Lawn Replacement Cost

Replacing your lawn is a smart investment – and it might cost less than you think. At Maverick Landscaping, we provide affordable options for every yard. In Ontario, the price of lawn replacement can vary based on the method you choose and the specifics of your project. Below, we break down average costs and what affects them, then dive into the pros and cons of each option. Finally, we’ll show you why Maverick Landscaping delivers the best value and results for your lawn transformation.

Average Lawn Replacement Costs in Ontario

Knowing the ballpark figures helps you plan with confidence. Here’s what you can expect to pay on average in Ontario for different lawn replacement options:

• Natural Sod: Approximately $1.80 to $3.50 per square foot (installed) for a fresh sod lawn. That means a typical 1,000 sq. ft. yard might run around $2,000 – $3,500.
• Artificial Turf: Roughly $15 to $20 per square foot including materials and professional installation. The upfront cost is higher, but maintenance costs are minimal.
• Native/Drought-Tolerant Landscaping: Usually $5 to $20 per square foot for a conversion to a low-water landscape. The wide range depends on design complexity and plant choices.

These figures can fluctuate based on your exact needs and site conditions, but they offer a solid starting point. Now let’s look at what factors influence where your project falls in these ranges.

Factors That Influence Lawn Replacement Cost

Every lawn is unique. Several key factors determine your total project cost:

• Yard Size: Larger areas require more sod rolls, turf, or plants. While bulk purchases can lower the per-square-foot rate, a bigger lawn will still have a higher overall cost than a small one.
• Old Turf Removal & Disposal: If we need to remove an existing lawn, there’s labor and disposal involved. Uprooting old grass, hauling it away, and possibly treating the soil adds to the cost (typically more than installing on bare soil).
• Site Access & Terrain: Hard-to-reach backyards or sloped/rocky terrain can increase labor. If our team and equipment have limited access, or if extra grading is required, the project may need more time and effort – which can reflect in the price.
• Soil Preparation: A properly prepped foundation is crucial for any new lawn. Costs can include bringing in fresh topsoil, grading and leveling, fertilizing, and even treating for weeds. Healthy, well-graded soil ensures your sod roots or new plants thrive, but it does add some expense up front.
• Irrigation Installation: Replacing a lawn is a great time to install or upgrade an irrigation system. Adding sprinklers or drip lines will increase the initial cost, but it’s often worth it to protect your investment (and we can certainly incorporate this into your project if needed).
• Materials & Plant Selection: The specific sod variety or turf product you choose matters – premium grass blends or ultra-realistic turf can cost more. For drought-tolerant landscapes, opting for mature native plants, decorative boulders, or special mulch will raise costs compared to basic young plants and simple designs.
• Design Complexity: If you’re doing a full landscape makeover (adding garden beds, stone pathways, retaining walls, etc.), the complexity will add to labor and material costs. A straightforward sod replacement is quicker than a custom-designed native garden with multiple features. We scale our plan to your vision and budget.

Understanding these factors helps you make informed decisions. Next, we’ll explore each lawn replacement option in detail – and how each stacks up in terms of cost, maintenance, and benefits.

Natural Sod – Lush, Real Grass Instantly

Freshly laid sod creates an instant carpet of green in your yard, giving you a natural lawn literally overnight.

Choosing natural sod means getting a living, breathing grass lawn rolled out on your property. It’s the classic choice for homeowners who love the feel of real grass. At Maverick Landscaping, we often recommend sod for its balance of upfront affordability and immediate results. Typically, sod installation is the most budget-friendly option for lawn replacement. For a reasonable cost, you get instant curb appeal – no waiting weeks for seeds to sprout.

Installing sod is fast and efficient. Our team can often remove old turf and lay new sod in a single day. You’ll literally see bare dirt transformed to lush green by sunset. We use high-quality Ontario-grown sod, ensuring your lawn starts off healthy and dense. It looks realistic because it is real grass – a mix of hardy varieties (like Kentucky bluegrass or fescue blends) suited to our climate. Once in place, the sod roots will establish in your soil within a couple of weeks with proper watering.

