| Follow these 8 easy steps and your project will | | | | an educated decision of which solution and |
| go off without a hitch! | | | | provider to pick. You can download a |
| Grab a pen and pad of paper so you can take a | | | | complimentary copy of the ASGi Standard |
| few notes and write your thoughts down while | | | | Installation Guidelines at the end of the article. |
| we guide you through capturing the vision of your | | | | Artificial grass materials are typically sold and |
| new, low maintenance dream lawn, landscape or | | | | marketed by professional installers (contractors) |
| putting green. | | | | as "systems" of various components and |
| 1.What does the area look like to you when it's | | | | materials integrated together to provide the final |
| finished? | | | | look, form and function needed to achieve your |
| To help you visualize, you might get a hold of | | | | project's goals. Much like a deck, patio or even a |
| garden and landscape magazines and flip through | | | | pool is engineered and specified using several |
| them. Go to home shows to see the exhibits, | | | | different types of processes, job materials and |
| visit garden and landscape websites and watch | | | | 3rd party equipment, an artificial grass installation |
| programs on TV to help stimulate ideas! Even | | | | is more than just the beautiful green blades you |
| driving around the local area to see what you are | | | | see on top after the job is completed. |
| drawn to in other landscape designs can help you | | | | A professional installer or designer will always |
| build a pallet of ideas upon which to draw up your | | | | consider your local site and soil conditions, |
| wish list for your new project. | | | | environment and weather (rain or snow fall) and |
| Thinking things through before you call for an | | | | use of the area before determining the final |
| estimate will help you describe to your designer or | | | | specification for your custom project. Without a |
| contractor exactly what you want in the area | | | | physical site inspection and an eye on the vision |
| and, most importantly, it will help them to visualize | | | | of what you're trying to achieve, it would be next |
| appropriate solutions to fit your wants and the | | | | to impossible for a professional to provide you a |
| site's needs - they are, after all, there to help put | | | | "ball-park" quote, over the phone. |
| their expertise and know how to work for YOU | | | | You can easily research the uses and download a |
| to help build YOUR dream project. | | | | copy of standard industry construction guidelines |
| To locate a professional designer in your area, | | | | for artificial grass at ASGi - the Association of |
| check online with the APLD - Assoc of | | | | Synthetic Grass Installers website. |
| Professional Landscape Designers - for someone | | | | 5. Shop for a designer or contractor that is |
| near you, in the US. | | | | familiar with the installation of synthetic grass and |
| Important items to consider that can affect | | | | artificial turf. Invite several professionals to your |
| artificial grass cost of installation: | | | | site so that you will have contrast and |
| Access to the job site - stairs, slopes and other | | | | comparison information to use to complete your |
| obstructions create delays and increase labor | | | | decision |
| charges | | | | Many states require builders to maintain active |
| The site's preparation needs will determine almost | | | | licenses to legally contract to install artificial grass |
| 30% of the cost of your job. Demolition, | | | | products for lawns, landscape and putting greens. |
| excavation, grading and additional structures | | | | You can check with your local builders exchange |
| should be considered in your budget | | | | or license bureau for more specific information for |
| What are the high traffic patterns of the area - | | | | your area or go to ASGi's US State Contractor's |
| will you need to add walkways, a sitting wall, or | | | | License Board Index another source of qualified, |
| maybe a new deck or stone patio? | | | | licensed operators online is ServiceMagic, who |
| Do you see any landscape elements you wish to | | | | pre-screens for appropriate licensing, bonds and |
| change such as the location or size of lawn or | | | | insurance. |
| garden areas or perhaps the addition or removal | | | | 6. Ask to see your prospective contractor's local |
| of irrigation systems, drainage, planters, gas or | | | | work. As with any construction project - there is |
| propane BBQ/Grills, fireplaces, lighting or water | | | | as much of an art in the workmanship as the |
| features? | | | | craftsmanship of any job. |
| 2. Look at every aspect of the job site - are | | | | Ask for contact information on references. Take |
| there any items you should add to your list that | | | | the time to personally check their references and |
| need to be repaired, replaced or could use some | | | | their workmanship, up close and in person. |
