Turfing & Lawn Laying in Surrey
A new lawn makes an immediate difference to any garden, GK Landscapes handles all groundworks and gives you aftercare advice so it establishes properly.
A Lawn That Establishes Well and Lasts
A new lawn is only as good as the preparation underneath it. Turf laid on compacted, uneven or nutrient-poor soil will look patchy within a season and struggle to establish. GK Landscapes handles the complete job: stripping the existing surface, cultivating the ground, correcting levels, improving the soil where needed, laying quality turf, and firming it in correctly.
We also carry out renovation work on existing lawns: re-turfing worn or bare patches, re-levelling uneven or bumpy ground, and advising on drainage solutions where water pooling is causing the lawn to die off.
Turf vs Seed
Turfing gives you an instant lawn, established enough to use lightly within 4–6 weeks. Seeding is cheaper per m² but takes 3–4 months to produce a usable lawn, is more vulnerable to drought and birds, and requires more careful management during establishment. For most homeowners who want results within a season, turf is the right choice.
- Free no-obligation quote, site visit always included
- Clear written price before any work starts
- Patrick Greenwood personally on site
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- No subcontractors on standard jobs
- No deposit required on most jobs
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The Turfing Process
Old lawn or vegetation removed and disposed of. Roots and stones cleared.
Ground rotovated to loosen compaction and improve soil structure.
Levels corrected, high spots removed, low spots filled. Topsoil or soil improver added where needed.
Raked level, lightly firmed, and given a pre-turfing fertiliser if the soil requires it.
Quality turf laid in staggered rows, joints butted tightly, edges cut neatly.
Turf rolled to ensure good contact with the soil. Thorough watering and aftercare guidance provided.
| Option | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Turfing (supply and lay, per m²) | £15–£25 per m² |
| Preparation only (cultivate and level, per m²) | £5–£10 per m² |
| Soil improvement (topsoil supply and spread) | £80–£150 per tonne |
| Typical small garden lawn (40m²) | £800–£1,400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Light foot traffic after 2 weeks, enough to mow. Heavier use (children playing, garden furniture) after 4–6 weeks once the roots have properly knitted into the soil. The key indicator is resistance when you try to lift a corner of the turf, once it holds firm, it has established.
Daily for the first 2 weeks in dry weather, ideally in the morning or evening, not during the hottest part of the day. New turf should never be allowed to dry out and shrink during establishment. After 4–6 weeks, normal watering habits can resume.
Autumn (September–November) is ideal, the ground is warm, the air is cooler and wetter, and turf establishes quickly with minimal watering. Spring (March–May) is the second-best window. Summer turfing is possible but requires heavy watering and careful management. Winter turfing is best avoided in hard frosts.
If bare patches cover less than 30–40% of the lawn, targeted re-turfing of the worst areas combined with overseeding the rest is usually the most cost-effective approach. If the lawn is more than half bare or the soil condition is poor throughout, a full re-turf gives better long-term results. Patrick advises honestly at the site visit.
GK Landscapes uses quality cultivated turf from reputable Surrey suppliers, typically a hardwearing utility turf suitable for family gardens. Ornamental grades are available for formal lawns where appearance is more important than wear resistance. Patrick advises on the right grade for your use case.