Artificial Grass Installation in Exeter
Professional artificial grass installation services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
Quote
Typical Duration
1-3 days
Location
Exeter, Devon
Professional artificial grass installation with proper base preparation, quality materials, and invisible seams. Low maintenance, year-round green lawn that drains properly and looks realistic.
Why Choose Artificial Grass?
Because some gardens kill natural grass. Heavy shade, constant dog traffic, waterlogged clay soil, zero maintenance time - these situations turn natural lawns into muddy disasters. Artificial grass solves problems that real grass can't overcome.
We install artificial grass that actually looks decent and drains properly. This isn't cheap green carpet - quality artificial grass has varied blade lengths, natural colours, and realistic thatch. Done well, it looks surprisingly good. Done badly, it looks like 1980s football stadium surplus.
What's Involved
Artificial grass installation is mostly about the base. Poor base preparation creates drainage problems, uneven surfaces, and grass that moves underfoot. We excavate, create falls for drainage, compact a sub-base, add a levelling layer, and only then install the grass.
The grass itself is rolled out, cut to fit precisely, seams joined invisibly, edges secured, and infilled with sand for ballast and resilience. Shortcuts on any of these stages create problems within months.
Reality Check
Artificial grass isn't maintenance-free (you'll need to brush it occasionally, hose off dog areas, and remove leaves), it does heat up in summer, and cheap versions look terrible. But for problem gardens, it's transformative.
💡 Pro tip: Choose grass with varied pile heights and natural colour variation. Uniform bright green screams "fake" from a distance. Better quality grass with brown thatch and different blade colours looks far more realistic.
Done Right vs Done Wrong
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Proper excavation and compacted base | Laid on existing surface |
| Drainage falls and permeable base | Flat with no drainage consideration |
| Invisible seams and neat edges | Obvious joins and loose edges |
| Quality grass with realistic appearance | Cheap bright green carpet |
Why Choose Us for Artificial Grass Installation in Exeter?
Professional base preparation and drainage
Quality grass with realistic appearance
Invisible seams and neat edging
Low maintenance, year-round green
What to Expect
1. Site Assessment & Quote We assess the area, existing drainage, access for materials, and edge details. Quote includes base preparation, materials, installation, and waste removal.
2. Preparation Existing surface is removed, base is excavated and levelled with appropriate falls, sub-base is laid and compacted. This is 70% of the work.
3. Installation Grass is laid, seams joined, edges secured, and sand infill is brushed in. Final checks ensure no movement or visible joins.
4. Completion Area is cleaned, you're shown how to maintain it (minimal), and waste is removed. Job takes 1-3 days depending on size and complexity.
🔧 DIY Tips
🔧 This Is Challenging DIY
Artificial grass installation is physically demanding and technically tricky. Common DIY problems:
- Insufficient base preparation (grass moves or puddles)
- Poor drainage planning (waterlogging)
- Visible seams (amateur cutting and joining)
- Edges that lift or curl
- Uneven surface (inadequate levelling)
If You're Determined
- Excavate to proper depth (80-100mm minimum)
- Create drainage falls (1:80 minimum)
- Lay and compact MOT Type 1 sub-base
- Add sharp sand levelling layer
- Lay weed membrane
- Install grass with grain running same direction
- Join seams with joining tape and adhesive
- Secure all edges properly
- Infill with kiln-dried sand
- Brush against grain to lift pile
Honestly Though
Unless you're fit, have proper equipment, and enjoy hard physical work, hire professionals. The base preparation alone is exhausting, and poor installation creates expensive problems.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
Combine with: Garden clearance, border edging, patio installation Related services: Natural grass seeding and turfing (alternatives)
Artificial grass works brilliantly in some situations and badly in others. It's excellent for dog areas, shaded gardens, and where maintenance time is zero. It's less good for large family gardens, formal settings, or situations where natural lawn would thrive with basic care.
The environmental argument is complex. Yes, you save water and eliminate pesticides/fertilizers. But it's plastic, it heats up, it doesn't support soil ecology, and eventually it's landfill. We'll discuss this honestly during the quote.
Quality variation is enormous. Budget grass (£10-15/sqm materials) looks cheap, feels cheap, and fails fast. Premium grass (£60-80/sqm materials) looks realistic and lasts. Most people find mid-range (£30-40/sqm) hits the sweet spot.
Maintenance isn't zero. You'll need to: brush it occasionally to keep pile upright, hose dog areas, remove leaves (they show more on artificial grass), and possibly top up infill every few years. Still way less than natural lawn, but not actually maintenance-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does artificial grass installation cost?
Artificial grass installation is quoted per job as costs vary based on area size, grass quality, base preparation, and access. Expect £80-150 per square metre including materials and installation. We provide detailed quotes after assessing the area.
How long does artificial grass last?
Quality artificial grass lasts 10-15 years with minimal maintenance. Cheap stuff might last 5 years before looking worn. We use mid to high-quality grass that withstands Devon weather and normal garden use. UV resistance and drainage quality are key factors.
Does artificial grass get hot in summer?
Yes, darker artificial grass heats up in direct sun more than natural grass. Lighter colours run cooler. It cools quickly when shaded or hosed down. For areas used barefoot in summer, consider lighter colours or position in partial shade.
Can dogs use artificial grass?
Absolutely. Quality artificial grass handles dogs well - it drains quickly and doesn't get muddy. We install drainage that copes with dog urine. You'll need to hose it occasionally and pick up solid waste, but it's far lower maintenance than natural lawn with dogs.
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