INSTALL-IT-DIRECT Pricing & Investment Ranges (San Diego)
Updated January 2026 – San Diego County
Written by:
Luke Whittaker, Founder & Owner of INSTALL-IT-DIRECT
San Diego Landscape Design-Build • High-End Outdoor Living Remodels • 16+ Years
Reviewed by:
Chris MacMillan, General Manager
ICPI Certified • CA CSLB License #947643
Last reviewed: January 2026
Fully licensed & insured • Minimum build project $15k • On-Time Guarantee applies to $25k+ projects
Outdoor remodel pricing in San Diego is not driven by “pretty finishes.” It’s driven by the backbone:
hardscape scope, drainage, utilities (gas/electrical), structures, permits/HOA/ROW, walls/steps/grade, and the quality standards used to build it.
This page is a pricing and investment guide for homeowners planning a full transformation (not small remove-and-replace work).
Fit check: INSTALL-IT-DIRECT focuses on premium design-build remodels (hardscape, walls, kitchens, covers/pavilions, lighting, drainage).
We do not offer maintenance-only services.
- Minimum build projects start at $15,000.
- On-Time Guarantee applies to $25,000+ projects. See details.
Educational only (not legal advice). Pricing varies by jurisdiction (City of San Diego vs County vs other cities), parcel overlays, HOA/DRC rules, site conditions, access, and scope.
Short answer: most premium San Diego outdoor remodels fall into these investment bands
- Backyard entertaining core: typically $75k–$160k
- Full backyard remodel: usually $120k–$250k+
- Luxury front yard remodel: $45k–$85k facelift · $90k–$160k with walls/gates · $175k–$350k+ estate motor courts
- Pavilions / outdoor rooms: $95k–$160k core · $150k–$260k entertainer · $250k–$450k+ estate builds
- Estate remodels (½–2+ acre lots): $300k–$1.4M+ typical; larger multi-structure programs can exceed that
Quick links
On this page:
Investment Ranges ·
Good/Better/Best ·
Component Ranges ·
Hidden Cost Adders ·
Permits/HOA/ROW ·
Timeline ·
Quote Checklist ·
FAQs
Investment Ranges by Program (San Diego)
Premium pricing becomes clear when you choose the correct program (what you’re building) and the correct backbone (drainage/utilities/permits) before details.
| Program | Typical Range | What This Usually Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Backyard Entertaining Core | $75k–$160k | Patio/hardscape + shade structure + compact kitchen + lighting + drainage touch-ups |
| Full Backyard Remodel | $120k–$250k+ | Multiple zones + upgraded cover + full kitchen + stronger drainage/utilities + lighting scenes |
| Luxury Front Yard Remodel | $45k–$350k+ | Drive/entry/walks + lighting + walls/columns as needed + drainage/ROW scope when applicable |
| Pavilion / Outdoor Room | $95k–$450k+ | Engineered structure + lighting + heaters/screens options + kitchen integration + permits |
Deep guides:
Backyard Remodel Cost ·
Front Yard Remodel Cost ·
Luxury Pavilion Guide
Good / Better / Best: What Changes Between Tiers?
Tier jumps are rarely “surface upgrades.” They’re usually space planning + backbone upgrades: trenching, drainage, permits/HOA coordination, wall/step structure, and lighting density.
| Tier | Feels Like | What’s Different |
|---|---|---|
| GOOD | Clean, functional entertainer zone | One main patio zone, basic lighting, compact kitchen, limited structural work |
| BETTER | All-night entertaining with comfort | Bigger hardscape, upgraded cover, stronger kitchen, drainage/utilities backbone, multiple lighting scenes |
| BEST | Outdoor room / estate-level destination | Pavilion/outdoor room, screens/heaters/AV, walls/steps/terraces, heavy trenching, approvals/overlays, full documentation |
Component Ranges (Helpful for Comparing Bids)
Component ranges help you spot where bids differ. The most common mismatch is a “cheap” bid that assumes a lighter backbone (less trenching, less drainage, fewer permits, thinner base).
