TL;DR — Artificial Grass Cost At A Glance
- Artificial grass costs £50 – £90 per m² fully installed outside London, rising to £65 – £110 per m² in London and the South East.
- Typical whole-garden prices: 20m² around £1,000 – £1,800, 50m² around £2,500 – £4,500, and 100m² around £5,000 – £9,000.
- The sub-base and groundwork account for roughly 60% of the bill — the grass itself is the smaller cost, so cheap quotes usually mean cut corners underground.
- Costs are driven by area size, grass quality, how much excavation and base-building is needed, access and location.
- It's much dearer than real turf up front (£50 – £90 vs £15 – £30 per m²), but needs no mowing or watering and lasts 10–20 years.
- Fantastic doesn't have a dedicated artificial-grass page, but the landscaping and gardening team can install it — ask for a quote.
Thinking about a synthetic lawn? Explore Fantastic's gardening and landscaping services and request a quote — the Fantastic team can handle the groundwork and installation end to end.
How Much Does Artificial Grass Cost In 2026?
Artificial grass costs £50 – £90 per m² fully installed across most of the UK, climbing to £65 – £110 per m² in London and the South East.
On a whole-garden basis, that means roughly £1,000 – £1,800 for a small 20m² lawn, £2,500 – £4,500 for a 50m² garden, and £5,000 – £9,000 for a large 100m² space. Those figures are for a proper, fully-installed job — excavation, a compacted stone sub-base, weed membrane, the grass, joining, edging and infill — not just grass rolled onto bare earth.
That distinction matters, because the number people fixate on — the price of the grass — is the smaller half of the cost. The sub-base and groundwork typically make up around 60% of the total bill. That's the digging out, the layers of compacted aggregate and sand, the membrane and the edging that give a synthetic lawn its drainage, its firmness and its flat, long-lasting finish. A suspiciously cheap quote almost always means a thin or skipped base — and that's what causes lumps, puddles, weeds pushing through and a lawn that sags within a couple of years.
Here's what you can expect to pay for artificial grass across the UK:
| Artificial grass (installed) | Rest of UK | London & South East |
|---|---|---|
| Per m² | £50 – £90 | £65 – £110 |
| Small lawn (20 m²) | £1,000 – £1,800 | £1,300 – £2,200 |
| Medium lawn (50 m²) | £2,500 – £4,500 | £3,250 – £5,500 |
| Large lawn (100 m²) | £5,000 – £9,000 | £6,500 – £11,000 |
Figures include VAT where applicable and reflect 2026 market rates. Your exact price depends on groundwork and access — request a quote from Fantastic's gardening team.
Artificial Grass Cost By Garden Size
Because installation is priced per square metre, the total scales fairly predictably with area — but small lawns cost a little more per m² (minimum charges, same setup) and large lawns a little less. This table shows typical installed costs for the three most common sizes:
| Lawn size | Rough dimensions | Rest of UK | London |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (20 m²) | approx. 4m × 5m | £1,000 – £1,800 | £1,300 – £2,200 |
| Medium (50 m²) | approx. 7m × 7m | £2,500 – £4,500 | £3,250 – £5,500 |
| Large (100 m²) | approx. 10m × 10m | £5,000 – £9,000 | £6,500 – £11,000 |
Where Your Money Goes — The Cost Breakdown
Seeing the components separately explains why groundwork dominates the price:
| Component | Share of cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-base & groundwork | ~60% | Excavation, aggregate layers, sand, compaction, weed membrane, waste removal |
| Artificial grass (supplied) | £15 – £45 per m² | The grass itself — pile, density and backing vary by quality |
| Labour, edging & finishing | remainder | Laying, joining tape and adhesive, cutting-in, sand infill, edging/timber battens |
The grass comes in quality tiers, and the difference is visible and tangible underfoot:
| Grass quality | Cost per m² (supply) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | £15 – £25 | Shorter pile, shorter lifespan (around 5–8 years) |
| Mid-range | £25 – £35 | Realistic look, good durability — the popular choice |
| Premium | £35 – £45+ | Dense, natural-looking, hard-wearing, 15–20 year life |
What Affects The Cost Of Artificial Grass?
Several factors decide where you land in the ranges above.
1. The Size Of The Area
Bigger lawns cost more in total but less per m², as the crew works more efficiently once set up. Very small areas carry minimum charges, so the per-m² rate looks higher.
2. The Groundwork And Sub-Base
This is the biggest driver. If the old lawn or patio has to be dug out and a full aggregate base built and compacted, that's the bulk of the labour and materials. Laying onto an existing sound base is far cheaper — but rarely an option for a lasting result.
3. Grass Quality
Budget grass keeps the headline price down but wears and flattens sooner; premium grass costs more per roll but looks realistic and lasts 15–20 years. Across a small lawn, the upgrade from budget to premium is only a few hundred pounds.
