Artificial grass costs £50 to £90 per square metre in the UK in 2026, supplied and installed. A typical 40 square metre garden lands between £1,800 and £3,400. Supply only turf is far cheaper, £9 to £45 per square metre, because you are paying for the roll and nothing else. The gap between those two numbers is groundwork, and it is where most of your money goes. Here is what the figures mean, what pushes a quote up, and how to spot a price that has been cut in the wrong place. We handle artificial grass installation across Trafford and quote on the same basis.
Artificial grass price per m2 in 2026
The artificial grass price per m2 in the UK is £9 to £45 supply only, or £50 to £90 fully installed. Where you land depends on pile height, backing quality and how much work the ground underneath needs.
| Grade | Supply only per m² | Typical pile height |
| Budget | £9 to £14 | 20mm to 25mm |
| Mid-range | £14 to £25 | 30mm to 35mm |
| Premium | £25 to £45 | 40mm to 45mm |
Installed rates vary by region. London and the South East run 10 to 30 per cent above the national figure. Here in the North West, independent installers usually sit at the lower end of the band, around £50 to £70 per square metre for a straightforward garden. If you are pricing a wider project, our guide to garden landscaping cost covers how a lawn fits into a full scheme.
Fake grass installation cost by garden size
Fake grass installation cost is quoted per square metre, so the total scales with area, although small lawns work out slightly dearer per metre because the setup cost is the same whatever the size.
| Garden size | Installed cost |
| 20m², small courtyard or front lawn | £1,000 to £1,800 |
| 40m², average back garden | £1,800 to £3,400 |
| 50m², medium garden | £2,500 to £4,500 |
| 100m², large garden | £5,000 to £9,000 |
These are supply and fit totals including groundwork, membrane, edging and waste removal. Very small areas carry a minimum charge, so a 10 square metre strip will not come in at half the 20 square metre price. They do not include extras such as levelling a slope, new steps or a border rebuild, which are priced as garden services on top.
Astro turf cost UK: the same thing?
Astro turf cost in the UK is the same as artificial grass cost, because AstroTurf is a brand name that turned into a generic term. For a domestic lawn the two words describe one product, priced at the same £50 to £90 per square metre installed.
There is one real difference worth knowing. The original product was a short pile, sand filled sports surface, and sports grade pitch turf with rubber crumb infill is still a separate specification with its own cost. If a quote says astro turf, ask for the pile height and the product name so you know which one you are buying.
What you are paying for under the grass
Roughly 60 per cent of an artificial grass quote is groundwork rather than turf, and the sub-base alone accounts for £30 to £50 per square metre of the installed price. A proper build-up includes:
- Excavating the existing lawn and topsoil, usually 75mm to 100mm down.
- A weed membrane, then a compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base.
- A grano dust or sharp sand screed, levelled and compacted to take the turf.
- Timber or composite edging to hold the perimeter.
- Joining tape and adhesive on any seams, then pinning and infill.
- Removing and tipping the spoil, which is charged waste.
Skipping that build-up is why cheap lawns ripple, dip and grow weeds through within two or three summers. A quote that is well under the band is usually a thinner base rather than a better deal.
What pushes an artificial grass quote up
Two gardens of the same size can differ by £1,000 or more, and the reason is almost always access, ground condition and shape rather than the turf itself. Five things move the number:
- Access. No side gate means every barrow of spoil and stone goes through the house, and that is labour.
- Ground condition. Buried flags, concrete or builders rubble turn a dig into a breakout job.
- Shape. Curves, trees and borders mean more cutting, more joins and more waste off the roll.
- Levels. Sloping gardens need terracing or a retaining edge before anything is laid.
- Pet specification. Dog owners usually want a permeable backing and a deeper drainage layer.
Combining work helps. If you are having patio installation done at the same time, the excavation, muckaway and site setup are shared across both, which takes cost out of each.
Running costs and how long it lasts
Artificial grass has almost no running cost, and a properly installed lawn lasts 15 to 20 years against a manufacturer warranty that is usually 8 to 10 years. There is no mowing, no watering, no feed and no seasonal repair.
Upkeep is a brush every few weeks to lift the pile, a rinse when it needs it, and topping the sand infill back up every few years. Budget for a power brush every couple of years on a heavily used lawn, or a garden with a dog on it. Real turf is much cheaper to lay at £15 to £30 per square metre, but the running cost never stops, which is what closes the gap over a decade. We cover the same ground on our page for landscaping in Urmston.
How to compare artificial grass quotes
Comparing artificial grass quotes fairly means comparing what sits under the turf, because the headline rate per square metre tells you almost nothing on its own. Two installers can quote £55 and £90 for the same garden and both be honest, because they are pricing two different builds.
- Ask for the sub-base depth in millimetres, not just “a proper base”.
- Ask for the turf product name and pile height so you can price the roll yourself.
- Check whether waste removal and edging are in the number or added later.
- Separate the turf warranty from the installation guarantee. They are not the same cover.
- Get all of it in writing before you pay a deposit.
Artificial grass cost UK FAQs
Do I need planning permission for artificial grass?
No. The government has confirmed it has no plans to require planning permission for artificial grass in residential gardens. Surface water and hard surfacing rules still apply, and leaseholders should check their covenants.
Is artificial grass cheaper than real turf?
Not upfront. Real turf is £15 to £30 per square metre laid against £50 to £90 for artificial. The gap narrows over roughly a decade once mowing, watering and repair are counted.
Can artificial grass be laid over an existing lawn?
Not properly. Grass left underneath rots down, the surface sinks unevenly and weeds push through the seams. The turf and topsoil have to come out first.
How long does installation take?
Most domestic lawns are a one to three day job depending on size, access and how much spoil has to come out. Poor access is usually what adds the extra day.
