A Backyard Built to Last, 4S Ranch, San Diego
Overview
A patchy, grub-riddled backyard lawn in 4S Ranch was replaced with low-maintenance artificial turf, new large-format pavers, decorative river rock, and fresh planting beds. The project took roughly two weeks of active construction and delivers a clean, functional outdoor space with no irrigation headaches.
Quick Facts
City San Diego
Neighborhood Rancho Bernardo / 4S Ranch
Constraints/Challenges The backyard lawn had severe grub and beetle larva infestation beneath the existing turf, requiring full removal and haul-away before base preparation could begin. HOA approval was required prior to any construction and added a multi-week pre-construction delay. Access for delivery and equipment was managed through the backyard/pool deck entry point.
Goals The homeowners wanted to eliminate a chronically failing natural lawn and create a low-maintenance backyard with a defined patio, clean turf lawn, and updated planting areas. A modern aesthetic with clear separation between hardscape and softscape zones was the guiding vision.
Scope 1,914 sf Pro-Trade Fescue artificial turf, 624 sf Belgard Moduline 12x24 paver patio/walkway with dark soldier-course border, 342 sf AZ river rock beds, 20 lf concrete wall footing with Bastione 24-inch slab steps (30 sf), 20 five-gallon plants and 1 box tree installed
Style Modern
Timeline About 2 weeks (active construction)
Price Range $48k–$59k
The Challenge
- The backyard lawn had persistent bare and brown patches that no amount of watering or maintenance could fix, leaving the space looking neglected year-round.
- Subsurface grub and beetle larva infestation had destroyed the lawn's root system, making regrowth effectively impossible without a full removal.
- The existing patio and yard lacked a cohesive layout, leaving the family without a functional outdoor living area to enjoy the home's hillside views.
How Install It Direct Helped
Market Context
Neighborhood Context
The Plan
Layout was staked and string-lined during pre-construction site survey to define patio footprint, turf field boundaries, and river rock bed edges before any demo began.
Belgard Moduline 12×24 pavers in a light field color with contrasting dark segmental paver soldier-course border were selected to create a modern large-format patio with clean geometric framing.
Pro-Trade Fescue Light 58 oz face weight / 84 oz total weight turf in Field Green/Lime Blades with Green/Brown thatching was specified for a natural appearance with durability; SGW Envirofill green infill was included for blade support and cooling.
AZ river rock (1/2-inch to 1-inch) with SGW weed cloth barrier was planned for transition beds between turf, pavers, and the perimeter, eliminating ongoing weed maintenance.
A 20-linear-foot concrete wall footing (12×12 inch) with Bastione 24-inch slab steps (30 sf) defines the grade transition between the patio and lower yard areas.
NextGel polymeric gray sand was spec’d to lock paver joints and resist wash-out in the active outdoor environment; a concrete mow strip/paver-on-edge set in concrete runs 102 lf to cleanly separate the turf field from surrounding beds.
The Build
Crew removed existing natural lawn, roots, bushes, and shrubs. Two large haul-away loads removed the organic debris, including heavily grub-infested soil material. Backyard/pool deck access was used for equipment and material movement throughout.
Subgrade was stripped and graded across the turf field and patio footprint. The base was compacted and brought to specified elevations. Wire mesh was staged on-site and laid over the prepared base ahead of turf and paver installation.
Belgard Moduline 12x24 pavers were delivered and installed across the 624 sf patio and walkway area. The dark soldier-course border was set first to establish the frame, followed by the light field. Concrete wall footing and Bastione slab steps were formed and poured. The side-yard walkway with flanking river rock beds was completed, connecting the front approach to the rear patio. Polymeric sand was swept and activated to lock joints.
Multiple Pro-Trade Fescue turf rolls were unrolled over the prepared base with black underlayment. Panels were seamed using the zig-zag S-seam technique to minimize visible seam lines. Panels were nailed with 5-inch Imperial 40D nails and filled with SGW Envirofill green 16/30 infill. Metal edging and concrete mow strip defined the turf perimeter.
AZ river rock beds with weed cloth were installed in the designated border areas. One 24x24 box tree and 20 five-gallon plants were installed with top soil. Final site cleanup, staging removal, and completion inspection were conducted to close out the project.
The Result
Residential backyard showing existing natural turf lawn with a concrete patio edge in the foreground and neighboring homes and hillside in the background. Image appears to document the existing site conditions and turf condition for pre-construction planning or design review.
