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Cost Breakdown · 2026 market estimate
On a level, firm site, the sub-base cost of a 30×50 artificial turf pitch, covering excavation, graded aggregate, crushed stone, herringbone drainage and a C25 concrete perimeter beam, is roughly TRY 718,000–1,126,000. Slopes and clay soil push this figure up through extra items.
Three Site Conditions
The sub-base budgets of two pitches of the same size can differ by almost a factor of two, depending on the gradient of the site and how well the soil drains. Figures are a 2026 market estimate and exclude turf, the perimeter system and lighting.
No level difference; sandy, gravelly ground. Standard layers, drainage at 6–8 m spacing and a perimeter beam are sufficient.
A 1–2 m level difference and a clay topsoil layer. Cut and fill, soil replacement, full-area geotextile, closer drainage and a cut-off drain are added.
On a waterlogged pitch the turf and infill are lifted, and the base is dug out and rebuilt with drainage. A sound beam is kept; new turf is extra.
The sub-base of a 30×50 artificial turf pitch consists of excavation, graded aggregate, crushed stone, fine grading, herringbone drainage and a C25 concrete perimeter beam. On a level, firm site these items total TRY 718,000–1,126,000 at 2026 market estimates, or TRY 480–750 per m² of playing area. A sloping clay site adds cut and fill, soil replacement and closer drainage, taking the total to TRY 1,083,000–1,872,000. Repairing a pitch built without drainage costs TRY 657,000–1,091,000 for the sub-base alone.
Ground Section
Beneath the turf lie four hidden layers and a drainage trench. The excavation depth is the sum of these layers; every centimetre means 17 m³ of material over the 32×52 m sub-base area.
| No. · Layer | Typical thickness | Function | 30×50 quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Artificial turf + infill | — | Playing surface; not included in this calculation | — |
| 2 · Fine grading (0–5 mm) | 2–3 cm | Even, laser-levelled bed beneath the turf | 1,664 m² |
| 3 · Crushed stone base course | 8–10 cm | Carries water quickly to the drainage lines | 133–166 m³ |
| 4 · Graded aggregate sub-base | 15–20 cm | Compacted load-bearing layer; prevents settlement | 250–333 m³ |
| 5 · Geotextile membrane | 200–300 g/m² | Keeps clay out of the base (full area on clay ground) | 1,830 m² |
| 6 · Drainage trench + pipe | Ø100 / Ø160 mm | Carries water to the collector and manhole | 321–395 lm |
| 7 · C25 concrete beam | 30×40 cm section | Support for perimeter posts, edge restraint for the layers | 168 lm |
| Excavation depth (2+3+4) | 25–33 cm | Layers finish flush with the top of the beam | 416–549 m³ |
Volume is the sub-base area multiplied by the layer thickness. The sub-base does not stop at the playing area: a 1 m margin is left on each side up to the cage and beam line, giving 32 × 52 = 1,664 m². Graded aggregate: 1,664 × 0.15–0.20 m = 250–333 m³; crushed stone: 1,664 × 0.08–0.10 m = 133–166 m³.
Because the excavation depth is the sum of the layers, the volume is 1,664 m² × 0.25–0.33 m = 416–549 m³. This soil leaves the site, so the distance to the disposal site feeds directly into the unit rate. Where there is a clay topsoil layer, extra excavation is needed and the volume grows.
The beam is cast around the perimeter of the sub-base area: 2 × (32 + 52) = 168 lm. At a 30×40 cm section this is about 20 m³ of concrete. Post sockets are left in place while the beam is cast; breaking them out later both weakens the beam and adds labour.
Item by Item
30×50 playing area, 32×52 m sub-base area. Lower values assume thin layers, wide drain spacing and the lower unit rate; upper values assume thick layers, close drain spacing and the upper unit rate.
