Santee Outdoor Living & Landscape Design-Build
Updated January 2026 — Santee, CA (East County San Diego)
Written by:
Luke W., Founder & Owner of INSTALL-IT-DIRECT
Luxury Landscape Design & Build Expert • 16+ Years in San Diego
Reviewed by:
Chris MacMillan, General Manager
ICPI Certified • CA CSLB License #947643
Last reviewed: January 2026 · About our process
6,000+ 5-star reviews since 2009 • Fully licensed & insured in California
In Santee, Carlton Hills, Santee Lakes, West Hills, Mission Gorge and surrounding East County, we design-build complete outdoor environments: porcelain/paver patios & paths, paver driveways, pergolas/patio covers and louvered systems, outdoor kitchens (gas/electric), retaining/seat walls & steps, low-glare lighting, drainage/underdrains, turf & putting greens — coordinated with City permitting and HOA/DRB requirements where applicable.
Project fit:
Minimum project $15k. Typical Santee backyard packages commonly land $75k–$200k+.
Full backyard remodels often range $120k–$250k+.
Front + back master plans typically range $175k–$350k+ based on trenching distance, drainage, walls/steps and finish tiers.
Minimum project $15k. Typical Santee backyard packages commonly land $75k–$200k+.
Full backyard remodels often range $120k–$250k+.
Front + back master plans typically range $175k–$350k+ based on trenching distance, drainage, walls/steps and finish tiers.
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Key Takeaways
- Heat and sun matter: in Santee, shade planning and surface selection (heat + slip) have outsized impact on comfort.
- Backbone first: trenching distance, panel capacity, gas loads, drainage and discharge planning are where budget swings happen.
- Slopes and walls: many East County sites need walls/steps and drainage coordination to control runoff.
- Apples-to-apples bids: define quantities, allowances, and a substitution policy before signing.
Do-This-First — Jurisdiction, Heat/Shade, Slopes, Utilities & Drainage
- Jurisdiction: Santee is typically City-permitted for structures, electrical/gas, walls/steps and some drainage scope. Verify early for your address.
- Shade strategy: decide whether you need filtered shade (pergola) vs true roof protection (cover) vs adjustable comfort (louvered).
- Utilities: confirm appliance list and loads (kitchen, heaters, lighting zones) so panel and gas capacity are known up front.
- Drainage: identify low spots and define “where does water go?” before hardscape goes in.
- Walls/steps: if grade changes exist, plan wall drainage and step geometry early to avoid rework.
- ROW: driveway apron/sidewalk/curb impacts can trigger right-of-way requirements.
- Code cycle: 2022 CA Codes through Dec 31, 2025; 2025 codes effective Jan 1, 2026.
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TL;DR — Typical Santee Installed Ranges (2026)
- Backyard “Entertaining Core” (patios + cover + kitchen + lighting + drainage basics): $75k–$160k+
- Full backyard remodel (bigger zones + upgraded cover + stronger backbone): $120k–$250k+
- Front yard (drive/entry + lighting + drainage; walls optional): $45k–$160k+
Access, export/haul, slopes/walls, trenching distance, and finish tiers drive totals.
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Packages (Good / Better / Best)
| Package | What’s Included | Typical Installed |
|---|---|---|
| Good — Entertaining Core | 800–1,400 sf porcelain/paver patios & paths; 12–16 ft cover/pergola; masonry kitchen (base appliances); starter lighting; drainage basics; turf optional. | $75k–$150k+ |
| Better — Shade + Kitchen + Walls | All “Good” + upgraded cover or louvered system with power planning; expanded kitchen; seat/retaining walls & steps as needed; lighting scenes; drainage to lawful outlets. | $150k–$260k+ |
| Best — Whole Property | Front + back master plan; long-run utilities; premium finishes; multiple zones; permits/HOA coordination built in; complete closeout documentation. | $260k–$350k+ |
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Scope Anchors — Santee Big-Ticket Items
| Scope | Typical Range | Notes / Links |
|---|---|---|
| Porcelain/Paver Patios & Walks | $20–$55+/sf | Porcelain Cost • Paver Cost |
| Paver Driveway | $45k–$160k+ | Driveway Cost • ROW/Apron |
| Pergola / Patio Cover / Louvered | $18k–$130k+ | Comparison • Permits |
| Outdoor Kitchen (Gas/Electric) | $12k–$80k+ | Kitchen Design • Kitchen Permits |
| Retaining/Seat Walls & Steps | $70–$250/face sf | Wall Cost • Wall Permits |
| Drainage & Lawful Outlets | $12k–$65k+ | Drainage & Stormwater |
| Low-Glare Lighting | $7k–$35k+ | Lighting Guide |
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Permits & HOA/ROW — Santee Snapshot
- City permits commonly apply to patio covers/louvered systems, electrical circuits, gas scope for kitchens, walls/steps and some drainage work.
- HOA/DRB review may apply depending on your neighborhood and scope (structures, visible hardscape finishes, lighting).
- Right-of-way impacts can apply for driveway apron/curb/sidewalk/parkway scope and some drainage discharge conditions.
- Hillsides may require deeper retaining wall and drainage coordination to control runoff.
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What We File for You (Typical Santee Sets)
HOA/DRB (when applicable)
- Site plan, elevations/sections (covers/walls), materials/finishes, lighting notes and neighborhood-specific requirements.
City Building / Trade Permits (when required)
- Structural sheets for covers/pavilions, electrical plans for lighting/heaters/screens where applicable, gas/electric scope for kitchens, and inspections planning.
Public Works / ROW (when applicable)
- Driveway apron/sidewalk/curb impacts, drainage discharge at frontage, restoration requirements and inspections.
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Areas We Serve in & around Santee
Santee Lakes, Carlton Hills, Mission Gorge, West Hills, Sky Ranch, Santana Ranch, and nearby East County communities including Lakeside, El Cajon, La Mesa, San Carlos, and Tierrasanta.
FAQs — Santee
What is your minimum project size?
Minimum build projects start at $15,000. Our On-Time Guarantee applies to $25,000+ projects.
Do you offer maintenance or repair-only work?
No. We focus on premium design-build remodels and full replacements, not maintenance-only services.
Do you handle permits and HOA approvals?
Yes. We coordinate permits when required and support HOA/DRB submissions where applicable. Requirements vary by address and scope.
How do I get an accurate bid?
Use the Outdoor Living Quote Template and review Hidden Costs so trenching, drainage, permits and specs are scoped correctly.
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