How much does artificial turf cost?
Sacramento-area project costs, price per square foot and what's included, plus the Elk Grove details that move your price. These are published estimates, not quotes.
Updated November 5, 2026
Most artificial turf jobs in the Sacramento area cost about $3,800 to $9,000. That's Angi's 2026 range for the Sacramento area, based on project costs its members reported, with an average of about $6,400. Small jobs start around $2,200 and large ones reach $15,000 or more.
Per square foot, HomeGuide's 2026 guide puts artificial grass at $10 to $25 installed, nationally. So size matters most: a dog run or side yard can come in under $5,000, while a full 1,000-square-foot back yard often lands between $10,000 and $25,000.
A quote above the lowest numbers you see online is normal, especially once the old lawn is removed, the base is built for clay soil and odor-control infill is included. Ask the installer to break the price into those parts so you can compare quotes fairly.
Cost by yard size
| Turf area | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|
| 400 sq ftAbout 20×20, a small back yard | $4,000 – $10,000 |
| 500 sq ft | $5,000 – $12,500 |
| 750 sq ft | $7,500 – $18,750 |
| 1,000 sq ftAbout 25×40, a good-sized back yard | $10,000 – $25,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $15,000 – $37,500 |
Ranges from HomeGuide's 2026 artificial grass cost guide ($10 to $25 per square foot, installed). These are national figures; Angi's Sacramento-area data above covers whole projects of all sizes.
Site prep and add-on costs
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Removing the old grassPlus hauling away the old sod and soil | $1 – $2.75 per sq ft |
| Base materialClass II road base, crushed base or decomposed granite | $0.35 – $2.25 per sq ft |
| Weed barrier | $0.40 – $0.80 per sq ft |
| InfillAbout 1 lb per sq ft. Silica sand is cheapest; zeolite and coated sand cost more | $0.30 – $1.75 per lb |
| Curves and tight cutsFitting turf around curves or between pavers | +$1 – $3 per sq ft |
Ranges from Angi's 2026 artificial grass cost data. These are parts of a full installed job, and they're where quotes differ most.
Why the cheapest quote can cost more
Much of the difference between quotes is in work you can't see once the turf is down. Angi notes that a base is essential to avoid wrinkles, bumps and flooding in artificial turf, and HomeGuide says proper drainage is what keeps water from pooling. On Elk Grove's slow-draining clay, a thin or loosely compacted base is where problems start: puddles after rain, uneven spots and, in dog areas, odor, since HomeGuide notes that pet turf relies on fast drainage to prevent odors.
So compare what each quote includes, not just the total: how much old lawn and soil comes out, how deep the base is and how it's compacted, where the water will drain, and which infill goes down.
What changes the price in Elk Grove
Removing the old lawn
Stripping the grass and roots, digging out a few inches of soil and hauling it away adds up, especially on a big lawn.
Base and drainage on clay
Most of Elk Grove sits on slow-draining clay over hardpan. A thicker base, careful grading or a subsurface drain costs more but keeps water from sitting under the turf.
Access
A narrow side gate means base rock and turf rolls go in by wheelbarrow. HomeGuide notes that limited backyard access raises the cost.
Shapes and cuts
Curved beds, trees, stepping stones and turf between pavers take more cutting and seaming. Angi puts that at $1 to $3 more per square foot.
Pets
Pet turf, odor-control infill and extra drainage in the dog area add some cost, and they're worth it if your dog uses the yard every day.
Sprinklers
Heads under the turf get capped. Beds and trees you keep may need their zones switched to drip.
Extras and special projects
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Drainage installationAngi. HomeGuide lists $1,000 to $4,000+, depending on the type | $2,100 – $7,000 |
| Yard regradingAngi | $1,000 – $3,300 |
| Landscape edgingHomeGuide, installed | $5 – $18 per linear ft |
| Putting greenAngi: small greens under 400 sq ft $25–$40, 400–2,000 sq ft $20–$30 | $15 – $40 per sq ft |
Angi's 2026 putting green data puts most backyard greens at about $3,500 to $9,000 in total. More on putting greens.
How long it lasts
HomeGuide says quality artificial grass lasts 15 to 25 years with proper care, and Angi estimates 10 to 20 years. Over that time you skip mowing, fertilizer and summer watering for that area, but plan on occasional rinsing, brushing and topping up infill.
How to compare artificial turf quotes
- Make sure each quote covers the same area and the same turf product (ask for the brand and product name)
- Check what's included: lawn removal and haul-away, base depth and material, compaction, weed barrier, edging and infill
- Ask how the base will drain on clay soil, and whether a drain is included
- For dogs, ask which backing and infill they recommend and why
- Ask about the turf maker's warranty and the installer's warranty on the work
- Look up the contractor's license at cslb.ca.gov
California also limits the down payment on a home improvement contract to $1,000 or 10% of the price, whichever is less.
Cost questions
Why is my quote higher than the averages?
Averages mix small jobs with big ones. Angi's own example is a 200-square-foot area, while a full Elk Grove back yard is often 800 square feet or more. A quote that includes removing the lawn, a compacted base, drainage on clay soil, odor-control infill and edging will land well above the low numbers you see online. Ask the installer to list those items separately so you can compare quotes fairly.
Does the price include removing my lawn?
It should, but check. Removing the old grass, digging out soil and hauling it away are real costs. Angi puts grass removal at $1 to $2.75 per square foot, plus disposal. Make sure every quote you compare includes the same prep.
Can a water rebate lower the cost?
Not right now. As of November 2026, the Sacramento County Water Agency's Cash for Grass rebate is on hold until further notice. Even when it's open, artificial turf can only be part of a project where plants cover at least half the converted area. The Elk Grove Water District doesn't list a lawn replacement rebate, and the Regional Water Authority's lawn programs pay for low-water plants, not turf. So price your project without a rebate.
Is pet turf more expensive?
Usually a little. Pet turf often has a more open backing for drainage, and odor-control infill such as zeolite or coated sand costs more than plain sand. On slow-draining clay, a dog run may also need extra drainage work.
Does Elk Grove Turf set the price?
No. We're a referral service. The installer sets the price and gives you a written quote after seeing your yard. The figures on this page are published estimates, not our prices or any installer's.
Get a real price for your yard
Tell us a little about your yard and what the turf is for. We'll pass it to one licensed installer who works in Elk Grove, and they'll reach out to set up a free on-site estimate.
- One installer, not a bidding war that blows up your phone
- We only refer contractors with an active California license
- Written quote before any work starts
- Free for homeowners. Installers pay us, you don't
Sources
- Angi, How Much Does Artificial Grass Cost to Install? [2026 Data], updated September 5, 2026: Sacramento-area range for ZIP 95624 (checked November 5, 2026), national average, site prep and add-on costs, and why the base matters.
- HomeGuide, How Much Does Artificial Grass Cost? (2026), October 21, 2025: cost per square foot and by yard size, edging, drainage, pet turf and lifespan.
- Angi, How Much Does a Backyard Putting Green Cost? [2026 Data], updated October 15, 2026.
- USDA NRCS, San Joaquin series description and Web Soil Survey: Elk Grove soils.
- California Business and Professions Code section 7159.5: down payment limit.