A Whole-Yard Santee Transformation: Paver Driveway, Fire Pit & Turf
Project Gallery
Front-yard result with artificial turf, paver driveway, covered entry, and planting.
Evening backyard view showing the patio, fire pit, turf, walls, and lighting.
Fire-pit, paver, turf, and retaining-wall detail from the finished backyard.
Covered patio and fire-pit area with finished pavers and outdoor living space.
Evening view of the covered patio, turf, fire feature, and backyard walls.
Wide turf and retaining-wall view showing the finished backyard grade change.
Fire-pit and seat-wall detail integrated into the finished paver patio.
Daylight view from the patio cover across the fire pit, pavers, and turf.
Backyard turf and terraced retaining-wall planting after completion.
Terraced retaining-wall and planting detail along the completed backyard edge.
Rock planting bed, retaining-wall cap, and low-water planting detail.
Finished side-yard paver walkway with rock planting beds and vinyl fencing.
Side-yard paver run connecting the front approach to the backyard patio.
Patio-cover seating area opening to the finished turf and backyard hardscape.
Project Snapshot
Project Story
Overview
Install It Direct completed a $167k Santee whole-yard remodel with 2,060 sq ft of Orco Pietra pavers, 2,240 sq ft of SGW Oceanside Premium turf, drainage, walls, a gas fire pit, patio-cover/electrical work, and planting.
The Challenge
- The front and back yards felt disconnected, with patchy lawn, bare dirt, and walkways that never tied the space together.
- Grade changes made parts of the yard awkward to use and left it prone to runoff when it rained.
- There was no real outdoor living space: nowhere comfortable to gather, sit by a fire, or entertain.
What Changed
How INSTALL-IT-DIRECT Helped
Over 1,000 five-star reviews and 1,500+ San Diego homeowners served.
Before & After
Residential backyard showing a sloped yard with exposed dirt and sparse natural grass up to a new wooden fence. Existing grade exhibits erosion and no installed pavers, turf, or retaining structures — site appears ready for grading and retaining work prior to hardscape or landscape installation.
Backyard turf and terraced retaining-wall planting after completion.
Front yard of a single-family home showing a patchy natural grass lawn adjacent to a concrete driveway with a work truck parked. A low block/stone retaining wall with rock mulch lines the right side, and a wood fence/gate and open garage are visible, indicating a pre-construction site condition.
Front-yard result with artificial turf, paver driveway, covered entry, and planting.
Design & Build
The Plan
Use Orco Pietra pavers to connect the driveway, front entry, side access, patio, and backyard hardscape into one consistent surface palette.
Place SGW Oceanside Premium artificial turf in defined lawn panels so the front and backyard stay green without a high-maintenance natural lawn.
Route drainage with SDR35 drainline, French drain, drain/downspout connections, and curb-core work before the finished pavers and turf were installed.
Use retaining and seat walls to organize the backyard grade changes and frame the fire-pit and planting areas.
Coordinate gas, electrical, patio-cover, planting, and finish details so the backyard reads as a complete outdoor-living space.
See the 2D plan drawing
The Build
Demo and Site Prep
Crews removed existing lawn and soil, opened the work areas, and prepared the front, side, and backyard zones for drainage, base, and wall work.
Drainage, Utilities and Base
Drainline, French drain, downspout connections, curb-core work, irrigation, gas-line, footing, and electrical items were coordinated before finished surfaces went in.
Pavers, Walls and Fire Pit
The hardscape phase added Orco Pietra pavers, wall and cap materials, stone veneer, and the gas fire-pit area.
Turf, Rock and Planting
Artificial turf, decorative rock, DG, bender board, shrubs, and trees finished the low-maintenance landscape layout.
Sealer and Finish Work
The final phase focused on paver sealer, lighting and finish details, cleanup, and final finishing work.
Investment
What would a similar project cost in Santee?
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a full paver, turf, wall, and drainage project cost in Santee?
Whole-yard projects with this much scope usually land in the low- to mid-six figures, and the price moves with square footage, how much wall and drainage work is involved, and the finish level. This Santee project was about $167k and included 2,060 sq ft of pavers, 2,240 sq ft of turf, drainage, walls, planting, a gas fire pit, and patio-cover/electrical coordination.
Do patio covers, fire pits, or retaining walls require permits in Santee?
Permit requirements depend on final dimensions, utilities, attachments, and local review. Verify current requirements with a licensed contractor or attorney before construction. This project included patio-cover footing/electrical items, gas-line work, a fire pit, and retaining-wall related scope.
Should drainage be installed before pavers and turf?
Yes. Drainage should be planned before finished surfaces go in so water can be routed under or around pavers, walls, and turf. This project included SDR35 drainline, French drain, downspout connections, curb-core work, and irrigation items.
How long does a whole-yard paver and turf project take?
Active hardscape and landscape installation on this project ran about 22 working days. The bigger drivers of a whole-yard timeline are scope and weather: drainage and grading go in first, then pavers, walls, turf, and planting, with sealer and patio-cover closeout finishing after the main install. Sequencing the trades this way keeps each one from waiting on the next.
Why combine pavers and artificial turf in the same yard?
Pavers handle driveway, walkway, and patio traffic, while artificial turf keeps lawn areas green with less routine maintenance than natural grass. The combination works best when drainage, borders, walls, and planting beds are planned together.
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
Chris MacMillan
A San Diego native, Chris grew up in his family's North County landscaping business and went on to launch his own custom outdoor-living company. He combines a finance background with hands-on construction expertise to help homeowners get the most out of San Diego's year-round outdoor living.
Ready to Transform Your Outdoor Space?
Let's discuss your project and bring your vision to life.