San Diego Outdoor Living Specifications (2025): Good / Better / Best Guide for Backyards & Estates
Updated November 2025 – San Diego County
Two outdoor living bids can both say “pavers, pergola, kitchen, lighting” — and still be completely different projects under the surface. The specs you choose (base, drainage, utilities, structures, materials, management) determine whether your space lasts 2 years or 20+.
This guide breaks down our Good / Better / Best (GBB) specifications for San Diego outdoor living in 2025, so you can see exactly what changes as budgets move from $75k+ backyard cores to $300k–$1M+ estate programs.
Use it with our Cost vs. Value, Compare Bids, Due Diligence Checklist, and Drainage guides to understand not just what you’re paying, but what you’re getting.
TL;DR — Good / Better / Best at a Glance
- GOOD: Solid, safe, engineered backyard core. Proper base, real drainage, correct utilities, quality surfaces, foundational lighting and planting. Typically aligns with $75k–$125k backyard cores and $25k–$75k focused upgrades.
- BETTER: Upgraded entertainer package. Larger patios, louvered covers, stronger appliances, more lighting, more walls/features, beefed-up backbone. Often $120k–$250k+ backyards and $175k–$350k+ front+back programs.
- BEST: Estate-grade specifications. Motor courts, pavilions, engineered walls/terraces, full utility backbone, comprehensive drainage, lighting design, and finishes tuned for ½–2+ acre properties. Usually $300k–$1M+ estate programs.
| “GOOD” in the Market | GOOD at INSTALL-IT-DIRECT |
|---|---|
| Thin base, minimal compaction, no photos. | Proper base depths, compaction in lifts, photo-documented subsurface work. |
| “Drainage included” as a vague line item. | Clear drains, slopes, and lawful discharge points planned and explained. |
| Utilities left to “others” or undersized lines. | Code-compliant gas and power sized for your appliances and lighting. |
| No PM, no schedule, no documentation. | Dedicated PM, written schedule, QA checks, and daily documentation in a portal. |
How to Use This Good / Better / Best Guide
The best way to use this guide is to:
- Find the tier that matches your property and goals (GOOD, BETTER, BEST).
- Compare every bid you receive against the specs for that tier — not just the line labeled “pavers” or “pergola.”
- Use our Due Diligence Checklist to see which contractor can actually deliver the tier you want.
If a bid is much cheaper, ask: “Which of these specs are you not including?” If they can’t answer clearly, you’re not comparing apples-to-apples.
GOOD Tier — Safe, Solid, Engineered Backyard Core
Our GOOD tier isn’t bare-minimum. It’s the baseline we’re comfortable attaching our name to — a properly engineered backyard core built to last, not a “builder grade” starter.
Typical fit: $75k–$125k backyard cores and focused $25k–$75k upgrades. Often includes:
- Patio (500–700 sf) with correct base depth and compaction.
- Aluminum or modest timber patio cover or pergola.
- Compact straight outdoor kitchen (grill, doors, simple utilities).
- Gas fire pit or basic fire feature.
- Starter lighting package for safety and a few accents.
- Turf/green area and planting/irrigation refresh.
- Drainage improvements for obvious low spots and roof runoff.
GOOD tier is ideal when you want a strong, everyday-use space and are willing to keep finishes moderate — but not willing to compromise on drainage, base prep, or safety.
BETTER Tier — Upgraded Entertainer Package
Our BETTER tier is the sweet spot for many families: larger patios, more seating and shade, upgraded appliances, and a stronger backbone underneath it all.
Typical fit: $120k–$250k+ backyards and $175k–$350k+ front+back programs. Often includes:
- Patios and paths (700–1,200 sf) with more complex layouts.
- Larger patio cover or louvered pergola over dining/lounge areas.
- Upgraded outdoor kitchen (L- or U-shaped, multiple appliances, better finishes).
- Fireplace or extended fire feature with integrated seating.
- Multiple lighting “zones” (path, task, ambient, accents).
- Walls, steps, or small retaining elements as needed.
- More robust drainage and a stronger utility backbone sized for future growth.
BETTER tier is for homeowners who entertain regularly and want their outdoor space to function like an extension of the house — with flexibility for future upgrades.
BEST Tier — Estate-Grade Specifications
Our BEST tier is designed for ½–2+ acre properties and luxury homes where the outdoor environment needs to match the architecture and setting — and where mistakes are especially costly.
Typical fit: $300k–$1M+ estate programs in Rancho Santa Fe, Fairbanks Ranch, Olivenhain, Poway, La Jolla/Del Mar, and similar neighborhoods. Often includes:
- Motor court and arrival program (driveways, auto courts, entry sequence).
- Large-scale pavilions and louvered rooms with heaters, screens, and integrated lighting.
- Full outdoor kitchen and bar with premium appliances and storage.
- Engineered walls, terraces, hillside stairs, and view platforms.
- Comprehensive drainage redesign and compliant discharge for the entire estate.
- Utility backbone (gas, power, water, data) sized and routed for current and future phases.
- Estate lighting design (zones, scenes, controls) and extensive planting & irrigation.
BEST tier is for clients who want a fully integrated estate environment and understand that most of the value lives in the unseen structure, drainage, and utilities that make a complex property safe and livable for decades.
