Every garden is different, but after surveying and installing artificial grass across hundreds of properties, the same issues come up again and again. Some are obvious straight away, like muddy lawns, uneven levels or poor access. Others only become clear once we look properly at the ground, drainage, edges and how the space will actually be used.
That is why a good artificial grass survey is not just about measuring the lawn. It is about understanding what needs to happen underneath the grass so the finished installation looks good, drains properly and lasts.
🔍 Quick Answer: What do we check during an artificial grass survey?
- Drainage – where water goes and whether the lawn already holds water.
- Ground levels – slopes, dips, steps, edges and finished height.
- Existing surfaces – grass, soil, concrete, paving, decking or old artificial turf.
- Access – how materials, tools and waste will get in and out.
- Garden use – pets, children, furniture, foot traffic and how durable the lawn needs to be.
Planning an Artificial Grass Installation?
We assess your garden properly before recommending the best installation approach. If you want a lawn that looks right and lasts, speak to our team for honest advice.
🔑 Quick Takeaways
- A survey helps spot issues before installation begins.
- Drainage, access and groundwork often affect the quote more than the grass itself.
- Two gardens of the same size can need very different preparation.
- A good survey helps avoid surprises, shortcuts and poor long-term results.
🧭 Jump to:
| 🔍 Why we survey | 💧 Drainage issues |
| 📐 Uneven levels | 🧱 Hidden groundwork |
| 🚪 Access | 🏡 Existing surfaces |
| 🐶 Garden use | ❓ FAQs |
💡 Quick Answer: During an artificial grass survey, we check the existing surface, drainage, levels, access, edging, garden use and any hidden issues that could affect the installation. The goal is to recommend the right groundwork and avoid problems later.
Why We Survey Before Installing Artificial Grass
A survey is not just a box-ticking exercise.
It helps us understand what your garden really needs before any work starts. That matters because artificial grass is only the final layer. The base underneath, the drainage, the edging and the preparation all decide how well the lawn performs.
A proper survey helps us:
- Measure the area accurately
- Check whether the current surface needs removing
- Spot drainage problems
- Assess ground levels and finished height
- Understand access for materials and waste
- Recommend the right turf for how the garden will be used
If you are still at the early quote stage, our guide on what information we need to quote artificial grass installation explains what to send us first.
1. Poor Drainage
Drainage is one of the biggest things we check.
A lawn that already holds water, feels boggy or stays wet for days after rain usually needs more thought before artificial grass is installed. If drainage is ignored, the finished lawn may still have problems even if the grass itself looks neat on day one.
Drainage warning signs include:
- Standing water after rain
- Soft or boggy ground
- Clay-heavy soil
- Water running towards the house
- Low spots where puddles form
A well-built artificial lawn should allow water to move through and away from the surface. Our guide on what to put under artificial grass for drainage explains the base layers in more detail.
2. Uneven Levels
Uneven gardens are very common.
Sometimes the issue is obvious, like a visible slope or dip. Other times, it only becomes clear when we look at how the garden drains, where paths and patios sit, and what the finished height needs to be.
We check for:
- Dips and hollows
- Raised patches
- Sloping gardens
- Uneven paving
- Finished height against doors, steps and borders
Artificial grass will follow the base beneath it, so poor levels usually show through later. If this is a concern, our guide on laying artificial grass on uneven ground is worth reading.
3. Hidden Groundwork Problems
Some of the biggest installation issues are hidden below the surface.
We sometimes find old rubble, compacted clay, tree roots, buried hard spots, previous DIY work or poor-quality bases from older installations. These can all affect how the new lawn performs.
Hidden groundwork issues may include:
- Old concrete or rubble beneath the lawn
- Tree roots close to the surface
- Previous landscaping work under the soil
- Soft, unstable or badly compacted areas
- Old artificial grass bases that have failed
This is why preparation matters so much. Our guide on how to prepare ground for artificial grass explains the process in more detail.
4. Access for Materials, Tools and Waste
Access can make a big difference to the installation.
A garden may look straightforward, but if everything needs carrying through the house, down narrow side passages, up steps, or across a long distance, labour and planning can change.
