Sydney Turf Pricing Guide 2026
The cost of a new lawn in Sydney is not just the price of the turf.
The turf itself will generally cost around $7–$12 per square metre, but delivery, old-lawn removal, soil preparation, access and laying can all change the final figure.
A level front yard with healthy soil and easy access may be straightforward. A small backyard with compacted clay, narrow side access and steps can cost much more per square metre, even when the lawn itself is smaller.
The quick answer
As a practical 2026 guide:
- Turf supply is generally around $7–$12 per square metre.
- Prices vary by turf variety, order size, availability and current supply and demand.
- Delivery may be free within some local areas.
- Deliveries further across Sydney may include transport costs, tolls or access charges.
- Straightforward laying may cost around $2 per square metre.
- Difficult access or manual handling may push laying costs closer to $5 per square metre with some providers.
- Soil preparation, removal and drainage work are normally additional.
Measure the lawn first, then price the whole job.
Compare quotes by what they include, not just the largest number printed next to “per m²”. If a quote leaves out preparation, delivery or access costs, it is not yet the real price.
How much does the turf itself cost?
Turf-only prices in Sydney generally sit between $7 and $12 per square metre, depending on the variety, supplier and current market conditions.
Like other farm-grown products, turf prices can move with supply and demand. Weather, growing conditions, seasonal availability and order volumes can all affect the current price.
Kikuyu is usually one of the more affordable options. Licensed buffalo varieties such as Sir Walter Buffalo generally cost more.
That does not mean the cheapest turf is automatically the best value for your property.
Kikuyu can be an excellent choice for sunny, active lawns. It grows quickly and handles wear well, but it may also need more mowing and edging.
Sir Walter Buffalo may cost more initially, but it can be better suited to mixed-light conditions and homeowners who prefer its broad-leaf appearance.
The right turf is the one that suits the site, how the lawn will be used and the amount of maintenance you are comfortable with.
What does 50 m² of turf cost?
50 m² of turf is around $350–$600, based on roughly $7–$12 per square metre.
That is turf supply only. Delivery, preparation and laying are quoted separately where needed.
What does 100 m² of turf cost?
100 m² of turf is around $700–$1,200, based on roughly $7–$12 per square metre.
That is turf supply only. Delivery, preparation and laying are quoted separately where needed.
Always request a current written quote before setting the final budget.
Factors to Consider
It is tempting to find a turf price, multiply it by the lawn area and assume the budget is finished.
That gives you a starting point for the turf itself. It does not tell you what it will cost to turn the current yard into a lawn that can establish properly.
Consider two Sydney homes that both need 60 square metres of turf.
Simple front lawn
- A level front yard
- Healthy existing soil
- Easy street access
- Room for a forklift to unload close by
Harder-to-reach backyard
- An old lawn to remove
- Compacted clay
- A narrow path beside the house
- Steps into the backyard
- No machinery access
The turf area is the same. The job is not.
Turf supply
The turf itself, based on variety and lawn size.
Delivery & laying
Getting turf to site and laying it where access is straightforward.
Site extras
Only where needed: old-lawn removal, soil work, drainage or difficult access.
Compare quotes by what they include. A lower turf price can cost more once the work left out of the quote is added.
The cheapest quote is not always the cheapest lawn.
How to measure your lawn
For a rectangular lawn, multiply the length by the width.
A lawn that is 10 metres long and 5 metres wide is:
10 m × 5 m = 50 m²
For an irregular yard, break the area into smaller rectangles. Measure each section and add them together.
Do not include:
- Garden beds
- Paving
- Decking
- Paths
- Areas that will not receive turf
Curves, corners and narrow strips create more cuts. A small allowance for trimming and wastage is often sensible, but it should reflect the design.
A clean rectangle needs less spare turf than a lawn wrapped around garden beds, trees and stepping stones.
Record these details while measuring:
- The narrowest access point
- Any stairs or steep slopes
- Retaining walls
- What is currently on the ground
- Areas where water pools
- Direct sunlight during winter
- Distance from the street to the lawn
- Whether a forklift or other machinery can access the site
Clear photos can help a turf supplier understand the job.
