Turf Laying
Old lawn stripped, ground levelled and graded, fresh turf laid tight and rolled in.
LABOUR FROM
£0per m²
Turf supplied at cost · 25m² minimum
COMPARISON GUIDE
Artificial Grass vs Real Grass in the UK
Artificial grass costs more upfront, typically £30 to £60 per m² installed against £9 per m² labour plus turf at cost for real grass, but needs no mowing, feeding or watering afterwards. Real grass costs less initially and keeps working as a living surface that cools the garden, supports wildlife and drains rain rather than shedding it, but needs ongoing maintenance to look good.
The right choice depends on how the space gets used and how much time you want to spend on it, not on which one is objectively better.
ELawnCare works with real grass exclusively, offering turfing from £9 per m² labour and lawn renewal at £200 per 100m² for reviving tired existing lawns.
Written by Evaldas, owner of ELawnCare. Last reviewed .
WHAT IT COSTS
Prices for this work
HAND-TOOL
Lawn Renewal Package
Three-step hand restoration: scarification with a rake, hollow-tine aeration, and premium overseed. Add topdressing if you supply topsoil.
FROM
£0per 100m²
Best in March–April or September–October · ≤50m² min £150 · >300m² in-person quote
POPULAR
Lawn Mowing
Striped, healthy lawns with squared edges. From courtyard plots to country gardens.
FROM
£0per 100m²
+50% surcharge for overgrown first cuts
Where artificial grass makes sense
Small, shaded courtyards where real grass struggles regardless of care, heavily used areas like dog runs where turf never gets a chance to recover, and gardens where the owner genuinely does not want to spend any time on maintenance are the situations where artificial grass earns its higher upfront cost.
It does need occasional cleaning and brushing to keep the pile upright and free of debris, and it heats up noticeably more than real grass in direct summer sun.
Where real grass wins
Larger family gardens, anywhere with good sun exposure, and gardens where the look and feel of real lawn matters all favour real grass. It drains rainwater into the soil rather than shedding it, stays cooler underfoot in summer, and supports insects and soil life that artificial surfaces cannot.
Ongoing costs are lower per year, but real grass needs regular mowing, occasional treatment, and does not tolerate genuinely deep shade or extremely heavy year-round dog use as well as artificial turf does.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
Real turf is cheaper upfront, typically £9 per m² labour plus turf supplied at cost, against £30 to £60 per m² installed for artificial grass. Real grass has ongoing maintenance costs, while artificial grass has minimal running costs after installation, so the cheaper option depends on the timeframe you are comparing.
Good quality artificial grass typically lasts 10 to 20 years before it needs replacing, whereas real grass, properly maintained, lasts indefinitely. Artificial grass does degrade in appearance and drainage performance over time, particularly in high-traffic areas.
It does not support soil life, insects or rainwater absorption the way real grass does, and it is a plastic product with an end-of-life disposal question. Real grass, by contrast, actively supports local ecology and manages rainwater as part of a living garden.
No, ELawnCare works with real grass only, offering turfing from £9 per m² labour and lawn renewal at £200 per 100m² for reviving an existing lawn. For a tired or thin real lawn, renewal is usually the better first step before considering an artificial replacement.
FULLY INSURED
£2M public liability
CAMBRIDGE-BASED
CB1 to CB25 free callout
RELIABLE
Owner handles every visit
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