Artificial turf cost calculator
Enter your yard size and conditions to get a professional installed price range, a DIY materials budget and likely labor hours.
On this page
Use this to set a realistic budget before you call installers, and to sanity check the quotes you get back. Every assumption is listed below so you can see why your number came out where it did.
Estimate your installed cost
Ranges reflect our 2026 cost model. Local quotes can sit outside them; use the result to sanity check bids, not replace them.
How the estimate is calculated
The professional estimate starts from the installed price ranges in our 2026 turf cost index, which are built from typical material prices and labor rates rather than a survey of quotes. It then applies four adjustments.
| Adjustment | What we apply | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Project size | +30% under 200 sq ft, +10% for 200 to 500, none for 500 to 1,000, -7% for 1,000 to 2,500, -13% above 2,500 | Mobilization, delivery and setup are fixed costs spread over fewer or more feet |
| Existing surface | -$0.75/sq ft for bare soil, +$2.00 to $3.50/sq ft for gravel, pavers or concrete | Sod removal is included by default; demolition and haul-away are not |
| Access | +10% if equipment cannot reach the yard | Hand excavation and wheelbarrow base delivery roughly double those labor hours |
| Region | x0.95 to x1.18 | Labor, disposal and permitting costs vary by market |
A minimum job charge of about $2,500 is applied because most crews will not mobilize for less. That is why the per-foot price of a 120 sq ft dog run looks so high.
What the DIY estimate includes
The DIY figure adds up turf with cutting waste, 3 to 4 inches of crushed base, infill, weed barrier, edging, seam tape and nails, plus $300 to $500 of equipment rental (sod cutter, plate compactor, power broom) and sod or debris disposal. It does not include your time, tools you already own, or mistakes. For a frank look at where DIY saves money and where it goes wrong, read DIY vs professional installation.
Labor hours are estimated at about 0.1 person-hours per sq ft for a lawn removal job and 0.13 for demolition jobs. A first-time crew of two should expect the upper end.
How to use the result with real quotes
- If a quote is well below the range, ask for the base depth, compaction method and infill rate in writing. Thin base is the most common way to cut price. See how to compare quotes.
- If a quote is well above, look for line items you did not ask for (drainage pipe, shock pad, premium edging) or access problems the installer saw on site.
- Quotes that state turf price but not the product spec sheet cannot be compared at all. Ask for the sheet and read it with our spec sheet guide.
What the calculator cannot see
Grading problems, tree roots, irrigation that needs capping, retaining walls, drainage pipe and permits all add cost, and none of them can be judged from dimensions. Steep slopes need extra anchoring; see slopes and hills. Treat the result as a planning range, not a bid.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my small area so expensive per square foot?
Crews charge for mobilization, equipment delivery, a base material load and a day of setup no matter how small the job is. On a 150 sq ft dog run those fixed costs are spread over very few feet, so the per-foot price can be 30% or more above a full backyard. Combining several small areas into one visit is the easiest way to lower it.
Does the estimate include removing my old lawn?
Yes for the default "living lawn" setting, which includes sod cutting and haul-away in the rate. Choose "bare soil" if the area is already cleared to subtract that work, or "gravel, pavers or concrete" to add demolition and disposal, which is heavier and costs more per foot.
How accurate is this calculator?
It is a planning range from our cost model, not a quote. Most straightforward residential jobs should land inside the range, but site conditions the calculator cannot see (slope, roots, drainage, access surprises) push real bids outside it. Use it to judge whether quotes are reasonable and to ask better questions.
Should I choose the premium tier for a family lawn?
Not necessarily. Premium tiers buy realism and fiber shape, but durability depends more on stitch rate, fiber type and infill than on price tier. A well-specified mid-range product over a properly compacted base usually outlasts a premium product installed on a thin one. See choosing the right turf.
What about putting greens?
Select the putting green tier for a quick range, but greens vary widely with contours, fringe and chipping areas. Our putting green cost guide breaks those extras down.