4. Access And Waste Removal
Excavation generates heavy spoil that must be carried out and disposed of. Poor access — no side gate, steps, narrow passages — slows the job and adds cost. A skip or waste removal is often needed for the dug-out material.
5. Shape And Complexity
Simple rectangles are cheapest. Curves, borders, trees, slopes and obstacles mean more cutting-in, joining and waste, all of which push the per-m² rate up. Slopes may need extra levelling first.
6. Your Location
London and the South East run roughly 15–30% higher than the North, Wales and Scotland, reflecting higher labour and disposal costs.
What's Included — And What's Not
Typically included in an installed price:
- Removal of the existing lawn or surface and waste disposal
- Excavation and a compacted stone sub-base
- Weed-suppressant membrane
- Supply and laying of the grass, joining and edging
- Sand infill and a brushed finish
Sometimes charged separately:
- Extensive levelling of very uneven or sloping ground
- New borders, edging kerbs or timber framing beyond the standard
- Removing a hard existing surface (concrete, old decking)
- Drainage improvements on heavy clay soils
Always confirm the base build-up and what's included in writing — the sub-base is exactly where quotes differ.
Can I Do It Myself?
For a small, flat, simple area, a determined DIYer can lay artificial grass — the grass and materials are widely available and the laying itself is manageable. But the make-or-break is the base, and that's where DIY jobs most often fail. Excavating to the right depth, building and compacting the aggregate layers, getting a dead-flat fall for drainage, and joining seams invisibly are all skilled, physical work. Get the base wrong and you'll see ripples, puddles, weeds and lifting seams within a year or two — and redoing it costs more than doing it properly the first time.
Bring in a professional for anything larger than a small patch, for sloping or poorly-draining ground, or whenever you want a guaranteed flat, well-drained, long-lasting finish. Because a synthetic lawn is a 10–20 year investment, most homeowners find the installation quality is worth paying for. Fantastic's gardening and landscaping team can handle the whole job — groundwork included — so you're not left managing the trickiest part yourself.
How To Save Money On Artificial Grass
- Prioritise the base, not the pile — spend on proper groundwork and choose mid-range grass rather than the reverse.
- Measure carefully and lay rolls in the same direction to reduce waste and visible seams.
- Improve access and clear the area before the crew arrives, so paid time goes on installation.
- Get 2–3 detailed quotes and compare the base specification (depth and layers), not just the headline per-m² price.
- Combine with other landscaping (edging, borders, a patio) in one visit to save on repeat call-outs.
- Weigh up real turf — if budget is tight and you don't mind mowing, turfing costs a fraction of the price.
How To Hire A Good Artificial Grass Installer
Ask to see recent installations, confirm the installer is insured, and get a written quote that specifies the sub-base build-up — excavation depth, aggregate layers and membrane — because that's what separates a lawn that lasts from one that fails. Check the grass warranty (good grass carries a manufacturer guarantee) and confirm whether old-surface removal and waste are included.
Fantastic Services doesn't run a standalone artificial-grass page, but Fantastic's vetted, insured gardening and landscaping team can design and install a synthetic lawn from the groundwork up — request a quote to get the whole job priced, base included.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does Artificial Grass Cost Per Square Metre Installed?
In 2026, artificial grass costs £50 – £90 per m² fully installed across most of the UK, rising to £65 – £110 per m² in London. That includes groundwork, the grass and finishing — the grass alone is only £15 – £45 per m².
How Much Does It Cost To Install Artificial Grass In A 20m² Garden?
A small 20m² lawn typically costs £1,000 – £1,800 outside London and £1,300 – £2,200 in London, fully installed. A 50m² garden runs £2,500 – £4,500, and a 100m² space £5,000 – £9,000.
Why Is The Sub-Base Such A Big Part Of The Cost?
The sub-base makes up around 60% of the total because it's what gives the lawn its drainage, firmness and flat, lasting finish. It involves excavation, compacted aggregate layers, sand and membrane. Quotes that look cheap have usually cut the base — which is exactly what causes lumps, puddles and weeds later.
Is Artificial Grass Cheaper Than Real Turf?
No — not up front. Artificial grass costs £50 – £90 per m² installed versus £15 – £30 per m² for real turf. It only pays back over time, through zero mowing, watering or feeding across its 10–20 year life.
Can I Lay Artificial Grass Myself?
For a small, flat area, yes — but the base preparation is the hard part and the most common point of failure. Poor excavation and compaction lead to ripples, drainage problems and weeds within a year or two. For larger or sloping gardens, professional installation is strongly recommended.
How Long Does Artificial Grass Last?
Budget grass lasts around 5–8 years, mid-range 10–15 years, and premium grass 15–20 years with a good base and basic care (occasional brushing and rinsing). A quality sub-base is what lets the grass reach the top of that range.
Does Fantastic Services Install Artificial Grass?
Yes, Fantastic's gardening and landscaping team can install synthetic lawns, including the full groundwork and sub-base. Request a quote through the gardening hub and the team will price the complete job.
