How-to · 5 min read
7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Turf Installer
The GI Landscape Team · March 8, 2024
We've pulled up over 75 failed turf installs in our years of business. The pattern is clear: bad installs come from cheap shortcuts the homeowner didn't know to check for.
Ask these seven questions before signing any turf contract.
1. How deep are you excavating, and how are you compacting the sub-grade?
The right answer:5-6 inches deep, compacted to 90%+ Proctor density with a plate compactor. If they say “we just lay it on the existing lawn” or “a couple inches,” you'll be calling someone else in 2 years to redo it.
2. What's the gravel base spec?
The right answer:4-5 inches of 3/4-inch minus crushed gravel for drainage, topped with 1 inch of 1/4-inch minus decomposed granite for leveling. Anything thinner won't drain in Oregon rain.
3. Are you using landscape fabric under the base?
The right answer: yes, woven geotextile fabric between the sub-grade and the gravel. It stops weeds and prevents soil migration. Skipping it saves $0.50/sqft and costs the install in year 2.
4. What's the turf face weight and UV warranty?
The right answer: minimum 60 oz face weight, minimum 12-year UV warranty in writing, with the manufacturer name and SKU specified. Premium installs run 90+ oz and 15-20 year warranties.
5. Do you handle clay-soil drainage?
The right answer: yes, with a French drain or sloped sub-base where needed. Most Oregon lots have clay below 12 inches. Without drainage planning, water pools at the base layer and the turf eventually fails from below.
6. How are you edging the perimeter?
The right answer:bender board, steel edging, or paver borders — secured into the sub-base. “Just nailing it down at the edge” lifts within 2 years.
7. What's your install warranty, in writing?
The right answer:minimum 5-year workmanship warranty covering base settling, seam failure, and edge lifting. Plus the manufacturer's UV warranty on the turf itself. Get both in the contract.
Bonus question: Can I see installs you did 5+ years ago?
This is the one nobody asks. The cheap installer can't answer. A real installer can drive you past a dozen.
Related reading
- Artificial Turf Cost in the Portland Metro (2026 Pricing)
- DIY vs Pro Turf Installation: What Actually Goes Wrong
- 5-Layer Turf Installation: What's Under a Lawn That Lasts
Why GI Landscape: CCB #224884 · Five-year workmanship warranty in writing · No payment upfront.