How to Read an Artificial Grass Quote Line by Line in Decatur, GA
The Number at the Bottom Is the Least Useful Part
When two artificial grass quotes land in a Decatur inbox, most people scroll to the total, compare the two figures, and start forming an opinion. That is understandable, but it skips the part that actually explains the difference. Turf quotes are not standardized. One installer lists seven line items, another lists two, and the cheaper total is often cheaper because a step was left out rather than because the work costs less.
At Waterloo Turf Atlanta, we would rather a homeowner understand what each line means than simply pick us. A quote you can read is a quote you can hold an installer to, including us.
Line 1: Removal and Excavation
The first thing a complete quote should name is what happens to the existing lawn. Sod, roots, and the top layer of soil need to come out before any base goes in. If a quote says “site prep” with no depth or square footage attached, ask what that means. In Decatur’s clay soil, excavation depth matters because clay holds water and shifts with it; a base that sits on undisturbed clay behaves differently than one built on a properly excavated footprint.
Waterloo Turf does not install turf directly on dirt under any circumstances. That decision shows up as its own line on our quotes because it is its own cost, and we want it visible.
Line 2: Base Material and Compaction
This is the line that separates a lawn that stays flat for years from one that wrinkles by next summer. A complete quote names the base material (crushed stone or decomposed granite), the approximate depth, and the fact that it will be mechanically compacted. If a quote prices the turf by the square foot and never mentions what goes under it, the base is either being skipped or being treated as an afterthought.
Base work is the part of the job you will never see again once the turf is down, which is exactly why it should be the most clearly described item on the page.
Line 3: Drainage Planning
Decatur gets heavy summer rain, and water that lands on a synthetic surface has to go somewhere. A quote should say how drainage was planned for your specific yard: where water moves now, whether existing hardscapes or a pool deck change that path, and how the base is graded to handle it. “Drainage included” without a sentence of explanation is a line worth asking about.
Line 4: Irrigation Handling
If your yard has sprinklers, the quote should say what happens to them. Waterloo Turf caps the irrigation lines inside the turf footprint so you are not watering a lawn that no longer needs it. A quote that does not mention irrigation at all usually means the lines get buried live, which leads to hidden wet spots and a water bill that never went down.
Line 5: Turf Product, Infill, and Seaming
The turf itself should be named by product type, not just “premium turf.” Pet turf, putting green turf, playground turf, and a standard lawn product are different materials with different backing and drainage behavior. The quote should also mention infill type and how seams will be joined. Our materials are non-toxic, lead-free, and UV-stabilized, and we expect to say so in writing.
Line 6: Edges, Hardscapes, and What Gets Protected
Edges along planting beds, patios, and pool coping take the most abuse over time. A complete quote describes how edges will be secured and which existing features (established beds, pool decking, walkways) will be protected during the work. This line also tells you whether the installer walked the yard or quoted from a satellite image.
Line 7: HOA Documentation
Many Decatur-area neighborhoods have review processes for exterior changes. A good installer can supply product specifications and material data for your HOA submission. If a quote does not mention it and you live in an HOA community, ask before signing, not after the crew arrives.
What a Missing Line Usually Means
A quote with fewer lines is not automatically worse, but every missing line is a question to ask out loud. The most common gaps we see are base compaction and irrigation capping, and both show up a year later as wrinkles, soft spots, or standing water. Low maintenance turf still means occasional rinsing and brushing, but it should never mean repairing the base.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should a quote list the base depth?
Yes. At minimum it should name the base material and confirm it will be compacted. Depth varies by yard and soil, but an installer who walked your property can give you a number.
Is a per-square-foot price a red flag?
Not by itself. It becomes a problem when the per-square-foot price is the only thing on the page and nothing explains what is included under the turf.
Why does one quote mention HOA paperwork and another does not?
Usually because one installer asked whether you live in an HOA community and the other did not. It is a small signal about how much attention the rest of the job will get.
Can I ask an installer to add missing line items before signing?
You should. If base prep, drainage, and irrigation handling are part of the job, they belong on the quote so the scope is clear to both sides.
Next Step
If you have a quote in hand and want a second opinion on what it does and does not include, bring it to a site visit. Waterloo Turf Atlanta will walk the yard, explain each line, and give you a quote you can read.
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