How Much Does Artificial Turf Cost in Dallas?
Backyard turf we install around University Park and Dallas typically runs $10 to $12 per square foot in 2026, with yard size, base prep and turf grade deciding where yours lands.
If you're pricing turf for a backyard in University Park or nearby Dallas, the per-square-foot figure is a fair place to start, though two same-size yards can quote differently once roots and drainage come into it.
This guide covers what our backyard projects typically run, the things that move a price up or down, and how yard size tends to affect the per-foot price. When you want a real number for your own yard, the form at the bottom of the page is the way to ask for a written quote.
Cost Factors
Size and shape can both move the per-foot price. A small yard with curved beds and lots of corners needs more cutting and seaming, so it may land near the top of the range or a little above it.
Plenty of yards around University Park sit under trees that are older than the house. Working around surface roots is slow hand work, and sometimes we change the base depth near a trunk instead of cutting through. That care shows up as labor on the quote.
The old lawn and a few inches of soil come out first, then crushed stone goes down in compacted layers. If water already sits in a low corner after a storm, that spot may need regrading or a drainage fix before any turf goes down.
A denser, mixed-tone product with a brown thatch layer costs more than a basic one, and it's what makes a lawn read as real grass from the back porch. We pick the grade for how you use the yard, so a quiet courtyard and a lawn the kids play on every day may not get the same turf.
At most homes here, turf rolls and stone come in through a side gate. Steps, a tight side yard or a long carry from the street add time, while easy driveway or alley access keeps labor down.
Tight edges along patios, paths and beds take time to get right. A dog run, a small putting area or turf around the pool can change the price, and we'll note it in the quote.
Cost Breakdown
| Project Scope | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Small backyard, about 300 sq ft | $10 per sq ft | $12 per sq ft or more |
| Mid-size backyard, about 500 sq ft | $10 per sq ft | $12 per sq ft |
| Larger backyard, about 1,000 sq ft | $10 per sq ft | $12 per sq ft |
| Narrow side yard or dog run strip | Varies | Varies |
| Heavy root work or drainage fixes | Varies | Varies |
What Our Backyard Turf Projects Typically Run
Most backyard lawns we install come in at $10 to $12 per square foot, installed. Size, base prep and turf grade decide where yours lands in that range, and we'll spell out what's included in your quote before anything starts.
The square-foot number is good for a rough budget, though a small courtyard wrapped in beds and stone paths can cost more per foot than a plain rectangle twice its size. Looking at the yard itself is how we pin it down.
Why Yards With Big Trees Can Cost a Bit More
Many University Park backyards have at least one mature tree, and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension puts St. Augustine's needs at four to six hours of sun a day, which is why the lawn under a full canopy keeps thinning no matter how often it's reseeded.
Turf doesn't need the sun, but trees still change the install. Surface roots slow the dig, and we'd rather work around a big root than cut it. Where the lawn sits in lower light, a blade with some color variation looks more natural than a flat, bright green, which can push the turf choice up a grade. None of this has to add a lot, though it explains why two same-size yards can quote differently.
Front-Yard Rules Worth Checking First
Before planning any turf out front, check with your city. Highland Park adopted a rule in 2012 that bans artificial turf in front yards and in other spots visible from town streets, sidewalks or alleys. We haven't confirmed a general rule for University Park, so a call to University Park City Hall is a sensible first step if you're wondering about your lot.
If part of your side yard can be seen from the street or alley, it's worth asking about that area too before you plan the layout.
Artificial Turf Cost Compared With Natural Grass
Sod is cheaper up front, and that's worth saying plainly. Turf tends to make more sense in a yard where grass keeps failing, where you're paying for new sod or seed, fertilizer and mowing every year and still looking at bare patches under the trees.
Turf still needs some upkeep, mostly clearing leaves and brushing quiet corners, and the trees and beds around it still want water. What goes away is the mowing and reseeding of a lawn that never quite fills back in.
How to Compare Turf Quotes Around Dallas
Turf prices around Dallas cover a wide spread, partly because some quotes cover turf alone and others cover the whole job. When you line up quotes, check that each one spells out removal, the base depth, the turf product and how the edges are secured.
The base is the part you can't see once the turf is down, and it's what keeps a lawn flat and draining for years, so it's worth asking how deep it goes and how it gets compacted.
Common Concerns
The upfront cost is higher than sod, and turf in full afternoon sun can get warm to the touch. It also needs some care, mainly clearing leaves, brushing and an occasional rinse. In a yard where grass keeps failing, those trade-offs may be easier to live with than bare dirt, though it's worth thinking them through for your own yard.
A lot of turf disappointment traces back to the install. A thin base can settle, seams can show, cheap turf can look plastic, or the product may have gone into a spot that bakes in full sun. Some cities also restrict turf in front yards, which is one more reason to check the rules and plan the base and drainage carefully before anything goes in.
Cost Guide FAQ
How much does it cost to install 500 square feet of artificial turf?
As a rough ballpark only, $10 to $12 per square foot works out to somewhere around $5,000 to $6,000 for 500 square feet. Roots, drainage work, curvy beds, tricky access or a higher turf grade can push the per-foot price higher, so the written quote is the number to go by.
How much is 1000 square feet of artificial turf?
As a rough ballpark, a 1,000-square-foot backyard at $10 to $12 per square foot works out to somewhere around $10,000 to $12,000. Larger, open yards sometimes come in toward the lower end per foot, while a yard broken up by beds and trees can sit higher, and the written quote confirms it.
How long does artificial turf last in Texas?
Residential turf is often rated by its maker for something like 10 to 20 years. How long yours lasts depends on the product, how much foot traffic it sees and how much direct sun it gets.
What does artificial turf cost per square foot in University Park?
Around here, our backyard installs typically run $10 to $12 per square foot, and local labor and base conditions are what move prices from one city to the next.
Does the price include taking out my old lawn?
Taking out the old lawn is part of getting a yard ready for turf, since the old grass and a few inches of soil come out before the base goes in. We'll spell out what's included in your quote before you decide.
Do you install turf in front yards?
We can talk it through, though some nearby cities, Highland Park among them, restrict turf in front yards, so please check with your city before planning anything out front.
How do I get an accurate price for my yard?
Send us a few details through the form, such as rough size, how the yard drains and how you use it. We'll follow up to learn a bit more about the space, then send a written quote.
Get a Written Quote for Your Project
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Want a Real Number for Your Backyard?
Tell us about your yard and we'll follow up with a written quote. We work in University Park, Highland Park, Preston Hollow and the neighborhoods nearby.