How Much Does Turf Cost? [2024]

How much does turf cost, and can it add value to your property? 

If you are looking to install turf (otherwise known as grass) in your garden, driveway or verge then you will want to know what to budget for this project. 

The lowdown is that different types of turf have different prices, and installation costs may vary depending on how much work is needed to prepare the site for laying. 

Read this guide to learn how much turf costs and what your options are, to help you decide which variety works for your area, conditions and budget. We will cover the following:

• How much does turf cost?
• How much turf do I need?
• Should I DIY and lay my own turf?
• Types of natural turf
• How much does new turf installation cost?
• What about synthetic turf?
• Getting quotes from turf layers

How much does turf cost?

The cost of turf in Australia is usually quoted or listed in square metres. 

You can expect to pay anywhere from $7 to $30 per square metre for turf, depending on the type or variety of turf you buy and where you live. As you can see from the table below, kikuyu is a budget, entry-level variety, with varieties of Sir Grange at the upper end of the price scale.  

These prices do not include installation or laying. Turf laying costs are covered in the next section. 

• Eureka kikuyu: $7 to $10 per m2                            
• Nullarbor couch: $9 to $12 per m2
• Tropical carpet grass: $8 to $11 per m2
• Zoysia grass: $10 to $15 per m2
• Sir Walter buffalo grass: $12 to $16 per m2
• Velvetene grass: $13 to $16 per m2
• Sir Grange Zoysia: $22 to $30 per m2

How much turf do I need?

When you're calculating how much turf you need, always leave room for waste or cutting. It's recommended to order around 10% more than you need to cover your lawn, especially if the lawn has curved areas.

Otherwise, it’s as simple as measuring the length of your garden and multiplying it by the width to get a rough per square metre figure (l x w = area in square metres). If you are getting quotes from lawn suppliers they can do this calculation for you, and also factor in the cost of installation. 

Should I DIY and lay my own turf?

It's possible to install turf DIY, but you need to make sure the surface is well prepared and that the turf is laid properly, which requires time, effort and the right equipment. Most of us are better off getting quotes from local lawn and turf suppliers who can supply and lay it. 

Let’s now look at the most popular grass or turf varieties more closely, and what their strengths and weaknesses are.

Types of natural turf

There are many options when it comes to natural turf - which is what grass is called when it is sold commercially. It comes in a large roll, with the soil attached. This is then laid on bare prepared soil in your garden where it will be compacted and watered. Your surface needs to be free of weeds, old grass, roots and stones so your turf can grow and flourish. 

The challenge is finding the turf that works best for your local climate, lifestyle and location. These are some of the most popular types of turf and approximately what you can expect to pay per square metre. 

Eureka kikuyu

$7–$10 per square metre

Eureka kikuyu grass is an economical turf with medium width, bright green leaves and medium drought resistance. It can tolerate about 25% shade conditions and is a hard-wearing turf that can be ideal for high wear areas, though it requires some maintenance. It grows well in colder climates and is highly disease resistant. A premium version is available that resists weeds and is more drought resistant than standard.

Nullarbor couch

$9–$12 per square metre

Nullarbor couch grass is a good turf for sunny areas, but can also withstand up to 25% shade conditions. It is highly drought resistant and can stand up to wear well. Although it's a high-maintenance turf, its thin blades can make it ideal for home lawns, sports fields and commercial projects.

Zoysia grass

$10–$15 per square metre

Zoysia grass can grow in 50% shade conditions and is moderately drought resistant. It has a medium leaf width and good winter colour, but prefers warm to tropical climates. As this turf does not tolerate wear, it should be used on low-traffic lawns where sports are not played and that are not walked on frequently.

Tropical carpet grass

$8–$11 per square metre

As the name suggests, tropical carpet grass is an ideal grass for tropical areas like northern Queensland and some parts of the Northern Territory. It can tolerate up to 75% shade, but has only medium drought resistance and requires frequent watering. For this reason, it should only be used where water and rain are in abundance and is not a suitable turf for sports areas or lawns that are walked on.

Sir Walter buffalo grass

$12–$16 per square metre

Sir Walter buffalo grass is an all-round turf that can be used almost anywhere. It can grow in full sun or shade (up to 75%, thanks for its broad leaves), is drought and frost tolerant and can withstand wear, making it a low-maintenance turf. The broad leaves of buffalo grass capture more sunlight through photosynthesis, allowing it to thrive as long as some sunlight gets on the leaves.

Velvetene grass

$13–$16 per square metre

Velvetene grass is a thick, densely-packed turf with broad leaves that can be ideal for a more formal lawn. It's also often used on bowling and putting greens because it can be cut to a height of 3mm. This hardy turf can grow in clay or sandy soils and is salt tolerant, so can be grown in coastal areas. It's also highly drought resistant and can tolerate up to 4 hours of sun.

Sir Grange

$22–$30 per square metre

Sir Grange turf was originally designed for golf courses, but is now used for home lawns and other applications too. Dark green in colour, this turf has fine leaves and is highly drought resistant. It's also a low-maintenance turf and can tolerate up to 75% shady conditions. It also tolerates low nutrients, so can be suitable for many types of soil.

How much does new turf installation cost?

Unless you are pretty handy, and have some real muscle chances are you are going to want your new turf laid for you. 

You can expect to pay anywhere from $18 to $34 per square metre for your turf to be laid or installed for you. The average price of installed turf is $28 per square metre, but this does depend on what type of grass you want, how easy access to your property is, and the amount of prep work required. Some installers may charge up to $100 to deliver the turf to your property, though this may vary by location.

What about synthetic turf or grass?

Synthetic turf has come a long way over the years and could be another option to consider, especially if you want a lawn that looks good throughout the year and requires far less maintenance than natural turf. High-quality synthetic turfs look exactly like their natural counterparts, but don't require weeding, watering or mowing.

For supply and installation, expect to pay around:

• $50 to $75 per square metre for budget to mid-range synthetic turf
• $75 to $100 per square metre for higher-quality synthetic grass or a more complex installation

Laying synthetic grass is a skilled job. To make sure your lawn is properly installed and save you the trouble, it's recommended that you get quotes from synthetic turf installers in your local area.

Getting quotes for turf laying

We recommend getting your turf laid by a professional, which will get you the best result. Start by getting quotes from a local turf laying business, or you could try a local garden service or landscaper. Whoever you choose, ensure that they are appropriately qualified, knowledgeable and experienced in laying turf. Check if they have positive reviews from local customers before you sign up with them for your job!