Poor ground preparation is the single biggest cause of artificial grass complaints in the UK, and it is almost always invisible until months after installation, once the lawn starts to sink, drain badly, or ripple at the seams. By then, the installer who cut corners has usually moved on to the next job.

This guide gives you a practical checklist for vetting an artificial grass installer before you sign anything, based on the questions that separate a proper tradesperson from a van and a roll of turf.

Why the Installer Matters More Than the Grass

Homeowners researching artificial grass tend to focus almost entirely on the product itself, pile height, colour, brand. That matters, but it is not where most problems come from. A premium grass laid on a poor sub-base will still fail early, while a mid-range product laid properly by an experienced team will outperform it for over a decade. Installation quality, not just product quality, is what determines whether your lawn still looks good in year eight.

The Credentials Checklist

Before you get a quote, check whether the company has:

• Trade body membership or accreditation, such as Checkatrade, TrustATrader, or Bark, with visible, verifiable reviews rather than just testimonials on their own website
• A registered business address, ideally more than one location if they cover a wide area, rather than a mobile number and no fixed premises
• Independent lab-tested products, confirming the grass meets UK safety and durability standards, particularly important if the lawn will be used by children or pets
• A written guarantee, separate for the product and the installation labour, with clear terms on what is and is not covered
• Public liability insurance, which any legitimate landscaping business should hold and be willing to confirm

NeverMowUK, for example, is recognised as a Bark Installer of the Year, listed on TrustATrader and Checkatrade, and uses artificial grass products manufactured in the Netherlands and independently lab-tested for safety, which you can verify through our reviews page.

Questions to Ask Every Installer Before You Book

1. “What does your ground preparation actually involve?”

A proper answer includes old lawn and root removal, excavation to the correct depth (typically 40 to 75mm), a compacted MOT Type 1 or granite grit sub-base, a weed membrane, and a sand blinding layer. If the answer is vague, or skips straight to “we lay the grass down,” treat that as a warning sign.

2. “How is drainage handled on my specific garden?”

Every garden drains differently based on soil type and slope. A good installer will ask about your garden’s history with waterlogging before quoting, not after. This is one reason a phone quote is never as accurate as an in-person site visit.

3. “What guarantee comes with the grass, and what comes with your workmanship?”

These are two separate things. Product guarantees (typically 10 to 20 years) cover manufacturing defects in the grass itself. Workmanship guarantees cover the installation, seams, edging, and sub-base. A company offering only one of these has a gap in their cover.

4. “Can I see examples of your previous work, ideally nearby?”

Photos of finished lawns in similar postcodes tell you more than a generic product catalogue. Ask specifically for before-and-after images, not just finished shots, since preparation quality is visible in the “before” stage.

5. “How do you handle joins and seams on larger areas?”

Poorly joined seams are one of the most common visible faults in cheap installations, showing as a visible line or gap between rolls. A confident installer will explain their jointing method (usually a jointing tape and adhesive, brushed and blended along the pile direction) without hesitation.

Red Flags to Watch For

• No fixed business address, or one that does not match where the company claims to operate
• Pressure to book same-day or with a large upfront deposit before any site visit has taken place
• No mention of sub-base depth or drainage anywhere in the quote or conversation
• Reviews that are all recent and clustered together, which can suggest incentivised or fake reviews rather than an organic customer history over time
• Reluctance to put the guarantee in writing, or vague answers about what it actually covers

Comparing Installers Properly

When weighing up two or three installers, line up what actually determines a lasting lawn:

What to Compare	Why It Matters
Sub-base depth and material	Determines drainage and long-term stability
Grass weight/density (measured in oz or gsm)	Higher density lasts longer and looks fuller
Product guarantee length	Reflects manufacturer confidence in the material
Workmanship guarantee	Covers you if the installation itself fails
Accreditation and verifiable reviews	Shows an established, accountable track record

For a full breakdown of what a proper installation actually involves, see our step-by-step installation process guide.

What a Proper Site Visit Should Cover

A legitimate installer will want to physically see your garden before confirming any work, not just measure it from satellite imagery or a phone description. During a proper site visit, expect them to check:

• Current drainage and any signs of existing waterlogging
• Soil type and whether it is clay-heavy, which affects sub-base depth
• Access for materials and equipment, particularly for gardens behind a house with narrow side access
• Existing surfaces that need removing, such as old decking, patio, or overgrown planting
• Slope or level changes across the garden

If a company is willing to commit to a job without ever seeing the garden in person, corners are more likely to be cut once work actually begins.

After Installation: What Good Aftercare Looks Like

The relationship should not end the moment the lawn is laid. A reputable installer will typically offer:

• Clear care instructions for brushing, rinsing, and seasonal maintenance
• A direct contact for any issues within the guarantee period, not just a generic customer service line
• Willingness to return and address any settling or seam issues that appear in the first few months, which is normal as a new sub-base beds in

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if an artificial grass installer is legitimate? Check for trade body accreditation such as Checkatrade or TrustATrader with verifiable reviews, a registered business address, public liability insurance, and a written guarantee covering both product and workmanship.

Should I always choose the installer promising the fastest turnaround? No. Rushed jobs most commonly cut ground preparation, which is the main cause of lawns failing early through poor drainage or an uneven surface within a few years.

What is a fair guarantee length for artificial grass? Most reputable UK installers offer 10 to 20 years on the product itself, alongside a separate workmanship guarantee covering the installation for a shorter, clearly stated period.

Do I need to be present for the site survey? It helps, since you can point out drainage concerns, boundary lines, and any specific requirements, but it is not always essential if you can communicate clearly with the installer beforehand.

How long should a proper artificial grass installation take? Most standard residential gardens (30 to 40m2) are completed within one to two days from start to finish, assuming no major drainage or access complications.

Get a Straight, In-Person Assessment

NeverMowUK offers free, no-obligation site visits across Manchester, Bury, Oldham, Stoke on Trent, Derbyshire and the West Midlands, with full ground preparation included as standard on every job. Request your free assessment here and see exactly what a properly prepared lawn involves.