Completed backyard turf and pool-deck walkthrough
Walkthrough of the finished backyard showing artificial turf, flagstone patio transitions, pool coping, sport court area, and finished landscape edges.
Carmel Valley Backyard: Turf, Mow-Strip, DG
This finished project was a $60k-$70k build.
Project Gallery
Artificial turf laid to a clean edge at a paver patio, no transition strip.
Belgard Moduline 24×24 stepping stones set in concrete through 5,248 sf of artificial turf.
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Project Snapshot
Location
Carmel Valley, San Diego (92130)
Style
Modern
Timeline
About 4 weeks on site, March–April 2025
Price Range
$60k-$70k
Project Story
Overview
Chris MacMillan walked the Carmel Valley property and laid out twenty years of lawn as a single 5,248 sf field of Imperial Desert Rye 65 synthetic turf, cut by fifteen 24-inch Belgard Moduline stepping stones. A 318 sf strip of stabilized Desert Gold decomposed granite anchors the perimeter; the field drains to the existing collection points. About four weeks on site.
Twenty years of fighting the lawn and now we just walk across the stepping stones and call it done., Jeff P., San Diego
The Challenge
- 5,248 sf of natural lawn made watering and upkeep a constant burden across a yard sized for the home.
- The homeowner wanted cleaner transitions where 15 Belgard Moduline 24x24 stepping stones, 318 sf of stabilized DG, and planting-bed edges now meet the turf field.
- The existing lawn and edges read as one undifferentiated surface, with no defined zones for the household's different uses.
What Changed
The backyard has a 5,248 sq ft artificial turf footprint with stepping-stone circulation, documented edging, and stabilized DG transitions, so the space stays consistent without the weekly lawn-maintenance cycle.
How INSTALL-IT-DIRECT Helped
The homeowner wanted to retire a large back-yard lawn that had been one continuous turf surface for two decades. The team mapped a single 5,248 sf Imperial Desert Rye 65 field across the lot, set fifteen Belgard Moduline 24×24 stepping stones in concrete through it, ran 318 sf of Desert Gold stabilized DG to the hardscape edges, and finished the perimeter with poly-board edging and bender-board material.
Over 1,000 five-star reviews and 1,500+ San Diego homeowners served.
Before & After
Carmel Valley backyard with 5,248 sf of artificial turf running between pool deck and sport court; 15 stepping stones across the field.
Mid-installation view from the back of the lot, base prep underway, hardscape edges visible.
Belgard Moduline 24×24 stepping stones set in concrete through 5,248 sf of artificial turf.
Design & Build
The Plan
5,248 sf of Imperial Desert Rye 65 synthetic turf laid across the backyard’s multiple zones, the largest single material on site.
15 Belgard Moduline 24×24 stepping stones set in concrete carry daily foot traffic through the turf without compressing the pile.
318 sf of stabilized Desert Gold decomposed granite in the accent path areas reads as a warm-tone contrast to the green turf field.
Poly-board edging and bender-board at turf perimeters hold the synthetic edge clean against adjacent surfaces.
See the 2D plan drawing
The Build
Demo and Base Prep
Demo included 8 hours of demolition labor removing roots, soil, and existing concrete, with debris hauled off site. Base material was then graded and compacted across the turf zones.
Stepping Stones and DG Transitions
Fifteen Belgard Moduline 24x24 stepping stones were set in concrete through planned turf areas, and stabilized Desert Gold DG transitions were compacted and finished.
Turf Installation and Edging
Imperial Desert Rye 65 turf rolls were cut and laid across 5,248 sf, secured with 5-inch nails, and bordered with documented poly-board edging and bender-board material. Green silica sand infill was spread and worked in to finish the surface.
Project Videos
Investment
What would a similar project cost in San Diego?
Toggle components on/off to estimate your project
Turf & Accessories
$53,000 – $62,000
Pavers & Base
$2,000 – $2,500
Decorative Rock
$1,500 – $2,000
Other Materials & Labor
$1,500 – $1,500
Steps
$1,000 – $1,000
Concrete Work
$1,000 – $1,000
Estimated Total
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an HOA prohibit artificial turf?
HOA requirements and appearance standards vary by property. Homeowners should verify community rules before construction.
How long did this Carmel Valley turf project take?
On-site construction ran about four weeks between March and April 2025, with stepping-stone and DG transitions completed in the third week. A small number of post-completion warranty visits handled DG re-compaction and an irrigation-line repair through the following months.
What was included in the turf conversion?
The documented scope included 5,248 sf of Imperial Desert Rye 65 turf, 15 Belgard stepping stones, stabilized DG transitions, poly-board edging, and bender-board material.
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
A San Diego native with more than 20 years in landscape construction, Troy brings seasoned craftsmanship to every build. A devoted husband and father of two, he carries the same care from the job site to his weekend farm.
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