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Artificial Turf & Grass Installation Cost Calculator
Estimate the total cost to install artificial turf or grass — including turf material, infill, labor, sub-base prep, and 10-year lawn maintenance savings comparison.
Educational calculators — always consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.
Measure the longest dimension of your turf area.
Typical backyard area is 20–50 ft wide.
Mid-range PE turf (40–60 oz) is the sweet spot for most residential lawns.
Polyethylene fiber. Most popular for residential lawns. Soft feel, good durability, 8–15 year lifespan.
Medium pile (1.5") looks most natural. Long pile is lush but needs more infill.
Most natural-looking for residential lawns. Good balance of aesthetics and durability.
Sub-base prep is strongly recommended for longevity.
Excavation, gravel base, and compaction. Strongly recommended — prevents lumps and improves drainage.
Total Installation Cost
$4,750 – $8,500
Mid-Range PE (40–60 oz) · 500 sq ft
Cost Breakdown
Where Your Money Goes
Long-term value: Artificial grass eliminates mowing, watering, and fertilizing. Most homeowners in dry climates recoup the installation cost within 5–10 years on maintenance savings alone.
Estimates reflect national averages for educational purposes only. Sub-base preparation costs vary significantly by region and soil type.
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Artificial Turf & Grass Installation Cost Overview
Artificial turf and grass installation costs $8–$22 per square foot fully installed. A 500 sq ft backyard runs $4,000–$11,000. A 1,000 sq ft project typically costs $8,000–$22,000 all-in.
Sub-base preparation is strongly recommended — it provides drainage and prevents sinking. Together with labor it accounts for roughly 50–60% of project cost, so it is not a line item to cut: it is the foundation of a long-lasting installation.
Most homeowners in dry climates recoup the installation cost within 5–10 years through water and maintenance savings alone.
Artificial Turf Installation Cost
"Artificial turf" and "artificial grass" describe the same product — synthetic fibers over a compacted base — and the cost is identical: $8–$22 per square foot installed, from basic turf ($8–$12/sq ft) to premium pet and putting turf ($15–$22/sq ft). "Turf" is more common for sports, putting-green, and pet-area installs; "grass" is more common for residential lawns — but contractors quote both from the same per-square-foot pricing.
If you're turfing a yard that also needs a boundary, compare with the Fence Installation Calculator — turf and fencing are commonly bid together in the same backyard project. Still deciding between turf and a natural lawn? The Lawn Care Cost Calculator shows what ongoing mowing, fertilizing, and irrigation cost over the same 10-year window used above.
Cost by turf grade
Basic turf
8–12 year lifespan — suitable for low-use areas
$8–$12/sq ft
Mid-grade landscape turf
15–20 year lifespan — best value for most lawns
$11–$16/sq ft
Premium / pet & putting turf
20–25 year lifespan — lush pile, and the grade used for pet runs and putting greens
$15–$22/sq ft
Fully installed cost including turf, infill, labor, and sub-base preparation.
How it works
Measure your area
Enter the total square footage. Odd shapes: break into rectangles and add them up.
Choose pile height and face weight
Higher face weight (70–100 oz) means more durable turf. Pile height affects look and feel.
Add infill and base prep
Includes crushed granite base, weed barrier, and infill (silica sand or crumb rubber).
Artificial Grass Installation Cost
| Grade | Face Weight | Material/Sq Ft | Installed/Sq Ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | 40–55 oz | $2.00–$3.50 | $8.00–$12.00 |
| Mid-range | 60–75 oz | $3.50–$5.50 | $12.00–$18.00 |
| Premium | 80–100 oz | $5.50–$9.00 | $18.00–$22.00 |
Base prep (excavation, gravel) adds $2–$4/sq ft. Infill adds $0.50–$1.50/sq ft.
What's included — and what's extra
Usually included
- Turf material & delivery
- Excavation of old grass/soil
- Compacted aggregate base
- Infill (sand/rubber) & brushing
- Seaming, nailing, and edging
Often extra
- Old-lawn/concrete removal & haul-away
- Drainage upgrades on wet sites
- Weed barrier & pet-grade infill (odor control)
- Bender board / borders & custom cuts
- Putting-green turf & padding
Cost drivers — and why the base matters most
Labor and base prep are 50–60% of the project — the turf roll is only part of the cost. A properly compacted 3–4" aggregate base is what keeps the lawn flat, draining, and wrinkle-free for 15+ years. A cheap install that skimps on the base is the #1 reason turf fails early.
- Turf quality: face weight, pile height, and blade shape drive the per-sq-ft price.
- Access & shape: small, cut-up, or hard-to-reach yards cost more per sq ft.
- Use case: pet and putting-green turf carry premiums.
Does it pay off? Maintenance & savings
Artificial grass costs more upfront but eliminates mowing, watering, fertilizing, and reseeding. In a dry climate the water and lawn-care savings often recoup the cost in about 7–10 years, and quality turf lasts 15–25 years. Maintenance drops to occasional rinsing, brushing high-traffic lanes, and topping up infill.
Questions to ask — red flags & warranty
- How deep is the base, and how is it compacted and graded for drainage?
- What's the turf face weight and pile height, and is it UV-stabilized?
- Is pet-grade infill and a weed barrier included? (A thin base or no infill is a red flag.)
Warranty: quality turf carries an 8–15 year manufacturer warranty against UV fade and defects; ask separately about the installer's workmanship warranty on the base and seams.
Methodology & sources
The cost figures on this page are generated from a single, sourced cost-data file (Per sq ft fully installed (turf, base prep, labor). National average estimate for 2026.). Labor and base prep are 50–60% of the project. A typical 200 sq ft install runs about $1,300–$15,000; custom cuts and premium turf raise the total. Last verified July 2026.
- Angi — Artificial Grass Installation Cost (2026) — retrieved 2026-07-13
- HomeGuide — Artificial Grass Cost (2026) — retrieved 2026-07-13
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Back to the calculator ↑Artificial Grass Installation Cost Calculator is built and maintained by the RealCostIQ editorial team. Cost ranges and rates are checked against published industry data and contractor quotes, and revised when the underlying figures move. Read our data methodology or more about who builds this. Every calculation runs in your browser — no account, and none of your inputs are stored.
Cost ranges and rates here are checked against contractor quotes and published industry data. If a number still looks off, email Support@RealCostIQ.com and we'll review and fix it.