The Cost of Laying Instant Turf

Whether you’ve just built or purchased the home of your dreams, or you’re just wanting to improve your current lawn, you’ll probably be looking at your landscaping options. While there’s plenty of choice on the market, the financial, environmental and aesthetic benefits of a turf lawn cannot be outdone. With this in mind, find out how much it costs to lay instant turf below.

How much does it cost to lay instant turf?

The cost of laying instant turf is far more economical than many other alternatives you may be considering for your front or back yard. Additionally, it’ll add thousands to the value of your property. The green space created by an instant lawn also has benefits for your physical and mental health, and will play a huge role in the overall street appeal of your home.

The average price of installed instant turf is around $30 per square metre. Of course the price will depend on the variety selected, the quantity of your purchase, your soil preparation needs, and your choice of landscaper and irrigation system. However, most projects will cost between $27 and $34 per square metre.

How much does instant turf cost before installation?

Instant turf is a very affordable landscaping option for your outdoor spaces. Even premium instant turf is an economical choice given it’s easier to maintain in the long-term. You can expect to pay between $9 and $38 per metre of turf before installation.

Coolabah Turf varieties are currently available at the following price range:

• Sir Walter DNA Certified Turfranges from $14-17 per square metre.
• Sir Grange - $35-38 per square metre.
• Kikuyu (Eureka Premium VG) - $11-14 per square metre.
• Nullarbor Couch - $9-12 per square metre.
• Tif Tuf - $15-18 per square metre.

Why is Sir Walter DNA Certified more expensive than other turf?

It is more expensive upfront. But in the long run it’s less expensive to maintain, in both time and money. Due to its unique growth habit across the surface of the soil, you won’t need to use chemicals to keep it from growing through garden beds, stone or bark mulch areas, or cracks in concrete or pavers.

Due to the slow growth rates of Sir Walter DNA Certified in northern Victoria (it has a shorter growing season from September to April), we’re unable to harvest it as often as other varieties. Even though it requires the same input costs of other varieties in terms of fertiliser and water, it takes longer to rotate Sir Walter DNA Certified paddocks. For example, Eureka Kikuyu could sometimes be cut twice a year, whereas Sir Walter DNA Certified is only one cut per year. Sir Walter DNA Certified is also a protected variety under the Plant Breeders Rights Act. It therefore incurs additional fees and charges that the grower must pay in royalties back to the plant breeder.

Sir Walter DNA Certified is a superior product which means you get what you pay for. That is, the best results with the minimum input.

What’s the difference between the cheapest and most expensive lawn?

It’s not as great as you think. On an average 40m2 area, Kikuyu will cost around $480, while DNA Certified Sir Walter costs about $640 - a difference of only $160.

Paying a bit more upfront for your lawn is actually the most economical investment in the long-term because the ongoing maintenance will be far less.

How can I find out exactly how much it will cost to lay instant turf in my own backyard?

The price will depend on which variety best suits your needs, what quantity you require, and which region you need it delivered to. With so many variables, it’s best if you speak to one of our turf sales professionals to avoid any confusion.

Who can install my instant turf and how long will it take?

If you don’t mind putting in a bit of hard work in the garden, you can install your instant lawn yourself. You’ll save money on labour, plus you’ll get to benefit from the incidental exercise and exposure to vitamin D. Your other option is to invite some mates around to help - we recommend putting on some beers and a bbq as incentive of course!

If you’re looking to get a professional in to take care of the job for you, we can put you in contact with one of our recommended landscapers in your region. We highly advise using landscapers accredited in lawn installation and irrigation to ensure the job is done right from the outset. It will take approximately 40m2 per person, per hour.

Choosing turf to suit your specific needs

It’s important to understand that choosing the most inexpensive turf may not always be the best option. You need to ensure the variety of lawn you buy will happily grow depending on the amount of sun or shade your outdoor area gets, and is best suited to your current soil conditions.

That’s why you should always seek expert advice from an accredited Lawn Solutions Australia turf grower. At Coolabah Turf, we understand the climate you live in. We can come to your home and accurately measure the space, recommend the best turf to match its intended use, and provide a quote for the required quantity you need.

For an exact price on lawn for your specific needs click here for an instant quote or contact us on 1800 055 515.