Aviara Paver Patio and Walkway, Carlsbad
Project Gallery
Front paver walkway leading to a white gate, with palms and birds-of-paradise lining the soldier-course border in Aviara.
The same walkway run with new Angelus pavers and a tight running-bond pattern alongside the HVAC condenser.
A TS-HPL-6 paver light dropped into the field next to the HVAC condenser, with low-voltage conduit run before pavers.
Project Snapshot
Project Story
Overview
A Carlsbad homeowner replaced patchy grass and aging concrete with 1,236 square feet of new interlocking pavers across the backyard, side yards, and front walkway. The crew added a 135-linear-foot drainage system, 13 in-paver lights, and 200 square feet of stabilized decomposed granite. The yard now drains correctly and is usable year-round.
Everything finally feels like it belongs together.
The Challenge
- Large brown patches and exposed soil across the lawn footprint, with the yard uncomfortable to use and hard to maintain.
- Existing drainage was inadequate — a field-added drain extension at the jacuzzi flagged that runoff had no reliable path away from the structure, so 135 lf of SDR35 with 12 drain caps was added here.
- Aging concrete slabs, brick edging, and stressed turf left the front walkway, side yards, and backyard sitting as mismatched surfaces before the 1,236 sf Angelus paver field unified them.
What Changed
How INSTALL-IT-DIRECT Helped
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Design & Build
The Plan
Angelus Courtyard Combo 60mm pavers in a running-bond pattern with soldier-course perimeter border across backyard, side yards, and front walkway
135 lf of 3-inch SDR35 drain line with 12 drain caps/downspout connections and 15 PVC wyes and tees routed to compliant discharge, (6 inches of fall in 10 feet required near foundation)
72 lf of 1-inch conduit trenched 18 inches deep for low-voltage wire runs to 13 TS-HPL-6 warm-white paver lights,
Pro-Trade 150W stainless steel TR1 transformer with smart socket timer for automatic dusk-to-dawn lighting control
200 sf stabilized Desert Gold decomposed granite accent area delivered via KRC Rock bulk flatbed
Irrigation adjusted before paver installation: 8 heads capped, 5 heads relocated, 1 valve moved within 25 feet of original location; irrigation tested and confirmed operational before pavers went down
See the 2D plan drawing
The Build
Pre-Walk and Planning
PM walked the site before work began, locking in quantities, light placement locations, and a phased schedule. Drain cap and downspout line items were separated into distinct parts during this review. The fish tank water feature was identified for protection during demo.
Demo and Site Prep
Crew removed existing brick, clay, and tile set in concrete across 282 sf, sawcut 22 linear feet of existing concrete, and hauled away roots, shrubs, and approximately 2 yards of soil. The fish tank was covered and protected before demo began. Eight hours of demolition labor cleared roots and soil in preparation for grading.
Drainage and Conduit
Trenches were cut for 135 lf of 3-inch SDR35 drain pipe, with 15 PVC wyes and tees installed for branching connections and 12 drain caps placed at collection points. A drain extension for the jacuzzi was added in the field. Conduit trenching ran 72 lf at 18-inch depth for the lighting wire runs. Irrigation was repaired, with heads capped and relocated before backfill.
Paver Installation
Paver base and sand bedding were prepared and leveled. Light flag locations were confirmed with the client on site before installation continued. Pavers went in starting the following day, with the running-bond field and soldier-course border installed across the backyard and side yards. One day of light rain pushed paver work back briefly; installation resumed the next day without further delay.
DG, Lighting, and Close-out
Stabilized Desert Gold DG was placed and compacted across the 200 sf accent area after pavers were set. Thirteen TS-HPL-6 paver lights were installed and connected through the conduit runs to the Pro-Trade 150W transformer. Fence post work was completed, lighting was tested, and the crew completed a final walk-through with the client.
Investment
What would a similar project cost in Carlsbad?
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a paver patio and walkway project in Carlsbad cost?
A project of this size in Carlsbad, covering 1,236 square feet of interlocking pavers with drainage and lighting, typically runs between $34,000 and $43,000. Price drivers include site access difficulty, the extent of existing concrete demo, and the number of drain connections needed. Projects with simpler drainage or smaller footprints will come in lower.
Do I need a permit for paver installation and drainage work in Carlsbad?
Standard residential paver installation and low-voltage lighting often do not require a building permit in Carlsbad, but permit requirements depend on final scope and site conditions. Retaining walls, gas lines, major electrical work, and certain drainage changes should be checked against current city requirements before work starts.
What drainage solution works under a paver patio near a house foundation in Carlsbad?
On this project, 135 linear feet of 3-inch SDR35 drain line connected 12 collection points across the patio and side yards, with PVC wyes and tees routing water away from the work area. The drain pipe adds a second line of defense where grade alone cannot move all surface water quickly.
How do I maintain stabilized decomposed granite after installation?
Stabilized DG holds together well once compacted but benefits from occasional raking to redistribute displaced material and a light re-wetting if it dries out unevenly. Avoid high-pressure washing, which can dislodge the stabilizer. In the first few weeks, foot traffic helps compact the surface further. The 200 sf Desert Gold area on this project required no special maintenance beyond standard sweeping.
How long does a paver installation of this size take in Carlsbad?
This project ran about 9 build days from site mobilization through final walk-through. Demo and drainage were handled first, paver installation occupied the middle portion, and DG placement, lighting connection, and the final walk-through closed out the last phase. A short rain day can push work by a single day, as it did here during paver base prep.
Can I install paver lights in an existing paver patio, or does it need to be planned from the start?
Low-voltage paver lights are much easier to install during the original paver project. On this job, the conduit and wire runs were trenched before the pavers went down, and light placement was flagged and confirmed with the homeowners before installation locked in those positions. Retrofitting lights into an existing patio is possible but requires cutting and pulling pavers to run conduit. Planning lights from the start saves significant cost and disruption.
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Design
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Build
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Your Project Manager
Troy MacMillan
Install It Direct has completed paver patio, drainage, and lighting projects across Carlsbad and coastal San Diego County, working directly with homeowners from pre-walk through final checks. Every project includes a site review before work starts and a final walk before payment is collected.
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