On a commercial job the material decision is made twice: once when the specification is written, and again when somebody has to stand behind it at submittal. Buying well means getting the second answer before you commit to the first.
This is the checklist the trade desk would want a contractor to run on any materials distributor, us included, before the order is placed.
Buying commercial turf, step by step
The order in which the decision should actually be made on a commercial job.
- 1. Write the use case first. Describe who uses the area, where traffic concentrates, and what the client expects in year five. The product choice follows from that, not the other way round.
- 2. Shortlist lines against published spec sheets. Compare pile height, face weight, gauge and backing on the published sheet for each line. Anything not on the sheet should not be assumed.
- 3. Confirm approved use and warranty terms. Check that the application sits inside the published warranty terms and any stated approved use, and attach those terms to the submittal.
- 4. Send the take-off for a written quote. Give us the dimensions, the delivery address and the programme. The written quote confirms quantities, roll cuts and delivery for that job.
- 5. Confirm availability and book delivery. Availability and lead times are confirmed against live stock by phone. A staged delivery is booked against material that is actually committed to the job.
- 6. Convert the quote to an order. Once the quote is accepted, it becomes an order with the same lines and figures, and delivery is scheduled against the site programme.
What belongs in a commercial turf specification
- Product line and construction. Name the line, then the numbers that matter: pile height, face weight, gauge and backing. A spec that names only a look invites substitution.
- Area and layout. Dimensions, primary approach and pile direction. Seam planning depends on all three.
- Documentation required. Spec sheets and warranty terms for the submittal, and who needs them before the material ships.
- Delivery constraints. Access, storage on site, and whether the job is delivered once or staged.
Questions to ask before you commit
| Ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is there a published spec sheet for this line? | A submittal needs stated figures, not a sales description. |
| What do the warranty terms cover and exclude? | The client will read them; you should read them first. |
| Is this application inside the stated approved use? | Finding out after installation is the expensive way. |
| Is the full quantity available from one production run? | Large areas phased across separate orders are where colour variation appears. |
| How will the order be cut and delivered? | Roll cuts drive seam count and waste on site. |
| Who confirms lead time, and how? | A date is only useful if it is confirmed against live stock. |
If a question can't be answered in writing before the order, assume the answer will surprise you after it.
From quote to order
Request a quote with the take-off and the delivery address. The written quote lists each line, the roll cuts and the delivery terms for that job, and it carries the Terms of Sale and warranty references so the client sees what they are agreeing to before they buy.
When the quote is accepted it converts into an order with the same lines. Nothing is re-keyed, so what was approved at submittal is what is ordered. Superior supplies materials only; installation stays with your crew.
Common questions
- What should a commercial turf specification include?
- The product line, its pile height, face weight, gauge and backing from the published spec sheet, the area and layout, the documentation the submittal needs, and the delivery constraints on site.
- What documentation can I attach to a submittal?
- A published spec sheet for each line and the full 16-year limited warranty terms, including coverage, exclusions and the claim procedure.
- How are availability and lead times confirmed?
- By phone, against live stock. Call the trade desk at (619) 717-1342 with the programme rather than a single date.
- Does Superior Turf Direct install commercial turf?
- No. Superior supplies materials only and never installs. Independent installation professionals are listed in our installer network.
Send the take-off through the quote form, or call the trade desk at (619) 717-1342 to talk through the specification before it is fixed.
Related pages
Superior Turf Direct supplies materials only and does not install. We are not licensed as contractors in California, Nevada, or Arizona, and we do not hold ourselves out as contractors in any state. Installation must be performed by an appropriately licensed contractor where the law requires one. cslb.ca.gov
Installed performance depends on base preparation, compaction, drainage design, seaming, fastening, infill selection where applicable, site conditions, subsurface drainage, traffic, weather, and maintenance — none of which is supplied or controlled by Superior. Read the full disclaimer.