How to choose an artificial turf contractor and warranty
A low price can hide missing preparation, unclear drainage, weak records, or a warranty that does not cover the problem you will actually have. Compare accountability as carefully as materials.
What a credible proposal should identify
- Legal contracting entity, address, contact, insurance, and who will be responsible after installation.
- Exact turf, backing, infill, adhesive, edging, aggregate, and any other major system components.
- Measured area, excavation assumptions, access, disposal, grading, drainage, seams, transitions, taxes, and exclusions.
- Schedule, weather assumptions, change-order process, cleanup, completion records, and payment milestones.
“Premium,” “pet friendly,” “lifetime,” “maintenance free,” and “drainage guaranteed” are marketing phrases until the exact meaning, product, evidence, limitation, and responsible party are documented.
Questions to ask before signing
| Ask | Look for |
|---|---|
| Who is contracting? | A consistent legal entity, written contact process, and clear responsibility for subcontractors. |
| What happens to unsuitable soil? | A stated allowance or change process instead of a surprise at excavation. |
| How is drainage verified? | A property-specific explanation of grades, outlets, low points, and boundaries. |
| What does the product warranty cover? | Current manufacturer terms for the exact SKU, including exclusions and claim procedure. |
| What does workmanship cover? | A separate written term for installation defects, seams, edges, settlement, and response time. |
Product warranty versus workmanship warranty
A manufacturer warranty and an installer’s workmanship promise are different documents with different limits. A product warranty may address manufacturing defects but exclude installation, misuse, heat sources, chemicals, pets, furniture, drainage, colour variation, or normal wear. Workmanship terms may be limited by time, maintenance records, access, settlement, weather, or third-party damage. Read both before deciding.
Red flags that deserve a pause
- Pressure to sign before a site review or before showing the exact product documents.
- Only a verbal price, a one-line scope, or a “per square foot” figure with no assumptions.
- Universal claims about zero maintenance, zero water, no heat, non-toxicity, lifespan, or guaranteed savings.
- Unclear company identity, missing change process, or refusal to explain exclusions.
- Photos, badges, awards, reviews, or years-of-experience claims that cannot be matched to the responsible entity.
Keep a project record
Save the contract, proposal, drawings, product labels, SKU and batch details, care guide, warranty documents, invoices, change orders, drainage photographs, completion photos, and maintenance records. If a concern appears, document date, weather, location, use, photos, and the response requested. Good records help every party diagnose the issue.
Continue learning
Use the installation guide, cost guide, GTA planning guide, and warranty page together.