A Backyard Putting Green and an Outdoor Kitchen
This finished project was a $85k-$100k build.
Project Gallery
Looking down the finished yard from the covered patio — the stone-veneer kitchen island at left, the large-format paver entertainment patio, and the checkerboard turf path running back to the fountain and gazebo.
The finished kitchen island: stacked-stone veneer, a marble-veined countertop, and a built-in grill with stainless storage, set on the large-format paver patio.
The kitchen island from the open patio side — stacked-stone veneer, a full marble-veined top, and the built-in grill, with a recessed deck drain set flush into the pavers.
SGW pet turf fills the side yard from the paver patio edge to the fence, running back to the two-tone putting green at the far end.
A checkerboard of pavers set in SGW turf leads past rose and lavender beds and a white tiered fountain back toward the covered lounge. Install It Direct, Poway.
Project Snapshot
Project Story
Overview
The homeowner brought their own putting-green drawings to the design meeting. Over 28 working days (about six weeks), IID built 1,550 sq ft of Angelus paver patio under an existing pergola, a stone-veneer outdoor kitchen with built-in LP grill and 4.5 cu ft fridge, the homeowner's 269 sq ft two-tone SGW Poly Putt putting green, 1,143 sq ft of SGW pet turf, 270 linear feet of underground drainage, and low-voltage path lighting throughout. The front yard scope was added mid-build without restarting the schedule.
I’m out there putting most evenings now.
The Challenge
- Bare sandy soil across the 1,550 sq ft now under Angelus pavers and the 1,143 sq ft pet-turf zone — no patio, no putting green, no outdoor kitchen footprint.
- No managed drainage path, so rain produced standing water adjacent to the foundation.
- The front yard had no design continuity with the planned backyard build — no shared material story between the two.
What Changed
How INSTALL-IT-DIRECT Helped
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Before & After
Tavassoli's lot came as bare dirt on every side. The finished project wraps the house in large-format pavers, adds a stone-veneer outdoor kitchen and a shaded patio, and lays clean artificial turf threaded with paver stepping stones — side yard and back tied into one plan.
Design & Build
The Plan
Backyard layout divided into three functional zones: a large paver entertainment patio under a pergola with a fire pit gathering area, a pet-friendly turf lawn, and a custom two-tone putting green with SGW Poly Putt 2-Tone Dark Everlast surface.
Angelus Paseo I and Paseo II 60MM pavers selected for the main field with Angelus Holland 60MM as an accent; large-format light gray field pavers with a darker perimeter border course visible in completed photos.
Outdoor kitchen positioned on the patio to allow countertop fabricator access after paver completion; Eldorado Outdoor Modular Cabinet system in a three-unit configuration with stacked Angelus Rustic Wall Stone veneer.
Underground drainage designed with 270 ln ft of 3-inch SDR35 drainline, 8 brass surface drain caps, and 16 plastic downspout connections; surface slopes designed to direct runoff away from the foundation.
Low-voltage lighting system : 4 Pro-Trade SL1 LED step lights and 5 Pro-Trade BUL1 uplights powered by a 150W Pro-Trade TR1 transformer with smart socket timer for automated dusk-to-dawn control.
Front yard added via scope adjustment with matching artificial turf and paver walkway to unify curb appeal with the backyard aesthetic.
See the 2D plan drawing
The Build
Site Layout and Drainage Trenching
Work began with orange spray-paint layout lines marking all zones across the backyard. A skid-steer trencher cut channels for approximately 270 linear feet of SDR35 drain pipe, establishing the underground drainage network before any hardscape base was placed.
Base Preparation and Grading
Once drainage was set, crews graded the subbase and compacted crushed aggregate across the 1,550 sq ft paver field using vibratory plate compactors. Side yard areas were hand-compacted in narrower runs.
Paver Installation
Large-format Angelus Paseo I and Paseo II pavers were dry-laid on screeded bedding sand starting from the main patio field, with a soldier-course border and 121 mow-strip pavers set on concrete edge around the perimeter. Plate compaction seated the field after laying.
