For Arizona landscapers and contractors, an artificial turf installation doesn’t have to stop with a basic backyard lawn.
A homeowner may initially call because they’re tired of maintaining natural grass or looking at a patchy dirt yard. But once you start talking about how they actually want to use their outdoor space, that basic turf installation can turn into a much larger—and more valuable—landscaping project.
Putting greens, pet areas, paver walkways, poolside turf, entertainment spaces, and upgraded turf products can all add value to the finished project while giving your customer a backyard they’ll enjoy for years.
At Arizona Turf Depot, we work with landscapers, contractors, and installers throughout the Phoenix area who need artificial turf and installation materials for projects of all sizes. One thing we’ve learned is that sometimes the biggest opportunity isn’t finding another customer. It’s helping the customer you already have see what their yard could become.
Start by Asking How the Customer Wants to Use the Yard
One of the easiest mistakes to make is assuming that someone who asks for artificial grass only wants artificial grass.
Instead of immediately measuring the lawn and preparing a quote, ask a few questions.
Do they entertain outside?
Do they have dogs?
Do they have children?
Have they ever considered a backyard putting green?
Are they planning to add pavers, a fire pit, outdoor kitchen, pool area, or seating area?
Would they like to reduce the amount of maintenance required throughout the entire backyard?
Those questions can completely change the scope of the project.
A homeowner who originally wanted 800 square feet of artificial turf might realize they would rather create a combination of turf, pavers, a small putting green, and an entertainment area.
You aren’t trying to sell them something they don’t need. You’re helping them think beyond replacing their grass and toward creating an outdoor space that better fits their lifestyle.
Turn a Basic Turf Installation Into a Backyard Putting Green
Arizona’s weather makes outdoor living a big part of life, and backyard putting greens can be a natural addition to an artificial turf project.
If your customer enjoys golf, bring it up.
They may have assumed a custom putting green would be too expensive or require too much space. Showing them what can be accomplished in even a relatively small section of their yard can change that perception.
A putting green can be designed as a separate feature or incorporated directly into the surrounding artificial lawn. Contractors can also offer options such as multiple holes, contours, fringe turf, chipping areas, and paver borders.
Instead of simply installing artificial grass, you’re creating a backyard feature the homeowner can actually use.
For landscapers working throughout Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Scottsdale, Tempe, Queen Creek, Peoria, Glendale, and surrounding Arizona communities, putting greens can be an excellent service to discuss with customers already investing in their outdoor spaces.
Don’t Overlook Pet-Friendly Turf Areas
Dogs are another opportunity to expand an artificial turf project.
If the homeowner has pets, ask how much of the yard their dogs use and whether they currently have problems with mud, digging, dead grass, odors, or worn areas.
Rather than treating the entire backyard exactly the same, you may be able to design a dedicated pet-friendly area using turf selected for drainage and heavy use.
The important part is choosing the appropriate turf and installing it correctly.
Pet areas require contractors to think about drainage, base preparation, infill, cleanup, and long-term odor control. Helping homeowners understand these differences demonstrates expertise and can prevent problems after installation.
At Arizona Turf Depot, we can help contractors compare artificial turf options based on the type of project they’re bidding, including residential lawns, pet areas, putting greens, pool surroundings, and other applications.
Combine Artificial Turf and Pavers
Turf and pavers are one of our favorite combinations because they can completely change the appearance of an Arizona backyard.
Instead of covering every available square foot with artificial grass, consider breaking up the space.
Paver walkways can connect the patio to the pool. Large-format pavers with turf strips can create a modern design. Paver borders can define a putting green, seating area, fire pit, or outdoor kitchen.
This approach gives landscapers another advantage: you’re no longer quoting a turf replacement. You’re discussing an outdoor transformation.
That’s a much different conversation.
When customers can visualize how artificial turf, hardscaping, and other landscape features work together, they may become more interested in completing the entire project at once rather than tackling individual improvements over several years.
Offer Good, Better, and Premium Turf Options
Not every customer needs the same artificial turf.
One homeowner may primarily care about keeping the project within a specific budget. Another may be willing to spend more for a particular appearance, softness, blade structure, pile height, or other feature.
Giving customers choices can make the buying process easier.
Rather than presenting one product and one price, consider showing several artificial turf options and explaining the differences.
