Artificial turf cost
Artificial Turf Maintenance Cost Per Year
Artificial turf is low-maintenance, not no-maintenance. It still needs occasional brushing, an infill top-up every few years, rinsing, and the rare repair. This page gives the yearly upkeep cost — the turf’s own running cost — from published 2026 pricing, and how it compares to caring for a natural lawn.
Quick answer
Maintaining artificial turf costs about $250–$400/yr for most residential yards, with the full range running $200–$500/yr depending on traffic, pets, and whether you hire the work out. That covers brushing, infill top-up every few years, rinsing or deodorizing, and the occasional repair — a fraction of a natural lawn's mowing, watering, and fertilizing. These are planning estimates.
What you pay for each year
Most upkeep is light and much of it is DIY. Hiring the brushing, deep clean, and infill top-up out is what moves the yearly cost toward the top of the $200–$500/yr range.
| Task | Frequency | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing / power-broomingStands the blades back up in high-traffic areas. | Monthly–quarterly | DIY free; ~$50–$150 per service if hired |
| Infill top-upReplaces infill that migrates or compacts, keeping the pile supported. | Every 1–3 years | ~$50–$150 per top-up |
| Rinsing / deodorizingRinses dust and pet waste; deodorizer controls odor on pet turf. | As needed (more with pets) | DIY low; enzyme cleaner ~$20–$40 |
| Deep cleanA professional wash for matted or soiled turf. | Yearly (optional, or with pets) | ~$100–$250 if hired |
| Occasional repairRe-seaming a lifted edge or patching a burn. | Rare | Varies; small seam/patch fixes |
Planning ranges, not quotes. See the how to clean artificial turf guide for the DIY routine.
Common questions
- How much does it cost to maintain artificial turf per year?
- Most residential artificial turf costs about $250–$400/yr to maintain, with the full range running $200–$500/yr depending on traffic, pets, and whether you hire the work out. That is brushing, occasional infill top-up, rinsing or deodorizing, and the odd repair — far below a natural lawn's mowing, watering, and fertilizing.
- What does artificial turf maintenance actually involve?
- Brushing the blades upright in high-traffic spots, topping up infill every few years, rinsing off dust and pet waste, an occasional deep clean, and rare repairs. Most of it is light DIY; hiring a service is what pushes the yearly cost toward the top of the range.
- Does pet turf cost more to maintain?
- Yes, a little. A dog yard needs more frequent rinsing and an enzyme deodorizer to control odor, and sometimes an antimicrobial infill top-up. That puts pet turf toward the higher end of the annual range, but still well below natural-lawn upkeep.
- Is artificial turf cheaper to maintain than grass?
- By a wide margin. Turf skips mowing, watering, fertilizing, and reseeding — a natural lawn commonly runs several hundred to a couple thousand dollars a year in care and water. Turf upkeep is light by comparison, which is much of its long-run value.
- What is the biggest ongoing turf cost?
- For most owners it is infill top-up and, if hired, periodic brushing and deep cleaning. For pet owners it is deodorizing and rinsing. None are large; the point of turf is that upkeep is minor and predictable.
Related: Artificial turf removal cost →