Australians love a good lawn. It’s somewhere for the kids and pets to play, to entertain guests and it makes your outdoor areas look nicer. It also generally adds to the value of your home. 

But it can be an intensive process to lay turf and, if it isn’t done properly, you may find unsightly dead patches or weeds growing throughout. Read on for more information on hiring the best local lawn-laying business:

• Why it’s important to use a professional lawn-laying business
• How much does grass turf cost
• Alternatives to real grass turf
• How to find a lawn-laying business
• Getting quotes from lawn-laying businesses
  

Why use a professional lawn-laying business?

Lawn-laying starts long before you unroll that fresh patch of turf. It starts with the preparation of your lawn area and this is a big process that involves:

• Clearing the area of old turf and weeds
• Preparing the soil for the new turf which may require heavy equipment 
• Removing stones and sticks 
• Laying fresh and nutrient-rich topsoil 
• Smoothing out the area so that there are no bumps or divots in your lawn

This process is time-consuming and if any part of it isn’t done properly, you can easily find your beautiful lawn marred by dead patches or clumps of overgrown weeds. 

A professional will not only be able to save you time, and potentially money. They will also have the knowledge to properly deal with any weeds, tailor your topsoil to the conditions you will need and choose the right turf for your garden. 

How much does turf cost?

When providing you with a quote, lawn-laying businesses will account for several factors. These will change the cost of your installation and can include:

• The type of grass you want
• The size of your lawn
• How easy it is to access your property 
• The amount of prep work required

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. 

Cost examples for different types of turf (excluding installation and laying) are as follows:  

• 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

As you can see from the list above, Kikuyu is a budget, entry-level variety, with varieties of Sir Grange at the upper end of the price scale. If you want more information on the different types of turf you can get, read about how much turf costs.

If you are using a professional lawn-laying service, these costs can be rolled into the overall quote for installation. 

How much does turf installation cost?

The average price of installed turf is $28 per square metre. However, depending on the grass you choose, you can expect to pay anywhere from $18 to $34 per square metre for turf with installation costs included. Some installers may charge up to $100 to deliver the turf to your property, though this may vary by location.

Alternatives to real turf

A real lawn is beautiful but it can require a lot of upkeep. It needs constant mowing, weeding and pest control. It can take up a lot of your time if you do it yourself or else costs money if you’re hiring a gardener or professional lawn mowing service. 

Synthetic turf is becoming more and more popular in Australia as it provides the same beautiful look as a real lawn without the upkeep. Synthetic lawn comes in a range of types that each have their own advantages. Some will be cheaper than real turf and others can provide resistance to heat and moisture without compromising on the feel or look. 

If you’re interested in synthetic grass, check out our article How much does synthetic grass cost? for more information.

How do I find a lawn-laying business?

Before you hire a lawn-laying business, it can be a good idea to ask them some questions to make sure that you get the right service for your needs. Some of these questions include:

• How long have you been laying lawn?
• Do you have dedicated equipment for the job?
• Are you insured?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• Do you have customer references I can follow up on?

Getting quotes for lawn-laying businesses 

At hipages, we always recommend getting at least three quotes before hiring a tradie. The cheapest option may not always be the best one and you may find that there are additional costs down the line that can add up. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about anything you’re unsure about. You can always ask about the quotes and get an itemised list of what you are paying for.