A successful garden makeover is not just about choosing attractive materials. The order of the work matters too. If a new driveway, patio, fence, shed or drainage system is planned alongside an artificial lawn, completing jobs in the wrong sequence can create extra cost, delays and avoidable damage.
Artificial grass is normally one of the final major surfaces to be installed. Before the turf goes down, the wider garden layout, finished levels, access requirements and rainwater drainage should already be agreed. That gives the installation team a stable starting point and helps every part of the garden meet cleanly.
This guide explains what to organise before booking your professional artificial grass installation, which jobs usually come first and when different trades need to coordinate.
📏 Quick answer
Complete structural repairs, major clearance, fencing, walls, drainage, driveways and patios before the artificial grass. Once the surrounding levels and hard edges are fixed, the lawn can be prepared, cut and finished neatly against them. Small decorative jobs and routine planting can normally wait until afterwards.
🔑 Key takeaways
- Set the final garden layout before ordering turf or confirming installation dates.
- Deal with drainage, unstable ground and underground services before new surfaces cover them.
- Complete work involving skips, machinery or repeated access before the lawn is installed.
- Install permanent hard edges before the grass so it can be cut and secured neatly.
- Ask the relevant trades to agree levels, drainage points and handover responsibilities before work begins.
🧭 Jump to
1. Finalise the wider garden layout first
Start by deciding how the finished garden should work. Mark out the lawn, paths, seating areas, planting beds, play spaces, bin storage and any future sheds or garden buildings. Think about how people will move through the space and where furniture, gates and steps will sit.
This does not mean every decorative decision must be final. However, the permanent boundaries and finished heights should be clear before groundwork begins. Artificial grass needs secure edges, while adjoining patios and paths need to meet the lawn at a sensible level.
Questions to answer at the planning stage
- Where will the artificial lawn start and finish?
- Will it meet paving, resin, decking, planting beds or a fence?
- Are any levels, steps or retaining edges changing?
- Does a shed, playhouse or hot tub need a separate base?
- Which route will installers use to remove spoil and bring in materials?
- Where should rainwater travel once every surface is complete?
If several elements are changing, a simple sketch with measurements is usually enough to identify clashes before they become expensive. It also makes quotations easier to compare because each contractor is working from the same plan.
2. Complete major clearance and repairs
Remove anything that will not remain in the finished garden before the lawn installation date. That may include broken sheds, unwanted planting, loose edging, old play equipment or sections of damaged fencing. Heavy dismantling and repeated wheelbarrow access are much easier while there is no new surface to protect.
It is also worth repairing gates, boundary fences and exterior fixtures now. A damaged panel can sometimes be replaced later without affecting the lawn, but a full fence replacement may require posts, concrete and access along the lawn edge.
Local help with smaller preparation jobs
For garden tidy-ups, light landscaping, fence or gate maintenance, shed work and other smaller outdoor jobs around Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley, we recommend The Odd Job Guy’s gardening and landscaping service. Completing these jobs first helps keep tools, waste and foot traffic away from the finished lawn.
Routine planting can usually wait until the end, particularly when plants are being added to established beds. The exception is substantial tree, root or retaining work that could disturb the future lawn base.
3. Resolve drainage and finished levels
Drainage should be considered across the whole garden rather than one surface at a time. Artificial grass is designed to let water pass through, but the prepared base underneath must also allow that water to disperse. Nearby patios, paths, roofs and driveways can all influence how much water reaches the lawn.
Before anything is covered, identify existing gullies, drains, downpipes, inspection covers and persistently wet areas. If underground drainage needs attention, complete that work before the new lawn or hard landscaping is installed.
Warning signs that need investigating
- Water remains on the lawn or paving long after rainfall.
- The ground is soft, sunken or uneven in specific areas.
- A downpipe discharges directly onto soil beside the planned lawn.
- Water runs towards the house, garage or another building.
- Previous surfacing has covered or restricted a drainage point.
Uneven gardens do not automatically prevent installation, but the cause of the movement or poor drainage matters. Our guide to laying artificial grass on uneven ground explains why preparation is more important than simply levelling the visible surface.
