While attempting to lay synthetic turf will cost you money, you may be able to reduce costs by doing the preparation work yourself.
You’ll first have to remove the existing soil. The depth will be around 60mm for standard use. Next, you will have to fill the area with dolomite sand or similar (50mm) and smooth it out with a topsoil spreader. Use a plate compactor to compact the sand and a trowel to smooth any uneven areas.
The materials and depths will change depending on what you are using the astro turf for. For instance, a higher traffic area may need quarry rubble (80mm) with dolomite sand (10mm). Regardless, it will always have to be compacted and smooth for the installation.
It’s conceivable to do this in order to cut down on costs provided you have the tools at hand and are willing to put in the time needed. The artificial lawn simply needs a smooth, level, compacted base. If you’re laying on a slope, you might need to call in a landscaping expert.