Spec Comparison — GOOD vs BETTER vs BEST
Here’s how the backbone and finishes typically change across GOOD, BETTER, and BEST tiers. Use this when reviewing bids that claim to offer “the same thing for less.”
| Spec Area | GOOD | BETTER | BEST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base & compaction | Proper base depth for use, compacted in lifts, ICPI-level practices for pavers/turf. | Same as GOOD, extended over larger areas with additional attention to transitions and load points. | Engineered base sections where needed (heavy loads, walls, slopes, structures); more complex subgrade prep. |
| Drainage | Address obvious low spots and roof runoff; area/french drains where needed; lawful discharge identified. | Bigger-picture plan for backyard or front+back; multiple drainage zones tied into planned outlets. | Estate-wide drainage strategy, managing water across multiple levels, slopes, and structures with robust infrastructure. |
| Utilities (gas/power/water/data) | Correctly sized runs for current appliances; basic sleeves where obvious. | Backbone sized for current + near-term upgrades; more sleeves and conduits under key hardscape areas. | Comprehensive backbone plan with multiple panels/meter considerations, data/audio/control conduit, and future-proof routing. |
| Structures (pergolas, walls, stairs) | Standard patio cover or pergola; walls and stairs built to best practices for modest heights. | Larger louvered systems; more walls/steps; engineering introduced where loads/heights warrant. | Custom pavilions/louvered rooms; engineered retaining walls and hillside stairs; structural details tuned for long-term stability. |
| Outdoor kitchen | Straight or compact L-shape, mid-range appliances, essential storage and utilities. | L- or U-shaped, more appliances (fridge, side burner, drawers), upgraded finishes. | Custom kitchen and bar layouts, premium appliance suites, integrated storage and specialty features. |
| Lighting | Core path/safety lighting and a few accents. | Multiple zones (path, task, ambient, accents) around key features. | Estate lighting design with scenes, controls, and integration with arrival/security/entertaining modes. |
| Documentation | Photo documentation of key subsurface stages; basic as-built notes. | More comprehensive photo sets; clearer as-builts for drainage and utilities. | Robust photographic record, diagrams, and as-built info for drainage, utilities, structures, and finishes. |
| Team & management | Dedicated PM + access to design/office support; written schedule and check-ins. | PM plus a more involved multi-layer support team; more formalized update cadence. | Full multi-layer support (Designer, PM, Ops, GM), deep planning, and high-touch communication around milestones. |
| Guarantees & service | Solid installation warranty, realistic coverage, responsive support. | Same warranty with more proactive check-ins and support as complexity increases. | Same realistic warranty, backed by stronger documentation and a company structured to support long-term estate-level needs. |
How to Test Another Bid Against These Tiers
To see whether a lower-priced bid is really equivalent, run this quick test:
- Pick the tier you want (GOOD, BETTER, or BEST).
- Highlight the backbone items for that tier: base, drainage, utilities, structures, documentation, management.
- Ask the contractor: “Can you show me where each of these is specified in your proposal?”
- Ask for proof: sample photos of subsurface work, an example schedule, and an example of their documentation.
If they can’t show it — or they say “we’ll figure that out later” — then they’re not offering the same tier, even if the surface items look similar.
Which Tier Matches My Budget?
Every property is different, but here’s how our GBB specs typically align with investment ranges:
- $25k–$75k: focused upgrades (driveway, smaller patio, turf/greens, drainage fixes) built to our GOOD subsurface standard.
- $75k–$125k: GOOD backyard core — patio, cover, compact kitchen, fire, foundational lighting and planting.
- $120k–$250k+: GOOD/BETTER blended full backyards — more area, higher spec cover, stronger kitchen, more lighting and walls.
- $175k–$350k+: BETTER front + back programs — arrival + entertainer core at upgraded spec.
- $300k–$1M+: BETTER/BEST estate programs — motor courts, terraces, pavilions, and full backbone work across the property.
Most of our projects land in the BETTER range, with GOOD specs for less critical areas and BEST specs reserved for complex estates and high-exposure elements.
Why many homeowners choose IID:
- Dream outcome: a space that looks incredible, functions daily, and lasts for years.
- High likelihood of success: 6,000+ installs, engineering-grade specs, documented subsurface work, and a multi-layer support team.
- Shorter time delay: realistic schedules, approvals planned up front, and an On-Time Completion Guarantee.
- Less effort and stress: dedicated PM, live project portal, clear communication, and a proven process.
FAQs — Good / Better / Best Specs in San Diego
Is GOOD good enough?
Yes — when GOOD is defined properly. Our GOOD tier includes correct base, real drainage, code-compliant utilities, and professional workmanship. It’s a safe, solid standard for everyday-use spaces. Many “cheap” bids don’t meet this bar, even if prices look similar.
Can we mix tiers in one project?
Often, that’s the smartest approach. For example, BEST specs for a hillside wall or pavilion, BETTER for the main entertainer core, and GOOD for a secondary path or turf area. We design to match your property, risk, and goals.
What changes the most between GOOD and BETTER?
Most of the change is in scale and backbone: larger patios and covers, more complex drainage, stronger utility backbone, more lighting, and upgraded kitchen/feature sets. The base standard remains high; you’re expanding how much and how far it’s applied.
Why would I choose BEST instead of BETTER?
BEST is for more complex or high-stakes properties where engineering, drainage, structure, and long-term flexibility matter as much as finishes: hillsides, estates, motor courts, and view properties. It’s about managing risk and performance over decades, not years.
How do I know which tier is right for me?
The fastest way is a short design/spec call. We’ll look at your property type, goals, and rough budget, then recommend a tier (or blend) that makes sense and show you what that looks like in real specs and photos.
All ranges reflect typical 2025 San Diego labor and materials. Site conditions, engineering, overlays, and selections affect totals. This article is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for project-specific design, engineering, or legal advice.