Thinking about transforming your garden with lush ready lawn? There are plenty of benefits to installing ready turf: instant results, no patchy spots, no birds stealing your seeds and fewer weeds to stay on top of.

But what does it actually cost to lay ready lawn in New Zealand?

In this guide, we’ve broken down the average costs for you - and we’ve included some handy tips to help you save money while still getting great results.

Need someone to help do the heavy lifting? Ezy Peazy has you covered. Thanks to our extensive network of taskers up and down the country – low-cost landscaping services are available in just a few clicks on our user-friendly platform. 

Quick Ready Lawn Cost Summary (NZD)

Average cost of laying ready lawn in New Zealand

How much does a ready lawn cost? There are a number of factors that influence ready lawn prices in NZ, including how much you need (usually in square metres), the type of grass you choose, and delivery distance.

Ready lawn cost per m²

Most ready lawn suppliers in New Zealand charge around $10 – 15 per m² for high-quality turf. For example, Readylawn Auckland starts their prices at $12.50 per m², while Instant Turf has options starting at $10 per m².

Many suppliers require a minimum order of around 30 – 50 m², especially for residential customers – so keep this in mind when budgeting. If you’re working with a small area, this could mean you end up with significant wastage. In these scenarios, another option (such as grass seeds) may be more cost-effective.

Cost per grass type

Ready lawn prices vary depending on the type of grass you choose. For instance, standard rye and fescue blends tend to be on the cheaper end, while kikuyu and couch grass are usually a bit pricier – starting at around $15 - $18 per m².

Not sure what type of grass to go for? Here’s a few things to consider:

• Climate -  are you in a drier city like Christchurch or somewhere prone to more rain? Buffalo grass tends to do well in drought conditions, while fescue likes shade.
   
• Soil type – is your base mostly slow-draining clay? If so, kikuyu seems to do best in these conditions.
   
• Foot traffic -  will your kids be using your lawn for playing? What about pets? Kikuyu and buffalo win, while fescue tends to dislike heavy foot traffic.
   
• Maintenance -  couch grass grows quickly and requires more regular mowing, while buffalo tends to be lower maintenance.

Ready lawn delivery fees

Unless you’re picking up your new roll-out lawn yourself, you’ll need to take delivery fees into account.

Expect an additional $80 - $230+ for delivery, depending on how far you are from the supplier. However, some suppliers may waive delivery fees for bulk orders.

As an example – Readylawn Auckland charges $110 per pallet for deliveries within metro Auckland, $172.50 for outer areas, and $230 for North Auckland.

Site preparation costs

Setting your new ready lawn up for success means ensuring it has the best possible foundation. You’ll need to think about everything from the soil base you’re laying it on through to weed killing treatments.

• Topsoil – if your soil is poor or clay-heavy, we’d recommend laying topsoil. This can cost anywhere between $25 - $100 per cubic metre, depending on quality and delivery distance. If you only need a small amount - consider picking up a few bags from Bunnings. A 25L bag will cost you around $10. 
   
• Weed control – if your section is overrun with weeds, you’ll need to ensure these have been thoroughly killed off before you lay your lawn. Keep in mind that you’ll normally need to complete more than one weed killer application to prevent re-growth.

Hidden ready lawn laying costs to look out for

When it comes to budgeting for ready lawn installation, it’s not just the turf price and site preparation to think about. There can be hidden costs too, that you may not become aware of until you’ve started the work!

Here’s what to be aware of, so you’re not caught off guard:

• Turf wastage – most lawns aren’t perfect rectangles. Cutting turf to fit odd shapes can lead to offcuts you don’t have any use for – or see you coming up short in other areas of your yard. Most suppliers recommend ordering 10 – 15% more ready lawn than you think you need. For a 100m² lawn, that could be an additional $50 – $150 depending on the turf type.
   
• Equipment hire – DIYers may need to hire tools like a lawn roller, wheelbarrow or plate compactor.
   
• Mistakes requiring re-dos - this can be painful – but there are some common DIY mistakes that can lead to you having to re-lay your ready lawn. These include poor soil prep, leaving your ready lawn sitting out for too long (leading to it drying out), inadequate watering, and cutting your rolls too short so that there are gaps between sections.

Saving money without sacrificing quality

Ready lawn can definitely be a worthwhile investment, but it shouldn’t have to cost you the earth.

Here are a few smart strategies to help you keep costs down:

• Buy in bulk – some suppliers will reduce the cost per square metre when you buy in bulk. This is a great option if you’re working with a large area. If you need topsoil too, see if you can purchase this from the same supplier to help you save on delivery fees.
   
• Consider the time of year – cold, frosty, wet: the middle of winter isn’t the best time to lay turf. Mid-autumn is ideal in many parts of the country – giving your new lawn the best chance of thriving.
   
• Be smart with your turf use -  measure your area carefully and double-check your calculations before placing your order. This helps reduce the risk of over or under-ordering.
   
• Use Ezy Peazy to find affordable professionals and compare quotes -  not interested in DIY? Rather than going with the first quote you receive, Ezy Peazy makes it simple to compare offers from professional landscapers in your area.  You can outline your job, set your budget, and receive multiple quotes before choosing the best fit.

DIY vs professional lawn installation

When it comes to ready lawn, you may be thinking the DIY route is the less expensive option. And while it may be cheaper upfront – it’s important to remember that the costs go beyond just the grass itself.

DIY lawn laying expenses – things to consider:

• Topsoil – especially if your existing soil base is poor
   
• Equipment hire – tools like rollers and plate compactors can bump up the price significantly
   
• Weed killer – the more space you have to cover, the more this will cost
   
• Delivery fees – the further away you are from your supplier, the more this tends to cost
   

Hiring a professional – things to consider:

• Labour –  this can vary quite a bit depending on the site complexity and size. But you can expect the cost to be roughly $10 - $20 per m²
   
• Turf – obviously you’ll still need to pay for the turf. The price of this will often be rolled into one quote if you’re using a supplier who can also carry out the installation
   

Pros of hiring someone to lay the lawn:
When it comes to using a professional to install your ready lawn, the cost may seem higher at first glance, but you’ll also be benefitting from a more precise finish, faster installation, and less hassle. Plus, you’ll be avoiding the need to hire tools and equipment.  

Choose Ezy Peazy for professional lawn installation in NZ

Feeling overwhelmed by the thought of laying ready lawn yourself? We get it!

If you’re working with a tricky or larger area – or have a lot of preparation to take care of, installing turf on your own can feel daunting. And if you’re going to the effort of investing in a premium product, you’ll want to ensure you have a professional finish.

Luckily, Ezy Peazy is here to help. With our extensive network of professional taskers across New Zealand, professional landscaping services, including expert lawn care and restoration are at your fingertips.

Just post your job on our user-friendly platform, set your budget, and receive quotes from local taskers near you. You can customise your job too. Need help with turf pick up or lawn aftercare? No worries!

Best of all, Ezy Peazy protects your payment until you’re 100% satisfied.

Give yourself peace of mind – and the perfect, lush lawn while you’re at it. Choose Ezy Peazy to help you with professional ready lawn installation services.

About Ezy Peazy

Since 2019, Ezy Peazy has been connecting Kiwis with skilled taskers right across the country to help them get virtually any job done. From painting and kit-set furniture assembly to whiteware removal and e-waste disposal - Ezy Peazy makes it simple and straightforward to find reliable, local help for anything you need. With transparent reviews, competitive pricing, and a user-friendly experience, Ezy Peazy is transforming the way Kiwis get things done.