We check things like:
- Can a wheelbarrow get through?
- Is there side access?
- Are there steps or level changes?
- Does waste need carrying through the house?
- Where can materials be delivered?
Access is one of the reasons two gardens of the same size can have very different installation costs.
5. Existing Garden Surfaces
Not every garden starts as natural grass.
We often survey areas that already have concrete, paving, decking, gravel, old artificial grass, rubber mulch or mixed surfaces. Each one needs a different approach.
Common existing surfaces include:
- Natural lawn
- Soil
- Concrete
- Paving slabs
- Decking
- Gravel
- Old artificial grass
Some surfaces can be covered. Others are better removed. Our guide on installing artificial grass over existing garden surfaces explains which surfaces usually work and which need more preparation.
6. How the Garden Will Be Used
We also ask how the garden will actually be used.
The right artificial grass for a quiet decorative area may not be the right choice for dogs, children, football, garden furniture or heavy foot traffic.
Usage factors include:
- Dogs and pet toilet areas
- Children or grandchildren playing
- Garden furniture
- Heavy foot traffic
- Sports or games
- Low-maintenance needs
For pet owners, our dog-friendly artificial grass page explains what matters most for dogs, drainage and cleaning.
| What Customers Often See | What We Look At During a Survey |
|---|---|
| A patchy lawn | Ground condition, drainage and base depth |
| Mud | Why water is sitting there and where it can go |
| A small garden | Access, waste, joins, layout and finished height |
| An old patio | Stability, levels, drainage and surface condition |
| Dogs using the lawn | Drainage, hygiene, durability and cleaning needs |
🛠️ Expert Insight: The grass is only the final layer. Most of the work happens underneath it, which is why two gardens of the same size can require very different installation approaches. A good survey helps us spot that before work begins.
Why Artificial Grass Surveys Can Save Money
A survey can help avoid expensive mistakes.
Sometimes a garden needs less work than expected. Sometimes it needs more preparation than the photos first suggest. Either way, knowing early is better than finding out halfway through the installation.
A survey can help identify:
- Where costs can be reduced safely
- Where shortcuts would cause problems later
- Whether drainage work is genuinely needed
- Whether an existing surface can stay
- Whether the project needs a different installation approach
This is why we always prefer straight advice over guesswork.
FAQs About Artificial Grass Surveys
If you are planning an artificial grass installation, these are the questions homeowners usually ask before arranging a survey or quote.
Do I need a survey before artificial grass installation?
Not always straight away. For simple domestic gardens, photos and measurements may be enough for an initial estimate. A survey is more useful when there are access, drainage, level or surface issues.
Can you quote artificial grass remotely?
Often, yes. Photos, measurements, videos and your postcode can help us provide a ballpark quote before arranging a visit.
How long does an artificial grass survey take?
Most domestic surveys are fairly quick, especially when the area is straightforward. Larger gardens, awkward access, drainage problems or multiple surfaces may take longer to assess properly.
What should I prepare before a survey?
It helps to know the rough size of the area, how you want to use the garden, whether you have pets, and if there are any known problems such as waterlogging, poor access or uneven ground.
Is an artificial grass survey just about measuring?
No. Measuring is only one part. A proper survey also checks drainage, levels, access, existing surfaces, edging and how the garden will be used.
What if my garden has poor drainage?
Poor drainage does not automatically rule out artificial grass, but it does mean the base and installation approach need to be planned carefully.
Can you survey a garden with old artificial grass already installed?
Yes. We can check whether the existing grass can be restored, repaired, replaced or lifted so the base underneath can be assessed properly.
Want Honest Advice Before Installing Artificial Grass?
Send us photos, measurements and details about your garden, and we can advise whether a remote quote or site survey is the best next step.
Get Expert Eyes on Your Garden Before Installation
A good artificial grass survey helps avoid poor drainage, unstable bases, awkward levels and unnecessary surprises. It is not just about measuring the lawn – it is about understanding the whole garden before work begins.
At As Good As Grass, we inspect gardens properly before recommending the best way forward. Take a look at our artificial grass installation service or contact our team for straightforward advice.