| renovation? Again, write these items down on | | | | Arrange for an on site visit of several installations. |
| your wish list to discuss with your designer or | | | | For business reference checks, at no cost to you, |
| contractor ... | | | | contact the Better Business Bureau - even if a |
| Does your area drain well - could it use | | | | company is not a member, the BBB may have |
| improvement? | | | | information for you, as well as having referrals for |
| Artificial grass installers normally provide full | | | | local licensed contractors in your area. |
| services including excavation, drainage, and the | | | | 7. Before you move forward with any contractor, |
| installation and modification of your landscape | | | | get your agreement in writing, signed and dated |
| needs | | | | by both parties. Though a handshake is often |
| Renovations can pose some interesting challenges | | | | considered a legal binding agreement, it's terribly |
| - keep them in mind! Demolition and removal | | | | hard to remember, in the heat of a dispute, who |
| costs can add dollars in time, labor, hauling, | | | | said what to whom and literally impossible to |
| container and dump fees. | | | | prove. Written, executed contracts and change |
| To reduce your out-of-pocket expenses, you | | | | orders, clearly describing the work, labor, materials |
| might invest a bit of sweat-equity in the project. | | | | and services to be provided are your right, under |
| Find out what you can do to help prepare the site | | | | law - don't give that right away. They also serve |
| for the contractor; it might be as simple as | | | | as a great reminder of what was intended and |
| removing an existing lawn area. | | | | your proof in the event there is a dispute that |
| 3. Learn more about artificial grass materials, how | | | | requires arbitration ... |
| they are made, their uses, typical installation | | | | Many states require the licensed contractor to |
| guidelines and any local design or building codes | | | | carry insurance for general liability (in the event of |
| that would require specific action on your part. | | | | an accident made to property or goods while on |
| As an example, some home owner and merchant | | | | your job site), workman's compensation coverage |
| (retail and office building) associations require that | | | | (for any personal injury that could occur while |
| you submit plans for new projects and gain | | | | working on your project) and hold a bond (in the |
| approval prior to construction. | | | | event the contractor defaults and doesn't not |
| For starters, check with your local water provider | | | | complete the job). |
| and see if they offer rebates to property owners | | | | You have every right to ask to see verification of |
| that opt-in to replace irrigated areas for drought | | | | these insurance policies and any license required |
| resistant plants and artificial lawn materials for | | | | by law. The name on the contractor's license |
| natural grass. You can locate that information | | | | should match the business or personal name of |
| online on ASGi Water Rebate Program Pages. | | | | the license holder, insurance policies, contract and |
| No state or county in the US limits the use of | | | | who you are paying. No one is allowed to |
| artificial grass for landscape or sports use - if you | | | | "borrow" or "lend" a license. |
| have restrictions, they will be from local | | | | 8. Set a budget - professionally installed projects |
| organizations that mandate design guidelines for | | | | will cost from 40 to 60% more than |
| your property. Check with your home owners' or | | | | "do-it-yourself" projects for valid reasons. |
| merchants' association to see if they have | | | | The professionals not only bring the experience |
| published guidelines for you to follow and can | | | | and expertise, they bring the right staff, power |
| provide you access to online or printed materials; | | | | equipment, tools and materials to get the job |
| some cities have "design guidelines" you must | | | | done right the first time. |
| follow, especially in historic and merchant districts. | | | | Don't compromise your project's success, shop |
| Many may request to see samples of job | | | | for the right construction partner for you and |
| materials and a detailed plans from your | | | | strike a fair bargain based upon your budget and |
| contractor or designer. Make sure you ask for | | | | what feels comfortable for you to invest in your |
| samples and budget time in your schedules if you | | | | dream project. A seasoned artificial turf installer |
| need to respond to such requests. | | | | will bring the right tools and materials and the |
| 4. Get familiar with standard installation guidelines | | | | expertise and experience to properly and |
| for artificial grass and synthetic turf materials | | | | professionally install your project for your |
| manufactured and used for lawns, landscape and | | | | enjoyment. |
| putting greens for your area, so you can make | | | | |