| Item | Unit | Unit rate (TRY) | Quantity | Amount (TRY) | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geotechnical survey (sampling + plate load test) | lump sum | 20,000–30,000 | 1 | 20,000–30,000 | 3% |
| Excavation (dig + haulage to disposal site) | m³ | 230–320 | 416–549 | 95,680–175,680 | 15% |
| Graded aggregate sub-base (spread, watered, rolled) | m³ | 650–820 | 250–333 | 162,500–273,060 | 24% |
| Crushed stone base course (spread, rolled) | m³ | 800–1,000 | 133–166 | 106,400–166,000 | 15% |
| Fine grading 0–5 mm + laser levelling | m² | 35–48 | 1,664 | 58,240–79,872 | 7% |
| Herringbone lateral drain Ø100 (trench, gravel, wrap included) | lm | 300–420 | 259–333 | 77,700–139,860 | 12% |
| Collector drain Ø160 (trench, gravel, wrap included) | lm | 500–700 | 62 | 31,000–43,400 | 4% |
| Concrete manhole (with cover) | pcs | 7,500–11,000 | 2–3 | 15,000–33,000 | 3% |
| C25 concrete perimeter beam 30×40 cm (dig, formwork, rebar, concrete) | lm | 900–1,100 | 168 | 151,200–184,800 | 18% |
| Sub-base total | 717,720–1,125,672 | 100% |
Unit rates are a 2026 market estimate; distance to the quarry and to the disposal site, region and timing all change the price. The firm figure is given in a written quotation after the site survey.
Drainage Lines
Lateral drains carry water at an angle to the central collector, and the collector takes it to a manhole outside the pitch. The price is driven by the length in linear metres, which rises as the spacing narrows.
On a level site, drainage accounts for roughly 17.2–19.2% of the sub-base budget. The price per linear metre includes trench excavation, washed gravel fill, geotextile wrap and perforated PVC pipe.
Joins the collector at a 60° angle and collects water over a short path. Spacing of 6–8 m on firm ground and 5–6 m on clay is typical. Unit rate TRY 300–420 per lm.
Runs along the long axis of the pitch and keeps its fall towards the outfall. The further the outfall point lies from the pitch, the longer the run; every additional 10 m costs TRY 5,000–7,000.
An inspection manhole sits at the head of the collector and an outfall manhole outside the pitch; on a clay site one more is added for the cut-off drain. A concrete manhole with cover costs TRY 7,500–11,000 each.
Site Difference
On water-retaining ground, such as the clay soils common in central Türkiye and found on many project sites elsewhere, standard layers are not enough. The items below are added to, or changed from, the level-site budget.
| Item | Calculation | Quantity | Amount (TRY) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut and fill (within site, compacted) | area × level difference (1–2 m) ÷ 8 | 208–416 m³ | 35,360–108,160 |
| Extra excavation of clay layer + haulage | area × 0.15–0.25 m | 250–416 m³ | 57,500–133,120 |
| Replacement fill (graded aggregate) | same volume as the extra excavation | 250–416 m³ | 162,500–341,120 |
| Non-woven geotextile 200–300 g/m² (laying included) | area × 1.10 for overlaps | 1,830 m² | 45,750–73,200 |
| Cut-off drain Ø100 (upslope side) | 52 + 2 × 32 m | 116 lm | 34,800–48,720 |
| Extra items total | 335,910–704,320 | ||
| Closer lateral drains (6 m / 5 m) | 2 × ⌈52 ÷ spacing⌉ × 18.5 m | 333–406 lm | 99,900–170,520 |
| Manholes | +1 for the cut-off drain | 3–4 pcs | 22,500–44,000 |
| Sloping, clay site sub-base total | level-site items + extra items | 1,083,330–1,871,652 |
The outdoor field band “from TRY 1,900 per m²” on our home page assumes a level, firm site. The TRY 336,000–704,000 arising from slope and clay is shown as separate lines in the quotation. A retaining wall, needed where the level difference exceeds 2 m, is not included in this calculation.
Price Factors
The direction and approximate size of each factor on a 30×50 pitch are calculated from the unit rates above.
Increases · TRY 220,000–474,000
Digging out a further 15–25 cm of the water-retaining layer and replacing it with graded aggregate is the largest extra item. The geotechnical survey is the basis for this decision.
Increases · TRY 35,000–108,000
A 1–2 m slope is balanced by cut and fill. As the soil stays on site there is no haulage; above 2 m a retaining wall comes on top.
Each +5 cm · TRY 54,000–68,000
Thickness increases on ground with weak bearing capacity. 5 cm means 83 m³ of extra material over this area.
8 m → 6 m · TRY 22,000–31,000
Closer spacing adds 74 lm of drain. Tightening the spacing later is only possible by lifting the turf.
Difference · TRY 37,000
When the excavation unit rate moves from its lower to its upper end, the difference on 416 m³ of excavation is this much. A permit for a nearby disposal site eases the budget.
Each +10 m · TRY 5,000–7,000
If the storm drain or watercourse the water discharges into is far away, the collector gets longer. It is one of the first things checked at the site survey.
