What Does Artificial Turf Cost in the Portland Metro in 2026?

Pricing has shifted in the last two years. Here's what a professional install actually costs in the Portland metro and Willamette Valley right now, and what's driving the variation.

The short answer

Installed turf in the Portland metro currently runs $15–$25 per square foot, fully installed.

For typical yard sizes:

• 500 sqft (small urban yard or pet run): $7,500–$12,500
• 1,000 sqft (modest backyard): $15,000–$25,000
• 2,000 sqft (mid-sized yard): $30,000–$50,000
• 5,000 sqft+ (large lot or commercial): $70,000+

What drives the price

The turf itself ($3–$8/sqft of the total). Mid-tier landscape turf at 60-78 oz face weight sits around $4/sqft wholesale. Premium 90-110 oz hero turf with multi-tone yarn and 20-year UV warranty runs $6-$8/sqft.

Base preparation ($4–$8/sqft of the total).This is where the biggest variation lives. A proper 5-layer base — excavation, compaction, fabric, gravel, fines — runs $4-$6/sqft. Add a French drain for clay soil and you're at $7-$8/sqft.

Labor ($4–$7/sqft of the total). Includes crew, install time, edging, seams, infill (if applicable), and trim work around hardscape.

Add-ons that move the number

• Bender board edging: $15–$18/linear foot
• Steel edging: $18–$22/linear foot
• Paver borders: $25–$35/linear foot
• Shock pad upgrade (for pet/kid yards): +$1–$2/sqft
• Drainage upgrade (French drain): $25–$50/linear foot
• Old sod removal + haul-away: +$2–$5/sqft

What a cheap quote usually means

If you're seeing $8–$12/sqft, ask hard questions. The corners being cut are usually:

• No proper compaction (1-2 years until settling)
• Skipped landscape fabric (weeds in 18 months)
• Thin gravel base — 2 inches instead of 5 (drainage failure)
• No edge restraint (turf lifts at the perimeter)
• Lower-tier turf with 8-year UV (fades by year 5)
• No warranty in writing

We've replaced enough of these jobs to be confident: a $10/sqft install costs $25/sqft over its lifespan once you factor in the redo.

What a premium quote includes

At the $22–$28/sqft range, you should be getting:

• 90+ oz face weight, 15-20 year UV warranty
• Proper 5-layer base with compaction certification
• French drain on any clay soil site
• Cool-tech backing for surface temp reduction
• Shock pad on pet/kid installs
• Multi-year install warranty in writing

The honest middle

For most homeowners, the sweet spot is $18–$22/sqft with a 60-78 oz turf, proper base, and a 12-year UV warranty. That's the spec we recommend for 80% of residential jobs.

Related reading

• Real Grass vs Artificial Turf: 10-Year Cost Compared
• 7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Turf Installer
• DIY vs Pro Turf Installation: What Actually Goes Wrong

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