Finished turf and retaining wall walkthrough
Walkthrough of the completed artificial turf installation, clean turf-to-concrete transition, edge drain, capped retaining wall, mulch bed, and finished backyard details.
A Failing Wall Out, Country Manor In — El Cajon
This finished project was a $35k-$40k build.
Project Gallery
823 sf of SiteOne Turf1 Rye laid the length of the patio, with the capped Keystone Country Manor wall holding the red-mulch slope along the left.
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Project Snapshot
Location
El Cajon (92019)
Style
Transitional
Timeline
About 8 build days
Price Range
$35k-$40k
Project Story
Overview
On a sloped El Cajon backyard in 92019, a failing segmental wall came out. A new Keystone Country Manor course went in on a fresh 93-foot footing, with 823 sf of SiteOne Turf1 Rye, a French drain behind the wall, and an SDR35 surface drain in front. Eight working days from demo to final walk.
The dog has a clean space to run and we use the backyard every day.
The Challenge
- The backyard was bare compacted dirt for most of its area, leaving no usable outdoor space for the household.
- An existing retaining wall had deteriorated to the point it required complete demolition, along with 319 square feet of concrete slabs.
- Tree roots had pushed through the yard and the slope had no drainage infrastructure, so water ran unchecked toward the foundation after rain.
What Changed
The backyard replaced 319 sf of demolished concrete and wall with 208 sf of Keystone Country Manor segmental block wall and 823 sf of SiteOne Turf1 Rye synthetic turf. A 93 lf French drain system behind the wall and 40 lf of surface drain line now move rain water away from the foundation. Three months in, the wall hasn't moved, and the yard is pet-ready with no mowing or irrigation.
How INSTALL-IT-DIRECT Helped
The backyard at 92019 was mostly bare dirt bounded by a failing wall, with roots, poor drainage, and no surface that worked for people or pets. Install It Direct demolished the existing wall and concrete, pulled the tree roots, and built a new 208 sf Keystone Country Manor block wall on a 93 linear foot concrete footing. Behind the wall, the crew ran 93 linear feet of perforated French drain pipe and 40 linear feet of SDR35 drain line to move water away from the structure, then installed 823 square feet of SiteOne Turf1 Rye synthetic turf with antimicrobial pet infill and a weed barrier suited for a dog. The backyard now has a stable wall, clean turf, and drainage that handles rain without pooling.
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Design & Build
The Plan
Layout centered on a continuous 93 lf segmental wall running along the slope, set on a 12-inch by 12-inch poured concrete footing for long-term stability
ORCO Keystone Country Manor block selected for its weathered-edge, textured-aged finish that blends with the hillside lot character; 93 Country Manor cap units finished the top course
French drain system (93 lf of 3-inch triple-wall perforated pipe with sleeve) installed behind the wall, directing slope water away from the foundation
40 lf of 3-inch SDR35 drain line with three drain caps routed surface water from the turf field to an approved collection point
SiteOne Turf1 Rye (72 oz, 1.5-inch pile, olive green/tan blades) chosen for its pet-appropriate density; Imperial Camofill antimicrobial/pet infill and weed barrier installed per homeowner preference for the household dog
BioBarrier root barrier (10 lf, 18 inches deep) installed along the turf perimeter to prevent future root intrusion
See the 2D plan drawing
The Build
Sub-base prep and French drain installation underway ahead of synthetic turf placement in this El Cajon backyard project.
Demolition and Site Clearing
Work began with jackhammer demolition of the existing wall footing and 319 sf of concrete slab. A Bobcat skid steer cleared soil and broke out the old wall. Tree root systems were excavated by hand and hauled off site, with approximately 12 yards of soil removed.
Grading and Footing
With the yard cleared to subgrade, the crew graded the slope and trenched the wall footing line. A 12-inch by 12-inch concrete footing was poured along the full 93 linear feet of the new wall alignment. Materials were staged and Quikrete mix was brought on site for the footing pour.
Retaining Wall Installation
Country Manor block was delivered on pallets and set course by course. Geotextile fabric was pinned behind the wall using fiberglass pins. Drainage fabric and the 93 lf perforated French drain pipe were installed behind the wall as courses rose. The top course received 93 Country Manor cap units.
Drainage
With the wall complete, the crew installed 40 lf of SDR35 drain line across the yard floor with three drain caps at collection points. The turf-to-drain layout was resolved during this phase so the turf field and drain line could work together cleanly.
Turf Base and Installation
A compacted aggregate base was prepared across the 823 sf turf field. Weed barrier was laid per the homeowner's preference, then SiteOne Turf1 Rye rolls were cut, seamed with 12-inch seaming tape and SGW glue, and nailed with 5-inch 40D nails. Imperial Camofill antimicrobial pet infill (24 bags) was spread across the finished field. BioBarrier root barrier was installed at the perimeter.
Project Videos
Final backyard turf and wall view
Second final-view clip showing the finished artificial turf, retaining wall, concrete edging, flagstone patio edge, mulch planter, and backyard transition details.
Investment
What would a similar project cost in El Cajon?
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Retaining Wall (208 sf Country Manor block, 93 cap units, 93 lf footing)
$13,500 – $15,000
Artificial Turf & Landscaping (823 sf SiteOne Turf1 Rye, pet infill, weed barrier, root barrier)
$9,500 – $10,500
Demo & Site Work (concrete and wall removal, root excavation, 12 yards soil haul-off)
$7,000 – $8,000
Drainage (40 lf SDR35 + 93 lf perforated French drain, drain caps, drainage improvements)
$3,000 – $4,000
Hardscape Extras (paver border, root barrier strip)
$2,000 – $2,500
Estimated Total
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a retaining wall and artificial turf installation cost in El Cajon?
A project of this scope in El Cajon, with 208 sf of segmental block wall on a concrete footing, 823 sf of synthetic turf, and full drainage, typically runs $35,000 to $40,000. The biggest cost drivers are wall footing length, how much concrete and old wall must be demolished, and the type of turf infill selected. Pet-grade antimicrobial infill adds cost but is useful for households with dogs.
Does a retaining wall in El Cajon require a permit?
Retaining wall permit requirements depend on wall height, site conditions, surcharge loads, and local jurisdiction. Homeowners should confirm requirements with the local building department before work begins, especially when a wall supports a fence, driveway, or slope above it.
How long does a backyard retaining wall and turf project take in El Cajon?
This project ran about 8 build days across roughly two calendar weeks from demolition through finished turf installation. Footing pours and block installation need sequencing time, and projects with significant tree root removal or soil hauling should budget extra time for site clearing before the wall sequence starts.
What artificial turf is best for a yard with dogs in El Cajon?
This project used SiteOne Turf1 Rye (72 oz, 1.5-inch pile) with Imperial Camofill antimicrobial pet infill and a weed barrier suited for a dog. The antimicrobial infill controls odor, and the heavier 72 oz construction holds up to paw traffic. URINE ZERO concentrate was also included for ongoing maintenance. Weed barrier under pet turf is worth adding since dogs disturb the edges and roots can work through standard landscape fabric over time.
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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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