must be for the use
  • Turf grade, pile height and infill type, which change both look and wear
  • Slopes, drainage work and any edging or borders that the layout needs
  • Whether the area has old turf, roots or rock that must be removed first
  • Access for trucks, excavators and pallets of turf, and the distance they must travel

What a written quote should spell out

  • The turf product by name, with pile height, backing type and infill
  • The excavation depth, base material and compaction method
  • The drainage plan, including grade, slope and any drain lines
  • Seam type, edge securing method and border materials
  • Whether the old turf, roots and debris are removed and hauled away
  • The warranty on the turf and what it does and does not cover

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What base depth and gravel type do you use, and why for my soil and drainage?
  • How do you handle drainage so the turf does not hold water?
  • What turf product are you installing, and what is its warranty?
  • How do you seam the turf, and where will the seams fall?
  • Which infill do you use, and how do you keep it in place?
  • How will you check for buried lines before the excavator starts?
  • Will the area be hot in summer, and what do you recommend for that?

Red flags

  • They lay turf over the existing soil without excavating or building a compacted base
  • They skip drainage and say the turf will drain itself
  • They cannot name the turf product, its pile height or its warranty
  • They will not show a seam layout or explain where the seams will fall
  • They leave the infill loose and do not brush it in, so it blows and collects in one spot

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can remove the old sod, rake the subgrade and do the surface cleanup on a small area after the base is installed. Call a pro for excavation, base work, grading, drainage and seaming, since the base controls drainage and wear. Check for buried lines before any digging, and wear gloves and eye protection when handling the turf and infill.

Licenses and permits

Artificial turf installation is commonly done under contractor licensing when it includes excavation, grading or drainage work. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your permit office about any rules that apply to the project.

Artificial turf installation questions

How long does artificial turf last?

It depends on the product, the use and the base. Ask the installer what the manufacturer warranty covers and how the product is maintained, and ask about the base they built, since the base controls drainage and wear.

Does artificial turf get hot?

It can get hot in direct sun, especially in dark colors and with certain infills. Ask the installer what turf and infill they recommend for your sun exposure and how the surface will feel in summer.

Can artificial turf be installed over my existing lawn?

Usually the existing turf and soil are removed so the base can be built properly. Ask the installer whether they remove the old lawn, and why, before you agree to any shortcut.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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