Outdoor Kitchen and Wall Work
The Eldorado Outdoor Modular Cabinet base was positioned on the finished paver surface so the client's countertop fabricator could take measurements for the slab. Angelus Rustic Wall Stone veneer was applied to all exposed cabinet faces and the freestanding wall footings. Appliance cutouts were made and the LP grill, refrigerator, drawers, and access doors were installed.
Turf, Putting Green, and Planting
SGW Pet Turf rolls were laid over prepared base across the 1,143 sq ft lawn area; poly board edging secured the perimeter. The 269 sq ft two-tone putting green using SGW Poly Putt 2-Tone Dark Everlast was installed based on design drawings submitted by the homeowner. Twelve five-gallon and twelve one-gallon shrubs were planted in prepared beds with drip irrigation and shredded mulch cover.
Lighting, Punch-list, and Front Yard
Pro-Trade step lights were mortared into riser faces and uplights positioned at wall and plant locations. The transformer and smart timer were mounted and wired. Front yard turf and pavers followed as the change-order scope. Final punch-list items including irrigation solenoid replacement and putting green securing were completed before site departure.
Investment
What would a similar project cost in Poway?
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a backyard paver patio with outdoor kitchen and artificial turf cost in Poway, CA?
A project of this scale in Poway, covering roughly 1,550 sq ft of interlocking pavers, a fully equipped stone-veneer outdoor kitchen with built-in grill and refrigerator, 1,143 sq ft of pet turf, a putting green, underground drainage, and low-voltage lighting, typically falls in the $85,000–$100,000 range. Key cost drivers are the size of the paver field, the kitchen appliance package, the extent of underground drainage required, and whether the front yard is included. Projects with simpler kitchens or smaller paver areas can come in lower.
Does artificial turf require HOA approval in Poway?
Many California HOAs allow artificial turf, often with reasonable quality and appearance standards such as pile height or color guidelines. The specific rules vary by HOA and municipality, so homeowners in HOA communities should confirm current guidelines with their association and local jurisdiction before selecting a specific product.
What drainage is required under a paver patio in Poway?
Surface drainage should direct water away from the foundation, with positive slope on impervious surfaces around the home. On this project, approximately 270 linear feet of 3-inch SDR35 drainline was installed with eight surface drain caps and sixteen downspout connections to manage both surface runoff and roof drainage across the paved and turf areas.
How long does a full backyard renovation with pavers and outdoor kitchen take in Poway?
For a project this size, active installation ran approximately six weeks. The sequence started with drainage trenching and grading, moved into paver base and installation, then outdoor kitchen construction, stone veneer, turf, putting green, and lighting. The outdoor kitchen phase can extend the timeline if custom countertop fabrication is involved, particularly when work is sequenced around a separate countertop fabricator. Adding a front yard scope during the build extended the overall work but was absorbed without restarting from scratch.
What pavers were used on this Poway backyard project?
The main patio field used Angelus Paseo I and Paseo II 60MM pavers, a large-format concrete paver in a light gray tone, with Angelus Holland 60MM as an accent. Completed photos show a light gray field with a darker perimeter border course and clean square joints. The perimeter was secured with 121 mow-strip pavers set in concrete. Angelus is manufactured in San Diego County, which reduces delivery cost and supports consistent availability for repairs or future extensions.
Can a putting green and artificial turf be installed in the same Poway backyard?
Yes, and they require different products. The lawn areas on this project used SGW Pet Turf, which is optimized for drainage and durability under pet and foot traffic. The 269 sq ft putting green used SGW Poly Putt 2-Tone 15-ft Dark Everlast, a performance putting surface with a dual-tone appearance. The two surfaces were installed in adjacent zones separated by poly board edging. The homeowner submitted their own putting green design drawings, which the crew used to lay out the shape and orientation.
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
Patrick Diehl
Born and raised in San Diego, Patrick has managed residential, commercial, and high-rise builds, with a specialty in hardscape. A licensed real-estate agent and certified home inspector, he's committed to delivering every project with quality, compliance, and on-time results.
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