BeforeAfterFrom Tired Lawn to Turf Front Yard
Front yard · Turf and stepping stones
Artificial Turf and Artificial Grass Installation in the Bay Area
Artificial turf installation replaces a thirsty or worn lawn with a green surface that needs no mowing or watering. Cicarelli Contractors removes the old grass and roots, builds a compacted, drained rock base, lays and seams the turf, and finishes the edges with pavers, stone or a stake line, from lawns and pet areas to putting greens, playgrounds and commercial spaces.
- Compacted, drained base under every lawn
- CSLB License #1109419
- Mon–Sat, 9 am–5 pm
Artificial turf
What Goes Into an Artificial Grass Installation That Lasts
Artificial grass installation is mostly about what sits under the turf. The old lawn, roots and the top layer of soil come out, the subgrade is compacted, and a layer of crushed rock goes in, compacted in turn and shaped so rain runs off or drains through instead of pooling under the lawn.
Only then is the turf rolled out, cut to the shape of the yard, seamed so the joints disappear and secured along every edge. Infill is brushed into the fibers to help them stand up and hold the turf in place. Skipping the base is what leaves the bumps, soft spots and puddles people associate with cheap turf.
Most of our synthetic turf installation work is part of a larger yard: next to a new paver patio, around stepping stones, or where a pool used to be. We install it from San Francisco and Oakland to San Jose and Walnut Creek, often after the old concrete or lawn has been removed by the same crew.
Reviews From Our Turf and Yard Customers
Six Google reviews quoted word for word, including a vinyl pool and deck replaced with synthetic grass. Swipe or use the arrows.
Adam FrostVinyl pool & deck demo · Artificial turf
Bernardo from Cicarelli contractors was great to work with. We had our vinyl pool and deck demoed and synthetic grass put in. They took care of all our needs. Thank you Bernardo
DeejConcrete pool removal & pavers
Couldn’t be happier with how our yard turned out! We had Cicarelli remove an old concrete pool and install pavers around the new garden area. The whole process was smooth, and the crew was polite and professional.
Tania Llaujel RodriguezBackyard & front yard pavers
We are extremely happy with the job performed in my backyard. And my front yard It was done very fast and the quality of the job is excellent. Highly recommended because you have a great service at a reasonable price.
Nauzer GotlaHouse & backyard
Athalyson did great work at my house and backyard. Very happy with the result. Highly recommend.
Igor Santiago Godinho e SilvaBackyard project
We had a good experience with the company, the team was professional and made us feel confident about it. The job was done on time. Definetely would recomend their services!
Brianna CoseyBackyard project
I love it
Yards on video
A Pool Yard That Became Turf and Pavers
The first clip follows a Vacaville yard from an old pool to pavers, turf and outdoor living. The others show our crews clearing yards on the jobs that came before the turf, in San Ramon, Fremont and Hillsborough.
Watch On YouTubeTurf services
Artificial Turf Services for Homes and Businesses
Lawns are only the start. These are the turf services we offer, each built on a base suited to how the surface will be used.
Lawns and Landscapes
Artificial grass installation for front and backyard lawns, edged with pavers or stone and shaped around beds, with no mowing.
Pet Areas
Pet turf installation for dog runs and side yards, with a draining backing on a free-draining base that rinses clean.
Rooftops, Decks and Patios
Artificial turf installed over patios, decks and rooftops, with a drainage layer where needed, turning hardscape into green space.
Backyard Putting Greens
Backyard putting green installation with short, dense putting turf, cups, contours and a fringe, on a compacted base that rolls true.
Commercial Golf
Commercial putting greens and mini golf turf for businesses and venues, built on a firm, drained base that holds up to steady daily play.
Playgrounds
Playground turf installation for homes, schools and parks, with a cushioning pad under play equipment where it is needed.
Parks and Recreation
Commercial artificial turf for parks, HOA common areas and pool surrounds that stay green all year without irrigation or mowing.
Sports Fields, Courts and Agility Turf
Synthetic turf for sports fields, practice areas, courts and dog agility courses, installed on a level, drained base for heavy use.
Bocce Ball Courts
Bocce ball court installation with smooth, level turf on a compacted base, framed by a solid border so the ball rolls evenly.
Artificial Green Walls
Artificial green walls and faux hedge panels for fences, patios and storefronts, adding privacy and greenery that needs no water.
