If you’ve ever dreamed about a year-round green lawn with virtually no maintenance, you should consider artificial grass. Technological advances mean modern synthetic turf looks just as lush as the real stuff—and you can put the lawnmower away for good.
Of course, the next logical question is: how much does artificial grass cost?
Whether you’re looking to DIY or get a professional involved, we’re breaking down the costs in this artificial grass pricing guide.
How Much Does Artificial Grass Cost to Purchase?
The precise price of a square metre of artificial grass depends on numerous factors.
Examples include the overall quality, the intended use (pet-friendly areas, children’s playgrounds, putting greens, etc.), the pile height (fibre length), and pile density (how close the fibres are packed together).
Expect to pay between $25 and $50 per square metre, which equates to $1,250 to $2,500 for a typical 50m2 Australian lawn.
That figure is just for the grass. You’ll still need to budget extra coin for the installation.
How Much Does Artificial Grass Cost to Professionally Install?
The price of professional installation also varies depending on numerous factors.
Unsurprisingly, the most relevant variable is the size of your new lawn. A large backyard will take much longer to cover with synthetic grass, and your installer will charge accordingly.
Another critical factor is the condition of the area. If there’s already a natural lawn there, the installer will have to rip up the turf and remove any rocks or stones. Plus, intricate installations require cutting a roll of artificial grass for a tailor-made fit, which adds to the cost.
After excavating the soil, the installer will fill and level the surface before compacting it with a crushed rock base. Your new synthetic lawn is cut into the right shape, laid over the base, and nailed into place. Finally, the installer will scatter and brush dry sand over the surface.
An installer will assess your property and provide a quote based on the above variables.
On the whole, however, professionally installed artificial grass costs between $50 and $120 per square metre, including turf and materials.
That means you should expect to invest $2,500 to $6,000 for a 50m2 lawn.
How Much Does Artificial Grass Cost to DIY Install?
While artificial grass is the priciest part of a DIY install, there are other expenses to consider.
You’ll need to buy a level base of crushed rock for drainage and a finer layer of crushed stones or sand. Renting a vibrating compactor is the only viable way to crush the rocks for a nice even surface.
A sand infill is essential to maintain a natural look and protect the grass from UV rays—allow 5-15 kg per square metre. Finally, you’ll need joining tape and turf pegs to connect the pieces and hold them in place.
As a rule of thumb, a DIY installation costs about half the price of a professional. Allow somewhere between $1,500 to $3,000 for a DIY artificial grass installation on a 50m2 lawn, including all the relevant materials.
But a word of warning: the job is fraught with challenges. Even the most avid DIYers often report lacklustre results.
Comparing the Cost of Artificial Grass to Natural Turf
There’s no doubt natural turf is cheaper to purchase and install. Expect to fork out between $10 and $15 per square metre for the turf, plus an extra $300-500 for the installation.
So for a similar-sized 50m2 natural turf lawn, you’ll probably pay somewhere between $800 and $1,050 installed.
That seems like a significant saving on the surface. But once you factor in the cost of long-term maintenance, it can actually work out more expensive.
Factoring in Reduced Maintenance Costs and Time Saved
The average cost to mow a lawn is $90 in Australia, including trimming, edging, and tidying up.
To keep your lawn looking shmick, you’ll need to mow it fortnightly during the warmer months and monthly during the colder seasons. That works out to about 20 yearly mows, costing around $1,800 per annum. It only takes a year or two for the price of these services to outweigh the installation cost of artificial grass.
Of course, if you’re young and abled, you could mow your own lawn, as many Australians do. But you still need to pay for water, fertiliser, the mower, mower maintenance, and two-stroke fuel. Plus, you’ll spend your precious Saturdays pushing a noisy contraption through a field of freshly cut, hay fever-inducing pollen—we’re sure you’ve got better things to do.
EnduroTurf: The Artificial Grass Experts
While artificial grass appears costly upfront, it’ll save you stacks of cash—and hassle—in the long run.
Keen to install synthetic turf on your property?
Then get in touch with the team at EnduroTurf today. We proudly manufacture all our products in Australia to ensure top-notch quality in every roll. Whether you’re doing domestic landscaping or sporting surfaces, we’ll recommend the ideal product for you.