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  Colin @ Creative Funding May 22, 2014 at 2:56pm

  I must admit I am very tempted by it also, with two young boys playing football and poor drainage it does look appealing.

  I look forward to peoples comments also
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  Helen Reeley May 22, 2014 at 3:47pm

  Hello Andy

  A client of mine had astro type turf installed two years ago for her two boys to play football on & it seems to being doing quite well, not the best installation so it's just as well it's only two boys.

  And another client has just asked me to organise an artificial lawn because they have a new dog & feel it will be easier to clean up after wotsits.

  Regards-Helen

  So, nothing in 15 years and then two in the past two years; I reckon it's a growing trend for the domestic market. I don't like small lawns, they're a waste of space but if grass is a must in a small space I'd go with artificial.
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  Andy May 22, 2014 at 4:14pm

  Hmmm. I think that this is a growing trend. Thanks for your comments.
  
  I have a 5m by 5m space to either turf, seed or AstroTurf. Anybody got any ideas on costs for a full install of fake lawn using specialists?
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  Matt Johnson May 22, 2014 at 9:05pm

  Artificial grass can be a touchy subject. its low maintenance however it can cost considerably more than turf etc. however maintenance costs are a lot less. Its extremely practical for children. it has many pro's and cons!

  An average 5mx5m installation from my company using my local supplier and a mid range artificial grass will cost you approximately £1200 including waste removal etc and based on the ideal surroundings, existing surfaces etc etc.

  That might be well out of sync with others on here. but its what I feel I can do it for!
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  James Hall May 22, 2014 at 9:22pm

  From my experience there is a place out there for artificial lawns, but generally its not usually a choice of AG, seed or turf, there is nearly always more to it.
  Dog's, kids, low maintenance etc...

  If done correctly, I think they can look good but like most things, there are companies out there doing them on the cheap and as a consequence the product will get a bad reputation based on the ones that do it badly.

  Dog owners love it and so do kids nurserys.
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  Helen Reeley May 22, 2014 at 9:45pm

  Matt - Johnsons Landscape Design said:

  Artificial grass can be a touchy subject. its low maintenance however it can cost considerably more than turf etc. however maintenance costs are a lot less. Its extremely practical for children. it has many pro's and cons!

  An average 5mx5m installation from my company using my local supplier and a mid range artificial grass will cost you approximately £1200 including waste removal etc and based on the ideal surroundings, existing surfaces etc etc.

  That might be well out of sync with others on here. but its what I feel I can do it for!
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  Nathan - Plews Garden Design May 23, 2014 at 11:21am

  I've done a couple and priced for quite a few - £50 per sq metre seems pretty cheap, Matt.

  Anyone else think it can look bad and artificial when edged with sleepers/hard landscaping?
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  Paving & Landscaping May 23, 2014 at 2:36pm

  It is the fastest growing product around in terms of landscaping. I know company's that have teams going out installing lawns, i have done two but had never advertised it, now i am and hope to be booked up. Avg price for a full installation is from £40 to £50. I also did a weeks training on lawn installation. ( it only needed to be half a day )
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  James McKay May 23, 2014 at 4:33pm

  I have no experience of laying astroturf but did replace one a couple of months ago (swapped for real grass). It was laid ten years ago so not that long - weeds were starting to take over, it was compacted, the colour was going and as the couple had a dog it was p*ss soaked and smelly. Pretty far from a vibrant, fresh, green lawn. I think it may be the sort of product, like many things, that looks good initially, but unless you splash out on a top quality product, will quickly look tired and cheap. I think the same is true of decking in some instances.
  I will stick to proper grass. (Saying that I have seen it used very effectively in places like supermarket car parks, cinema complexes etc. where it looks much better than the usual grass verges that have been trampled and driven over).
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  Lawncare-4u.co.uk May 24, 2014 at 11:51pm

  I have just quoted and looked into its reality, if its not done well it can soon be ruined and a waste of entire money.
  
  £5.99 not worth laying , so therefore £14.99 a sqm £900 for rubbish , - but £1,800 for quality job to last many,many years . speaks volumes (pay cheap - pay twice)
  
  James McKay said:

  I have no experience of laying astroturf but did replace one a couple of months ago (swapped for real grass). It was laid ten years ago so not that long - weeds were starting to take over, it was compacted, the colour was going and as the couple had a dog it was p*ss soaked and smelly. Pretty far from a vibrant, fresh, green lawn. I think it may be the sort of product, like many things, that looks good initially, but unless you splash out on a top quality product, will quickly look tired and cheap. I think the same is true of decking in some instances.
  I will stick to proper grass. (Saying that I have seen it used very effectively in places like supermarket car parks, cinema complexes etc. where it looks much better than the usual grass verges that have been trampled and driven over).