Artificial turf is sold by the square foot, but the headline material price is only part of the story. The biggest variable in most quotes is the labor and ground preparation, not the turf itself. Understanding the full picture helps you budget accurately.
What goes into the price A turf project has three cost components, and skimping on any one shortens its life.
- The turf material itself, which ranges widely by quality, pile height, and durability
- The base preparation, including excavation, a compacted gravel base, and weed barrier
- The labor to grade, install, seam, and infill the turf properly
Why base prep matters so much The ground beneath the turf determines whether your lawn drains well and stays level for years or develops dips and puddles within months. A proper base is excavated, leveled, and compacted, which is labor-intensive but essential. A quote that seems unusually cheap often cuts corners here.
Reading a quote A solid quote breaks out material, base work, and labor separately rather than offering one flat number per square foot. When comparing bids, confirm each one includes the same base depth and materials, because that is where hidden differences live.
- Higher-traffic areas and pet use call for tougher, more expensive turf
- Complex shapes, slopes, and obstacles raise labor costs