For homeowners weary of maintaining a real grass lawn, artificial grass offers a low-maintenance alternative. But is installing fake grass more expensive than keeping up a natural lawn? Here’s an overview of the costs.
In initial purchase price, artificial turf ranges from $8 – $30 per square foot depending on quality. Professional installation costs $6 – $20 per square foot more. So a typical 800 sq ft lawn averages $7,000 – $20,000 to install fake grass.
Natural grass seed costs $0.15 – $0.50 per sq ft, while sod ranges $0.30 – $1 per sq ft. Installation labor averages $0.25 – $1 per sq ft. so seeding 800 sq ft would cost $1,000 – $3,000. Sod would be $2,400 – $8,000.
Over its lifespan, artificial grass saves significantly on water, eliminating irrigation costs. And there’s no need to repeatedly re-seed bare spots or re-level real grass. Fake grass also avoids fertilizer, pesticide and frequent mowing costs.
While artificial lawns have higher upfront expenses, their durability offsets long-term maintenance costs. Synthetic turf lasts 10-25 years with proper care and no reseeding or replanting. For commercial uses, the return on investment comes quicker given heavy traffic.
In the end, artificial grass costs more initially but saves money compared to the constant costs of real grass care. And it provides year-round green convenience. Just budget properly for new turf installation.