Maintenance: Keep in mind, a natural lawn does require ongoing care. You’ll be mowing, watering, and fertilizing to keep that emerald-green look. During hot, dry spells, real grass needs regular watering to stay healthy. There’s also occasional weeding, and you may need to reseed or patch small areas over the years. However, you’ll enjoy a cool, soft surface underfoot and a yard that regenerates itself (grass can grow back in spots if cared for).

Lifespan: With good maintenance, a sod lawn can last indefinitely – it’s a living ecosystem. If parts of it get damaged (by pests, pets, or neglect), they can be repaired or regrown. There’s no fixed “expiration date” on a natural lawn as long as it’s looked after.

Pros of Natural Sod:

• Instant Results: You go from dirt to a fully covered green lawn in a day. There’s immediate satisfaction and improved home appearance.
• Lower Upfront Cost: Sod is generally the least expensive route to a new lawn. You get a lot of coverage for your dollar, especially for smaller yards.
• Real Grass Look & Feel: Nothing beats the look, smell, and feel of real grass. It stays cooler in the summer than artificial turf, and it’s soft for kids and pets to play on.
• Easily Repairable: If a section dies off or is damaged, you can reseed or re-sod just that spot relatively cheaply. Maintenance and minor fixes are straightforward.

Cons of Natural Sod:

• Regular Maintenance Needed: Be prepared for weekly mowing in the growing season, periodic fertilizing, and constant monitoring for weeds or pests. The ongoing lawn care is the trade-off for that lower initial cost.
• Higher Lifetime Costs: Over time, expenses for water, lawn care treatments, mower fuel, etc., add up. A natural lawn can cost more in the long run due to maintenance, even if it’s cheaper to install.
• Water Dependence: In drought conditions or under water restrictions, keeping grass green can be challenging. Without sufficient irrigation, sod can brown out or die, so it’s less ideal if you want a low-water yard.
• Can Be Vulnerable: Disease, insects like grubs, or heavy foot traffic can hurt a natural lawn. It requires care and vigilance. If you neglect it for too long, you might find yourself needing our help to revive or even replace patches of it down the road.

Despite these cons, natural sod remains a popular choice – and for good reason. It’s cost-effective and delivers that classic lawn many homeowners desire. Our team ensures your sod is installed correctly with healthy soil prep, so you get the best start possible.

Artificial Turf – Evergreen & Low-Maintenance

Professional artificial turf installation in progress – an investment that yields a gorgeous green lawn with minimal upkeep.

Artificial turf (synthetic grass) offers the luxury of a pristine green lawn year-round, without the weekly chores. It’s essentially a carpet of realistic grass fibers that we install over a prepared base. If you’re tired of mowing or fed up with patchy grass, turf is an attractive alternative. The main consideration is cost: artificial turf installation in Ontario averages from about $15 up to $20 per square foot for a quality product. It’s the priciest option upfront, but homeowners love that there’s virtually no maintenance expense after. No more buying fertilizer, seed, or gas for the mower – and no watering bills for the lawn.

Modern artificial turf looks incredibly natural. We use products with varied blade heights and colors to mimic real grass. Your neighbors will be asking how you keep your lawn so perfect! The turf is laid over a compacted gravel and sand base for proper drainage. We secure it and add infill (like silica sand) to help the blades stand up and feel more like real grass. The result is an evergreen lawn that doesn’t grow, doesn’t weeds, and doesn’t turn brown in July.

Maintenance: Here’s where turf shines. You’ll save hours of time each month because there’s nothing to mow or water. All your lawn equipment can retire. Maintenance is minimal – occasionally rinsing off dust or pet waste, and maybe brushing the fibers upright if they get flattened. Artificial grass doesn’t need chemicals or feeding. It’s an amazing feeling to set it and forget it.

