Artificial turf cost by use

Artificial Turf Cost for a Backyard

A backyard is the classic artificial-turf project: a standard landscape lawn, priced by turf grade, job size, and your region. Because a backyard is usually a larger area, it installs toward the lower end of the per-square-foot range — the opposite of a small patio or front yard. This page gives the installed range for a typical backyard, computed from published 2026 installer pricing.

Quick answer

A representative 1,000 sq ft backyard artificial-turf project costs about $10,200–$16,150 installed ($10–$16/sq ft) — a professional, national planning range. The cost driver here is a standard landscape lawn — priced by grade, size, and region. Use the calculator for your own project, then get three local quotes.

Installed range: $10,200–$16,150Per sq ft: $10–$16/sq ftPlanning estimate — get local quotes

What this backyard estimate includes

A backyard prices exactly like a standard lawn — there is no special product or add-on that changes the per-square-foot cost. What moves your number is size, grade, and region. A larger yard spreads fixed setup and crew mobilization over more area, so the per-square-foot price falls as the job grows.

If your backyard is a dog run, pet turf prices from its own heavier-duty band; if you want a putting green in it, that is a precision surface priced separately. For a plain grass lawn, use the range here, then set your own size and state in the calculator and collect three local quotes.

Common questions

How much does artificial turf cost for a backyard?
A 1,000 sq ft backyard runs about $10,200–$16,150 installed ($10–$16/sq ft) at standard grade. Because a backyard is a larger job, it prices toward the low end of the per-square-foot range. Grade, site prep, and your state move the number.
Does a bigger backyard cost less per square foot?
Yes. Fixed setup and crew mobilization spread over more area on a larger yard, so the per-square-foot price falls as the job grows and rises on a small one. That is why a backyard usually prices below a small patio or front yard per square foot.
What is the cheapest way to turf a backyard?
Choosing an economy polypropylene grade lowers the material line, and doing a small, flat, well-draining area yourself removes most of the labor. But base preparation and drainage are the hardest parts to get right, so a large or sloped yard is usually worth hiring out.