💡 Installer insight
Do not assume a new artificial lawn will correct a wider garden drainage problem by itself. A professional survey should consider the existing soil, slopes, adjoining surfaces and where water can safely disperse before the base specification is agreed.
4. Should the driveway or patio be completed before artificial grass?
In most combined projects, complete the driveway, patio or permanent path first. These surfaces establish fixed levels and firm edges for the artificial grass installation to meet. The turf can then be accurately cut and secured against the completed boundary.
Hard landscaping often involves excavation, compacting machinery, bulk deliveries and spoil removal. Carrying out that work across a new lawn creates an unnecessary risk of crushing fibres, disturbing edges or contaminating the surface.
Planning driveway and lawn work around Clitheroe
For resin driveways and exterior surfacing around Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley, we recommend speaking with RB Surfaces. Ask the surfacing and artificial grass teams to agree the shared edge, final heights and drainage route before either installation begins.
When could the sequence change?
A small path repair that does not affect levels or lawn access may be completed later. There may also be projects where both teams work in stages. What matters is that everyone agrees which permanent edge will be built first and who is responsible for the final junction between the two surfaces.
If artificial grass is being fitted directly over an existing patio, the preparation method will be different from a full soil-based installation. The survey should confirm the condition of the surface, drainage route and whether a suitable underlay or local repairs are required.
5. Sort fences, walls, gates and sheds
Boundary work is best completed before the lawn whenever posts, concrete or access along the perimeter are involved. New fences and walls can also determine the shape of the lawn and the type of edging required.
Sheds, playhouses and other heavy structures need a suitable base rather than being placed directly onto artificial grass. Decide their final positions early so the lawn can be designed around them. The same principle applies to permanent planters, outdoor kitchens and hot tubs.
| Garden feature | Best time to complete it | Why the timing matters |
|---|---|---|
| Fence replacement | Before the lawn | Post holes, concrete and perimeter access may disturb the base. |
| Shed or garden building base | Before the lawn | It creates a fixed footprint and finished level. |
| Raised beds and retaining edges | Before the lawn | The grass needs a permanent edge to finish against. |
| Routine planting | Usually after the lawn | Small planting jobs rarely affect the base or finished levels. |
| Fence painting and decorative finishing | Before or carefully after | Completing it first avoids paint and repeated ladder use over new turf. |
6. Install the artificial grass once the disruptive work is finished
Once the permanent edges, hard surfaces, drainage points and access-heavy jobs are complete, the artificial grass installation can begin. The old lawn is removed, levels are corrected and a stable, free-draining base is constructed before the turf is cut, joined, secured and brushed into its finished position.
A professional survey should still take place before the final programme is fixed. That allows the installer to assess access, ground conditions, waste removal, measurements and the relationship with adjoining surfaces.
As Good As Grass provides full-service installation across the North West, including groundwork, drainage preparation and final fitting. Explore our artificial grass installation service or view our artificial grass installation across Lancashire for local coverage including Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley.
What can normally be completed after installation?
- Planting flowers and small shrubs in established beds
- Positioning lightweight garden furniture and pots
- Adding decorative lighting that does not require new trenches
- Minor touch-up painting
- Final cleaning and styling of the completed garden
Protect the new surface while any finishing work is carried out. Avoid dragging heavy objects across the fibres, and discuss permanent heavy items with the installer before placing them.
Recommended order for a complete garden makeover
| Stage | Work to complete | Key check before moving on |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Plan | Layout, measurements, access and contractor sequence | Every permanent feature has an agreed position. |
| 2. Clear | Remove unwanted structures, planting and waste | The working area and access route are clear. |
| 3. Structural work | Walls, fences, gates, steps and building bases | Permanent boundaries and levels are fixed. |
| 4. Drainage | Underground repairs, gullies and water routes | Water has a suitable route away from buildings. |
| 5. Hard landscaping | Driveway, patio, permanent paths and edging | Shared edges and finished heights are complete. |
| 6. Artificial grass | Base preparation, turf fitting and finishing | Heavy access and disruptive work have ended. |
| 7. Finish | Planting, furniture, lighting and final clean | The completed lawn is protected throughout. |
Common planning mistakes to avoid
Booking every contractor independently
If nobody understands the complete project, quotations may rely on conflicting levels or assumptions. Give each contractor the wider plan and ask what they need from the trade working before them.
