The turf is rarely the biggest line in a turfing quote. What is underneath it usually is.
Turfing is quoted on area, but the preparation drives the price more than the turf does. Clearing the existing surface, cultivating, levelling and adding topsoil where needed is most of the labour in a turfing job.
We do not publish fixed prices for this work, because the honest answer is that it varies more than a price list would suggest. What we can do is explain exactly what moves the number, so that when you call for a free quotation you already know what we will be asking about.
| Element | Notes |
|---|---|
| Clearing the existing surface | Removing old grass, weeds or debris |
| Ground preparation | Cultivating, breaking compaction, removing stones and roots |
| Levelling | Grading so the finished lawn is flat and drains properly |
| Topsoil | Added where existing soil is too thin or poor |
| The turf itself | Grade and quantity, plus delivery |
| Laying | Staggered joints, butted tight, cut to edges |
| Waste removal | Old turf and spoil taken away |
A garden that is already broadly level needs cultivating and raking. One that needs significant regrading — filling hollows, cutting down high points, or correcting a fall towards the house — involves moving soil, and moving soil is the most labour-intensive thing in any garden. Poor drainage may need addressing before turf is worth laying at all, because turf on waterlogged ground will not thrive whatever you spend on it.
Turf needs a reasonable depth of decent soil to root into. Where the existing ground is thin, stony, or builder's subsoil, topsoil has to be imported — and it is heavy, so both the material and the handling cost. This is frequently the difference between two turfing quotes for the same lawn.
Larger lawns generally cost less per square metre, because set-up and delivery are spread further. Complex shapes with curved borders, tree rings and island beds take longer to cut and fit than a simple rectangle, and generate more offcut waste.
Tell us what you need and we will arrange a free quotation.
The aftercare is not an optional extra — it is half of whether the job succeeds, and it costs nothing but attention.
It is quoted on area, but the ground preparation usually drives the price more than the turf itself. Clearing, cultivating, levelling and any topsoil needed are most of the labour.
Because it is where the labour is, and because it determines whether the lawn survives. Turf laid on unprepared ground roots poorly and never fully recovers.
Only if the existing ground is too thin, stony or poor for turf to root into. Where it is needed, topsoil is heavy and both the material and handling add cost.
Yes. Curved borders, tree rings and island beds take longer to cut and fit than a simple rectangle, and produce more offcut waste.
Usually, because set-up and delivery costs are spread across a larger area.
Under-watering in the first few weeks. It is free to get right and it is entirely down to the customer.
Keep off it for two to three weeks, first cut at around three weeks on the highest mower setting, and normal use after six to eight weeks.
No. The existing grass is removed first — laying new turf over old grass produces a poor result.
Need tree surgery, hedge maintenance, fencing, garden clearance, turfing or power washing? Complete the form and tell us what work you require.
