How much does turfing a garden cost?

Most landscapers and gardeners price turfing per square metre. For a full job, where they prepare the ground, supply the turf and lay it, expect £15–£35 per m².

The turf itself is the smaller part. Standard utility turf costs around £3–£7 per m² depending on quality and quantity, plus a delivery charge. Premium or shade-tolerant turf costs more.

The rest is labour and preparation. Laying turf on ground that is already level and prepared is quick, at around £5–£10 per m². The real work is getting the ground ready: removing the old lawn or weeds, digging or rotavating, adding topsoil where needed, levelling and firming. That is what separates a lawn that looks good for years from one that is lumpy by the next summer.

Small areas cost more per m² because there is a minimum amount of time and travel involved, so a 10m² patch will not cost a fifth of a 50m² lawn.

Good preparation is what you are mostly paying for.

If there is an existing lawn, it usually needs stripping off with a turf cutter, then disposing of. That adds around £5–£12 per m² including waste. Old turf is heavy and bulky, so a skip or a few loads in a van are often needed.

The ground is then dug over or rotavated, weeds and stones are removed, and it is raked level and firmed. On poor, compacted or stony ground, topsoil is spread to give the new turf a decent bed. A 50mm layer of topsoil over 50m² is about 2.5m³, or roughly £100–£175 delivered and spread.

Persistent weeds such as couch grass, bindweed or docks are best dealt with before turfing, otherwise they push through the new lawn. If you are using a weedkiller, follow the label, keep children and pets off as directed, and allow the waiting time before laying turf.

Anyone taking waste away from your property should be a registered waste carrier. Ask for their registration number if they are removing old turf and soil.

The size of the area is the starting point, so measure length and width.

The condition of the ground. A flat, weed-free bed needs little work. A lumpy, sloping, stony or heavily weeded garden can double the preparation time.

Whether an old lawn needs removing, and how the waste leaves site.

Access. Turf and topsoil come on pallets and in bulk bags. If everything has to be wheelbarrowed through a house or down a long narrow path, labour goes up.

Turf quality. Standard utility turf suits most family gardens. Fine ornamental turf or specialist shade turf costs more.

Time of year. Spring and autumn are busy, and some gardeners charge a little more then.

You can get a reasonable estimate with a tape measure.

1. Measure the length and width and multiply to get the area in m². Add 5–10% for cutting and shaping. 2. Multiply by £15–£35 per m² for a full supply, prepare and lay job. 3. Add £5–£12 per m² if an old lawn has to be stripped and removed. 4. Add topsoil if the ground is poor.

Example: a 10m by 5m back garden is 50m². At £15–£35 per m² the turfing costs £750–£1,750. Removing the old, weedy lawn at £5–£12 per m² adds £250–£600. With 2.5m³ of topsoil at about £100–£175, the total comes to roughly £1,100–£2,500.

On BidMyJob you can post the job with measurements and a couple of photos of the garden, and local gardeners and landscapers bid, so you can compare prices for your own space.

Autumn and spring are the best times. From about September to November the soil is still warm and there is usually plenty of rain, so roots establish quickly. March to May is also good, though you may need to water during dry spells.

Turf can be laid in summer, but it needs watering every day in hot weather for the first few weeks, which is a commitment. It should not be laid on frozen or waterlogged ground in winter.

Turf should be laid within a day of delivery, as it deteriorates quickly when rolled up. After laying, keep off it for two to three weeks and water it well until it roots. The first cut is usually once the grass is about 5–7cm tall, with the mower on a high setting.

Seeding is much cheaper in materials, often under £1 per m² for seed, but takes weeks to establish and months before it can take heavy use. It needs the same ground preparation as turf.

Turf gives an instant lawn and can usually take light use after a few weeks.

Artificial grass costs considerably more, typically £50–£90 per m² supplied and fitted, because it needs a dug-out base, a compacted sub-base and edging. It needs less maintenance but does not suit everyone, gets hot in direct sun, and is not a habitat for wildlife. It is a separate job from turfing and worth pricing separately if you are considering it.

Do the clearing yourself. Lifting old turf and removing weeds is hard work but takes a big slice off the labour.

Use standard utility turf unless you have a reason not to. It is hard-wearing and suits most family gardens.

Order the right amount. Measure carefully and add 5–10% for waste, rather than a lot extra.

Avoid summer. Laying in autumn or spring means less watering and a lower risk of failure.

Keep the shape simple. Curves and lots of beds take longer to cut in.