Supply and laying of new natural turf, including ground preparation
New Lawn Turfing
Natural turf laying is the supply and installation of pre-grown grass turf onto prepared, cultivated soil to create a new lawn, distinct from the ongoing mowing and feeding that established lawns need afterwards.
Definition
What Turf Laying covers
Laying new turf involves cultivating and levelling the existing ground, improving the soil where needed, then laying rolls of cultivated turf in a brick-bond pattern, firming them down and watering thoroughly to help the roots establish. It is a one-off landscaping job to create a new lawn — once established, the lawn then needs regular mowing, feeding and seasonal care, which is a separate ongoing gardening service.
Suitable for
- New-build gardens with bare or rubble-strewn ground
- Replacing a patchy, worn or weed-dominated lawn
- Households wanting an established-looking lawn faster than grass seed allows
- Levelling and re-turfing after other garden or building works
Not suitable for
- Small patch repairs to an otherwise healthy lawn, better handled as routine garden maintenance
- Very shaded or heavily-used areas where grass will struggle regardless of turf quality (artificial grass may suit better)
Process
How the work is carried out
- 01
Ground preparation
Clearing the area, cultivating and levelling the soil, and removing stones and debris.
- 02
Soil improvement
Adding topsoil or soil improver where the existing ground is poor, and firming to an even level.
- 03
Turf laying
Laying turf rolls in a brick-bond pattern, butted tightly with staggered joints, and firming down.
- 04
Watering and aftercare guidance
Thorough initial watering and guidance on watering and first mowing while the turf establishes.
Typical timescale
A typical domestic lawn is turfed within a day, with ground preparation sometimes taking a day or two beforehand depending on the state of the existing ground. New turf needs several weeks to root in before normal use.
Cost guidance
New turf typically costs £12–£20 per m² in our area, supply and laying including ground preparation, with the amount of soil improvement needed being the main factor at the top end. We provide an itemised quotation after a site visit rather than a fixed headline price.
Limitations and exclusions
- Significant excavation, levelling of steep slopes or drainage work is priced separately once ground conditions are seen
- Ongoing mowing, feeding and seasonal lawn care after the turf has established is a separate service
- Turf establishment depends on weather and watering in the weeks after laying, which is outside our control once handed over
Areas we cover
Turf Laying across Sussex, Surrey, Kent and South London
Local property styles, planning authorities and neighbourhood coverage for turf laying in each town we work in.
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FAQs
Turf Laying FAQs
What's the difference between this and your gardening service?
This service is the one-off installation of a brand-new lawn — preparing the ground and laying turf. Our gardening service covers the ongoing mowing, feeding and seasonal maintenance an established lawn needs afterwards; most customers move on to that once the new turf has rooted in.
How soon can I walk on new turf?
Light use is usually possible after two to three weeks, once the roots have knitted into the soil beneath, but it's best to keep heavy footfall off the area until it feels firm underfoot rather than to a fixed date.
Is turf better than grass seed for a new lawn?
Turf gives an established-looking lawn almost immediately and is more resistant to weeds and erosion while it roots, whereas seed is cheaper but takes longer to establish and needs more protection from weather, birds and foot traffic in the early weeks.
Discuss your turf laying project
Tell us about the property and what you have in mind, and we'll arrange a site visit.
Last reviewed 2026-07-28.