Published prices for installed artificial grass in Ontario run $5–$22 per sq ft, and most backyards land at $10–$20 per sq ft. That covers digging out the old lawn, a compacted gravel base, weed barrier, the turf, infill and labour.
For a whole yard, a Toronto-area installer publishes $2,400–$5,000 for 200 to 300 sq ft, $5,000–$12,000 for 400 to 700 sq ft, and $10,000–$22,000+ for 800 to 1,200 sq ft. These are ranges, not quotes: a site measure sets the real price.
Installed price per square foot
Every published installed figure we found, from Ontario installers’ own price guides and HomeStars’ Canadian guide. The low end is budget turf on an easy, flat site; the high end is premium turf, a deep base or a hard-to-reach yard.
Published installed prices
CAD · before HST · published prices
- Fully installed, Toronto average (excavation, base, weed barrier, turf, infill, labour)From a Toronto-area turf installer’s 2026 price guide
- $12–$22 per sq ft
- Installed, with site prep, labour and edgingFrom a Hamilton-area turf supplier’s 2025 cost guide
- $10–$20 per sq ft
- Materials plus professional installationFrom a Mississauga turf installer’s 2024 cost guide
- $8.50–$20 per sq ft
- Installed, budget to premium turfFrom HomeStars’ Canadian artificial grass price guide (August 2026)
- $5–$20+ per sq ft
- Backyard lawn, installedFrom a Toronto-area turf installer’s 2026 price guide
- $12–$20 per sq ft
- Residential backyard, installedFrom a Hamilton-area turf supplier’s 2025 cost guide
- $10–$15 per sq ft
- Mid-range turf, installedFrom HomeStars’ Canadian artificial grass price guide (August 2026)
- $10–$15 per sq ft
- Budget turf, installed (low-traffic and decorative areas)From HomeStars’ Canadian artificial grass price guide (August 2026)
- $5–$10 per sq ft
- Premium turf, installed (high-use areas)From HomeStars’ Canadian artificial grass price guide (August 2026)
- $15–$20+ per sq ft
What a whole yard costs
Per-square-foot prices fall as the area grows, because the setup, delivery and edging are spread over more turf. Small and curved areas cost the most per square foot.
Published project prices
CAD · before HST · published prices
- Small yard, 200 to 300 sq ftFrom a Toronto-area turf installer’s 2026 price guide
- $2,400–$5,000
- Medium yard, 400 to 700 sq ftFrom a Toronto-area turf installer’s 2026 price guide
- $5,000–$12,000
- Large yard, 800 to 1,200 sq ftFrom a Toronto-area turf installer’s 2026 price guide
- $10,000–$22,000+
Where the money goes
Labour and base preparation are usually more than half the job. The turf itself is the smaller part, which is why a cheap roll laid on a poor base is rarely a saving: the base is what keeps it flat and draining through Ontario’s freeze-thaw winters.
Published component prices
CAD · before HST · published prices
- Basic synthetic grass, material onlyFrom a Hamilton-area turf supplier’s 2025 cost guide
- $3–$7 per sq ft
- Artificial grass and materials, for a DIY installFrom a Mississauga turf installer’s 2024 cost guide
- $4.50–$7 per sq ft
- Labour and installationFrom a Mississauga turf installer’s 2024 cost guide
- $4–$13 per sq ft
- Labour: laying and securing the turfFrom HomeStars’ Canadian artificial grass price guide (August 2026)
- $3–$9 per sq ft
- Laying: grading, soil removal, base and securingFrom a Hamilton-area turf supplier’s 2025 cost guide
- $3–$9 per sq ft
- Site preparation: removing old grass and levellingFrom HomeStars’ Canadian artificial grass price guide (August 2026)
- $1–$3 per sq ft
- Infill, depending on the typeFrom HomeStars’ Canadian artificial grass price guide (August 2026)
- $0.50–$2.50 per sq ft
- Weed barrier fabricFrom HomeStars’ Canadian artificial grass price guide (August 2026)
- $0.50–$1 per sq ft
Pet turf costs more
Turf for dogs needs a base that drains fast, a backing that lets urine through, and usually an odour-control infill such as zeolite. Published pet turf prices run $14–$22 per sq ft installed, about $2–$5 per sq ft more than standard artificial grass.
Published pet turf prices
CAD · before HST · published prices
- Pet turf with antimicrobial infill and upgraded drainageFrom a Toronto-area turf installer’s 2026 price guide
- $14–$22 per sq ft
- Pet turf, installed (drainage base, turf, antimicrobial infill)From a Toronto-area turf installer’s 2026 price guide
- $15–$22 per sq ft
- Pet turf over standard artificial grass, addedFrom a Toronto-area turf installer’s 2026 price guide
- $2–$5 per sq ft
- Antimicrobial infill or a deodorizing drainage layer, addedFrom a Toronto-area turf installer’s 2026 price guide
- $1–$3 per sq ft
Doing it yourself
Turf and materials alone run $3–$7 per sq ft. A Mississauga installer’s example puts a 1,000 sq ft backyard at $8,143 in DIY materials against $15,000 installed. The saving is real, but so is the work: removing 3 to 4 inches of soil, hauling and compacting gravel, and seaming. Renting a plate compactor and sod cutter, and the disposal, come on top.
Upkeep
Artificial grass still needs brushing, rinsing and the odd infill top-up. HomeStars puts a professional clean at $0.50–$1 per sq ft every 12 to 18 months and an infill top-up at $300–$800 every 2 to 3 years.
Published upkeep prices
CAD · before HST · published prices
- Professional clean, every 12 to 18 monthsFrom HomeStars’ Canadian artificial grass price guide (August 2026)
- $0.50–$1 per sq ft
- Infill top-up every 2 to 3 years, whole lawnFrom HomeStars’ Canadian artificial grass price guide (August 2026)
- $300–$800
Questions people ask
How much does artificial turf cost per square foot in Ontario?
Published installed prices run $5–$22 per sq ft, and most backyards land at $10–$20 per sq ft, before HST. Material alone is $3–$7 per sq ft.
How much does it cost to turf a 500 sq ft backyard?
At the published backyard range of $10–$20 per sq ft, about $5,000–$10,000 installed. A Mississauga installer’s example for a 500 sq ft townhouse backyard is $7,500.
Why do turf quotes vary so much?
Turf quality, how much soil comes out, base depth, drainage work, slope, access for equipment (a narrow side gate means hand-carrying gravel), the shape of the area and the edging all move the price. Compare quotes on the same turf, base depth and infill.
Is artificial grass cheaper than sod over time?
Sod costs less to put in, but it needs water, fertilizer and mowing every year. The artificial turf vs sod guide compares the published 10-year figures.
Where these prices come from
These figures are from Ontario turf installers’ and suppliers’ own published price guides (Toronto area, Mississauga, Hamilton area) and from HomeStars’ Canadian artificial grass price guide, checked October 23, 2026. We don’t name the installers: we’re a referral service and don’t promote individual businesses. They’re ranges, not quotes, in CAD before HST.