How to Price Artificial Grass Installation: Sub-base, Edging and Pile Height Guide

Quick Answer: Artificial grass installation in a UK domestic garden typically costs £55–£105 per m² supply-and-fit in 2026. Grass itself runs £15–£40/m² (cheap budget through to premium polyethylene + nylon thatch); sub-base aggregate £20–£35/m²; weed membrane, joining tape, edging and labour the remainder. A 50 m² lawn typically costs £2,800–£5,200 fitted, taking a 2-person crew 2–3 days. No specific Building Regulations apply, but planning permission can apply in conservation areas, and SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) regulations apply where the area drains to a public sewer.

Summary

Artificial grass is one of the highest-volume landscaping products in UK domestic gardens, particularly on small urban plots, family gardens with high foot traffic, and customers who don't want to mow. The market splits between budget products (£8–£18/m² supply, 20 mm pile, polypropylene base) and premium products (£25–£45/m² supply, 30–40 mm pile, polyethylene + nylon thatch, multi-tone colour). Customer expectations vary wildly — a careful quoting conversation about pile height, density, colour and aesthetic is essential.

For a contractor pricing the work, the key variables are the existing surface (grass, soil, paving), drainage, edging detail, and any joins required. A small simple rectangle is straightforward; an awkward shape with curves, multiple joins, raised beds and complex edging is significantly more labour. Always quote on a per-m² basis with allowances for waste (typically 10%) and joining tape on rolls wider than 4 m.

The big growing concern is environmental — both the SuDS / drainage rules (most artificial grass is permeable, but the sub-base build-up changes the runoff profile) and customer pushback on plastic in gardens. Some councils and conservation areas now restrict artificial grass. Always check the planning context before quoting.

Key Facts

Quick Reference Table

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Lawn area Excavate + base + edging Grass supply Total fitted Programme
20 m² (small) £35–£55/m² £15–£35/m² £1,200–£2,000 1–2 days
50 m² (medium) £30–£45/m² £15–£35/m² £2,800–£5,200 2–3 days
100 m² (large) £25–£40/m² £15–£35/m² £4,500–£8,500 3–5 days
200 m² (very large) £22–£35/m² £15–£35/m² £8,000–£14,000 5–7 days
Awkward shape (small, complex edges) £45–£70/m² £15–£35/m² £2,000–£3,500 2–3 days
Element Typical % of total cost
Excavation and disposal 15–25%
Sub-base materials 15–20%
Sub-base labour 15–25%
Grass supply 25–35%
Grass install (joining, cutting, sand fill) 10–15%
Edging 5–10%

Detailed Guidance

The Sub-base: Where Quality Wins or Fails

Artificial grass is only as good as its sub-base. Standard build-up:

  1. Excavate to 75–100 mm below finished level
  2. Geotextile membrane at the bottom of the dig — separates fines from native soil
  3. MOT Type 1 sub-base — 50 mm compacted, in two 25 mm lifts
  4. Granite / limestone fines (top dressing) — 25–40 mm, screeded smooth, compacted
  5. Weed membrane over the screeded fines
  6. Artificial grass laid on top — fixed at edges, joined with tape

The screeded fines layer is critical. Without it, the grass shows every irregularity in the Type 1 below. A perfectly screeded fines layer gives a flat, true grass surface that doesn't show ridges or hollows.

Excavation Depth

Total dig depth depends on:

For a flush installation matching adjacent slabs: dig 75–100 mm below adjacent paving level. For artificial grass standing slightly proud: dig 50–75 mm below adjacent level.

Drainage Considerations

Artificial grass itself is permeable — water passes through drainage holes in the backing. But the sub-base must drain too, or you get water pooling under the grass.

Two scenarios:

Existing soil with good drainage (sandy, free-draining):

Existing clay or poor-draining soil:

SuDS implications: Where the lawn drains to a public sewer or watercourse, SuDS principles apply — runoff rate must not exceed pre-development rate. For most domestic installations under 100 m², this is automatic with a permeable sub-base. For larger areas or impermeable zones, drainage design may be required.

Edging Options

The edge restraint stops the grass moving and prevents weed encroachment:

Pressure-treated timber (50 × 100 mm, Use Class 4):

Composite or PVC edging:

Aluminium edging:

Concrete kerb / paving edge:

Steel edging:

The grass is fixed at the edge with U-pins (every 200 mm) and adhesive where laid against hard edges.

Joining Multiple Strips

Standard rolls are 2 m or 4 m wide. Lawns wider than the roll require joins:

  1. Lay both pieces with 30 mm overlap at the join
  2. Cut both pieces along the same line (using a sharp blade)
  3. Pull back the two cut edges
  4. Lay joining tape (300 mm wide) along the join line
  5. Apply joining adhesive (PU or contact adhesive)
  6. Press the two pieces back down, aligning pile direction
  7. Weight or roller to embed

A clean join is invisible from 1 m away. A bad join is the most obvious flaw and a common customer complaint.

Pile Direction and Aesthetic

Artificial grass has a "grain" — the pile lies in one direction and looks different from each angle. When laying:

Customers occasionally complain the grass looks "patchy" or "two-toned" — usually due to incorrect pile direction on adjacent rolls.

Sand Fill

Quality artificial grass installations include a sand infill:

Cheap installs skip this step; the result is a flat, plasticky-looking lawn that the customer finds disappointing within months.

Around Obstacles

Trees, shrubs, manhole covers, drainage gulleys — each needs careful detailing:

Pet Considerations

Pet-friendly artificial grass has:

Maintenance for pet owners:

Strip-out and Disposal

If replacing existing turf:

If replacing existing artificial grass (rare but increasingly common for old installs):

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does artificial grass last?

10–15 years for standard products; 15–25 years for premium products. UV degradation and pile flattening are the main wear modes. Heavy foot traffic and pet activity reduce life.

Will it get hot in summer?

Yes — artificial grass can reach 50–70 °C in direct summer sun, significantly hotter than natural grass. Customers should be aware. Lighter colour grass and shaded areas stay cooler.

Can I use artificial grass on a balcony or roof terrace?

Yes — direct over deck boards or paving. Drainage onto the roof structure must be considered. Doesn't require the same sub-base build-up.

What about kids and chemicals?

Modern artificial grass is generally non-toxic — REACH-compliant in the UK/EU. Some older products contained heavy metals (lead in pigments, especially red); newer products do not. Always specify REACH-compliant products.

Why is there such a price difference between products?

Pile weight (g/m²), backing weight, stitch density, pile composition (PE vs PP vs nylon), UV stability, and brand premium. £15/m² product and £40/m² product look similar new but the cheaper product flattens, fades and tears within 3–5 years.

Regulations & Standards