How to Choose an Artificial Turf Installer: 9 Questions You Need to Ask

I'm going to be honest with you about something that might seem strange coming from a turf installer: not every turf company deserves your money. After 20+ years in this industry, I've seen the damage that cheap, fly-by-night installers leave behind. Homeowners call us regularly to rip out and redo turf that was installed poorly—sometimes less than a year after the original job.

Choosing the right installer is genuinely the most important decision you'll make in this process. The turf itself matters, sure. But identical turf installed by two different crews will look and perform completely differently. So here's what to ask before you hire anyone—including us.

1. How Long Have You Been Installing Artificial Turf?

This isn't about gatekeeping. New companies can do good work. But artificial turf installation has a steep learning curve, especially in Georgia where the red clay soil creates unique drainage challenges. A company with 5+ years of dedicated turf experience has likely encountered and solved problems that a newer company hasn't even seen yet.

Watch out for general landscapers who "also do turf." If turf isn't their primary business, their base preparation—the most critical part of the install—probably isn't up to standard.

2. Are You Licensed, Insured, and Bonded?

This is non-negotiable. In Georgia, any contractor working on your property should carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation. If an uninsured worker gets injured on your property, you could be liable. Ask to see their certificate of insurance—a legitimate company will provide it immediately without hesitation.

Bonded means there's a surety bond protecting you if the contractor fails to complete the work or doesn't meet building codes. It's an extra layer of protection that shows a company is serious about their reputation.

3. Do You Use Subcontractors or Your Own Crew?

This matters more than most people realize. When a company subcontracts their installation work, they have less control over quality. The crew that shows up at your house might be different every time, and the company you signed the contract with may not even be on site.

Companies that use their own in-house crews have trained those people to their specific standards. They know the process, the products, and the expectations. When something needs to be adjusted on the fly—and something always does—an experienced in-house crew handles it seamlessly.

4. What Base Preparation Do You Include?

This is the question that separates professional installers from amateurs. The base is literally the foundation of your entire turf system. If someone skips proper base prep or does it cheaply, your turf will develop drainage problems, uneven surfaces, and wrinkles within the first year.

A proper base preparation in Georgia includes:

• Removing existing sod and topsoil to the correct depth
• Installing weed barrier fabric
• Laying 2-3 inches of crushed stone aggregate (Class II road base or decomposed granite)
• Compacting in lifts with a plate compactor
• Grading for proper drainage away from structures

If an installer quotes you significantly less than competitors, ask what they're including for base prep. Nine times out of ten, the cheap quote is cutting corners here.

5. What Turf Products Do You Use, and Can I See Samples?

Not all artificial turf is created equal. There's a massive range in quality—from cheap, shiny carpet-looking stuff to premium products that genuinely look like natural grass. A reputable installer should be able to show you physical samples, explain the differences between products, and recommend the right one for your specific use case.

For example, pet turf needs different specs than a putting green. A high-traffic backyard needs different durability than a front yard that's mostly for looks. If an installer only offers "one kind of turf" for every application, that's a problem.

Ask about the face weight (ounces per square yard), pile height, and UV stabilization. Premium residential turf typically has a face weight of 60-80 oz and pile height of 1.5-1.75 inches. Anything under 40 oz face weight is commercial-grade or low quality.

6. What Does Your Warranty Cover?

A warranty is only as good as the company standing behind it. Ask specifically:

• How long is the warranty?
• Does it cover just the turf material, or also the installation/labor?
• What's NOT covered?
• What's the process if I need to file a claim?

Most premium turf products come with a manufacturer warranty of 8-15 years. But the installation warranty is separate—that's on the installer. A company that stands behind their work will warranty the installation for at least 5 years. We warranty our installations for 15 years because we know our base prep and installation quality will hold up.

7. Can I See Photos of Recent Projects and Talk to Past Customers?

Every installer has a portfolio of their best work. That's expected. But what tells you more is whether they'll connect you with actual past customers. A company that's confident in their work will happily give you references.

When you talk to references, ask about:

• How their turf has held up over time (not just day one)
• How the crew treated their property during installation
• Whether the company was responsive after the job was done
• If they had any issues, how were they resolved?

Also check Google reviews—not just the star rating, but the actual reviews. Look for patterns. One bad review happens to everyone. Ten reviews mentioning the same issue is a pattern.

8. What's Included in Your Quote?

An honest quote should be detailed and transparent. It should include:

• Demolition and removal of existing surfaces
• Base preparation (materials and labor)
• Weed barrier
• Turf material (specified by product name)
• Infill (type and quantity)
• Edging and perimeter securing
• Cleanup and haul-away

If you get a quote that's just "$X per square foot, installed" with no breakdown, you have no idea what you're paying for. A detailed quote protects both you and the installer because there are no surprises.

9. How Do You Handle Drainage?

Georgia gets about 50 inches of rain per year. Your turf needs to handle heavy downpours without pooling or flooding. This starts with proper grading during base prep, but some properties need additional drainage solutions—French drains, channel drains, or modified base materials.

An experienced installer will assess your drainage during the site visit and include any necessary solutions in the quote. If they don't mention drainage at all, they're either not experienced enough to know it matters or they're planning to skip it.

This is especially critical in Cobb County and the surrounding areas where Georgia's famous red clay creates natural drainage problems. Clay doesn't absorb water well, so the crushed stone base layer is what creates proper drainage under your turf. Skipping this step or using too little base material is the number one reason turf installations fail in our area.

The Bottom Line

Choosing a turf installer isn't just about finding the lowest price. The cheapest quote usually means corners are being cut somewhere—usually in base preparation, which is the one place you absolutely cannot afford to cut corners. A poorly installed turf system will cost you more in the long run when you have to rip it out and start over.

Ask these questions. Get multiple quotes. Check reviews and references. And trust your gut—if something feels off about a company, it probably is. Your yard is a significant investment, and you deserve an installer who treats it that way.