Garden & outdoors
Turf and new lawn cost calculator
A new lawn is a quick, relatively cheap way to change the whole look of a garden. Ground preparation is the part that decides whether you get a lush lawn or a patchy one. Turf gives you grass in days. Seed is cheaper but needs patience.
- Full DIY
- £270
- Smart Hybrid
- £270
- Full Trade
- £640
Typical mid-range job, Midlands rates. Yours updates below.
Updated November 2026. Estimates based on typical UK prices.
Cost calculator
Price this job three ways
Answer a few questions and watch the numbers move. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
Smart Hybrid saves £370 against a full trade job.
Smart Hybrid
You take on what you can, a trade handles the rest.
£270
- Materials
- £266
- Labour
- £0
- You take on: dig over, level and rake the ground, lay the turf.
- Everything else stays with a trade.
- Water new turf daily for the first two to three weeks, and keep off it until it has rooted.
Turn this into a plan
Get the order of work, who to book and a budget tracker, all editable.
Order of work for this job
A typical order. Always confirm timing with whoever you book, since some steps can overlap.
- 1
Fitting
- Dig over, level and rake the groundYou · ~1.33 days
- Lay the turfYou · ~0.67 days
How we worked out the materials›
- Turf£25240 m² + 5% for trimming = 42 m²
- Starter fertiliser£1440 m², about 100 m² per tub
Estimates only, based on regional averages. Always get 2 to 3 written quotes from local trades.
The price
What affects the cost?
- 1
Area
Turf, seed, topsoil and fertiliser all scale with lawn size.
- 2
Turf or seed
Turf costs far more per m² than seed but is usable in weeks rather than months.
- 3
Soil condition
Poor soil may need topsoil or soil improver, which adds cost.
- 4
Clearing the old lawn
Weeds, old turf and rubble need removing before you start.
- 5
Aftercare
Watering and the first cuts take regular time over the first few weeks.
Be honest with yourself
Can you do this yourself?
You can do
- The whole job: digging, levelling, laying turf or sowing seed
- Watering and aftercare
Leave to a pro
- Large lawns needing machinery
- Drainage problems or heavy clay that needs regrading
- Installing irrigation
The rules
No regulations apply.
DIY guide
How to lay a new lawn, step by step
Tools you'll need
- Spade and fork
- Rake (landscape rake)
- Wheelbarrow
- Garden roller or a plank to firm turf
- Sharp knife for trimming turf
Materials
- Turf (about 5–10% extra) or grass seed
- Topsoil or soil improver
- Pre-seed or turf fertiliser
- Water (lots of it)
- 1
Choose turf or seed, and the season
~0.25 daysTurf can be laid most of the year if the ground is not frozen or baked, with autumn and spring best. Seed does best in early autumn or spring when the soil is warm and moist.
- 2
Clear the ground
~1 dayRemove the old lawn, weeds, roots and stones. Treat perennial weeds and dig out as much as you can.
- 3
Dig, level and improve the soil
~1 dayDig over the area to a spade depth and break up lumps. Rake level, filling dips with topsoil, and mix in soil improver if the soil is poor.
- 4
Firm and rake the surface
~0.5 daysTread the area gently with your feet close together to firm it without compacting, then rake to a fine crumbly surface. Add a pre-seed fertiliser.
Tip: Walk it in a shuffle with your weight on your heels. It is the traditional way to firm soil evenly.
- 5
Lay turf like bricks, or sow seed
~1 dayLay turf in staggered rows like brickwork, with tight joins and no gaps. Stand on a board, not the new turf. For seed, sow at the rate on the pack, rake lightly, and protect from birds.
- 6
Water thoroughly
~0.25 daysWater the new lawn immediately and keep it moist for the first few weeks, especially in dry weather. Do not let turf dry out at the edges.
- 7
First cut
~0.25 daysWait until the grass is established and about 5–7cm tall. Make the first cut with the blades set high and the mower dry, and take off no more than a third.
Learn from others
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not preparing the soil, so the lawn comes up patchy
- Letting turf dry out in the first few weeks
- Walking on the new lawn too soon
- Sowing seed at the wrong time of year
- Leaving gaps between turf rolls
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to lay a new lawn?
For a typical 8 × 5 m lawn, turf costs from around £270 laying it yourself to £640 with a gardener. Sowing seed instead comes to around £40 DIY, but takes weeks longer to be usable.
Is turf or grass seed better?
Turf gives you an instant lawn that can be used in a few weeks, but costs more. Seed is much cheaper and gives a stronger root system, but takes longer to establish and needs more care from birds and weeds. Autumn and spring are the best seasons for both.
How do I lay turf?
Clear and level the ground, rake it to a fine surface, then lay the turf in staggered rows like brickwork with tight joins and no gaps. Water thoroughly straight away and daily for the first couple of weeks, and keep off it until it has rooted.
How long does grass seed take to grow?
Seed usually germinates in one to three weeks depending on the temperature and moisture, and you can make a first cut once the grass is around 5–7 cm. Allow a couple of months before heavy use.
Do I need to bring in topsoil?
Only if your soil is very poor, stony or uneven. Spreading a layer of good topsoil improves growth and helps level the ground, but it adds cost, so check your existing soil first.
Ready to plan it?
Add this job to your renovation plan to get the order of work, who to book and a budget you can track.