Landscape Design Consultation Checklist (San Diego 2026): What to Decide Before Your First Design Meeting
Updated January 2026 – San Diego County
A great outdoor remodel starts with a great first design meeting. The fastest way to get a build-ready plan (and accurate pricing) is to show up with the decisions that drive cost: scope, drainage, utilities, structures, approvals, and spec standards.
This checklist is built for homeowners planning a real front yard + backyard transformation (pavers/porcelain, walls, outdoor kitchens, fire features, pergolas/patio covers, lighting, drainage).
If your project is under $15k or is simple “remove & replace,” this will likely be more planning than you need.
Educational only (not legal advice). Permit requirements vary by jurisdiction (City of San Diego vs County vs other cities) and parcel overlays/HOA rules.
- Your target budget range (and what “success” looks like for your family).
- Top 3 priorities (ex: shade + cooking + lighting, or driveway + gate + arrival).
- Zone plan (arrival → dining → lounge → fire → lawn/green).
- Hardscape material preference (pavers vs porcelain) and non-negotiables (heat, slip, color).
- Structure decisions (fixed patio cover vs louvered pergola; footprint + ceiling needs).
- Outdoor kitchen appliance list (grill size, burners, fridge, sink) + utility assumptions.
- Fire feature type (gas vs wood) + placement (wind, clearances, seating orientation).
- Lighting goals (arrival, entertaining, late-night/security) + dark-sky sensitivity near neighbors/open space.
- Drainage reality (where water currently pools and where it can legally go).
- Approval constraints (HOA/DRC rules, Coastal/WUI/ROW triggers, timeline deadlines).
TL;DR — The 15-Minute Prep That Improves Every Design Outcome
- Pick a realistic budget range (a range beats a number).
- List your top 3 priorities and one “nice-to-have.”
- Mark your “hero zone” (where you’ll spend the most time).
- Decide on shade: fixed roof vs louvered (and if heaters/fans/screens matter).
- Decide on cooking: appliance list first; counters second.
- Decide on fire: gas vs wood; then location and seating orientation.
- Pick lighting goals: arrival + entertaining + late-night scenes.
- Identify drainage pain points (photos of pooling areas after rain).
- Collect approvals info: HOA rules + any known Coastal/WUI constraints.
- Bring photos + a simple sketch of the yard with rough dimensions.
Cost vs. Value (San Diego) and Budget Tiers.
Copy/Paste: Design Consultation Intake Template (Homeowner Version)
Copy this into an email or notes app and fill it out. It turns a “talking meeting” into a build-ready planning session.
- Address + jurisdiction: City of San Diego / County / (other city): ________
- Timing goal: “We’d like to be finished by ________” (or “no hard deadline”).
- Budget range: $________ to $________ (include a comfort ceiling).
- Phasing: One phase / 2 phases / Not sure.
- Zones we want: arrival / dining / lounge / fire / kitchen / play / green / pool deck / side yard utility.
- Non-negotiables (top 3): ________ / ________ / ________
- Nice-to-have (top 1): ________
- Things we want to avoid: ________ (maintenance, glare, slippery surfaces, etc.)
- Primary surface: pavers / porcelain / concrete (open to guidance).
- Style: modern / warm modern / Mediterranean / transitional.
- Comfort priorities: heat / slip resistance / low maintenance / clean lines.
- Drainage issues: where water pools now (photos after rain): ________
- Utilities: gas needed? yes/no · electrical needed? yes/no · data/TV/speakers? yes/no
- Future-proofing: sleeves/conduit for future upgrades? yes/no
- Approvals: HOA/DRC? yes/no · Coastal/WUI/hillside? not sure / yes / no
Typical Remodel “Programs” (Pick the One You’re Actually Doing)
Most high-end projects fall into repeatable programs. Choosing the right one makes your design meeting faster and your quotes more comparable.
| Program | Typical Scope | Where Projects Go Wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Entertainer Core (Backyard) | Patio + shade + kitchen + fire + lighting + some turf/planting + drainage | Utilities and drainage treated as “allowances” instead of planned routes |
| Luxury Arrival (Front Yard) | Drive/motor court + entry walk/steps + walls/columns + lighting + drainage + (gates optional) | ROW/apron scope ignored; base specs not defined for vehicle loads |
| Whole-Property Master Plan | Front + side + rear integration; phasing; long-trench utility backbone | Designing twice (or trenching twice) because phasing wasn’t planned up front |
Budget reality by tier:
Cost vs. Value ·
Budget Tiers.
