Most artificial turf in DFW runs about $8 to $15 per square foot installed. That puts a small dog run or courtyard around $4,000 and a full backyard with premium turf well into the five figures. The wide range comes down to the turf product you choose and how much base prep your site needs. Here is what you are actually paying for.
What goes into the price
The turf roll is only part of the bill. Most of the cost is the base and the labor:
- Excavation and haul-off of the old grass and a few inches of soil.
- A compacted aggregate base with proper grading for drainage. This is what makes it last.
- The turf itself, which ranges widely by pile height, density, and backing.
- Infill (sand or antimicrobial infill for pets) brushed into the blades.
- Edging and seaming so it stays put and looks seamless.
A bid far below the others is almost always thin on the base or using a low-grade turf that mats down fast.
What moves the number
- Square footage (bigger areas cost less per foot).
- Turf grade (basic landscape turf vs premium pet or putting-green turf).
- Site access and demolition (removing old concrete or heavy roots adds cost).
- Drainage work on low or clay-heavy lots.
- Add-ons like putting greens, pet drainage systems, or curved borders.
Realistic examples
- Dog run / small courtyard (200 sq ft): roughly $3,500 to $6,000.
- Mid backyard (500 sq ft): roughly $6,000 to $12,000.
- Large yard or premium pet turf (800+ sq ft): $15,000 and up.
Is it worth it vs sod?
Turf costs more up front than sod, but you stop paying for water, mowing, and reseeding. On a problem yard (shade, dogs, tiny space) it pays back. On a big sunny lawn, sod is usually the better value. We lay out the trade-off in artificial turf vs natural grass.