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Backyard Fire Pit Sanctuary in Fletcher Hills, El Cajon

Backyard Fire Pit Sanctuary in Fletcher Hills, El Cajon

This finished project was a $47k–$58k build.

Project Gallery

Completed interlocking paver patio adjacent to a strip of artificial turf and a new wood privacy fence. El Cajon project by Install It Direct.

Backyard shows a finished artificial turf lawn adjoining a new paver patio and a recently installed wooden privacy fence. El Cajon project by Install It Direct.

Backyard shows a finished artificial turf lawn adjoining a new paver patio and a recently installed wooden privacy fence. El Cajon project by Install It Direct.

Interlocking paver patio with a round portable fire pit and seating cluster, adjacent to a newly installed wood fence. El Cajon project by Install It Direct.

Large residential interlocking paver patio installed adjacent to the house with a new wood fence and a low retaining planter bed along the perimeter. El Cajon project by Install It Direct.

Finished interlocking paver walkway and small patio installed along the side of a house, with a segmental retaining wall and mulch bed to the left. El Cajon project by Install It Direct.

Finished interlocking paver patio in a backyard setting with a new wooden fence, outdoor seating and a round fire pit. El Cajon project by Install It Direct.

Finished interlocking paver patio in a backyard setting with a new wooden fence, outdoor seating and a round fire pit. El Cajon project by Install It Direct.

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Project Snapshot

Location Fletcher Hills, El Cajon (92020)
Style Traditional
Timeline About 3 weeks active construction
Price Range $47k–$58k

• Angelus Courtyard Combo 60mm pavers (1,018 sf) with NextGel polymeric sand
• Angelus 16-inch Planter Wall blocks (292 units)
• Country Manor step blocks (14 LF) for wall transitions
• Artificial turf installation (estimated ~800 sf based on sod quantities)
• Pro-Trade PTH1 path lights (10 units) with 150W stainless steel transformer
• Hunter Pro-C 4-station irrigation controller with drip valve system
• 3-inch SDR35 drain pipe (57 LF) and perforated pipe with sleeve (113 LF)
• Wall repair: Allan Block engineered SRW system with Geogrid reinforcement

French drain system installed behind retaining walls per design. Site graded to direct water to collection points including pop-up drain. Wall repair phase added comprehensive drainage redesign with 4 sump drains tied to existing system. All drainage work designed to handle hillside runoff and prevent wall undermining per engineering specifications.

HOA approval obtained for paver colors and design details. Retaining walls under 3-foot permit threshold per individual wall height (total system up to 42 inches managed through terracing). Wall repair utilized engineered SRW specifications to ensure long-term stability.

Initial construction: ~3 weeks from demo to completion. Wall repair phase: ~6 weeks due to engineering requirements and weather delays. Total active construction time approximately 9 weeks across both phases with warranty work completed at no charge to homeowner.

Project Story

Overview

IID transformed a small backyard into a 1,018 sf paver entertaining space with fire pit, artificial turf lawn, retaining walls, and landscape lighting. The project included engineered wall reconstruction after initial settling and took ~3 weeks of active construction.

The Challenge

  • The existing backyard was mostly overgrown mulch beds and minimal hardscape, unusable for entertaining or relaxing outdoors
  • The hillside slope created drainage challenges and required substantial retaining wall work to create level usable space
  • Without proper hardscape, the family had no suitable area for outdoor furniture or fire pit gatherings

What Changed

The 1,018 sf paver patio creates a central entertaining space around the fire pit, while artificial turf provides a maintenance-free lawn area. The engineered retaining walls successfully manage the 42-inch elevation change, and the comprehensive drainage system prevents water issues even during heavy rainfall.

How INSTALL-IT-DIRECT Helped

The homeowner envisioned a backyard centered around evening fire pit gatherings but faced a challenging hillside site with drainage issues. IID designed a comprehensive solution using Angelus Courtyard pavers for the main entertaining area, engineered retaining walls to manage the 42-inch elevation change, and artificial turf to provide a green lawn without irrigation complexity. When heavy rains revealed settling in the original wall construction, IID took full responsibility and rebuilt the walls using an engineered SRW system with Allan Block, proper footings, and comprehensive drainage. Now the family has a complete outdoor living space with a central fire pit area, level patio for furniture, and maintenance-free turf for kids to play.