| Component | Typical Installed Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Paver patio | $20–$35 per sq ft | Base depth, access/demo, drainage, and edges/steps drive totals |
| Porcelain patio | $22–$38 per sq ft (premium systems higher) | Traction rating, bedding system, and cut quality matter most |
| Outdoor kitchen | $12k–$80k+ | Appliance list + trench length + gas/electrical scope drive cost |
| Shade structure | $18k–$260k+ | Permits, footings/anchors, electrical, and screens/heaters drive tiers |
| Landscape lighting | $95–$240 per fixture | Long runs, scenes/zones, and transformer placement drive totals |
Deep dives:
Paver Cost ·
Porcelain Cost ·
Kitchen Design ·
Shade Comparison
Hidden Cost Adders (Why Quotes Swing)
If two bids differ by $25k–$100k+, it’s usually one (or more) of these adders.
| Adder | Why It Adds Cost | What to Demand in Writing |
|---|---|---|
| Trenching distance | Long runs for gas/electrical/data + restoration | Linear feet included per utility + overage unit rate |
| Drainage/discharge | It’s expensive when discovered after finishes | Drain types/locations + discharge path + cleanouts |
| Permits/HOA/ROW | Plan check, inspections, ROW restoration | List permits included + who pulls + timeline assumptions |
| Walls/steps/grade | Structure + behind-wall drainage + engineering coordination | Wall height assumptions + drainage detail + permit path |
| Allowances / “or equal” | Creates change orders or silent downgrades | Allowance list + approval rule + substitution policy |
Read next: San Diego Outdoor Living Hidden Costs
Permits, HOA & ROW (Why “Paperwork” Becomes a Real Budget Line)
Permits don’t just add fees. They add documentation, sequencing constraints, inspections, and sometimes public ROW restoration requirements.
- Structures: patio covers, louvered systems, pavilions
- Gas/electrical: outdoor kitchens, heaters, lighting circuits
- Walls/steps: structural/engineering and drainage details
- ROW exposure: driveway aprons, curb/sidewalk/parkway scope
Use:
Permits & Inspections ·
Driveway/ROW Permits ·
Retaining Wall Permits
Timeline (Design → Approvals → Build)
Most delays come from approvals, long-run utilities, and selections (covers, kitchens, lighting). Here’s the typical pattern.
| Phase | Typical Range | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Consult + scope lock | 1–2 weeks | Program selection, constraints, early ranges, priorities |
| Design + selections | 1–4+ weeks | 2D/3D, scope quantities, utilities/drainage backbone, materials |
| HOA/permits (if needed) | 2–8+ weeks | Submittals, plan check, revisions, approvals |
| Build | 2–12+ weeks | Demo → drainage/utilities → hardscape → structures → lighting/finish |
Related: Project Timeline (San Diego)
Quote Checklist (Force Apples-to-Apples Pricing)
If you want comparable bids, you need comparable inputs. Use this checklist to remove “assumptions.”
- Scope map + quantities (SF/LF counts)
- Trenching linear feet included (gas/electrical/data) + overage rules
- Drainage plan + discharge path
- Permit/HOA/ROW responsibilities and timeline assumptions
- Allowance list + substitution policy (no silent downgrades)
- QA photo documentation before cover-up
- Closeout deliverables (warranties, as-builts, permit finals if any)
Use:
Quote Template ·
Compare Bids ·
Spec Control ·
QA & Documentation ·
Closeout Package
FAQs
What is your minimum project size?
Minimum build projects start at $15,000.
When does the On-Time Guarantee apply?
The On-Time Guarantee applies to signed contracts of $25,000+.
Do you offer maintenance-only services?
No. We focus exclusively on premium design-build remodels.
Can you phase a remodel?
Yes—when it’s planned up front. Phasing works best when drainage and utilities are designed once, then built without tearing out finished work later.
How do we get an accurate price quickly?
Share your scope and target range, then use our quote template to compare bids apples-to-apples.
Ready for a realistic range? Schedule a consultation.
Why Install It Direct?
100% transparent pricing
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Highest quality results