Savings and Pitfalls
Laid while the excavation is open, drainage is a small item in the budget. Once the turf is down, the same job means removing everything above it.
| Situation | Scope | Amount (TRY) |
|---|---|---|
| Drainage at initial construction | Lateral drains, collector and manholes | 123,700–216,260 |
| Repair · removal | Old turf and infill removal + disposal, 1,500 m² | 90,000–150,000 |
| Repair · base | Survey, excavation of failed layers, graded aggregate, crushed stone, fine grading | 442,820–724,612 |
| Repair · drainage | Lateral drains, collector and manholes | 123,700–216,260 |
| Sub-base repair total | Beam retained · new turf not included | 656,520–1,090,872 |
A later repair costs 5.0–5.3 times the drainage share of the original build. Turf damaged during removal often cannot be relaid, and the pitch stays closed throughout the repair.
Sequence of Works
Changing the order raises the cost: if the drainage trench is dug after the graded aggregate has been laid, for example, the compacted layer is disturbed and has to be rolled again.
Bearing capacity is established by sampling and a plate load test, a level map is produced with a laser level, and the outfall point for the water is identified.
Topsoil and any clay layer are removed, the level difference is balanced by cut and fill, and the formation is compacted with a roller.
Lateral and collector trenches are dug; geotextile wrap, perforated PVC pipe, washed gravel and manholes are installed.
A C25 beam is cast along the cage line; post sockets are left in place at this stage.
Each layer is spread, watered and roller-compacted separately; on clay ground, geotextile is laid beneath them.
0–5 mm material is spread, the surface is laser-levelled and handed over ready for turf installation.
Good to Know
On firm, level ground the excavation depth is the sum of the layers: 15–20 cm of graded aggregate, 8–10 cm of crushed stone and 2–3 cm of fine grading, typically 25–33 cm. Where there is a clay topsoil layer, a further 15–25 cm is removed and replaced with granular material; the exact depth is set by the geotechnical survey.
Graded aggregate is a blend of particle sizes that forms a load-bearing sub-base once compacted with a roller. Crushed stone is a more uniformly sized base course; it carries water quickly to the drainage lines and gives the turf an even bed. Because the sub-base provides bearing capacity and the crushed stone provides permeability, commercial pitches use both together.
Spacing depends on how quickly the ground lets water through. On firm sandy or gravelly ground the lateral drains are typically laid 6–8 m apart; on clay, 5–6 m apart. Closer spacing means more linear metres: on a 30×50 pitch, 8 m spacing means about 259 lm of lateral drain, and 5 m spacing about 406 lm.
Lateral drains generally use Ø100 mm perforated PVC drainage pipe, and the collector that gathers them Ø160 mm. The pipes are laid in gravel-filled trenches and wrapped in geotextile; the wrap stops fine material from clogging the perforations. On very wide or steeply sloping pitches the collector diameter can be increased by hydraulic calculation.
On firm sandy or gravelly ground, geotextile is usually used only as a wrap in the drainage trenches. On clay it is recommended over the whole area: the membrane stops rainfall from working clay up into the graded aggregate and turning the base to mud over time. A 30×50 pitch needs about 1,830 m² of membrane including overlaps.
The beam gives the perimeter system a fixed support and stops the layers spreading at the edges; the area beneath the playing surface must consist of granular layers that let water through. The C25 beam is therefore cast along the fence line, 168 lm around the 32×52 m sub-base area. Concreting the whole pitch would stop the water from draining away.
Surplus soil at the high end of the site is excavated and used as fill at the low end; this is known as cut-and-fill balance, and because the material stays on site there is no haulage cost. On a 30×50 pitch, a 1–2 m fall along the long side means roughly 208–416 m³ of earthworks. If the level difference exceeds 2 m a retaining wall may be needed; that item is designed separately.
Not with the turf in place. The drainage lines sit beneath the base layers, so the turf and infill are removed first, the failed base is excavated, the lines are laid and the layers are rebuilt. A sound beam is retained. On a 30×50 pitch the sub-base side of this work is in the TRY 657,000–1,091,000 range; the cost of new turf comes on top.
Lateral drain spacing, sub-base thickness and the concrete class of the beam should not be cut; all three can only be corrected later by lifting the turf. Savings should be sought in site selection and the cut-and-fill balance: reusing the excavated soil on site noticeably reduces spoil haulage.
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Let us measure the gradient and ground of your site on location and present the sub-base as an itemised written quotation.