Are you looking to lay a new lawn or maybe replace one that is worn out? Maybe you need to patch up an existing lawn?

Here we discuss all the factors involved in how much it costs to lay turf.

On average, it costs £20 per square metre to lay turf. That’s the cost of the turf and the labour of the Gardener included. But there are factors which can affect this which we will now go into.

One of the things to consider before you decide to lay your new lawn is whether you will use real grass or artificial grass. This article deals with the costs of laying real turf, but we have a separate article on how much it costs to lay artificial grass.

Both options have their unique advantages and disadvantages. Understanding these can help in making an informed choice that suits individual needs and preferences.

Pros of Real Grass

Natural Environment: Real grass contributes to a natural ecosystem, providing a habitat for wildlife like insects and birds.

Air Purification: Grass absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, improving air quality.

Cooling Effect: Real grass has a natural cooling effect on the environment, which can be particularly beneficial in urban areas.

Biodegradable: Being a natural material, it decomposes and doesn’t contribute to landfill waste.

Aesthetic and Feel: Many people prefer the authentic look and feel of real grass, which can enhance the aesthetic appeal of a garden.

Cons of Real Grass

Maintenance: Real grass requires regular mowing, watering, fertilising, and weed control, which can be time-consuming and costly.

Water Usage: It needs a significant amount of water, which can be a concern in areas with water shortages.

Pesticides and Fertilisers: To maintain its appearance, it often requires chemicals that can be harmful to the environment and human health.

Seasonal Dependency: Its appearance can be affected by seasons, looking less vibrant in winter or during droughts.

Allergies: Grass pollen is a common allergen that can affect sensitive individuals.

Turf comes in varying degrees of quality. If you need a hard-wearing lawn you should buy a different turf to one which is more for aesthetic appeal and won’t be worked hard.

There is also colour to consider. Different turfs will be coloured slightly different depending on the type of seed used.

Turf costs range from £2 to £8 per square metre. That’s just for the turf not for laying.

Cost of Laying Turf

The cost of laying your turf will range from £10 to £30 per square metre. It will depend on the gardener you use, but also the shape and size of lawn being laid.

A square or rectangle lawn can be laid much more quickly than a lawn that curves. For example, a lawn that follows a curved pathway or pond will take longer to lay as the cutting process will be more tricky.

Overall, therefore, taking into account the cost of the turf and the laying of it you will be looking at a total cost of £12 to £38 per square metre with an average of £20 per square metre.