You might present them as good, better, and premium choices.
Let the customer see and feel samples. Explain which products you recommend based on how the area will be used, foot traffic, pets, appearance preferences, and budget.
This changes the conversation from:
“Do I want artificial turf?”
to:
“Which artificial turf do I want?”
That’s an important distinction for any landscaper trying to close more turf projects.
Look for Opportunities Around Pools and Entertainment Areas
Pool areas are another place where artificial turf can add visual appeal while reducing the amount of natural grass homeowners need to maintain.
If you’re already installing turf near a pool, look at the entire surrounding area.
Could turf soften areas dominated by concrete or pavers?
Could small turf sections be incorporated between hardscape elements?
Could an unused side yard become a small putting area, pet run, or entertainment space?
Could a combination of turf and pavers create a cleaner transition between the pool and patio?
Arizona homeowners often invest heavily in their outdoor spaces because backyards function as extensions of the home. Helping customers see these possibilities can increase the overall value of your landscaping proposal.
Show Customers Instead of Just Telling Them
One of the easiest ways to upsell an artificial turf project is also one of the simplest: show examples.
Keep photos of completed projects on your phone or tablet.
If you’ve completed putting greens, pet areas, pool projects, turf-and-paver installations, or larger backyard transformations, organize those photos so they’re easy to show during an estimate.
A customer may have never considered a putting green until they see one you installed.
They may not understand what turf between pavers looks like until you show them.
Visual examples make the possibilities real.
You can also encourage customers to visit an artificial turf showroom before making their final product selection. Seeing different turf products in person can help homeowners understand differences that aren’t always obvious from a photograph or online product description.
Upselling Should Be About Creating a Better Project
There’s an important difference between upselling and simply trying to increase a customer’s bill.
The goal should always be to create a better finished project.
If a homeowner has two dogs, recommending an appropriate turf product and pet-friendly installation approach makes sense.
If someone plays golf every weekend, mentioning a putting green makes sense.
If the homeowner wants a modern backyard, showing them turf combined with pavers makes sense.
When your recommendations solve problems or make the space more enjoyable, they don’t feel like a sales pitch.
They feel like expertise.
And that expertise can help landscapers generate larger projects, stronger customer relationships, better reviews, and more referrals.
Need Artificial Turf for Your Next Arizona Landscaping Project?
Whether you’re installing a straightforward residential lawn or designing a complete backyard with artificial turf, pavers, pet areas, and a custom putting green, having the right materials matters.
Arizona Turf Depot supplies artificial turf, putting green materials, installation products, pavers, and other supplies to landscapers, contractors, installers, and homeowners throughout the Phoenix metro area and across Arizona.
Not sure which turf is best for an upcoming job? Bring us the project details. Tell us how the space will be used, the approximate square footage, and what your customer is trying to accomplish. Our team can help you compare available products and determine what may work best for the application.
Visit Arizona Turf Depot at our Mesa or Peoria location to see turf products in person, pick up materials, and prepare for your next installation. For Peoria call (623) 388-3389, for Mesa call (480) 690-5591.
Because sometimes a customer asking for a basic artificial lawn is really asking for a better backyard—they just haven’t seen all the possibilities yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can landscapers add to an artificial turf project?
Depending on the property and customer’s goals, landscapers can incorporate putting greens, pet-friendly areas, pavers, walkways, poolside turf, entertainment areas, fire-pit areas, and other landscape features into an artificial turf project.
Is a backyard putting green a good addition to artificial turf?
For homeowners who enjoy golf, a putting green can be an excellent addition. Putting greens can range from relatively simple designs to larger custom installations featuring multiple holes, contours, fringe turf, and surrounding hardscaping.
What type of artificial turf is best for Arizona landscaping?
The best artificial turf depends on the application, desired appearance, traffic level, pets, budget, and other project requirements. Arizona landscapers and contractors should compare turf products based on how each area will actually be used rather than choosing one turf for every installation.
Where can Arizona contractors buy artificial turf?
Arizona Turf Depot supplies artificial turf and related installation materials to landscapers, contractors, installers, and homeowners. Contractors in the Phoenix metro area can visit our Mesa or Peoria locations to compare turf products and discuss materials for upcoming projects.