Saving Money With Artficial Turf

Property mangers, homeowners, commercial building owners, and institutions can save money and cut their budgets by installing artificial turf in lieu of water-thirsty grass. The idea is not new, but is gaining more traction as owners and stakeholders seek to cut costs in a tightening economy.

The concept is simple. If you replace real grass lawns, which require a stunning amount of water and upkeep each week, with real-looking synthetic lawns that require almost none, the return on investment can be substantial. Monthly costs are cut on two fronts. Artificial turf requires less irrigation water, which can be expensive, especially in arid climates. Additionally, lawn maintenance is significantly lower with synthetic lawns, especially for institutions with large grounds.

Is the cost worthwhile? In many cases, the cost of materials and installation can be recoupled within a couple of years. With interest rates as low as they are currently, if a project is financed, the monthly cost of the synthetic lawn installation can be significantly lower than the monthly cost of the water and maintenance services that are no longer necessary. This can save the average homeowner upwards of twenty dollars per month. Where larger savings become attainable is with larger properties, such as churches, schools, and commercial buildings. For properties with larger areas of lawn, an artificial turf solution can lead to a savings of hundreds of dollars per month.

There may also be tax savings one can pick up from installing artificial turf. In some cases, local governments even offer incentives for synthetic lawns to offset some of the initial cost of installation. In all cases, however, property owners should immediately realize lower costs for irrigation water and landscape maintenance. For rental property, that may make the difference between a positive and negative cash flow.