Getting Artificial Turf Quotes: How to Compare Bids Line by Line
The items every turf quote must spell out, a scoring method for comparing bids, red flags, and the questions that separate careful installers from cheap ones.
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This page is for homeowners holding two or more turf bids that do not look alike. You will be able to normalize them into one comparison table, spot what each one leaves out, and ask the questions that reveal how the crew actually works.
What must a complete turf quote specify?
Use this as a checklist. Each item either changes how long the lawn performs or is a common source of disputes later.
| Line item | What it should say | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Area | Measured sq ft laid, and sq ft of turf ordered | Shows waste and catches inflated measurements |
| Excavation | Depth below finished grade, e.g. 3 to 4 in | Shallow digging leaves organic soil that settles |
| Base | Material (crushed rock, road base, decomposed granite) and compacted depth | The single biggest predictor of a flat, draining lawn |
| Compaction | Plate compactor or roller, lifts, wetting | "Compacted" alone is not a method |
| Weed barrier | Type and placement (under base, over base, or none) | Placement is a judgment call; it should be stated |
| Turf product | Product name, face weight, pile height, fiber, backing, color | Lets you check the spec sheet and warranty |
| Spec sheet | Attached or linked | Confirms the product is what was quoted |
| Infill | Type and lbs per sq ft | 1 lb vs 2.5 lbs per sq ft is a big quality and cost difference |
| Seams | Method (seam tape and adhesive, or sewn) and count | Seams are the most visible failure point |
| Edging | Material and linear feet | Prevents curling and separation from borders |
| Drainage | Grade, slope target, any drains | Avoids "drainage not included" surprises |
| Irrigation | Capping or rerouting existing lines | Leaks under turf cause soft spots and odor |
| Disposal | Sod, soil, debris haul-away included | Disposal can be several hundred dollars |
| Warranty | Manufacturer term, workmanship term, both in writing | They cover different failures |
| Schedule and payment | Start date, duration, deposit, final payment trigger | Protects you if the job stalls |
If you are not sure how to read the turf specs, how to read a spec sheet walks through each field. For infill quantities, our infill calculator gives the pounds a given area needs.
How do you compare quotes that are written differently?
Rewrite every bid into the same table before looking at price. Where a bid is silent, write "not stated" rather than assuming it matches the others. Then ask each installer to fill in their blanks in writing.
Our scoring method gives each bid up to 2 points on the five lines that most affect long-term results:
- Base: 2 points for 3+ in compacted crushed aggregate with a stated method, 1 for a stated depth without method, 0 for vague or missing.
- Turf spec: 2 for a named product with a spec sheet matching your use, 1 for a generic description with face weight, 0 for "premium turf" with no specs.
- Infill: 2 for type and lbs per sq ft stated, 1 for type only, 0 for missing.
- Seams and edging: 2 for method and materials stated, 1 for one of the two, 0 for neither.
- Warranty: 2 for separate written manufacturer and workmanship terms, 1 for one only, 0 for verbal.
Then compare price per point, not just price. A bid scoring 9 out of 10 at $13 per sq ft is usually a better value than one scoring 4 at $10, because the missing items in the cheaper bid either show up later as change orders or never get done.
What are the red flags in a turf quote?
- No base depth, or under 2 inches on native soil. Thin bases are the main way low bids save money, and the result is dips and puddles within a year or two.
- "Turf installed over existing grass" or over unremoved sod. Organic material rots, settles and smells.
- No turf product named. You cannot verify face weight, backing or warranty for a product that is not identified.
- Price per sq ft that does not change with the turf you choose. It suggests the crew uses whatever is on hand.
- Large deposits. A deposit covering materials is normal; paying most of the job before work starts is risky. Check what your state allows for contractor deposits.
- No license or insurance information. Licensing rules for landscape contractors vary by state, but liability insurance and workers' compensation (where required) protect you if someone is hurt on your property.
- Pressure tactics. "Today only" pricing on a project that takes weeks to schedule is a sales technique, not a material cost.
- No mention of drainage on a yard that already ponds. If water sits there now, a quote should address it.
The hiring an installer guide covers vetting the company itself: references, past work and licensing.
What questions should you ask each installer?
Ask the same questions of every bidder, ideally in writing, so the answers are comparable.
- How deep will you excavate, and what will you do if you hit clay, roots or rock?
- What base material, how many inches after compaction, and how many lifts?
- How do you set the slope, and where will water go in a heavy storm?
- Which turf product are you quoting, and can I see and touch a sample of that exact product?
- How many seams will my layout have, where will they fall, and which way will the pile face from the main viewing spot?
- What infill, how many lbs per sq ft, and why that choice for my use?
- Who on the crew does the seaming, and are they employees or subcontractors?
- What does your workmanship warranty cover, for how long, and how do I file a claim?
- What happens if the job uncovers something unexpected, and how are change orders priced?
- Will you pull any permits needed, and who checks HOA approval?
How an installer answers question 5 tells you a lot. A careful crew can describe the roll layout on the spot or will sketch it. Our roll layout calculator lets you check their math on how much turf you are buying.
How many quotes should you get?
Three is the usual target. With fewer, it is hard to tell whether one bid is an outlier; with more, the comparison work grows without adding much. If two quotes are close and one is far lower, the low one usually leaves something out. Before negotiating, compare each bid against typical ranges in our artificial turf cost guide and the component breakdown in the 2026 turf cost index.
Frequently asked questions
Should a turf quote be itemized?
Ideally yes, at least into turf, base and preparation, infill, edging, demolition and any drainage. Some installers price per sq ft by package, which is fine as long as the scope is written in detail. What matters most is that the quote names materials and quantities, so you can tell what changes if you ask for a different turf or a deeper base.
Is it normal for turf quotes to vary so much?
Yes. Spreads of 30 to 50% between bids for the same yard are common, and most of it comes from base depth, demolition scope, turf product and how each company prices overhead. Access and disposal assumptions also differ. Normalizing bids line by line usually explains most of the gap and shows which bid is underspecified.
Can I supply my own turf to an installer?
Some installers allow it and charge labor only, but many decline or will not warranty the work, since they cannot vouch for the product. If you buy your own turf, confirm the roll width and quantity with the installer before ordering, and get in writing who is responsible if the material arrives damaged or short.
Do I need a site visit for an accurate quote?
For anything beyond a small, simple patch, yes. Phone or photo quotes miss access problems, soil type, existing slope, irrigation lines and the edging situation, which are the items that move price most. A remote estimate is useful for budgeting, but treat it as a range until someone has measured the yard and checked how water drains.
What should the final payment depend on?
Tie the final payment to completion and a walkthrough: turf laid, seams finished, infill brushed in, edges secured, debris removed and irrigation capped. Walk the lawn in low-angle light to check seams and flatness, and run a hose on any area that looked low before the install to confirm it drains.