Start by removing the existing turf from your garden. For small areas you can do this with a spade, but if you have a large area to clear hiring a turf cutter can make this job a lot easier and faster. Ideally remove a depth of about 40mm.

Spread out a layer of sharp builder’s sand to a depth of 35mm as a base to the artificial turf.

Level and compact the sand evenly across the area to ensure a firm base below the grass.

You can use a builder’s plank and heavy hammer to compact the sand and then smooth the sand down. The ground doesn't need to be entirely flat and can include gentle slopes or mounds.

Roll out a weed membrane over the top of the sand and make sure it overlaps joints by 300mm.

Roll out the artificial grass to cover the area, but make sure the ends of the grass rolls are staggered so they don't end in a line. Artificial grass doesn’t stand perfectly straight - it has a slight angle to it. Lay the grass with the pile leaning towards the house so it has a full, natural look when you’re viewing it from the house. It’s important to make sure the grass rolls are laid in the same direction and that the blades of grass all point the same way. Lay the rolls directly next to each other with no blades caught in-between.

Use a craft knife to trim the edges of the artificial grass rolls.

Once you’ve rolled out all of the artificial grass, you need to fix the different rolls together. Use jointing tape - rough side up - and spread it along where the rolls would join. Add adhesive to the tape and place the edges onto the tape, making sure no blades touch the glue.

Once two rolls are joined, ruffle up the grass fibres at the joints to disguise the seal.

Use ground pins to fix down the edges of the artificial grass rolls every 20cm, again ruffling the grass over the pin heads to disguise them.

Brushing the grass pile with a stiff brush after you're finished makes it look fuller and more natural.