You’re here because you want a number. Not a vague “it depends” followed by a sales pitch. Fair enough.
Artificial turf cost in Texas generally runs $8 to $15 per square foot, fully installed. That includes materials, base prep, labor, infill, and edging. Most residential backyards in the DFW area land somewhere in the $10 to $13 range.
That’s the quick answer. Here’s the detailed one.
What You’re Actually Paying For
A turf installation isn’t just rolling out green carpet. There are real components that go into the price, and understanding them helps you evaluate any quote you receive.
The Turf Product
Turf itself varies in quality, pile height, density, and technology. A basic turf suitable for low-traffic areas costs less than a premium product with cooling technology, UV resistance, and high stitch counts.
At Green Forever Turf Texas, we use products that are non-toxic, UV-resistant, fire-resistant, lead-free (BAM certified), heavy metal-free, and PFAS-free. Cheaper turf skips some of these certifications. That’s a place where cutting cost has real consequences.
The turf product typically accounts for about 30% to 40% of the total project cost.
Base Preparation
This is the labor-intensive part. It includes excavation of existing grass and soil, grading for proper drainage, installation of weed barrier fabric, laying and compacting crushed rock or decomposed granite, and applying weed prevention treatments.
In North Texas, clay soil makes base prep more involved than in sandy or loamy regions. Clay doesn’t drain on its own, so the engineered base layer has to do the heavy lifting. That takes more material and more time.
Base prep typically accounts for 25% to 35% of the total cost.
Labor
Professional installation requires skilled labor — people who know how to grade, compact, seam, stretch, and finish turf so it looks natural and lasts. This isn’t general landscaping work. It’s a specialized trade.
Green Forever Turf Texas has 19 years in the trade and over 2,500 completed installations. Mark A. Du Pont personally has 28 years of experience. His crew works alongside him — not under a franchise hierarchy.
Labor typically runs 20% to 30% of total cost.
Infill
Infill — the material brushed into the turf fibers to keep blades upright and add weight — varies by product. Standard silica sand is the most affordable option. Specialty infills like Zeodorizer and antimicrobial ethanol sand (used in pet turf installations) cost more but eliminate odor and bacteria.
Infill is a smaller line item, usually 5% to 10% of total cost.
Edging and Borders
Aluminum edging, steel borders, bender board, or paver transitions define the perimeter of your turf. The material you choose and the complexity of your yard shape affect cost.
Straight edges along a fence line are simple. Curved borders around flower beds, trees, and patios take more time and material.
What Makes a Project More Expensive
Not every yard is the same. Here are the factors that push a project toward the higher end of the price range.
Large square footage. Bigger projects cost more total but often have a lower per-square-foot rate because of efficiencies in base prep and labor.
Complex ground prep. Steep slopes, poor drainage, tree root removal, or existing hardscape that needs to be modified all increase base prep time and materials.
Limited access. If the installation crew can’t get equipment through a gate or has to carry materials through the house, it takes longer. Time is cost.
Premium turf products. Turf with advanced cooling technology, higher stitch counts, or specialty applications like putting greens costs more per square foot than standard residential turf.
Add-ons. Paver borders, landscape lighting, drainage systems, or pet-specific infill all add to the project total.
What Makes a Project Less Expensive
Smaller, simple areas. A rectangular side yard with easy access is about as efficient as it gets.
Flat terrain. Less grading, less material, less labor.
New construction or bare dirt. If there’s no existing lawn to remove, you save on demolition and disposal.
Standard turf products. A quality residential turf without specialty features hits the sweet spot for most homeowners.
The Break-Even Math: Turf vs. Real Grass
Here’s where the cost conversation gets interesting. Turf has a higher upfront price tag, but it eliminates recurring costs that natural grass racks up year after year.
