A vibrant, green lawn can greatly enhance your home’s curb appeal, extending your living space outdoors for family activities, relaxation, and entertaining. But how much should you expect to pay for a new lawn, and are there ways to reduce costs while creating your dream yard?
Table of Contents
- Turf Costs
- Turf Delivery Costs
- Additional Service Costs
- DIY Lawn Installation Costs
- Finding Local Turf Suppliers
Turf Costs
The price of turf can vary significantly depending on the type of grass you choose. Common varieties that are easy to grow or are produced in large quantities tend to be more affordable, while premium or hybrid varieties using advanced technology can be more expensive. For detailed pricing on different turf options, visit our varieties pages.
To estimate your turf costs, measure the area you need to cover in square meters and multiply by the price per square meter of your chosen variety. For example, if you’re laying 100 square meters of Sapphire Buffalo (which costs between $11 and $18 per square meter), your turf alone will cost between $1,100 and $1,800.
Turf Delivery Costs
Once your turf is ordered and cut, you can either pick it up directly from the farm or have it delivered. Since most lawns require at least one pallet of turf, delivery to your site is often the most practical option, though it comes at a cost.
Delivery prices depend on:
- Distance from the turf farm, with most suppliers charging by the kilometers traveled.
- Order size, as large orders may require multiple deliveries or special transport.
- Time sensitivity, as deliveries required at specific times may incur an additional charge for priority service.
Additional Service Costs
In addition to purchasing turf, there are other costs to consider when installing a new lawn, such as site preparation.
Preparing your site might involve laying down a layer of quality turf underlay soil, which typically costs between $60 and $80 per cubic meter. To determine how much soil you need, provide the dimensions of your yard to the supplier.
Many turf underlay blends contain nitrogen to promote turf establishment and may also include soil wetter granules. It’s wise to consult with your supplier to ensure you’re getting the right blend for your project. Consider using a quality starter fertiliser, to support growth.
If you plan to alter your lawn’s shape or layout, you might also need to invest in additional hardscaping work, such as grading or installing retaining walls. This could add to both time and expense.
Additionally, this is a great opportunity to install under-lawn services like irrigation systems or garden lighting. While these can be added later, doing so during installation is more cost-effective and less disruptive to your new turf.
DIY Lawn Installation Costs
Installing your own lawn is a rewarding way to get hands-on with your outdoor space. It’s a relatively simple project that can be managed by any DIY enthusiast. The process is covered in our DIY Guide to Laying A New Lawn, but the basics involve offsetting each turf row (like brickwork) and rolling the area with a weighted roller to ensure good contact between the turf roots and soil.
Essential Materials for DIY Installation
In addition to turf, soil underlay, and starter fertiliser, you’ll need the following tools:
- Wheelbarrow, shovel, and rake for soil distribution
- Lawn leveling tool for even soil spread
- Sharp knife or shears for trimming turf
- Roller to flatten and secure the turf
- Hose and sprinkler for watering
DIY vs. Professional Installation
While DIY installation can save on labor costs (typically $10–$20 per square meter), it requires time, physical effort, and some skill. Some lawns may also need specialist tools or site preparation, such as extensive land clearing or leveling, which may be challenging for DIYers.
For those using premium turf varieties, hiring a professional can ensure your lawn is installed correctly, protecting your investment and providing expert precision. Although professional installation adds to the cost, the benefits of expertise and the right equipment may outweigh the savings from DIY.
By considering all these factors, you can better estimate the cost of your lawn installation project and make decisions to fit both your budget and your vision for your outdoor space.
Any questions, please call the professionals at All Year Rond Turf on 1300 887 348 .