Installing the lawn before heavy access is finished
Skips, machinery, bulk bags and repeated wheelbarrow routes should be kept away from finished artificial grass wherever possible. Complete the disruptive jobs first.
Treating drainage as a problem for one surface
Water moves across the garden as a whole. A driveway, patio or downpipe can direct additional water towards the lawn, while unsuitable garden levels can send it towards buildings. Plan the complete route before covering the ground.
Leaving permanent edges until later
The lawn needs a secure and tidy boundary. If a path, wall or raised bed will form that boundary, complete it before the turf is measured and cut.
Ordering materials before the layout is final
Changes to the shape of the lawn affect quantities, joins and cutting plans. Confirm the final area before ordering supply-only turf or approving an installation quotation. Our artificial grass installation cost guide explains the main factors that influence a professional quotation.
Planning more than just a new lawn?
Tell us what else is changing in the garden when you request your survey. We can assess access, drainage, edges and the best point in the wider project for the artificial grass installation.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Should artificial grass be installed before or after a patio?
The patio should normally be completed first. It establishes the finished height and permanent edge that the artificial grass can be cut and secured against. It also keeps excavation, machinery and waste away from the completed lawn.
Should a driveway be completed before artificial grass?
Yes, in most combined front-garden projects. Driveway construction is usually the heavier and more disruptive stage. Complete it first, then install the artificial grass against the finished driveway edge once the levels and drainage route are confirmed.
Can fencing be replaced after artificial grass is installed?
It can be done, but replacing the fence first is normally easier. New post holes, concrete, waste and access along the boundary may disturb or dirty the lawn. If the fence must be replaced later, explain this to the installer so the edge can be planned accordingly.
Can a shed sit directly on artificial grass?
A shed should have a suitable stable base rather than relying on the artificial lawn. Plan and construct that base first, then finish the grass neatly around it.
Do I need to remove the old lawn before the survey?
No. Leave the existing garden in place unless another agreed part of the project requires clearance. The surveyor needs to see the present levels, access, drainage and ground conditions to recommend the correct preparation.
Will artificial grass fix a waterlogged garden?
Not by itself. Artificial turf allows water through, but the ground and prepared base must also manage that water. A professional survey should identify why the area remains wet and whether additional drainage work or a different base specification is required.
Can artificial grass meet resin, paving or decking?
Yes. Artificial grass can be finished neatly against several permanent surfaces when the shared edge, levels and drainage are planned correctly. Complete or accurately set out those surfaces before the turf is cut.
When should planting be completed?
Substantial tree, root and retaining work should come first. Routine planting in established beds can usually be completed after the lawn, provided soil and tools are kept off the finished surface.
How early should I contact the artificial grass installer?
Contact the installer during the planning stage, even if other work needs to happen first. Early advice can prevent conflicting levels, unsuitable edges or access problems. The final installation date can then be confirmed once the preceding work is ready.
Do you install artificial grass in Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley?
Yes. As Good As Grass installs artificial grass across Lancashire, including Clitheroe and the wider Ribble Valley. We provide surveys, ground preparation, drainage-focused base construction, fitting and finishing through our in-house installation team.
Final takeaway
For most garden makeovers, the simplest rule is to work from the disruptive, structural jobs towards the finished surfaces. Plan the layout, clear the area, complete boundaries and drainage, install permanent hard landscaping, and then fit the artificial grass against the finished edges.
That sequence protects the new lawn and gives every contractor clearer levels, access and responsibilities. More importantly, it creates a garden that works as one complete space rather than a collection of separate installations.
Ready to plan your artificial lawn?
Book a free survey with As Good As Grass. We’ll assess your garden, explain the required preparation and help you fit the lawn installation into the wider makeover.