Turf Cleaning
Artificial turf cleaning and maintenance: deep brushing, rinsing, pet waste removal and infill top-ups that revive matted turf.
Every surface starts with the right base; see what goes under our turf below, or ask about a free estimate for your project.
What goes under the turf
What Do You Put Under Artificial Grass?
A drained, compacted base. These are the layers under every lawn we install, and the shortcuts that make turf fail.
Under every lawn we install
- Old grass, roots and soft soil removed
- Native soil compacted and graded to drain
- Crushed rock base, compacted in layers
- Turf seamed and secured along every edge
- Infill brushed in to support the fibers
Shortcuts that ruin turf
- Laying turf straight on the old lawn or soil
- A thin or uncompacted base that settles
- No slope, so water pools under the lawn
- Loose edges that lift and curl
- Visible seams from rushed cutting
Turf often shares a yard with pavers; see how our paver patios are built on the same kind of base.
Artificial turf step by step
How We Install Artificial Turf
Most of the work happens before the turf arrives; that is what keeps the lawn flat for years.
Start With A Free Estimate- Step 01
Measure and Plan
We measure the area, mark edges, borders and drainage, and agree on the turf.
- Step 02
Remove the Old Lawn
Grass, roots and soft soil come out to the depth the base needs.
- Step 03
Grade and Compact
The subgrade is shaped to drain and compacted before any rock goes in.
- Step 04
Spread and Compact Rock
Crushed rock is spread and compacted in layers to a smooth, firm surface.
- Step 05
Lay and Seam
Turf is rolled out, cut to shape, seamed and secured along the edges.
- Step 06
Infill and Finish
Infill is brushed in, borders are set and the yard is cleaned up.
Turf we have installed
Artificial Turf From Our Bay Area Jobs
Front yards, backyards and side yards from finished Cicarelli projects, each one built on a compacted base.
Front yard with stepping stones
A water-free front lawn with a path set into the turf.
Curved lawn with paver border
Pavers frame the turf and hold its edge in a clean curve.
Backyard under mature trees
Turf stays green where shade and roots made grass hard to grow.
Lawn framed by pavers
An oval of turf surrounded by pavers for a low-care yard.
Before and after
Turf Installations, Before and After
Drag each slider to compare the same yard before and after the turf went in.
See All ProjectsBeforeAfter
BeforeAfterGravel Backyard Turned Turf Lawn
Backyard · Turf with pavers
BeforeAfterA Turf Lawn Where the Pool Was
Former pool · Turf lawn
BeforeAfterTurf Terraces on a Sloped Yard
Hillside · Turf and steps
Pricing
What Determines Artificial Turf Installation Cost
Turf is priced by the area and by the work under it. These are the parts of a turf job we size up first.
Area and shape
Square footage sets the turf and base quantity; curves and cutouts add cutting and seams.
Removal and haul-off
Old lawn, soil or concrete has to come out and leave the site.
Base for your soil
Clay, slopes and drainage problems call for more rock and compaction.
Turf product
Pile height, density and pet-friendly backings change the material cost.
Borders and paths
Paver borders, stepping stones or flagstone add materials and labor.
Side-yard access
Narrow side yards mean base rock moves by hand or small machine.
Comparing turf with a patio? Our backyard patio ideas guide covers both, or send photos for a written quote. Get a written quote
Rules to know
Artificial Turf Rules: HOAs, Rebates and Permits
Artificial turf on a flat yard rarely needs a building permit, but two state and regional rules matter. California law stops homeowners associations from banning turf that looks like grass, and East Bay MUD's lawn conversion rebate does not pay for projects that install artificial turf.
- California Civil Code section 4735, as amended by AB 786, makes HOA rules void if they prohibit the use of artificial turf or any other synthetic surface that resembles grass.
- The State Water Board fact sheet confirms that an HOA cannot enforce landscaping guidelines that prohibit artificial turf or low water-using plants.
- East Bay MUD lists artificial turf as not allowed in its lawn conversion rebate, which requires plants to cover half of the converted area once grown, so turf and the rebate do not go together.
- Grading for a turf base is usually small, but reshaping a yard can reach local grading limits; Oakland and Berkeley also note that zoning or planning permits may still apply to exempt work, per the Oakland and Berkeley exempt-work pages.
Before removing a lawn near buried irrigation or utility lines, USA North 811 needs two working days' notice.