Materials Decision: Pavers vs Porcelain (and Why It Changes the Whole Plan)
This decision affects base design, drainage approach, slip/heat performance, and budget. Pick a direction (or tell the designer what you care about most).
| Surface | Best For | Design Notes to Confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete Pavers | Warm, versatile look; great for patios, walks, driveways with proper base | Base depth/compaction method; edge restraint; drainage plan; driveway load assumptions |
| Porcelain Pavers | Crisp modern “stone” look; low maintenance; great for patios/pool decks | Outdoor-rated traction; install method (dry-set vs bonded vs pedestal); movement joints/steps details |
Utilities & Drainage (The Backbone That Prevents Rework)
Most expensive failures are invisible: drainage that sends water where it shouldn’t, and utilities that weren’t routed before hardscape went in.
Your design meeting should include a backbone plan — even if it’s a “concept backbone” that gets refined later.
Backbone items to decide early:
- Drainage: where water currently pools + where it can realistically discharge.
- Gas: kitchen grill BTUs, fire feature, heaters (if any).
- Electrical: lighting transformers, outlets, heaters, TV, pumps (if any), sub-panel needs.
- Low-voltage/data: speakers, cameras, Wi-Fi extenders, gate controls (front yard).
- Sleeves & conduit: under hardscape for future upgrades (cheapest before you build).
Use:
Yard Drainage & Stormwater (San Diego) and
Utility Backbone Plan.
Permits, HOA & Overlays (The 5-Minute Pre-Check)
If your design includes walls, covers, kitchens, electrical/gas, driveway apron work, or drainage tie-ins, approvals can change timelines and documentation needs.
A good designer/contractor screens this early.
Bring these answers (even “not sure” is fine):
- City vs County: Where is your address permitted?
- HOA/DRC: Any known rules on covers, lighting, hardscape finishes, heights?
- ROW exposure: Does the front yard scope touch driveway apron/curb/sidewalk/parkway?
- Overlays: Coastal, WUI/fire zones, steep slopes, view corridors (if applicable).
Timeline & Phasing (Design Once, Build Once)
Most calendar time lives in design, approvals, and ordering — not installation. If you might phase, plan it now so you don’t tear out finished work later.
Use:
Project Timeline and
Phased Outdoor Remodel Roadmap.
What to Send to Get Apples-to-Apples Bids (and Avoid Allowance Traps)
If you want accurate pricing, send the same inputs to every contractor. This removes guesswork and forces clarity.
- Photos: wide shots from doors + corners, plus close-ups of problem areas (drainage, slopes, cracks, low spots).
- Simple sketch: rough dimensions, existing drains, doors, meters/panels, and any known easements.
- Your “program”: entertainer core / luxury arrival / whole-property master plan.
- Your must-haves + nice-to-have: top 3 + top 1.
- Budget range + phasing: and what you want done first if phasing.
- HOA rules: if applicable (or at least meeting cadence + submission requirements).
- Finish direction: pavers vs porcelain, cover style, kitchen appliance list.
Use the print-friendly:
San Diego Outdoor Living Quote Template
and the decision tools:
Compare Bids ·
Due Diligence Checklist (PDF).
Red Flags (Design Meeting Edition)
- No discussion of drainage/discharge (“we’ll see later”).
- No utilities/backbone plan for kitchen, lighting, heaters, or future upgrades.
- No mention of permits/HOA/ROW triggers for walls/covers/kitchens/front-yard work.
- Plans are “pretty” but have no scope quantities (SF/LF) or spec standards.
- Quotes rely on vague allowances without a written approval rule.
Spec control matters:
Material Substitutions & Spec Control.
FAQs
What should I prepare for a landscape design consultation in San Diego?
Bring a budget range, top priorities, a zone plan, material direction (pavers vs porcelain), structure decisions (cover type), kitchen appliance list, lighting goals, drainage pain points (photos), and any HOA/permit constraints. The goal is a build-ready plan, not just a 3D rendering.
Do I need a landscape architect?
If your property involves steep grades, complex drainage, retaining walls, or overlay-heavy approvals (Coastal/WUI/strict HOA), an LA can be valuable. Many premium projects use a hybrid: approvals/constraints handled early, and a design-build team executes with spec control and QA documentation.
How much should I budget for a full backyard remodel in San Diego?
Most full “entertainer core” backyards (patio + shade + kitchen + fire + lighting + drainage + some turf/planting) land roughly in the $90k–$250k+ range depending on size and finishes. Use Cost vs. Value for tier reality.
Can I phase my outdoor remodel without wasting money?
Yes—if you design once and do drainage + utilities + sleeves + footings first. Then add kitchens, covers, lighting scenes, and finishes later without tearing out completed work. Use: Phased Roadmap.
Do you do small remove-and-replace jobs?
We’re built for complete outdoor transformations. Minimum build projects start at $15,000. Our On-Time Guarantee applies to $25,000+ projects.
Educational only. Always verify jurisdiction and parcel-specific constraints (City vs County, Coastal/ESL/WUI overlays, HOA/DRB rules). For legal advice, consult a California construction attorney.