Finished residential backyard patio showing large-format light-colored pavers with a darker gray paver border framing an adjacent artificial turf lawn. The space includes a pool/spa deck and seating area; joints are clean and the installation appears complete and ready for use.
Residential backyard with an existing concrete patio edge and rock mulch along the house. Site layout strings/tape lines are stretched across the turf indicating pre-construction measurements and layout for upcoming work.
Completed artificial turf installation across a residential backyard showing a uniform turf field with a defined edge restraint and adjacent decorative river rock. The finished grade ties into the home's exterior and planting beds with exposed soil along the perimeter.
Finished residential backyard patio showing large-format light-colored pavers with a darker gray paver border framing an adjacent artificial turf lawn. The space includes a pool/spa deck and seating area; joints are clean and the installation appears complete and ready for use.
Completed artificial turf installation across a residential backyard showing a uniform turf field with a defined edge restraint and adjacent decorative river rock. The finished grade ties into the home's exterior and planting beds with exposed soil along the perimeter.
Residential backyard showing a large area of freshly installed artificial turf with a visible edge restraint and adjacent river rock border. The house exterior and a patio area are visible in the background; planting bed with exposed soil/compost runs along the turf edge, indicating a finished landscape installation ready for final inspection.
Residential backyard showing a newly installed artificial turf lawn with a neat edge against a river rock border and adjacent concrete walkway. The synthetic turf appears uniformly compacted and finished, indicating project closeout on a completed landscape.
Investment
What would a similar project cost in San Diego?
Toggle components on/off to estimate your project
Frequently Asked Questions
A project similar to this one in 4S Ranch, combining roughly 1,900 sf of artificial turf with 600 sf of large-format pavers, decorative rock beds, planting, and a low wall, typically falls in the $48,000 to $59,000 range. The main cost drivers are turf square footage, paver material selection, site access, and any grading or HOA coordination required. Projects with simpler scopes or smaller footprints will come in lower.
For a project of this size, active construction ran approximately two weeks once demo started. If your property is in an HOA community, build in additional lead time for approval, which in this case added several weeks before a shovel went in the ground. The full timeline from contract to completion was roughly ten weeks, though most of that was pre-construction coordination.
The Pro-Trade Fescue turf installed here requires minimal upkeep compared to natural grass. Routine care includes occasional rinsing to remove dust and debris, brushing the blades upright after heavy use, and spot-cleaning as needed. The SGW Envirofill infill used on this project helps blades stand upright and moderates surface temperature. No irrigation, no mowing, no fertilizing, and no re-seeding are required.
Under California Civil Code Section 4735, HOA CC&Rs that prohibit artificial turf are void and unenforceable. Your HOA may set reasonable quality and appearance standards, such as pile height and color requirements, but cannot effectively ban synthetic turf. On this project, HOA approval was required and obtained before construction began, so the process does add lead time even if the outcome is protected by state law.
The patio and walkway use Belgard Moduline 12x24-inch pavers in a light field color with a contrasting dark segmental soldier-course border. The large-format size creates a clean modern look with fewer grout lines, and the dark border gives the patio defined geometry. Joints were finished with NextGel gray polymeric sand to resist wash-out and prevent weed intrusion.
When the crew stripped the existing lawn, they found an extensive infestation of turf grubs and beetle larvae beneath the surface, which had destroyed the root system from below. No amount of watering or overseeding could overcome the subsurface damage. Removing the lawn and replacing it with synthetic turf permanently eliminates the conditions that allowed the infestation to take hold.
Your Outdoor Project in 3 Simple Steps
Design
We listen to your vision, assess your space, and create a custom design that fits your lifestyle and budget.
Build
Our experienced crews bring the design to life with premium materials and expert craftsmanship.
Enjoy
Step into your transformed outdoor space and start making memories with family and friends.
Your Project Manager
Troy MacMillan
Install It Direct is a San Diego design-build contractor focused exclusively on residential outdoor living spaces. Every project is managed by an in-house construction team and documented end to end, from HOA coordination and pre-construction staking through final walkthrough and sign-off.
More Projects
Backyard Built for Living, Mission San Luis Rey
Oceanside
Hillside Backyard Oasis in Ramona, CA
Ramona
Backyard Reinvented in 4S Ranch, San Diego
San Diego
Backyard Reimagined in Stone Canyon, San Marcos
San Marcos
Backyard Reimagined, Encinitas
Encinitas
Coastal Curb Appeal in Ocean Beach, San Diego
San Diego
Ready to Transform Your Outdoor Space?
Let's discuss your project and bring your vision to life.