Putting greens is usually a luxury for homeowners, but it’s a great way to increase the value of your home. Whether you have a relatively small or large lawn, you can save time and money on yard work if you install a putting green. Putting greens are perfect for those who enjoy spending their free time playing around with golf clubs rather than maintaining the exterior appearance of their home.
Putting green installation can be rather pricey, so homeowners must do their research and calculate the costs before shelling out any cash. If you wonder how much putting green installation generally costs, this guide will help you estimate your proposed project’s price.
But first, here’s what this process entails.
Putting Green Installation
Putting green is an area of short grass containing a hole to shoot balls into, typically used in golf courses. This type of lawn can be installed outdoors, indoors, or on top of turfgrass.
Although putting greens is similar to regular lawns in terms of aesthetic appeal, they vary in maintenance. Putting greens requires routine upkeep to maintain the desired appearance and functionality for which they were designed.
As previously mentioned, putting green installation is rather expensive. To help you save some money, always compare your quotes. Some companies may offer package deals that include other services such as lawn care or fertilization.
How much does putting green installation cost? A putting green cost calculator can help you determine how much it’ll cost. Meanwhile, here’s what you should consider for a rough estimate.
- Measure The Size Of Your Project
The first step to estimate the price of your project is to determine the size and dimensions of your proposed area. You’ll need to conduct a site inspection to complete this task.
Good drainage is crucial when determining the appropriate dimensions for putting green. When evaluating your existing landscape, you must determine the number of present levels. The level with the greatest drop will outline the area for putting green installation.
Putting green surrounded by other landscaping features can also increase your costs. For instance, a corner lot will require far more materials than a property that only has a front yard. Landscapes that contain slopes and hills will also require more material. It’s best to check with your landscaper before you finalize anything because this can affect the total cost of your project. Usually, a 100-200-square-foot green space costs around USD$1,800-USD$4,300. While A 500-square-feet or more of putting green will likely cost at least USD$9,000.
- Calculate Material Costs
The next step in determining how much putting green installation costs is calculating the number of materials needed for your particular landscape. You need to research the materials you will use to provide your landscaper with accurate estimates.
Utilizing a putting green cost calculator can help you determine what kind of material is suitable for your landscape. The right materials will last longer, perform better, and enhance the overall look of the yard. Some homeowners prefer varieties that are bright or dark green. Others prefer materials that are coarser and resemble sand traps or fairways.
After determining the type of material your landscaper will use, you can break down the cost by square feet to get an estimate for your project. Most putting green installation companies charge per square foot, so this is a great way to know how much you’ll be spending on your installation.
- Property Type & Condition
Your property type and condition play a significant role in determining the cost of your putting green installation. Commercial properties will cost more to install than residential. Furthermore, properties in poor condition may require more work to make putting greens lush and vibrant in color, like a professional putting green from the local golf course.
- Commercial Properties
This type of property has higher installation costs since commercial landscapers usually charge per hour. Putting green installation companies in commercial service properties also tends to have higher material prices due to the large area to be covered.
Another factor you should consider is the type of material used on commercial properties. Landscapers typically use a thicker and denser synthetic turf on commercial properties because it holds up better over time. It increases the installation costs and the maintenance requirements, therefore increasing the overall cost for businesses looking to install a putting green.
- Residential Properties
Typically, grass from seed or sod is used for residential properties. Grass seed tends to be cheaper than sod but requires time and attention to grow. Sod cuttings are harvested from a professional putting green, trucked in, and laid over your yard. They’re successful for quickly turning an area into a lush green space, but these don’t last as long as synthetic grass.
- Existing Elements
Before installing a new putting green in your yard, take note of existing elements within the area. For example, if there are mature trees near your planned area, this will affect how much material is needed. It’ll have a large effect on the overall installation price because more material and time will be required to complete your project.
In addition, you must also evaluate existing features such as patios, walkways, and retaining walls. Your landscaper needs to know all of these details so they can determine if any modifications are necessary for your putting green installation.
For instance, if there are existing brick pathways in your yard, it may be best to use them as borders for putting green. On the other hand, your landscaper may recommend building a wall or fence to keep the ball within the border. It’ll help you maintain your lawn without requiring regular maintenance.
- Landscaper Recommendations
Before settling on a final price, check with your landscaper to see if they have any recommendations. They’ll be creating a design during the planning stage and can help you decide on a budget for your project.
Your landscaper may recommend a specific type of turfgrass that’s known to be more resilient, which can keep maintenance costs down in the long run. In addition, they may also suggest other materials or features that can help you save on the total cost of your project.
Landscapers are skilled professionals who have worked with different materials and elements with their past clients. They know what works best for putting green installation while keeping your budget in mind. Thus, taking their advice can save you money while ensuring a quality product is installed in your yard.
In addition, landscapers have a professional reputation to uphold, so they’ll likely not recommend anything outside of their skill set. It means you can trust your landscaper’s advice when it comes to getting the best value for your budget.
- Labor Costs
The next step is looking at the estimated labor price. Although prices may vary, it’s helpful to get a ballpark idea of what you can expect to pay. Labor costs are primarily dependent on the scale of your project. Most contractors will charge between USD$18 and USD$25 per square foot. Larger projects with more alterations or new installations will require more labor, which increases the price.
Your landscaper may charge you an hourly rate for their services, and it can vary depending on where you live. You must also look at the qualifications of the individuals working on your project. Hiring a specialized company with an experienced team may cost more for installation. On the contrary, hiring an individual contractor for your project may fit your budget. However, it’s important to hire a reliable individual contractor not to compromise the quality of your putting green installation.
- Additional Costs
Before hiring a company or contractor, be sure to ask about any additional costs that may include in their service charge. It’s also wise to get written quotes, so you have evidence in case they try raising the price once they start working on your project.
Some companies will offer a fixed price, while others will charge by the hour. Some contractors require a deposit before beginning work on your project. Be sure to ask all of these details and read the contract to know what you’re getting into. Asking specific questions can help keep costs down and ensure you don’t get any unpleasant surprises.
- Total Cost Of Your Project
Once you have a final estimate from your landscaper, simply add up the individual costs for each element included in their proposal. Ask about all of the above elements to know exactly what’s covered under the overall price.
Why Upgrade to a Putting Green?
There are many benefits to having a putting green. For one, it’s an asset that can increase the value of your home and thus provide you with more money when you plan to sell your house in the future. Another benefit is that it allows for entertainment and sport all in one play area. It’s also an excellent way to show off your interest in golf.
Many homeowners install putting greens because they’re a favorable alternative to cutting grass on their property. It provides the same entertainment but takes less time and effort to maintain. What’s best is that you can have your friends over for an afternoon of golf without leaving the comfort of your own home. No more driving around to find an excellent open course because you have one of your own.
Conclusion
Keeping these elements in mind, you should have no problem figuring out the total cost of your putting green project, whether it’s a new installation or updating an existing one. Estimating the total cost of your project ahead of time can help ensure that everything runs smoothly and there are no surprises when the time comes to pay.