Annual costs of maintaining a natural grass lawn in North Texas:
- Lawn mowing service: $150 to $250 per month, 8 to 10 months per year = **$1,200 to $2,500**
- Watering: North Texas water rates are climbing. A typical lawn costs $80 to $200+ per month in summer = **$600 to $1,500 per year**
- Fertilizer and weed treatment: 4 to 6 applications per year = **$300 to $800**
- Re-sodding patchy areas: varies, but **$200 to $500** every year or two for most DFW lawns
- Pest and grub treatment: **$100 to $300**
- Equipment maintenance (mower, trimmer, edger): **$100 to $300**
Conservative annual total: $2,500 to $5,900 per year.
Now multiply that over the life of a turf installation. With a 15-year warranty, here’s what you’re comparing:
- 15 years of lawn maintenance: **$37,500 to $88,500**
- One turf installation for a typical 1,000 sq ft DFW backyard: **$8,000 to $15,000**
The math isn’t even close. Even at the high end of turf pricing, you break even in 2 to 4 years and save tens of thousands over the life of the installation.
And that doesn’t count the hours you get back. No mowing, no edging, no dragging hoses, no scheduling lawn crews, no re-sodding dead spots after a brutal August.
For a more detailed comparison, check out our breakdown of artificial turf vs real grass.
What About Financing?
A $10,000+ investment all at once isn’t realistic for every household. That’s why financing options are available through Green Forever Turf Texas.
Contact us for details on payment plans that spread the cost into manageable monthly payments. For most homeowners, the monthly financing payment is less than what they were spending on lawn care — which means the turf pays for itself from month one.
How to Read a Turf Quote
When you get a quote — from us or anyone else — here’s what to look for.
Is it itemized? A quality installer breaks down the cost: turf product, base prep, labor, infill, edging. A single lump number with no breakdown makes it impossible to compare quotes.
What turf product is specified? Ask for the product name, stitch count, warranty, and certifications. Not all turf is equal, and a low quote might mean a low-quality product.
What’s included in base prep? Excavation, grading, weed barrier, rock base, compaction — all of it should be listed. Some quotes skip steps to lower the price, and you end up with a subpar installation.
What’s the warranty? A 15-year warranty backed by the installer is the standard you should expect. Shorter warranties or manufacturer-only warranties are red flags.
Is weed prevention included? Commercial-grade weed barrier and Venix chemical treatment should be part of the installation, not an upsell.
Pricing by Project Type
Different projects land at different points in the price range.
Residential backyards: $8 to $13 per sq ft. This covers standard residential turf with full base prep, weed prevention, and infill. The most common project type in Denton, Frisco, Plano, McKinney, and across the Metroplex.
Pet turf areas: $10 to $14 per sq ft. Pet-specific products like Alpha Pet Pro-Eco with antimicrobial infill cost slightly more but are built to handle what dogs dish out.
Putting greens: $14 to $20+ per sq ft. Specialized turf, precise contouring, cups, and fringe areas add cost. A simple practice green costs less than a multi-hole contoured green with chipping areas.
Commercial projects: Varies widely based on scale. Larger square footage projects benefit from volume pricing. Contact us for commercial turf quotes.
The Cheapest Installation Isn’t the Best Deal
A quick word on bargain pricing. If a quote comes in well below the $8 per sq ft range, ask questions.
It might mean thinner turf. Skipped base prep. No weed barrier. Minimal infill. No warranty support. An installation that looks great for six months and deteriorates after that.
Green Forever Turf Texas doesn’t disappear after installation day. We maintain relationships with our clients and stand behind every project. Before we leave, we make sure you’re completely satisfied and that the work meets and exceeds your expectations.
That commitment costs more upfront than a cut-rate install. But it costs far less over 15 years.
Get a Personalized Quote
Every yard is different. Square footage, soil conditions, access, terrain, product choice — all of it factors into your specific price. The ranges in this guide give you a solid framework for budgeting, but the most accurate number comes from an on-site evaluation.
Ready to see what artificial turf can do for your yard? Call us at 844-91-GREEN (844-914-7336) or request a free quote.
