Extortionate quote??

[Starfish125]

Just a quick one to get people's perspectives but I have a small garden that has terrible earth, I think it's actually clay from what I remember (new build houses estate) anyway I got a quote out to get astro turf laid and it was £3800! Just for fake grass? I was so shocked, does this seem like the going rate these days? I'm going to get another quote but I couldn't believe it to be honest! I live in Bedfordshire for context.

It would be a lot cheaper to have real grass, is there a particular reason why you want astroturf?

For the love of god get real grass or do gravel and flower beds. You don't need to lay plastic down in your garden.

Yup. It’s very expensive and it doesn’t last. Turf - even if you need to replace it - will be way nicer and cheaper.

I don't know about prices, but it does sound extortionate. Why don't you look into having meadowgrass laid instead? We have clay soil but have a nice green, soft lawn that is full of clover, wild flowers and moss.

Yes, please rethink the astro. It's so awful for wildlife. Plus, clay doesn't drain well and gets very boggy. Having grass and plants help draw out some of that moisture. If you stick plastic grass on it you're going to end up with a flooded garden (some of that price will probably have been for the special drainage system you need on clay).

Honestly, there is no sadder sight than a blackbird stabbing at fake grass to try and find worms to feed her babies 😢

Real grass: much cheaper, softer, cooler, grows great on clay, won’t flood, won’t need to vacuum it, won’t have fox and bird poop forever sitting on top of it, great for wildlife. Or you can shrinkwrap your garden.

Get real grass it's a no brainer

Don’t get Astroturf. For a start, it will really put people off if you ever come to sell your house. It’s not no maintenance as you have to hoover it and clean up bird poo. It’s hot in the summer and feels plasticky when you walk on it. If you have terrible soil, a gravel garden with big beds would be better-or just have a less than perfect lawn. There’ll never be a worse 3.8k you’ll spend.

Don’t get astroturf. It looks awful and is terrible for the environment.

I know people hate AstroTurf I totally understand why regarding wildlife but I have 3 young children that can't go in the garden because it's such a mess and all the grass in my village goes the same - it's terrible foundations. Trust me I don't want to fork out this money but I want a low maintenance garden.

I have to disagree with it putting off buyers - my friend also had it and it's what drove most people to put in offers as it looked so tidy.

I'll get some more quotes but thanks for all the replies.

This. Look at Shitlawns on Twitter, and this

Are your kids particularly sporty? If not, you might not actually need lawn. My DS has a lovely time in his 'fairy garden', much more than he plays on the lawn.

If they are football mad though I have no suggestions - I think it's probably the only time you do need artificial.

We have had it for many years, we paid more to have one that looked more realistic and it still looks great