Install new turf.

Laying new turf in the UK typically costs £10–£20 per m² supplied and laid, with most domestic jobs running £600–£3,000 total depending on lawn size, ground preparation, and turf grade. A typical 50 m² front or back lawn comes in around £700-£1,200 fitted. The work usually takes 1-3 days for a typical garden including ground prep.

Best laid in spring (March-May) or autumn (September-October) when the soil is warm and rainfall is reliable. Summer turf needs daily watering for the first 2-3 weeks; winter turf risks frost damage before rooting.

Typical UK turf costs

What's involved in turf installation

1. Remove existing lawn — strim short, then turf cutter or manual lift. Old turf disposed of (skip or green waste).
2. Soil preparation — rotavate to 100-150 mm depth, remove stones and weeds, level with a rake.
3. Top dressing — add topsoil if existing soil is poor (typically 25-50 mm of fresh topsoil mixed in).
4. Final levelling and rolling — flat surface, no bumps or hollows.
5. Laying turf — start from a straight edge, brick-bond pattern, butted tight against neighbours.
6. Rolling and watering — light roll to settle, deep water immediately.
7. Aftercare period — watering daily for 2-3 weeks, no walking for 2-3 weeks, first cut at 4-6 weeks.

Choosing turf grade

• Standard / general purpose — fine ryegrass blend, suits most domestic gardens with moderate use.
• Hard-wearing — higher proportion of perennial ryegrass and tall fescue. Best for family lawns with kids and dogs.
• Shade-tolerant — fescue-heavy blends, suit gardens with significant tree cover or north-facing aspects.
• Premium / lawn-stripe — fine bent grasses, ornamental finish. Higher maintenance, lower wear tolerance.

Things people often miss

• Watering schedule — newly laid turf needs daily watering for 2-3 weeks, then every other day for the next 2 weeks. Skipping this means turf shrinkage, gaps, and slow rooting.
• No walking for 2-3 weeks — roots are establishing. Walking on newly laid turf shears the still-fragile roots.
• First cut height — wait 4-6 weeks before first cut, then mow at the highest mower setting. Gradually reduce cut height over the next 4-6 weeks.
• Site access — turf is heavy (1 m² ≈ 15-25 kg). Garden access for transport (wheelbarrow vs van vs man-handle) affects price.
• Soil type matters — heavy clay soils need extra prep (gypsum or organic matter incorporated); sandy soils need more frequent watering after install.
• Order timing — turf is best laid within 24-48 hours of delivery. Heat-stressed turf (left rolled in summer sun) may not establish properly.
• First feed timing — light feed at 6-8 weeks, regular feed schedule from then on.

Frequently asked questions

Want a local pro to handle this? A landscaper or specialist turfing contractor brings tools (rotavator, roller, turf cutter), proper soil knowledge, and aftercare advice. £700-£3,000 for a finished lawn vs the same DIY for £400-£1,500 — but the DIY route often results in re-laying within a few years if the ground prep is wrong.