They may not replace a site inspection when drainage, levels, compaction or access are uncertain.
Delivery across Sydney
Delivery depends on where the turf is going and how easily it can be unloaded.
Free delivery may be available
We offer free delivery within selected local service areas. Ask when you request your quote.
Forklift delivery
An open front yard, wide driveway or suitable side access helps us unload pallets close to the lawn.
Tell us before delivery
Side gates, stairs, long paths and rear courtyards may need more handling. A few photos help us plan it properly.
Measure the narrowest access point and let us know about parked cars, overhead branches, steep sections or anything machinery cannot cross.
How much does turf laying cost?
Laying prices depend on the size and shape of the lawn, the number of cuts and how easily workers can reach the area.
As a rough guide:
- Straightforward laying with good access may be around $2 per square metre
- Difficult sites involving stairs, narrow access or substantial manual handling may be closer to $5 per square metre with some providers
These are general figures, not fixed rates.
A large, open rectangle may be quick to lay. A small courtyard with curves, garden beds, stairs and no machinery access may take considerably longer per square metre.
Confirm whether the laying price includes:
- Moving the turf from the unloading point
- Cutting around garden beds and paths
- Rolling or firming the turf
- Initial watering
- Clean-up
- Soil preparation
- Removal of the old lawn
A quote for “laying” may mean labour only. Do not assume it includes preparation.
Get your soil ready before turf arrives
Good turf needs a clean, level and prepared surface before it is delivered.
Clear the area
Remove old lawn, weeds, rubble and loose material. If you need help, we can quote old-lawn removal and disposal.
Level the soil
Fill low spots, smooth the area and make sure water will drain away from the house before turf is laid.
Plan access & watering
Make space for delivery, keep the route clear and make sure you can water the whole lawn as soon as it is laid.
If the ground needs more work, Demarco Sydney Turf can quote site preparation at an additional cost before laying begins.
Old-lawn removal and disposal
Laying new turf usually starts with removing what is already there.
The amount of work depends on the existing surface.
It may be:
- Thin, patchy grass
- Thick kikuyu runners
- Weeds
- Compacted dirt
- Gravel
- Rubble
- Concrete
- Builders’ fill
Removing the old lawn is not simply about making the yard look clear.
The area may also need to be excavated to allow enough room for underlay and turf while maintaining the correct finished height near paths, doors and drains.
Confirm whether the quote includes:
- Cutting out the existing lawn
- Excavation depth
- Loading the waste
- Tip fees
- Transport
- Final clean-up
Disposal costs can become significant when large amounts of soil, grass or rubble need to leave the property.
Drainage and finished levels
Drainage work is different from ordinary soil preparation.
If water currently sits against the house, pools after rain or flows towards a structure, simply laying turf over the area will not solve the problem.
The ground may need reshaping, additional drainage or professional assessment.
Finished levels also matter.
The soil and turf should meet paths, driveways and garden edges neatly without sitting too high or creating low points where water collects.
Ask whether the quote includes:
- Final grading
- Fall away from buildings
- Drainage correction
- Adjustments around pits and drains
- Finished height beside paving
Where drainage is a genuine concern, a site inspection is often worth more than a price based only on photos.
A practical 50-square-metre budget worksheet
Use this worksheet when requesting quotes.
| Item | Quantity or question | Your figure |
|---|---|---|
| Measured lawn | 50 m² in this example | ___ |
| Cutting allowance | Based on the actual shape | ___ |
| Turf variety | Confirm exact product | ___ |
| Turf supply | Around $7–$12/m² as a guide | ___ |
| Delivery | Local, wider Sydney, tolls or freight? | ___ |
| Unloading | Forklift, wheelbarrow or hand carrying? | ___ |
| Existing surface removal | Depth and disposal included? | ___ |
| Underlay or soil | Product and volume | ___ |
| Drainage or level work | Required after inspection? | ___ |
| Laying | Around $2–$5/m² as a rough guide | ___ |
| Establishment supplies | Sprinklers, hoses or timer | ___ |
| Total | Including GST | ___ |
Every property is different.