Lifespan: Good artificial turf is durable, with a lifespan of 15 to 25 years before the fibers or backing start to degrade. That means decades of use out of your investment. (When the time comes, the turf can be replaced, and the base underneath can often be reused.) We select turf products with solid warranties to ensure you get long-lasting value. Keep in mind the turf will gradually wear in high-traffic spots, but it won’t suddenly fail – you’ll enjoy many years of a green yard.

Pros of Artificial Turf:

• Very Low Maintenance: Say goodbye to mowing, edging, feeding and watering. Your weekends are free! Apart from an occasional rinse or leaf blow, your turf lawn stays gorgeous with little effort.
• Year-Round Green: Artificial grass looks perfect in every season. It doesn’t die back in winter or dry out in summer. Even in the heat of August or the chill of November, your lawn remains a vibrant green.
• Water Savings: You’ll dramatically cut your water usage. This is eco-friendly and saves you money on the water bill. In fact, many communities encourage turf for water conservation.
• Great for Tough Areas: Have a spot where grass won’t grow (deep shade, under a playset, high foot traffic)? Turf will thrive where real grass struggles. It’s also ideal for families with dogs – no more muddy paws or brown pee spots.
• Long-Term Value: While you invest more initially, over 15+ years you might actually save money versus maintaining a natural lawn. You also gain back time and peace of mind by avoiding lawn chores.

Cons of Artificial Turf:

• High Upfront Cost: There’s no sugar-coating it – turf is an investment. It can cost several times more than sod to install. However, it’s important to consider the long-term savings and convenience. Many clients feel it’s worth the cost, but you’ll need a larger budget initially.
• Heat Considerations: Under direct sun, artificial turf can become hotter than natural grass. On a scorching July day, the surface can feel warm to the touch. We can mitigate this with infill choices or recommending a quick spray of water to cool it, but it’s a factor to know (especially if kids or pets will be on it in bare feet).
• Not “Alive”: Some homeowners miss the real grass feel or the ecosystem a natural lawn provides. Turf doesn’t absorb carbon or release oxygen like real plants do. And while it drains water, heavy downpours can still puddle briefly. It’s a trade-off between nature and convenience.
• Replacement & Disposal: Eventually, after 15-20 years, the turf will need replacement. Disposing of old artificial turf has an environmental impact (though many manufacturers are improving recyclability). It’s not a concern for a long time, but it’s part of the life cycle.
• Initial Installation Disruption: We will need to excavate a few inches of your soil to lay the base. This is a one-time process, but it’s more involved than laying sod. Rest assured, we handle all the prep and cleanup, but the project can be a bit noisy/messy for a day or two during install.

Despite the cons, customer satisfaction with artificial turf is extremely high. The effortless beauty it provides is a game-changer for busy homeowners. If you value a consistently green lawn and want to basically forget about yard work, turf is the ultimate solution. And with Maverick Landscaping’s expertise, your turf will be installed to perfection – you get realism, longevity, and the envy of the neighborhood.

Native & Drought-Tolerant Landscaping – Sustainable Beauty

A drought-tolerant garden bed with mulch, native perennials, and stepping stones – a creative lawn replacement that conserves water and adds visual interest.

Another fantastic lawn replacement option is converting your yard to a drought-tolerant landscape. Instead of wall-to-wall grass, picture a mosaic of native plants, ornamental grasses, shrubs, and decorative stone or mulch. This approach (often called xeriscaping) swaps thirsty turf for hardy plants that thrive with little water. The result? A one-of-a-kind landscape that’s low-maintenance and environmentally friendly.

Cost-wise, a drought-tolerant landscape falls in a moderate to high range, because it’s more akin to a garden project. You can expect anywhere from $5 to $20 per square foot depending on how elaborate the design is. Simpler projects (like replacing a front lawn with a basic rock garden and a few shrubs) lie on the lower end. More complex designs with many plant varieties, landscape fabric, stone pathways, or patio elements will cost more. Maverick Landscaping will work with you to scale the project to your budget – from small pollinator gardens to full lawn makeovers.

