Run Your Own Numbers
Two calculators. One compares artificial turf against keeping a natural lawn. The other compares pavers against poured concrete using the quotes you have actually been given. Pick a tab.
Before the numbers: money is not the only reason
These calculators answer one question well, which is what each option costs you over time. That is worth knowing, and it is not why most people are glad they did the work.
A paver driveway changes how the front of your house reads from the street. A finished backyard is the difference between a space you walk past and a space you use. Good hardscape and turf hold their appearance for decades instead of looking progressively more tired, and both are the kind of visible, permanent improvement that a buyer notices the moment they pull up. None of that fits in a spreadsheet, and all of it is real.
So treat what follows as one input. If the numbers work and you still would not enjoy the result, do not do it. If the numbers are close and the yard would change how you live in your home, that is usually the answer.
What a natural lawn costs you over 16 years, against turf.
Cumulative Cost Over 16 Years
Your Current Lawn Costs
Artificial Turf Investment
- • 5% annual inflation on grass costs
- • 16-year projection (turf warranty period)
- • Turf maintenance: $150/year (occasional rinse & brush)
- • No watering, mowing, or fertilizer with turf
We'll give you an exact quote based on your yard
Year-by-Year Breakdown
| Year | Grass (Annual) | Grass (Total) | Turf (Total) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5,400 | $5,400 | $9,150 | $-3,750 |
| 2 | $5,670 | $11,070 | $9,300 | +$1,770 |
| 3 | $5,954 | $17,024 | $9,450 | +$7,574 |
| 4 | $6,251 | $23,275 | $9,600 | +$13,675 |
| 5 | $6,564 | $29,838 | $9,750 | +$20,088 |
| 6 | $6,892 | $36,730 | $9,900 | +$26,830 |
| 7 | $7,237 | $43,967 | $10,050 | +$33,917 |
| 8 | $7,598 | $51,565 | $10,200 | +$41,365 |
| 9 | $7,978 | $59,543 | $10,350 | +$49,193 |
| 10 | $8,377 | $67,921 | $10,500 | +$57,421 |
| 11 | $8,796 | $76,717 | $10,650 | +$66,067 |
| 12 | $9,236 | $85,952 | $10,800 | +$75,152 |
| 13 | $9,698 | $95,650 | $10,950 | +$84,700 |
| 14 | $10,183 | $105,833 | $11,100 | +$94,733 |
| 15 | $10,692 | $116,524 | $11,250 | +$105,274 |
| 16 | $11,226 | $127,750 | $11,400 | +$116,350 |
Cumulative Cost Over 30 Years
Your Project
Starting rates for Southern California. Your real number moves with grade, soil, access and how much demolition the existing surface needs, which is why we quote on site. If you already have quotes, drag the rates to match them.
The Assumptions
These are ours and they are arguable. Change them and watch the answer move. That is more useful than trusting a number you cannot see.
Year-by-Year Breakdown
| Year | Pavers | Concrete | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | $16,302 | $12,810 | Pavers: Reseal · Concrete: Crack repair |
| 5 | $16,302 | $12,810 | |
| 8 | $17,093 | $28,012 | Pavers: Reseal · Concrete: Replace |
| 10 | $17,093 | $28,012 | |
| 12 | $17,982 | $29,038 | Pavers: Reseal · Concrete: Crack repair |
| 15 | $17,982 | $29,038 | |
| 16 | $18,984 | $48,295 | Pavers: Reseal · Concrete: Replace |
| 20 | $20,111 | $49,595 | Pavers: Reseal · Concrete: Crack repair |
| 24 | $21,379 | $73,989 | Pavers: Reseal · Concrete: Replace |
| 25 | $21,379 | $73,989 | |
| 28 | $22,807 | $75,636 | Pavers: Reseal · Concrete: Crack repair |
| 30 | $22,807 | $75,636 |
Straight-line inflation, whole-surface replacement rather than cosmetic patching, and no attempt to price resale value or how much you enjoy the surface. It is a model, not a quote.
Ready to Start Saving?
Get a free estimate for your yard. We'll give you exact pricing based on your lawn size.