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Artificial grass is a plastic lawn sold on a roll, like carpet. You lay it over a prepared base and it stays green all year.
Pile height is how long the plastic blades are. Short pile (around 20mm) is cheaper and tougher. Long pile (around 40mm) looks more like a real lawn.
The grass is only half the job — it needs a firm, flat base underneath it, and that base is where most of the work goes.
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Where the cost goes
Three things make up the total: the grass itself (priced per m² — per square metre), the materials for the base under it, and labour. The biggest saving by far is doing the work yourself. A professional supply-and-fit job (they bring the grass and lay it for you) is typically £45–£70/m² — roughly double what it costs to do it yourself.
How to cut the grass cost
- Buy the right roll width. This is the big one people miss. Grass is sold on rolls in set widths, like carpet. Pick the wrong width and you pay for strips you cut off and throw away. Our calculator shows which width wastes least for your exact size.
- Choose a sensible pile height. Budget grass (~20mm) is cheaper and hard-wearing (it stands up to heavy use) — fine for play areas and pets. You don't always need premium 40mm, which just has longer blades.
- Measure carefully. Buy too much and that money is wasted. Buy too little and you have to order again.
What NOT to skimp on
Don't skip the base. You need a weed membrane (a sheet of fabric that stops weeds growing through) and a firm, level sub-base (the layer of packed stone underneath). On a hard surface like concrete, you use a foam underlay (a soft padding sheet) instead. These cost little compared with the grass, and they're what stop weeds and lumps ruining the finish. Cut these corners and you'll pay more later to put it right.
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What's the cheapest way to lay artificial grass?
Do the job yourself, pick the roll width that wastes least, and choose a budget-to-mid pile height. That can roughly halve the cost compared with hiring a fitter.
Is cheap artificial grass any good?
Budget grass is fine for areas that get heavy use. Just check it drains well (rain passes through it rather than pooling) and is non-toxic (safe for children and pets). For a main lawn you look at every day, mid-range usually looks more natural.
How do I avoid wasting money on grass?
Measure carefully and compare roll widths. The calculator shows the option that wastes least for your garden.
Rather not do it yourself?
A cheap fitting job done badly can cost you more than cheap grass ever would. Get proper quotes and compare them first. Post the job free, and local landscapers reply with quotes — so you can check real prices against our estimate.
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