Cost Guide

How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Old Lawn With Turf in Brislington?

Replacing a lawn means lifting the old one first. That is the part people do not price, and it is heavy work.

Updated 1 September 2026 Turfing · Brislington

The Short Answer

Quoted as lifting and disposing of the old lawn, preparing the ground beneath it, and laying new turf. The lifting and disposal is a genuine cost — old turf is heavy and there is a great deal of it.

We do not publish a fixed price list for turfing, because ground preparation varies far more between gardens than the turf itself does. What we can do is explain what changes the number.

Why the Old Lawn Has to Come Up

Turf cannot be laid over an existing lawn. The old grass and thatch beneath prevent the new turf rooting into soil, the old weeds grow up through it, and the level rises by the thickness of both layers — putting the lawn proud of paths and, at worst, above the damp proof course. It is not a shortcut; it is a failed lawn.

What the Job Involves

Would Renovation Do?

ProblemReplace, or renovate?
Moss and thatchRenovate — scarify, aerate, feed, overseed
Thin and patchyRenovate first, usually
Weedy but levelRenovate
Uneven and bumpyReplace — levels need lifting
WaterloggedNeither, until drainage is addressed
Compacted and deadReplace
Wrong shape or positionReplace
Deep shade under treesNeither — reconsider the lawn

Renovation costs considerably less and is often enough. A lawn that is thin, mossy and unloved can be transformed by scarifying, aerating, feeding and overseeding over a season. What renovation cannot fix is levels, drainage, or a lawn that is genuinely dead.

Call Us Today For A Free Quote

Tell us what you need and we will arrange a free quotation.

What Is Usually Found Underneath

Every old lawn we lift explains itself. The bare patch was over a path, the boggy corner has no drainage, and the moss was compaction all along.

Fix the Cause

This is the point of replacing rather than patching. If the old lawn failed because of compaction, poor drainage, thin soil or deep shade, laying new turf over the same problem produces the same lawn in three years. The moment the old turf is off is the only opportunity to address any of it — and it costs far less then than it will when the new lawn is down.

What to Tell Us

Turfing in Brislington

See what our turfing service covers in Brislington, or read more about the service across the areas we work in.

Turfing Brislington → Turfing Bristol →

FAQs

Replacing an Old Lawn in Brislington — FAQs

How much does it cost to replace an old lawn with turf?

It is quoted as lifting and disposing of the old lawn, preparing the ground beneath, and laying new turf. The lifting is a genuine part of the cost.

Can new turf be laid over an old lawn?

No. The new turf cannot root through old grass and thatch, old weeds grow through, and the level rises by the thickness of both layers.

Would renovation be cheaper?

Considerably, and it is often enough. Scarifying, aerating, feeding and overseeding transforms a thin, mossy lawn — but cannot fix levels, drainage or a dead lawn.

When is replacement right?

When the lawn is uneven and needs levelling, when it is compacted and dead, when the shape is wrong, or when drainage work is needed underneath.

What is usually found under an old lawn?

Compaction almost always, often thin soil over rubble, sometimes old paths explaining dry patches, and poor drainage explaining wet ones.

Will the new lawn last longer?

Only if the cause of the old one's failure is addressed while the turf is off. Otherwise you get the same lawn back in three years.

Do you take the old turf away?

Yes. It is heavy, bulky waste and removal is part of the job.

What if the garden is deeply shaded?

Often a lawn is not the answer. Grass struggles in deep shade whatever you lay, and a shade planting or bark area may suit better.

Request a Free Quote

Tell Us About Your Tree or Garden Work

Need tree surgery, hedge maintenance, fencing, garden clearance, turfing or power washing? Complete the form and tell us what work you require.

Prefer to speak to us? Call 07788 912140 or 01179 110230. We use your details only to respond to this enquiry — see our privacy policy.