Month: November 2024

Considering artificial grass for your home, business, or school? Excellent choice! While it promises a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape, proper planning is key to ensuring your investment is a success. As experienced installers, we’ve seen how taking a few smart steps upfront can make all the difference for a seamless project and lasting satisfaction.

Here’s how to navigate the process:

Choosing the Right Type of Grass

Not all artificial grass is created equal. Your first step is to consider its intended use and traffic levels. Will it be for light foot traffic, heavy play, or just for show? Look beyond just the “green” factor:

• Blade Style and Softness: While a soft feel is appealing, remember that thinner, softer fibres can flatten more quickly under heavy use. Seek a balance between softness, resilience, and performance.
• Yarn Shape and Sheen: Different yarn shapes offer varied “springbackability” and appearance (matt versus shiny finish).
• Quality and Warranty: Always insist on physical samples and check the backing – if you can tear it easily, walk away. A good warranty, typically 5 to 12 years, should cover more than just UV fading. Be wary of quotes that seem too good to be true; quality materials and proper installation have a fair cost.

Measuring Your Area Properly

This is where many go wrong, but it’s crucial for an accurate quote and minimal waste. Measure twice, cut once is our golden rule.

• Draw a Sketch: Use graph paper to sketch your area to scale, including all angles and dimensions.
• Understand Roll Widths: Artificial grass typically comes in 2-meter and 4-meter wide rolls. This is vital because you’ll need to order in full roll widths to cover your area, leading to unavoidable wastage with irregular shapes. Expect 5-8% waste on average.
• Nap Direction: Critically, all pieces of grass must be laid with the fibres facing the same direction for a uniform look. The optimal direction is usually with the nap facing your main viewing point (e.g., your house) to look most realistic. This choice impacts the amount of material needed and where joins occur.

Getting a Quote and Making Your Purchase

Once you have your measurements and preferred grass type in mind, you’re ready for quotes.

• Request a Written Quote: This should detail all costs clearly. Understand that the price will include the grass material (accounting for necessary roll widths and waste) and the installation labour.
• Clarify What’s Included: Ask if VAT, delivery charges, and accessories like seaming tape and glue are part of the total. Also, confirm who is responsible for disposing of excavated soil and debris.
• Payment Terms: A reasonable deposit (10-50%) is standard to secure your installation date, with the balance due upon satisfactory completion. Never pay the full amount upfront.

By taking the time to plan, measure, and understand the details, you’ll ensure your new artificial grass provides years of enjoyment without any surprises. Always double-check access for delivery and installation – especially for terraced properties or tight spaces.

•Prices that seem “too good to be true”: Quality, speed, and cost form a triangle; you can have two, but rarely all three. Very cheap quotes often mean corners are cut, possibly in materials, labor quality, or neglecting proper insurance and taxes.
•Demanding full payment upfront: This is a major warning sign.
•Reluctance to provide written quotes or proof of insurance: A reputable business will be transparent and have these documents readily available.
•Vague answers about their process or materials: If they can’t clearly explain their base preparation, or the specifications of the grass, be cautious.
•Pressuring you to make a quick decision: A professional will give you time to consider your options and review their proposal.
•Asking you to buy the grass elsewhere for them to install: Reputable companies typically refuse this as it eliminates their margin and control over product quality.

By arming yourself with these questions and insights, you can navigate the process of choosing a landscaper with confidence. Don’t hesitate to ask probing questions and trust your instincts. A high-quality artificial lawn is a long-term investment, and selecting the right professional ensures it will be a source of enjoyment for years to come.