Collins Ranch Patio Built for Evening Gatherings
Project Gallery
A recently installed light-gray rectangular paver patio in a backyard with a covered fire pit set in a small bed of river rock. The main paver field appears completed with clean joints and edge restraint visible, while adjacent bare dirt and planting beds indicate surrounding landscaping is not fully finished.
Finished narrow side-yard walkway surfaced with decorative white crushed stone/shell and a continuous metal edge restraint separating the gravel from mulched planting beds and trees. The installation appears clean and complete, adjacent to the home's exterior wall and landscaping.
Finished backyard pathway surfaced with light crushed stone edged by metal/band edging, flanked by planting beds and ornamental plants. A concrete patio with a fire pit is visible at the far end, indicating a completed outdoor living area.
Project Snapshot
Project Story
Overview
Set 943 sf of MSI Quartz Beige 24x24 pavers across a bare Collins Ranch backyard, anchored by a gas fire pit zone and a 162 sf beach-pebble walkway with a 13 lf porcelain step. An 88 lf SDR35 drain line tied in the downspouts and 14 Pro-Trade path lights extended the yard into the evening, finished in 10 working days.
The Challenge
- Bare compacted soil where 943 sf of MSI Quartz Beige 24x24 pavers and a gas fire-pit zone now sit — no patio, no defined gathering point.
- No exterior lighting existed, so the 14 Pro-Trade PTH1 path lights had to be planned in from the start to make evening use possible.
- No subsurface drainage path tied the downspouts to a discharge point, requiring 88 lf of SDR35 line to be coordinated with the new pavers.
What Changed
How Install It Direct Helped
Market Context
Neighborhood Context
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Design & Build
The Plan
943 sf MSI Quartz Beige 24×24 large-format paver patio across the formerly bare-dirt yard, with an integrated gas fire pit zone sized for hosting.
13 lf Mirage porcelain step transitions the patio level at the door threshold; 162 sf beach-pebble walkway runs alongside as a softer-finish path.
Grading pitches the patio surface away from the home, with 88 lf of 3-inch SDR35 drain line tied to downspout connections to carry roof and surface water off the pad.
Gas line trenched and stubbed to the fire pit position; 14 Pro-Trade PTH1 path lights on a low-voltage transformer light the patio and walkway after dark.
Pavers, decorative rock, and defined hardscape edges replace the lawn-heavy alternative to keep ongoing maintenance low.
The Build
Investment
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did this paver patio and fire pit project cost?
The sold project price was about $32K. The Component Cost Estimator on this page shows the range a similar Carmel Valley build would price at — site access, drainage routing, fire-feature scope, and finish selections explain any gap. A site-specific quote depends on the same factors.
How was drainage handled?
The project added 88 lf of 3-inch SDR35 pipe and tied downspouts into the new drainage scope, all set before the first paver went down. Final drainage design, permitting, and code requirements vary by property and jurisdiction.
How long did this Collins Ranch patio project take on site?
The crew was on site from October 10 to October 23, 2025 — 10 working days. Drainage was poured before any pavers were set.
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Design
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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
Porcelain is the right material for a Carmel Valley back yard like this one. It doesn't fade the way concrete does in the afternoon sun, the colour stays cool underfoot, and the 24-by-24 format lets a 943-square-foot patio read as one continuous surface instead of a grid. The square fire pit was sized for six chairs around it. Everything else on the page is in service of that one circle of seats. — Steve Brown, Senior Designer, Install It Direct
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