Artificial Grass on a Budget: 4 Ways to Spend Smarter
Artificial grass on a budget is mostly an exercise in deciding where you can save money and where saving money may cause Future You to stand in the yard staring silently at a problem.
The turf is only one part of the project. There is also the layout, the base, seams, edges, infill and the small matter of getting a large roll of artificial grass into roughly the correct position.
Fortunately, keeping costs under control does not require cutting every corner available. A better approach is to reduce waste, consider roll ends where they make sense, prepare the base properly and decide how much of the work you realistically want to tackle yourself.
Here are four places to start.
1. Look at Roll Ends for Artificial Grass on a Budget
A roll end is exactly what it sounds like: a remaining piece of turf available in a specific size.
For the right project, that can be useful.
Premium Grass Blades sells turf roll ends and remnants as-is. These products are not covered by the PGB Limited 15-Year Product Warranty. 02 PGB Writer Reference (upload…
That distinction matters. A roll end should be treated as a specific piece of material you are considering for a specific job, rather than as a discounted version of a standard full-roll purchase with the same warranty terms.
Roll ends can make sense for smaller areas where the available dimensions work with your plan. Think carefully about the size and shape of your project before buying. Saving money on the turf is less impressive if you discover afterward that your piece is 40 centimetres short and no amount of optimistic staring will make it longer.
Measure first. Check the available dimensions. Confirm that the product suits the intended use. Understand the as-is terms before purchasing.
If the piece fits your project, great. If it does not, buying it because the price caught your eye is not budgeting. It is collecting artificial grass.
2. Plan the Layout Before You Cut Anything
Waste is expensive.
This sounds obvious until you are standing beside a roll of turf with a knife in your hand and the sudden realization that geometry has returned to your life.
Before ordering material, draw the area and record the important dimensions. Include patios, garden beds, trees, steps and other permanent features that affect the shape of the turf.
Then work out how the turf will be positioned.
The goal is to use the material efficiently while keeping the finished layout sensible. Awkward shapes can create offcuts, and a poor layout may require more material than expected.
This is one reason the lowest price per piece is not always the lowest project cost. A piece that fits poorly can leave you paying for material that ends up in a pile beside the garage.
Take your time here.
For DIY projects, PGB can help with product advice and planning. That does not mean somebody can magically turn an inaccurate measurement into an accurate lawn. There are limits to modern science.
A detailed drawing with clear measurements gives you a much better starting point.
3. Do Not Treat the Base as the Boring Part
Artificial turf gets the photographs.
The base gets gravel dust on its trousers and no social media recognition whatsoever.
It is still one of the most important parts of the project.
A properly prepared, compacted aggregate base provides a stable surface beneath the turf. Base preparation also needs to account for drainage and the conditions of the site. PGB’s installation guidelines should be followed for the project.
This is a poor place to invent your own bargain method involving whatever material happens to be behind the shed.
The finished surface depends heavily on what is underneath it. Poor sub-base conditions are specifically excluded from warranty coverage, and installations that do not follow PGB guidelines may not be covered by the warranty. 02 PGB Writer Reference (upload…
If you are doing the work yourself, contact BC 1 Call before digging. Wear appropriate protective gear and follow PGB installation guidelines along with the instructions for the products and tools you are using.
It is tempting to put most of the budget into the part everyone sees. But a good-looking piece of turf cannot correct an improperly prepared surface beneath it through determination and positive thinking.
Spend carefully on the base. Do not simply spend as little as possible.
4. Decide What You Can DIY and What You Cannot
Doing some or all of the project yourself can reduce labour costs.
It can also reveal things about your relationship with wheelbarrows that you previously did not know.
A DIY project may be a reasonable option for someone comfortable with measuring, excavation, aggregate preparation, compaction, cutting, seaming, securing edges and applying the advised infill. You should still follow PGB installation guidelines and the instructions supplied with the products you use.
PGB supplies turf, infill and installation accessories, and can provide product advice for DIY customers. PGB does not install artificial turf. If you would rather have someone handle the project, PGB can refer you to an independent installer who contracts with you directly. 02 PGB Writer Reference (upload…
There is also a middle ground.
You can research the products, measure the area and understand what the project involves before deciding whether DIY still sounds enjoyable. Sometimes the smartest budget decision is doing the work yourself. Sometimes it is recognizing that Saturday afternoon has already become Saturday, Sunday and possibly a tense Monday morning.
The important part is making that choice before materials are cut and the yard is excavated.
Budget for the Whole Project, Not Just the Turf
A realistic artificial turf budget should consider more than the turf itself.
Depending on the project, you may need base material, infill, seaming products, securing materials, tools and other accessories. PGB supplies items including nails and stakes, landscape staples, seaming tape, weed barrier and turf broom rakes. 02 PGB Writer Reference (upload…
Maintenance belongs in the plan too.
Artificial turf is low maintenance, not maintenance-free. Occasional brushing, rinsing and debris removal help care for the surface. 02 PGB Writer Reference (upload…
In other words, artificial turf does not require mowing, but it also does not become a self-governing republic once you put it in the yard.
A little routine care is still part of ownership.
Where Saving Money Makes Sense
There is nothing wrong with wanting a lower project cost. The trick is separating useful savings from shortcuts.
A correctly sized roll end may save money.
A well-planned layout may reduce wasted material.
DIY labour may reduce costs if you have the tools, time and ability to follow the installation guidelines.
Skipping proper base preparation because nobody will see it is a different kind of decision. Unfortunately, the ground has a way of eventually making its opinions known.
Start with accurate measurements. Plan the material layout. Understand every product you are buying. Prepare the base properly. Then decide which parts of the job belong on your DIY list and which ones are better handled by an independent installer.
If you are comparing options for artificial grass on a budget, call PGB at 604-757-2899 to talk through your project.
FAQ
Are turf roll ends covered by the PGB warranty?
No. PGB roll ends and remnants are sold as-is and are not covered by the PGB Limited 15-Year Product Warranty. 02 PGB Writer Reference (upload…
Can I put artificial turf directly over soil?
A turf project requires appropriate base preparation. A compacted aggregate base provides a stable surface, and drainage and site conditions need to be considered. Follow PGB installation guidelines for the project.
Can I install artificial grass myself to save money?
DIY can be an option if you are prepared for the measuring, base preparation, cutting, seaming, securing and infill work involved. Contact BC 1 Call before digging, use appropriate protective gear and follow PGB installation guidelines and product instructions.
Does Premium Grass Blades install artificial turf?
No. PGB supplies artificial turf and related products and can provide product advice. PGB can also refer customers to independent installers, who contract directly with the customer.
