How Much to Charge for Artificial Grass Installation in the UK
Direct answer: artificial grass installation cost per m²
Direct answer: In the UK, artificial grass installation is usually priced per square metre, with supply-and-fit rates that cover groundwork, base preparation, the grass itself, jointing and infill. Smaller jobs cost more per m² than large open lawns because access, edging and waste add a higher proportion of the price. Always quote per project after a site survey, not from a single headline rate.
Artificial grass is one of the most enquired-about landscaping jobs because homeowners want a low-maintenance lawn. For installers, the challenge is that two gardens of the same size can cost very different amounts once you account for the existing surface, drainage, edging and how the offcuts fall. This guide explains how to break the work into priced stages so your quote is accurate and easy for the customer to approve.
What makes up an artificial grass quote
Most professional quotes are built from these stages rather than a single rate per m²:
| Stage | What it covers | Why it affects price |
|---|---|---|
| Removal & excavation | Lifting turf, soil or old paving and disposing of waste | Existing surface and skip/disposal costs vary widely |
| Base preparation | Sub-base (Type 1/MOT), compacting and a laying course of grit sand | Depth and material volume scale with area and drainage needs |
| Edging & restraint | Treated timber, composite or paving edge to hold the grass | More perimeter per m² on small or awkward gardens |
| Membrane | Weed membrane below the base and/or above it | Adds material and labour but reduces callbacks |
| Grass supply | The chosen pile height, density and backing quality | Premium grass costs noticeably more per m² than budget ranges |
| Laying, jointing & infill | Cutting, joining tape/adhesive, fixing pins and kiln-dried sand infill | Pattern matching and offcut waste increase labour and material |
Supply-only vs supply-and-fit
Customers often ask whether they can buy the grass and have you fit it. Make the distinction clear in your quote:
| Option | What is included | Quoting note |
|---|---|---|
| Supply-only | Grass roll(s) and sometimes accessories, no labour | Priced per m² of grass plus a roll-width allowance for waste |
| Supply-and-fit | Full job: groundwork, base, edging, grass and infill | Priced per project with stages itemised; the most common request |
| Labour-only (customer supplies grass) | Installation of customer-bought grass | State exclusions clearly: you cannot warranty the grass quality or quantity |
What drives the final price up or down
- Existing surface: lifting and disposing of old paving or a heavy lawn costs more than working over bare soil.
- Access: rear gardens with no side access mean barrowing materials through the house or carrying spoil out by hand.
- Shape and waste: curved, narrow or stepped gardens create more offcuts because grass comes in fixed roll widths.
- Drainage and levels: poor drainage or sloping ground needs extra sub-base, falls or a permeable build-up.
- Grass specification: pile height, density, backing and pet-friendly drainage backing change the supply cost per m².
- Edging choice: timber is cheaper than composite or a paved border, and the perimeter length matters as much as the area.
How to structure a clear artificial grass quote
- Survey first: measure the area, note access, check the existing surface and look for drainage issues before pricing.
- Itemise the stages: list removal, base, edging, membrane, grass supply and laying separately so the customer sees where the money goes.
- State the grass spec: record the product range, pile height and backing so the price is tied to a defined product.
- List exclusions: note anything not included, such as relocating drains, major level changes or kennel runs.
- Set deposit and payment stages: agree a deposit for materials and a balance on completion.
- Send for approval: use a quote the customer can review and accept, then convert the accepted job into an invoice on completion.
If you fit artificial grass alongside patios, fencing or full garden makeovers, keep the same staged structure across every quote so customers can compare options easily.
Tools and templates that help
Jobnix gives landscapers and groundworkers a faster way to build itemised quotes, capture deposits, send approval links and turn accepted work into invoices. You can also let customers picture the result first with the artificial grass visualiser, and benchmark your numbers against the trade pricing benchmark.
For related pricing and workflow guides, see how much to charge for garden landscaping, the landscaper quote template and the site survey checklist before you quote. Landscapers can also explore Jobnix for landscapers or start a UK free trial.
Bottom line
Price artificial grass per project after a site survey, break the cost into clear stages, tie the grass cost to a defined specification and list your exclusions. A staged, itemised quote protects your margin on awkward gardens and makes it easy for the customer to understand and approve the work.