We are in a bit of a predicament. We have a landscaped back yard that includes a 380ft section of grass (the majority is rock, mulch, trees and shrubs). We want a grassy area for when we do have kids one day.
However, our problem is: our female dog!
We love her, we really do. But she is just slaughtering our grass. We have lived here for two years, and about 2/3 of the grass area is now yellow and dead. We have tried all the tricks (watering after she pees, re-seeding, grass supplements), and they do not work. The only advice I really get from landscapers is to get rid of the dog. Not going to happen.
So, we are now considering getting artificial turf for the area. Even though it is small, it is somewhat pricey. To remove the grass, flaten the area and install turf, the best quote we got was $2,400 from a reputable local company.
We can afford it, but geesh that's a lot of money for such a small area. But there are definitely perks. No watering, no dead looking grass, potential play area in the future.
So, questions for you MM'ers:
Do any of you have artificial turf or considered it? Was it worth the investment? Do you actually save money (i.e., water bill)?
Re: MM: Artificial turf...do you have it? Does it actually save money?
I've thought about doing this once we are all done with our backyard plans. Now you are scaring me! Prices I've seen...though more from websites/reviews, not from an actual landscaper...are that it is about $2/square foot, including materials and installation. And DIY is not recommended. But perhaps it is substantially more expensive than I am thinking. I also will end up having a lot to cover. Probably at least 1,000 sf.
If you haven't already, I'd get a second quote. Just to make sure the first one is in line.
I love the way it looks and feels! My backyard natural grass is hopeless. It gets full sun all day and so the grass just totally dies in the summer. Plus I have a dog and I often have tenants with dogs (next door, shared backyard)
We have got 3 more quotes and the others were more expensive! They were: $3.800, $3,600 and $2,700. Most price around $3-$4 sq ft before installation.