Artificial Grass Installation
A lawn is only as good as the groundwork beneath it. Our installation service covers the full job, from excavation and drainage to the final brush-up, so the finish lasts.
Installing artificial grass well is a groundworks job as much as a finishing one. The grass you can see is the last layer to go down; everything beneath it determines whether the lawn stays flat, drains freely and keeps its shape for years, or dips, ripples and puddles within a season.
Our installation service takes care of the whole process: lifting the old surface, building a stable aggregate sub-base with the right falls for drainage, laying a weed-control membrane, then fitting, joining and securing the grass to a clean, natural finish. We explain what each step involves and why it matters, so you know exactly what you are paying for.
Proper sub-base
A compacted MOT Type 1 and sharp-sand base built to the correct depth. This is the foundation a lasting lawn relies on.
Drainage by design
Falls and permeable layers planned before we start, so water clears quickly rather than sitting on the surface.
Secure, tidy finish
Firm edges, tight glued-and-taped joins and the correct infill where the product calls for it.
What's included in a full installation
A typical supply-and-fit installation covers the complete transformation of your space, not just rolling out grass. In most cases that means:
- Excavating and removing the existing lawn, soil or surface to the required depth
- Disposing of the waste responsibly
- Laying and compacting a sub-base of MOT Type 1 aggregate in layers
- Adding a levelling layer of sharp sand or granite dust, screeded to the correct falls
- Fixing secure perimeter edging where needed
- Laying a weed-control membrane with overlapping joints
- Rolling out, cutting and positioning the grass with the pile running in a single direction
- Jointing any seams with tape and adhesive
- Fixing the perimeter, then brushing in kiln-dried sand infill if the product requires it
The exact specification depends on your site. We confirm the details in writing before any work begins.
Why the groundwork matters so much
Most problems people associate with artificial grass (puddling, visible joins, movement, weeds pushing through, an uneven feel underfoot) trace back to the base, not the grass itself. A base that is too shallow, poorly compacted or laid without falls will not drain or hold its shape, and no quality of turf can disguise that.
This is why we treat ground preparation as the core of the job rather than a step to rush. If you want to understand the sub-base in detail, see our dedicated page on ground preparation and how we approach drainage.
Installing over different surfaces
Grass can be installed over soil, old lawns, decking and hard surfaces such as concrete or paving, but the method changes:
- Soil and existing lawn: excavated and replaced with an aggregate sub-base.
- Concrete or paving: if it already drains and is sound, grass can often be laid over it with a foam shockpad or suitable underlay. If water pools, drainage holes or a different approach may be needed. More on this in our guide to laying grass on concrete.
- Decking: possible where the structure is sound and gaps are bridged so the grass does not sink between boards.
Benefits and considerations
Benefits
- A flat, stable surface that keeps its shape and drains properly
- Clean, barely visible joins and firmly fixed edges
- Weed growth suppressed from below with a membrane
- Correct infill for a natural feel and to keep fibres upright
- A single, accountable team for the whole job
- Waste removed and the site left clean
Worth considering
- Good installation takes time, so be wary of quotes far cheaper than others, as corners are usually cut in the base
- Access affects cost and method: narrow or stepped access means more hand-balling of materials
- Very wet or frozen ground can delay groundworks
- Existing drainage problems may need resolving first, which adds to the scope
Our installation process
Every project is quoted individually, but the sequence of a quality installation is consistent.
Consultation & quote
We discuss how you use the space and the look you want, then provide a clear, itemised quote.
Site assessment
We check levels, access, the existing surface and how the ground drains before confirming the specification.
Excavation & base
The old surface comes up; a compacted aggregate sub-base is built to the right depth and falls.
Membrane & grass
A weed membrane goes down, then the grass is laid, joined, trimmed and secured at the edges.
Infill & finish
Where needed, kiln-dried sand is brushed in, the pile is dressed up, and the site is cleaned.
Aftercare advice
We explain simple maintenance so your lawn stays looking its best for years.
What affects installation cost
Installation is priced per project, not just per square metre, because the groundwork varies so much from garden to garden. As a broad UK guide, fully installed lawns commonly fall between around £50 and £90 per square metre, higher in London and the South East.
Key cost factors
- The size and shape of the area (small, intricate gardens cost more per m²)
- How much excavation and waste removal is needed
- The condition of the existing ground and any drainage work
- Site access for machinery and materials
- The grade and specification of grass chosen
- Edging, steps, borders and other detailing
Frequently asked questions
A straightforward domestic lawn is often completed in one to three days, depending on size, access and how much excavation is involved. Larger or more complex projects, or ones needing extra drainage, take longer. We give a realistic timescale with your quote.
Yes, for much of the year. The main limitations are waterlogged or frozen ground, which make groundworks difficult and can affect compaction. We simply plan around prolonged bad weather where needed.
No. Removing the existing surface is part of the installation. We excavate to the required depth so there is room for a proper sub-base beneath the new grass.
When seams are jointed carefully, with the pile running the same way on both pieces, tape and adhesive used correctly, and the infill brushed in, joins should be very difficult to spot. Visible joins are usually a sign of a rushed fit.
Quality artificial grass carries a manufacturer's warranty on the product (commonly several years against UV fade and defects). Any workmanship assurance we offer will be confirmed in writing with your quote. We do not make guarantee claims we cannot back up.
Related services and guides
Ready for a properly installed lawn?
Send us the details of your space and we will put together a clear, itemised installation quote, with no obligation.