What do you get for that cost? A yard that largely takes care of itself. We carefully select native Ontario plants or proven drought-resistant species that can flourish in our climate without constant care. Think flowering perennials, groundcovers, ornamental grasses, and perhaps some evergreens or succulents. We often lay attractive mulch or river rock around these plants to lock in moisture and give a clean finished look. You might also incorporate a stone walkway or a dry creek bed for drainage and style. Because each drought-tolerant landscape is custom, it’s a chance to truly personalize your yard’s look.

Maintenance: Compared to a lawn, upkeep is minimal. There’s no mowing at all, and typically no need for fertilizer or pesticides in a native plant garden. You will want to weed occasionally (especially in the first year as the plants establish). Some pruning or trimming of plants might be seasonal (for example, cutting back dried flower stalks at the end of the season). If we include any drip irrigation, you might run it during extremely dry spells, but many native gardens survive just on rainfall once established. Overall, you’re looking at a few easy days of maintenance per year instead of every week.

Water Savings: This option is a superstar in water conservation. By removing or greatly reducing lawn area, you’ll cut water usage dramatically – by as much as 50-75% for your yard, depending on the design. In times of drought or watering bans, your landscape will be far less stressed than a traditional lawn. It’s a great feeling to have a beautiful yard that’s also eco-friendly.

Aesthetic: A native or drought-tolerant landscape gives your home a unique curb appeal. Instead of a flat expanse of grass, you have textures and colors from different plants, blooms that attract butterflies and bees, perhaps ornamental boulders or a bench nestled among wildflowers. It can be designed to look naturalistic (like a piece of prairie or woodland) or contemporary and structured – we tailor it to your taste. Importantly, it can still have open space and functionality; many designs include a small area of artificial turf or a flagstone patio so you have a spot to sit or kids to play, combined with the surrounding low-water garden.

Pros of Native/Drought-Tolerant Landscaping:

• Lowest Water Use: Once established, a native plant landscape sips water sparingly. You won’t need sprinklers running every week. This is ideal if you’re conscious of water bills or face seasonal watering restrictions.
• Minimal Maintenance: No weekly chores. Aside from some light weeding and annual pruning, your garden largely fends for itself. The plants are chosen to thrive in local conditions naturally.
• Environmental Benefits: Native plants support local wildlife – expect more butterflies, birds, and pollinators visiting your yard. You’re also avoiding chemicals (no need for constant fertilizers or weed killers), making your property safer for pets and children.
• Unique Beauty & Curb Appeal: A well-designed drought-tolerant yard stands out in the neighborhood. It can be absolutely stunning with seasonal blooms, interesting foliage, and decorative elements. It’s a personal, creative statement – your yard won’t look cookie-cutter.
• Long-Term Cost Savings: While the initial install can be pricier, you save money annually on water, lawn services, fuel for mowers, etc. Plus, native perennials come back every year – you’re not buying new plants each season. Over years, it often pays for itself compared to the high upkeep costs of grass.

Cons of Native/Drought Landscaping:

• Higher Initial Cost (for Complex Designs): If you go for an elaborate landscape with many features, the upfront cost can be significant. Quality plants, landscape fabric, rocks, and professional design time do add up. However, we can also start modestly and let the garden grow over time to manage costs.
• Patience for Plants to Establish: Unlike sod which is instantly full, a newly planted xeriscape can look a bit sparse until plants mature. You might have young plants that take a season or two to fill out. Patience is rewarded as the landscape gets lusher each year.
• Different Aesthetic (Less Lawn): If you envision a big green lawn to lounge or play sports on, a native garden may not fulfill that specific use. We can incorporate small turf areas or open spaces, but generally this option is about plants and garden rather than open lawn. It’s not the best choice if you need a large grass play area for kids (though a mix-and-match approach can work).
• Weed Control: Especially early on, weeds can sneak into any garden. While we lay mulch and use fabric where appropriate, you’ll need to monitor for weeds until the plants really take hold. Neglecting a xeriscape entirely could allow weeds to compete with your desired plants – but with minimal attention, this is easy to manage.
• Potential Design Assistance Needed: Planning a cohesive native landscape can be daunting for homeowners. That’s where we come in – our expertise ensures you get a beautiful result. But it’s fair to say this approach is less of a DIY thing for most people, and more of a collaborative design process.

