Learn How San Diego’s Premier Landscape Company Guarantees On-Time Completion
About Install-It-Direct
Learn How San Diego’s Premier Landscape Company Guarantees On-Time Completion
About Install-It-Direct
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Precision, Accountability, and Expertise
“Install It Direct” isn’t just our name—it’s our promise: no middlemen, no excuses.
We believe that outdoor living should be delivered with transparency and precision. We saw too many landscapers leaving customers frustrated with vague timelines and constant delays.
So we built a better way:
- We hire only the best crews.
- We guarantee completion dates.
- We provide real-time project tracking.
Guaranteed Finish Date
On time, every time—or we pay you. View Guarantee Details →
Zero Owner Liability
Fully insured means full peace of mind
Full-Coverage Installation Warranty
If something isn’t right, we fix it—free.
Live Project Tracking
Track your project from anywhere, anytime with our proprietary dashboard.
Verified 5-Star Reviews
Years of Average Crew Experience
On-Time or Your Money Back
Hiring the Right Landscaping Contractor
Too many homeowners risk hiring landscapers without proper licensing and insurance—leaving their home and investment exposed.
At Install-It-Direct, we put your safety first.
We’re fully licensed and insured, with comprehensive workers’ compensation and liability coverage that more than doubles the industry standards.
Our track record speaks for itself—over 6,000 five‑star reviews.
When you choose us, you choose peace of mind.
Meet the Team Behind Install-It-Direct
Luke Whittaker – Co-Founder/CEO
Graduated from Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo with a double major in Biomedical Engineering and Statistics. After graduating, Luke worked for GenProbe, a biotech company located in San Diego, Ca. He realized that his passion for people, innovation and his entrepreneurial spirit were not being fulfilled. He changed directions to the outdoor design and renovation industry where he worked for one of the largest Pavers/Synthetic-Turf/Design Companies in the U.S. He started in Sales/Design and worked his way up into management learning and gaining as much experience/knowledge as he could absorb. The next step was to follow his passion and create a better system.
INSTALL-IT-DIRECT was born in 2009 and has been thriving on their innovative, yet simple business model: Hire only the best crews in the industry in each trade (i.e. Pavers, Artificial Grass, etc.), recruit them to our team, implement extremely efficient methods with every process, and in turn, pass the savings onto you!
Chris MacMillan – General Manager
Chris is a San Diego native who combines his passion for outdoor living with professional expertise in landscape design. After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration/Finance from Point Loma Nazarene University on a baseball scholarship, he gained valuable experience managing his family’s established landscaping business, which has served North County since the late 1970s.
Building on this foundation, Chris launched his own landscape construction company specializing in custom outdoor living spaces. He takes pride in creating beautiful, functional designs that help San Diego homeowners maximize their outdoor potential and embrace the region’s year-round perfect weather.
Chris’s love for the outdoors extends well beyond his professional life. When he’s not designing spaces for clients, you’ll find him exploring San Diego’s natural beauty with his wife, two daughters, and their rescue Labrador. Whether camping in the mountains, surfing the coast, hiking local trails, or enjoying adventures like rock climbing and snowboarding, Chris lives and breathes the outdoor lifestyle he designs for others.
This deep personal connection to outdoor living, combined with his business expertise and family roots in the industry, makes Chris uniquely qualified to bring your outdoor vision to life. He’s excited to help you create your perfect outdoor sanctuary.
Jonathan Butler – Construction Coordinator & Customer Service
Jonathan is an Alabama native who relocated to Southern California in 2015. He’s a creative with a knack for Marketing, Advertising and excellent Customer Service. Jonathan attended San Diego Mesa College where he studied Journalism and Public Relations. Jonathan has lived all across the United States; New York City, Miami, Los Angeles and now here in San Diego. He loves being outdoors hiking, running, swimming and doing yoga! His eye for interior design is what’s now brought him to our team where he wants to expand his pallet and learn a lot more about outdoor design!
Jamie Whittaker – Urine Zero Customer Service & Marketing
Jamie graduated from SDSU with a hospitality major and went on to start two successful businesses. When it came time to start a family she knew she needed to seek other opportunities that would allow her to spend time with her family while still being apart of a successful business that is passionate about customer service and giving back to the community. She is a lover of travel, off the beaten path venues, and once in a lifetime experiences.
If you have any questions about Urine Zero I’d be more than happy to assist — please send me an email here: sales@installitdirect.com.