Artificial turf answers
Artificial Turf Cost, Lifespan and Downsides
Artificial turf installation cost is the question artificial turf installers hear most, followed by how long it lasts, what goes underneath and what the downsides are. These answers come from how we install turf and from state and regional rules.
How much does artificial turf installation cost?
It depends on the area, the turf product, how much old lawn or concrete has to come out, the base depth your soil needs, borders and access. A small front lawn and a full backyard with paver borders are very different jobs, so a written estimate that lists each part is the reliable number.
We price removal, base, turf and borders as separate lines, so you can see where the money goes.
How long does artificial turf last?
It depends on the product, the sun and how hard the lawn is used, and most turf makers state their own warranty period. What shortens a lawn's life is usually underneath it: a base that settles, poor drainage or loose edges. Installed on a compacted, drained base, turf keeps its shape far longer.
Ask for the manufacturer's warranty in writing with your estimate.
What is the downside of artificial grass?
It gets hot in direct sun, it is not a living surface for soil and wildlife, and it does not qualify for East Bay MUD's lawn conversion rebate, which excludes artificial turf. It also needs occasional brushing and rinsing, especially with pets. For many busy or shaded yards, the trade-off is still worth it.
If a rebate matters to you, a planted, low-water garden may be the better fit; we can quote both.
Can my HOA stop me from installing artificial turf?
Not by banning it outright. California Civil Code section 4735 makes HOA rules void if they prohibit artificial turf or other synthetic surfaces that resemble grass. An association can still have reasonable rules about how a yard looks, so check your guidelines before choosing a product or color.
The State Water Board fact sheet summarizes what HOAs can and cannot require.
| Rule | Official source |
|---|---|
| HOA bans on artificial turf | Void under Civil Code 4735 (AB 786) |
| HOA landscaping guidelines | Cannot prohibit turf or low-water plants (State Water Board) |
| Lawn conversion rebate | Artificial turf not allowed (East Bay MUD) |
| Zoning on exempt work | May still apply in Oakland and Berkeley (Oakland) |
| Utility marks before digging | 2 working days (USA North 811) |
Summarized from the official pages linked above.
Updated · By Athalyson Bernardo, Owner of Cicarelli Contractors · CSLB #1109419
FAQ
Artificial Turf FAQ
Done Mowing and Watering?
Send photos of the lawn, a rough size and the way into the yard, and we will reply with a written estimate. We take calls Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm, and the FAQ page has more answers.
Call (650) 404-7049Is artificial turf good for dogs?
It can be, with the right product and base. Pet turf uses a backing that lets urine drain through, and a free-draining rock base underneath keeps it from pooling. Rinsing the area regularly and using a pet-safe infill help with odor. Tell us at the estimate if dogs will use the lawn.
Can artificial turf go on a slope?
Yes, on most gentle slopes. The base is compacted to follow the grade, the turf is secured more closely along the edges and seams, and water is directed off the slope. Steep hillsides may need terraces or a retaining wall first, which we can build as part of the same project.
Do you remove the old grass before installing turf?
Yes, always. The old grass, its roots and the soft top layer of soil come out, because turf laid over a living lawn settles unevenly as the old grass dies. The removal and haul-off are listed on the written estimate.
How do you hide the seams in artificial turf?
Turf rolls come in set widths, so larger lawns need seams. We cut both edges cleanly, line the fibers up in the same direction and join them on seaming tape, then brush the infill across the joint. Done carefully, the seam is hard to find once the fibers stand up.
Does artificial turf need any maintenance?
A little. Brushing the fibers keeps them upright, a rinse clears dust and pet use, and leaves should be blown or raked off. Topping up infill in high-traffic spots helps it wear evenly. We also offer turf cleaning for lawns that need a deeper refresh.
How do I get an artificial turf estimate?
Call or text (650) 404-7049, Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm, or send photos of the lawn and a rough size through the free estimate form. A written, itemized turf estimate follows within 24 hours of the photos or the site visit.
Guides for a Low-Care Yard
GuideHow Long Does Outdoor Living Construction Take in the Bay Area?
Guide9 Backyard Patio Ideas for Bay Area Homes That Work Year-Round
GuideOutdoor Living Space ROI: Backyard Improvements That Add Value in the Bay Area
Updated · By Athalyson Bernardo, Owner of Cicarelli Contractors