Artificial turf installation: what to expect
A durable result is built below the visible grass. This sequence helps a homeowner compare proposals, understand disruption, and keep the right records at handoff.
1. Site review and design
The contractor should measure the area, identify access, note grades and low points, locate drains and downspouts, review trees and utilities, and ask how the yard will be used. The design should show transitions, gates, beds, steps, furniture zones, play zones, pet zones, and drainage assumptions.
2. Written scope and approvals
Before scheduling, the contract should identify the legal contracting party, exact product and infill, quantities, excavation assumptions, base, drainage, edges, seams, disposal, taxes, access, schedule, change process, warranty documents, and completion records. Confirm municipal, condominium, utility, tree, and easement requirements before excavation.
3. Protection and excavation
Protect doors, siding, fences, trees, irrigation, utilities, and neighbouring property. Remove existing lawn, roots, unsuitable material, and debris to the agreed depth. Excavated material should be handled lawfully and the proposal should state what happens if buried concrete, wet soil, or contaminated fill is encountered.
4. Shape, base, and compaction
The base is shaped to the intended finished grade and compacted in controlled lifts using suitable aggregate. “We install over the lawn” is not equivalent to a documented base system. Ask how the crew will verify levels, slopes, firmness, and transitions before the turf arrives.
5. Drainage and edges
Water must have a safe path through or around the complete assembly. Edges should restrain the system without trapping water, and transitions should not create trip hazards. Downspouts, catch basins, swales, foundations, and neighbouring yards need to be considered together.
6. Turf layout, seams, and infill
Blade direction, roll layout, seams, cuts, and waste affect the finished appearance. The installer should explain seam locations and colour variation before cutting. Infill is installed and groomed according to the selected product. Record leftover product, batch or SKU information, and the care instructions.
7. Handoff and quality check
- Walk the entire edge, seam, transition, drain, gate, and access route.
- Confirm the yard is clean, stable, and free of loose waste or sharp offcuts.
- Photograph hidden drainage, base work, seams, and finished details where possible.
- Receive product documents, care limits, warranty terms, invoice, change orders, and a contact process.
Questions for the crew
- What is the expected excavation depth, and what conditions change it?
- How will you protect and document the grade at the house and property edges?
- Where will rainwater go during a heavy storm?
- How are seams, edges, trees, utilities, and transitions backed by the scope?
- What is included in cleanup and what is the change-order process?
Related guides
Pair this page with base and drainage, Mississauga planning checks, and the complete contractor-question list.