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Before & After

AI-generated before photo for Fletcher Hills El Cajon Paver Patio Fire Pit Artificial Turf - 1018-sf entertaining space with retaining walls (92020)
BEFORE

After
AFTER

Design & Build

The Plan

  • Layout strategy: Central fire pit patio surrounded by artificial turf, with retaining walls creating level terraces on the hillside

  • Materials: Angelus Courtyard Combo 60mm pavers in earth tones, NextGel polymeric sand, artificial turf installation with polyboard edging

  • Drainage system: French drain behind retaining walls, 3-inch perforated pipe (113 LF total), pop-up drain, sump drains (added during wall repair)

  • Lighting plan: 10 Pro-Trade PTH1 path lights with 150W transformer and smart timer control

  • Wall coordination: Initial standard block system upgraded to engineered Allan Block SRW with Geogrid reinforcement after settling issues

See the 2D plan drawing
Project plan

The Build

Construction Sequence

Demo of existing vegetation and soil (2 inches), retaining wall footing excavation (18-inch depth), wall installation (272 blocks), French drain installation behind walls, paver base prep and installation, artificial turf installation, irrigation system with 3 valves, landscape lighting installation. Wall repair phase: complete rebuild with engineered SRW system, enhanced drainage with 4 sump drains.

Key Inspections

Footing inspection before wall installation, French drain inspection, irrigation pressure test, final walk-through. Post-completion: structural assessment after wall settling, engineering review for rebuild specifications.

Drainage and Utilities

73 LF concrete wall footing (12x12 inches), 113 LF of 3-inch perforated pipe with sleeve, French drain behind retaining walls, pop-up drain for surface water, irrigation controller and 3 valves. Wall repair added 4 sump drains tied to existing drainage system.

Investment

What would a similar project cost in El Cajon?

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Pavers & Hardscape (1,018 sf installed) $16,000 – $19,500
Retaining Walls & Steps (272 blocks + repair) $11,500 – $14,000
Artificial Turf Installation $5,500 – $7,000
Drainage System $4,000 – $4,500
Sod & Irrigation (1,058 sf) $7,500 – $9,000
Landscape Lighting (10 fixtures) $2,000 – $2,500
Demo & Site Work $4,000 – $4,500
Estimated Total

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a paver patio with retaining walls cost in El Cajon?

This 1,018 sf paver project with retaining walls and artificial turf was in the $47,000-$58,000 range. Costs vary based on total area, wall height requirements, drainage complexity, and material selections. Hillside sites requiring substantial retaining work typically cost more due to engineering and drainage requirements.

Do retaining walls require permits in El Cajon?

Individual retaining walls over 3 feet in height typically require permits. This project managed elevation changes through terraced walls that stayed within permit exemption thresholds while achieving the total 42-inch height needed for the design.

How does artificial turf perform with drainage on hillside sites?

Artificial turf provides excellent drainage when properly installed with appropriate base preparation. This installation includes polyboard edging and integrates with the overall site drainage system to manage hillside runoff effectively.

How long does a backyard paver and wall project take to complete?

The active construction took about 3 weeks from demo to completion. Projects requiring retaining walls take longer due to footing work, wall installation, and drainage requirements. Weather and material delivery can affect timing.

What happens if retaining walls settle after completion?

This project experienced wall settling after heavy rain, which IID addressed by completely rebuilding the walls with an engineered Allan Block SRW system at no cost to the homeowner. The new system includes proper footings, Geogrid reinforcement, and comprehensive drainage designed for long-term stability.

Your Outdoor Project in 3 Simple Steps

1

Design

We listen to your vision, assess your space, and create a custom design that fits your lifestyle and budget.

2

Build

Our experienced crews bring the design to life with premium materials and expert craftsmanship.

3

Enjoy

Step into your transformed outdoor space and start making memories with family and friends.

Your Project Manager

Troy MacMillan

Troy MacMillan managed this complex hillside project from initial construction through warranty reconstruction, demonstrating IID's commitment to long-term client satisfaction and structural integrity.

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