Using your own measurements, access details and photos will produce a much more useful estimate than relying on an average Sydney lawn.
Great questions to ask
These simple questions make it easier to understand what you are getting.
What turf is included?
Confirm the variety and how many square metres are being supplied.
Is delivery included?
Ask about your suburb, delivery day and how the turf will be unloaded.
Does the quote include laying?
Make sure you know whether the price is turf only or includes installation.
What do I need to prepare?
Check whether the old lawn, soil and levels need attention before delivery.
Is old-lawn removal included?
Ask if removal and disposal are part of the quoted work, or an extra cost.
When should the turf be laid?
Have the site ready so your fresh turf can be laid and watered promptly.
Buying directly from the grower
Buying directly from a turf farm can remove an additional step between harvest and delivery.
Fresh turf should be harvested, transported, laid and watered promptly.
At Demarco Sydney Turf, the turf is grown on our family farm at Theresa Park using regenerative farming principles focused on healthy soil, resilient grass and less reliance on chemicals wherever practical.
Price still matters.
So do the variety, freshness, preparation and advice that come with the order.
The aim is not simply to buy the cheapest roll. It is to create a lawn that suits the property and establishes properly.
Frequently asked questions
Is cheaper turf poor quality?
Not necessarily. Price can reflect the turf variety, order size, time of year, delivery distance and what is included with the order.
It is worth checking the variety, freshness, delivery details and whether you are comparing turf supply only with a quote that also includes preparation or laying.
Why do turf prices change?
Turf is a living farm-grown product, so availability and growing conditions can affect pricing. Variety, season, order size and current demand can all make a difference too.
For the most useful figure, ask for a current quote based on your lawn area, suburb and preferred turf.
Why do small turf jobs cost more per square metre?
Delivery, travel, unloading and set-up still take time on a small job. Those fixed costs are spread across fewer square metres.
A small backyard can also involve more manual handling than a larger open front lawn, especially if there are stairs, narrow gates or a long path from the street.
Is turf delivery free?
Demarco Sydney Turf can provide free delivery within selected local service areas. Delivery further across Sydney may involve travel, tolls or additional handling.
Give us your suburb and a quick outline of access and we can confirm the delivery details for your order.
Can a forklift unload the turf in my backyard?
Only where there is safe, suitable access and room to manoeuvre. An open front yard, wide driveway or suitable side access can make unloading much simpler.
For backyards behind narrow gates, stairs or long paths, turf may need to be moved closer by hand or wheelbarrow. Photos of the route help us plan this properly.
How much does laying cost?
Straightforward turf laying with good access may be around $2 per square metre. Small areas, curves, slopes, stairs and difficult access can take more time and cost more.
Ask whether the quote includes laying only or also covers removal, soil preparation, levelling and moving turf from the unloading point.
Can I put new turf over an old lawn?
It is generally not recommended. Old grass, weeds and uneven ground can stop the new turf roots from reaching healthy soil and settling in properly.
For the best start, remove the old surface, prepare the soil and level the area before new turf arrives. We can quote removal and preparation if you need help.
Should I choose the turf before requesting a quote?
You can come with a preference, but you do not need to decide first. Sunlight, how the lawn will be used, maintenance preferences and the look you want all help guide the choice.
We grow Kikuyu and Sir Walter Buffalo and can help you narrow it down for your yard.
Can a turf quote be final from photos?
Photos and measurements can be enough for a simple turf-supply order. Include the lawn area, access route and delivery location where you can.
If the site needs removal, soil work, drainage changes or laying, a site visit or further detail may be needed before the scope is confirmed.
Does new turf need to be laid straight away?
Yes. Fresh turf should be laid and watered as soon as practical after delivery. Prepare the area, clear access and have watering ready before it arrives.
Once laid, keep both the turf and the soil beneath consistently moist while the lawn establishes, adjusting for the weather and the site.