For many Ontario homeowners, the pros greatly outweigh the cons. You can transform a boring, high-maintenance lawn into a vibrant garden that works with nature. Maverick Landscaping has designed and installed numerous drought-tolerant landscapes, so we’re ready to guide you through the entire journey – from picking plants to laying the last stone. The result is a lawn replacement that makes you proud every time you pull into your driveway.

Why Choose Maverick Landscaping for Your Lawn Replacement?

Making the decision to replace your lawn is a big step – but choosing the right team to do it is even more important. We know you have options, but Maverick Landscaping truly stands apart from the rest. Here’s a direct look at what you gain by working with us, and how we outperform the competition:

• Realistic, Natural-Looking Results: Whether we’re installing sod or high-end artificial turf, our craftsmanship ensures your lawn looks authentically beautiful. We pay attention to details – from perfectly aligned sod seams to using turf that mimics real grass blades. The end result doesn’t look “installed”; it looks like it was always meant to be there. Competing landscapers might rush a job, but we take the time to achieve a flawless, natural appearance. Your new lawn will make people do a double-take (and your neighbors green with envy).
• Cost Savings & Value: At Maverick, we deliver top value for your investment. Our pricing is fair and transparent – with no hidden fees or surprise add-ons. Because of our expertise, we do the job right the first time, saving you from costly fixes later. We also leverage our network to source the best materials at good prices (savings we pass on to you). In short, you get premium workmanship without the premium markup. Many of our customers tell us we weren’t the cheapest quote, but the quality and longevity of our work ended up being the best deal in the long run. We’re all about long-term value.
• Personalized, Friendly Service: We’re a local business and treat our clients like neighbors and friends. From your first call, you’ll notice our approach is different. We listen to your needs and goals before we even talk numbers. If you’re not sure which option is right, we’ll walk you through it in plain language. Our team is approachable and respectful – we keep your property clean, we’re mindful of your schedule, and we communicate every step of the way. You’ll never feel like “just another job” to us. We take pride in creating a positive, stress-free experience for you. Our friendly crew is always happy to answer questions on-site and will even share lawn care tips to help you get the most from your new yard.
• Speed & Simplicity of Execution: Replacing a lawn can sound like a big project, but we make it hassle-free. Our organized process and experienced crew mean we often complete projects in a single day or two, minimizing disruption to your life. We handle everything – from removing your old turf, to soil prep, to installation and cleanup – so you don’t have to coordinate multiple contractors. It’s a turnkey service. Our competitors might drag their feet or juggle too many projects at once; we focus on your lawn and get it done swiftly. The process is streamlined and efficient. Before you know it, you’ll be looking at your gorgeous new lawn, wondering why you didn’t call us sooner!

In short, Maverick Landscaping delivers outstanding results with a personal touch. We care about your satisfaction and it shows in every lawn we transform. Our goal isn’t just to meet your expectations – it’s to exceed them, and give you a lawn that makes you smile every time you see it.

Ready for Your New Lawn? – Contact Us Today!

Your dream lawn is within reach, and Maverick Landscaping is here to make it a reality. Whether you want the lush comfort of natural sod, the easy-green life of artificial turf, or a stunning water-smart landscape, our experts are ready to help. Don’t wait to enjoy a better yard! Reach out for a free, no-obligation quote and let’s discuss the perfect lawn replacement option for your home.

Transforming your lawn is easier than you think. With Maverick, you’ll get friendly, professional guidance and a result that will make your property the talk of the town. Contact us today to get started – and take the first step toward a beautiful, maintenance-friendly lawn that you’ll love for years to come. Let’s grow something great together!