Laying artificial grass on soil is the most common type of installation for UK gardens – and also the one with the biggest cost range. Ground preparation, access, waste removal, and edging all play a massive role in your final price.
This guide breaks down typical UK costs, what affects the price, and how soil installs compare to fitting artificial grass on concrete or hard surfaces.
If you’re budgeting for a full garden transformation, also see our core pricing pillar: How Much Does Artificial Grass Cost in the UK?
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Artificial grass installation on soil usually sits within the wider £45–£85 per m² installed range, depending on groundwork.
- More complex soil installs with deeper excavation, difficult access, drainage work or premium edging can cost more.
- The biggest cost factors are groundworks, waste removal, access and edging.
- A proper base, usually MOT Type 1 with a levelling layer, is essential for drainage and long-term durability.
- Professional installers like As Good As Grass include excavation, base layers, joining, brushing and cleanup.
🧭 Jump to:
- Typical Installation Costs
- Can You Lay Artificial Grass Directly on Soil?
- What Affects the Cost?
- How We Install Grass on Soil
- Artificial Grass Fitters Near Me
- Installation Cost Examples
- FAQs
- Get a Professional Quote
How Much Does It Cost to Lay Artificial Grass on Soil?
For most UK gardens, expect to pay:
| Installation Type | Typical Cost per m² |
|---|---|
| Standard Excavation + Base + Turf | Usually £45–£85 per m² |
| Premium Install (deep dig, heavy waste, edging) | Can exceed £85 per m² |
| Supply Only (turf rolls) | £12–£28 per m² |
Soil installs cost more than laying onto concrete because they require full excavation, sub-base construction and stabilisation. If you’re unsure which install your garden needs, compare it to our guide for installing grass on concrete.
💡 Quick Cost Check
As a rough guide, a 30m² UK garden installed on soil may cost around £1,350–£2,550 within the usual installed range, with complex groundwork, waste removal, access or edging pushing the price higher.
Can You Lay Artificial Grass Directly on Soil?
No — artificial grass should not be laid directly onto soil. It may look acceptable at first, but the surface is likely to sink, wrinkle, hold water and allow weeds through over time.
A proper soil installation needs the old lawn removed, the ground excavated, a compacted sub-base installed, a levelling layer added, then the artificial grass fitted and secured. This groundwork is what gives the lawn its drainage, stability and lifespan.
What Affects the Price of Laying Artificial Grass on Soil?
The main cost drivers include:
- Amount of excavation required – standard gardens need 70–100mm removed; old lawns or clay areas need more.
- Waste removal – soil disposal is costly; skip size and distance matter.
- Base layers – MOT Type 1 + a suitable levelling layer for stability and drainage.
- Edging – timber, concrete, steel or plastic edging adds labour and materials.
- Access – tight access may require manual barrowing instead of machinery.
- Garden shape – curves, obstacles and multiple joins increase time and materials.
- Turf type – premium grasses typically cost more but look more natural.
How Artificial Grass Is Installed on Soil (Step-by-Step)
Each step below is essential for long-term performance – skipping any stage is the main reason artificial grass sinks, ripples or drains poorly over time.
Here’s the professional process used by As Good As Grass installers:
- Site clearance: Remove existing turf, roots and debris.
- Excavation: Dig out 70–100mm (more for soft ground).
- Install edging: Timber, steel or concrete frameworks to secure the perimeter.
- Lay MOT sub-base: Compact stone layer for strength and drainage.
- Apply the levelling layer: Sharp sand, grano dust or limestone fines are screeded to create a smooth, stable surface for the turf.
- Roll out turf: Cut to size, shape to edges and obstacles.
- Join & secure: Apply joint tape, glue and perimeter fixing.
- Brush, dress & finish: Power brush the fibres upright for a natural look.
This full system is why pro installs last 10+ years with minimal maintenance – and why cutting corners leads to sinking, wrinkles or poor drainage.
Artificial Grass Fitters Near Me: What Should Be Included?
If you are comparing artificial grass fitters near you, make sure the quote includes more than just the turf. A proper soil installation should include excavation, waste removal, sub-base construction, a levelling layer, membrane where needed, joins, edging, fixing and final brushing.
Cheaper quotes can look attractive, but if the groundwork is skipped or the base is too shallow, the lawn may sink, ripple or drain poorly later. Always ask what is included before comparing prices.
Artificial Grass Installation Cost Examples
Realistic pricing scenarios to help benchmark your project:
Example 1: 25m² Back Garden (Standard Install)
A straightforward garden with easy access and normal soil conditions – this is the most typical artificial grass installation scenario.
- Light excavation
- 2 tonnes MOT & 1 tonne granite dust
- Simple timber edging
- Mid-range turf
Total: £1,650–£2,100
Example 2: 40m² Garden With Heavy Soil & Skip Hire
When the ground is clay-heavy or compacted, the job takes more digging, more labour, and usually a skip. Here’s what that does to the price.
- Deep excavation (clay soil)
- High waste removal
- Premium edging
- Premium 40mm grass
Total: £3,200–£4,000
Example 3: 60m² Family Garden With Curves & Play Area
Bigger gardens with curved edges, play zones or features require extra cutting time and more detailed groundwork – increasing costs slightly.
- Multiple cuts & joins
- Extra base reinforcement
- Shockpad optional
Total: £4,500–£6,500
Artificial Grass on Soil – FAQs
Here are the most common questions from homeowners planning a soil installation:
Do I need to remove the old grass first?
Yes – removing the existing turf prevents weeds, uneven settling and drainage issues.
Can you lay artificial grass directly onto soil?
No. Artificial grass should not be laid directly onto soil because the ground can move, sink, hold water and allow weeds through. A proper installation needs excavation, a compacted sub-base and a levelling layer before the grass is fitted.
Does artificial grass drain well on soil?
Yes – provided the sub-base is installed correctly. Granite dust ensures smooth, fast drainage.
What’s cheaper – soil or concrete installation?
Concrete installations are usually cheaper because they avoid excavation, waste removal and base construction. See our full soil vs concrete cost comparison.
How much does it cost to lay artificial grass on soil?
Most soil-based artificial grass installations sit within the wider £45–£85 per m² installed range. The final price depends on excavation depth, access, waste removal, drainage, edging and the turf chosen.
How long does the installation take?
Most gardens take 1–2 days. Larger or complex projects may take longer.
Does the soil type matter?
Clay-heavy soil often requires deeper excavation and additional drainage layers.
Get a Free Quote for Professional Installation
We install artificial grass across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and the North West – using proper groundwork, premium turf and professional fitting for long-lasting results.
