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Why the Cheaper Turf Bid Costs More
Two turf bids can look the same on paper and be two very different jobs. Here is what you get from Total Turf, next to what the other guys often leave out. Hold any bid up to this card.
The turf bid battle card
Green is us. Orange is what to watch for with the other guys. If a bid doesn't say, ask.
| What you're buying | Total Turf | The other guys often |
|---|---|---|
| Who does the work | ✓Our own crew installs every turf project. | !Hand the job to subcontractors or day labor you've never met.Ask: Who exactly will be in my yard? |
| The base | ✓Old lawn and roots removed. Base graded and compacted so it drains and stays flat. See our 10 steps | !Lay turf over leveled dirt with little or no compacted base. That is where lumps, puddles and weeds come from.Ask: How deep is the base, and is it compacted? |
| The price | ✓Published prices. Exact price in writing before work starts, covering removal, base, turf, infill, labor and cleanup. See pricing | !Start low, then add removal, base rock, haul-away or edging once the job begins.Ask: What is not included? |
| The turf | ✓USA-made, lead-free, non-toxic turf with a 15-year manufacturer warranty. | !Leave the turf brand, weight and origin off the bid.Ask: Which turf, made where, and what warranty? |
| Pet yards | ✓Pet turf with permeable backing and odor-control infill. AirCrate drainage for multi-dog yards. Pet turf | !Use basic sand infill with no odor control.Ask: What infill do you use for dogs? |
| Warranty on the work | ✓1 to 3-year craftsmanship warranty in writing, by tier. | !Give a short warranty, or only a verbal one.Ask: Is the workmanship warranty in the contract? |
| License and insurance | ✓CA C-27 License #1125443. Bonded and insured, with workers' comp. Check it | !Can't show an active license or workers' comp. If a worker gets hurt in your yard, that can land on you.Ask: What's your license number? |
| Deposit | ✓10% of the contract or $1,000, whichever is less, as California law requires. | !Ask for a big payment up front.Ask: How much do you need before you start? |
| Track record | ✓5.0 rating on Google, Yelp, Facebook and Nextdoor, and real projects with full totals. See projects | !Have few reviews or no finished jobs to show.Ask: Can I see three jobs like mine? |
| Paying for it | ✓0% interest plans available for qualified buyers. Terms shown before you sign. Financing | !Want cash only, or the whole job paid early.Ask: What are my payment options? |
Who does the work
Total Turf✓Our own crew installs every turf project.The other guys often!Hand the job to subcontractors or day labor you've never met.The base
Total Turf✓Old lawn removed. Base graded and compacted so it drains and stays flat.The other guys often!Lay turf over leveled dirt with little or no compacted base.The price
Total Turf✓Published prices and an exact written price before work starts.The other guys often!Start low, then add removal, base rock or haul-away.The turf
Total Turf✓USA-made, lead-free, non-toxic, 15-year manufacturer warranty.The other guys often!Leave the turf brand, weight and origin off the bid.Pet yards
Total Turf✓Pet turf, odor-control infill, AirCrate for multi-dog yards.The other guys often!Use basic sand infill with no odor control.Warranty on the work
Total Turf✓1 to 3-year craftsmanship warranty in writing.The other guys often!Give a short warranty, or only a verbal one.License and insurance
Total Turf✓CA C-27 #1125443, bonded and insured, with workers' comp.The other guys often!Can't show an active license or workers' comp.Deposit
Total Turf✓10% or $1,000, whichever is less.The other guys often!Ask for a big payment up front.Track record
Total Turf✓5.0 rating on four review sites and real projects with totals.The other guys often!Have few reviews or no finished jobs to show.Paying for it
Total Turf✓0% interest plans for qualified buyers. Terms shown before you sign.The other guys often!Want cash only, or the whole job paid early.
Not every other installer does these things. This card shows what to check so you compare the same job.
Comparing turf bids: common questions
Why is one turf bid so much cheaper than another?
Usually the cheaper bid is a different job. It may skip removing the old lawn and roots, use little or no compacted base, use a lighter turf, leave out haul-away, or come with a shorter warranty. Compare the scope line by line, not just the total.
What should a turf bid include?
Old lawn removal, base prep and compaction, the turf, infill, labor and cleanup, plus the turf brand, the square footage and the warranty, all in writing before work starts.
How much should a turf deposit be in California?
For home improvement work, California limits the deposit to 10% of the contract or $1,000, whichever is less. Total Turf follows that rule.
How do I check a turf installer's license?
Ask for their license number and look it up on the California Contractors State License Board website. Total Turf's license is C-27 #1125443.
What does turf installation cost in Sacramento?
Total Turf's installed prices are $16 per sq ft for Essential, $18 for Premium & Pet Turf and $20 to $30 for Elite, with the same prices in every city we serve. See our pricing page.
Book a turf cleaning
Pick “Turf cleaning” in the form. Steph will reach out the same business day to confirm your cleaning day and price.
Prefer to talk? Call or text:
916-671-0070