Troy MacMillian – Project Manager
Troy is a San Diego native, is a devoted husband and proud father of two daughters. With more than 20 years of experience in landscape construction, he brings a wealth of expertise and craftsmanship to every project. Outside of work, Troy enjoys maintaining his small weekend farm and has a passion for board sports, video games, gardening, and a good game of cornhole. Above all, he treasures his role as a father and the time he spends with his family.
Patrick Diehl – Project Manager
Patrick was born and raised in San Diego and brings a wealth of expertise in both domestic and international logistics, having studied at Southwestern College, San Diego State University, and National University. With extensive experience managing interior and exterior builds for residential, commercial, and high-rise projects, he is particularly skilled in hardscape development and is committed to delivering every project with quality, compliance, and on-time results.
In addition to his construction background, Patrick holds a real estate license and is a certified mold, thermographic, and home inspector. Outside of work, his number one priority is family. He enjoys spending quality time outdoors and fine dining with loved ones, maintaining a balance between professional excellence and personal fulfillment.
Featured Reviews
The Install It Direct team has been a joy to work with!
They transformed our front and backyard in an efficient manner and did excellent work. Reasonable pricing, kind people, and fantastic project management! We are grateful to them and would recommend to anybody in the area!
Mia F., San Diego, CA
Communication was perfect. Workmanship was excellent. Job done on time at reasonable cost.
We had artificial turf and a lighted outdoor staircase installed. They will definitely be hired for our next phase, a sitting area with fire pi and outdoor kitchen. Very highly recommend!
Charlotte B., Ramona, CA 92065
I needed a retaining wall and had 4 companies bid on the project. Install-It-Direct immediately stood out.
Their representative took careful measurements, answered all my questions, and never tried to upsell me on extras I didn’t need. Throughout the project, the crew was always on time, and the project manager kept me informed every day. I would highly recommend this company.
James, San Diego, CA 92114
Load More Reviews >>
Their attention to detail and customer service blew us away.
We had them install paver, LED lights, and a fire pit 8 years ago and everything still looks amazing today. We had some LED light issues and the owner Tim personally called and sent the project manager Patric to take care of it. We’ll definitely call them for all our future hardscape projects.
Huey L., San Diego ,CA,92122
Third time working with Install-It-Direct and they remain outstanding.
The crew knew making our yard compliant with California’s AB 3074 was a tough but necessary decision for us. They walked through the entire plan with us before the start date, answered every question, and made sure there were no surprises. We’re really happy with the result and how they handled everything.
Jean, San Diego, CA 92131
We hired Install-It-Direct for our side yard paver project, and they were professional, detailed, and transparent from the start.
Compared to another contractor who fell short, they’re honest, reliable, and reasonably priced. When an issue arose with leftover pallets, they stepped in and resolved it within 24 hours. I highly recommend Install-It-Direct for any outdoor project!
Jordan C., El Cajon, CA 92021
Everything You Need to Know Before Starting Your Project
Here are answers to the most common questions homeowners ask about Install-It-Direct.
What is Install-It-Direct, and what do you do?
Install-It-Direct is San Diego’s leading outdoor living and hardscape company, specializing in pavers, artificial turf, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, landscape lighting, and more. We offer expert craftsmanship, real-time project tracking, and a guaranteed finish date—or we pay you.
Most landscapers work on estimates. We work on precision. We guarantee on-time project completion, provide live updates through our tracking system, and hire only the best, most experienced crews. No delays, no hidden costs, no excuses.
We design and build a variety of outdoor spaces, including:
- Paver driveways, patios, walkways, and pool decks
- Artificial turf installations (pet-friendly, low-maintenance, and eco-friendly options)
- Outdoor kitchens, BBQ islands, and fire features
- Retaining walls, freestanding walls, and landscape lighting
- Custom pergolas, water features, and complete yard makeovers
Project timelines vary based on size and complexity, but we provide a guaranteed completion date before work begins. If we miss the deadline due to our own delays, we pay you.
How does Install-It-Direct maintain quality while working efficiently?
We built a precision-engineered system that eliminates delays while maintaining the highest quality. Our hand-picked expert crews execute every project with exact measurements and expert craftsmanship.
What happens if something goes wrong with my installation?
We provide a full-coverage installation warranty, which means if something isn’t right, we fix it for free.
Is Install-It-Direct licensed and insured?
Yes! We are fully licensed and insured, and we go above and beyond industry standards by carrying full workers’ compensation and liability coverage—ensuring zero homeowner liability.
Can I get a design first and build later?
Absolutely! We offer professional landscape design services so you can lock in a plan now and start the build when the timing is right.
How do I get started?
It’s easy! Schedule a free consultation, and our experts will walk you through the process, answer any questions, and provide a custom quote for your project.