Installing a lawn: choose the right approach for your garden
Choosing seed or turf is only part of establishing a lawn. Its use, available light, soil and ongoing care need to work together. A useful quote explains how the ground will be prepared and who will look after the young grass afterwards.
Seed, turf or improve the existing lawn?
Seed generally costs less in materials and offers a wide choice of mixtures. It takes time to germinate and develop into a surface that can withstand use. Turf provides quick coverage, but it still needs to root into the ground. Looking green immediately does not mean it is ready for games.
If you already have a lawn, have its condition assessed first. A few bare or dry patches do not automatically justify full replacement. Equally, compacted soil, recurring waterlogging or major unevenness will not disappear beneath new turf.
| Approach | What matters |
|---|---|
| Seeding | A suitable mixture, prepared seedbed and protection while the grass develops. |
| Laying turf | Prepared ground, coordinated delivery, prompt laying and watering. |
| Renovating an existing lawn | Grass worth retaining and work targeted at its actual problems. |
Match the lawn to its use and light
A family garden used by children needs different qualities from a lightly used ornamental lawn. Say whether the area is mostly sunny, partly shaded or shaded. Even a shade-tolerant mixture cannot compensate for an unlimited lack of light.
Flower lawns and wildflower meadows require their own approach to establishment and maintenance. If you want more flowers and less mowing, raise this before choosing the planting material. Adding an arbitrary flower mixture to closely mown play grass does not automatically create a lasting flowering meadow.
Ground preparation affects the result
Specify what needs removing: old turf, weeds, gravel or another surface. The contractor then needs to assess drainage and the soil’s suitability for the intended use. Adding soil alone does not fix every cause of standing water.
Depending on the starting point, preparation can include loosening, removing unwanted material and achieving an even surface. Finished levels need to meet paths, patios and edging correctly, including the thickness of turf where used. Pipes, irrigation and other fixtures should be identified before ground work begins.
How much does lawn installation cost?
Compare the whole job, rather than the turf price per square metre alone. Removal and disposal, earthworks, delivery and difficult access can substantially affect the total. A prepared area is not directly comparable to an overgrown garden.
Material example, October 2026: two checked Swiss price lists give approximately CHF 1,030–1,300 for exactly 100 m² of ordinary garden/play turf, including stated VAT where charged. This is neither an installed price nor a national market range. Cutting allowance, delivery, ground preparation, laying and aftercare are excluded.
- Quantities and materials. Separate the lawn area, grass type, extra allowance and additional soil.
- Labour and logistics. Compare removal, disposal, access, carrying materials across the site and laying.
- Completion and care. Clarify initial watering, return visits, the first cut and taxes.
Coordinate delivery and installation
For seeding, the conditions need to suit the mixture and location. Sufficient moisture and an appropriate soil temperature matter more than a fixed calendar date. Heat, frost or saturated ground can make the work unsuitable.
Turf should arrive when the ground, team and water supply are ready. Keeping it rolled up for a long time increases the risk of damage. Narrow gates, stairs, slopes and long carrying distances are therefore useful details for the contractor.
Agree who looks after the new lawn
Before work starts, decide who will check moisture and water when needed. An existing irrigation system must reach the whole new area. If you are going away, arranging care can be more important than securing the earliest installation date.
Ask for instructions suited to your lawn: watering, first mowing and when to start using it. Its development is what matters. Seed and turf have different establishment times, and cool weather can slow rooting.
Frequently asked questions
Can new turf be laid straight over the old lawn?
That is not a suitable shortcut for installing a new lawn. The contractor should assess the existing vegetation and prepare appropriate ground. Otherwise rooting, evenness and drainage can suffer.
Do I need to choose seed or turf before requesting quotes?
No. Explain your priorities, such as cost, quick coverage or the intended use. You can ask for advice and have the alternatives quoted separately.
How accurately must I measure the area?
An approximate figure for the actual lawn area in square metres is enough for the initial request. The contractor should confirm the final quantity and any cutting allowance before ordering.
Is initial maintenance included?
It depends on the quote. Ask specifically about watering, the first cut and follow-up visits. Handing over a green surface does not automatically include its ongoing care.
