How Much Does It Cost to Lay Turf or a New Lawn in the UK?

A fresh lawn transforms a garden. Whether you have bare soil after building work, a patchy mess from years of wear, or you are creating a new garden from scratch, installing a lawn is one of the most impactful things you can do.

There are two main ways to create a new lawn: turfing (laying rolls of ready-grown grass) or seeding. Both have different costs and timelines. This guide covers everything you need to know about lawn installation costs in the UK for 2026.

Average Cost to Lay Turf

For supply and installation of standard grade turf on prepared ground:

• Small lawn (up to 25m2): £400 – £800
• Medium lawn (25-80m2): £800 – £2,000
• Large lawn (80m2+): £15 – £25 per m2 (supply and lay)

These prices assume the ground is already reasonably level and clear. Preparation, soil improvement, and topdressing are additional.

Turf Supply Prices

Turf rolls are typically 1m x 0.33m (about 1/3 of a square metre per roll) and cost:

• Budget hardwearing turf: £2.50 – £3.50 per m2
• Premium ornamental turf: £4.00 – £7.00 per m2
• Sedum/wildflower turf: £8.00 – £20.00 per m2

Turf is usually sold by the pallet or in smaller quantities, with delivery adding £30 – £80 depending on distance.

Labour Cost for Turf Laying

A professional turf layer will charge:

• Labour only (ground prepared): £5 – £12 per m2
• Supply and lay (including basic prep): £12 – £22 per m2

A team of two can typically lay 80-120m2 of turf per day, so a standard medium garden lawn takes one day of labour.

Ground Preparation Costs

The condition of the ground has a big impact on the final cost. Good ground preparation is essential poorly prepared ground leads to uneven lawns, drainage problems, and rapid deterioration.

Typical ground preparation costs:

• Rotovating existing lawn or bare soil: £200 – £500 for a medium garden
• Removing old turf: £150 – £400
• Topsoil supply and spread (100mm depth): £300 – £900 per 20m2 area
• Levelling uneven ground: £300 – £1,000 depending on how much work is needed
• Adding a sandy loam or lawn preparation mix: £100 – £300

For the best results, 100mm of good quality topsoil is ideal below the turf. On existing soil that is reasonable quality, 50mm of topdressing and a pre-turfing fertiliser may be sufficient.

Cost to Seed a Lawn

Seeding is cheaper than turfing but takes longer to establish (6-12 weeks rather than 2-4 weeks for turf).

• Grass seed (1kg covers approx 30-35m2): £5 – £15 per kg depending on mix
• Labour to prepare and seed a 50m2 lawn: £300 – £700
• Total seeded lawn cost (supply and lay, 50m2): £600 – £1,200

Seeded lawns need careful watering for 6-8 weeks after sowing and should not be used heavily for at least 3 months.

Turfing vs Seeding: Which Is Better?

Turfing gives instant results and can be used within 4-6 weeks. It is better for gardens that need to look good quickly, for families with children or dogs who will use the lawn soon, and for sloped areas where seed would wash away.

Seeding is cheaper, offers a wider choice of grass species, and produces a lawn that can be tailored to your conditions (shade, heavy use, fine ornamental). It takes patience and careful establishment management.

DIY Turf Laying

Laying turf yourself is a manageable DIY project for a reasonably fit person. The main tasks are:

1. Mark out the area and remove old grass/weeds

2. Rotovate or fork over the soil to 20-30cm depth

3. Remove stones and large debris

4. Add topsoil or lawn preparation mix if needed

5. Rake to a fine tilth and firm with feet (or a roller)

6. Roll out turf in a brick-bond pattern, butting edges tightly

7. Water thoroughly and keep moist for the first 3-4 weeks

DIY material costs for a 50m2 lawn: approximately £150 – £350 for turf, plus any topsoil and pre-turfing fertiliser. Tool hire (rotovator, roller) adds £80 – £120 per day.

How to Save Money on a New Lawn

• Do your own clearance: Remove old turf, weeds, and stones yourself before the contractor arrives
• Time your project: Autumn (September-October) is the best time for both seeding and turfing in the UK
• Source your own topsoil: Buying directly from a garden centre or builders merchant is often cheaper than through a landscaper
• Seed rather than turf: If you can wait 3 months, seeding saves 40-60% on materials
• Compare quotes: Get three prices and check exactly what each includes

Questions to Ask a Turf Contractor

• Is topsoil preparation included in the price?
• What grade of turf will be used, and where does it come from?
• How long before the lawn can be walked on?
• What aftercare advice do you provide?
• Does the quote include removal of old turf/weeds?

A written quote that specifies preparation depth, turf grade, and aftercare advice signals a professional operation.