Sweeney Project — El Cajon Backyard Paver Patio, Planter Wall & Lawn (Fletcher Hills 92020)
TL;DR
A full backyard renovation in El Cajon turned an unfinished mulch yard into a structured outdoor living space with a 1,018 sq ft paver patio, a planter wall to expand usable yard area, new tall fescue sod, and upgraded drainage, irrigation, and low-voltage lighting • paver patio • planter wall • sod • drainage • irrigation • landscape lighting
Project Quick Facts
City El Cajon
Neighborhood Fletcher Hills (92020)
Constraints/Challenges Newly purchased home with an unfinished backyard; limited defined “use zones”; needed to expand usable space while keeping drainage controlled and predictable.
Goals Create a real outdoor living layout with a larger patio zone, more usable yard area, and a lawn supported by proper irrigation, drainage, and lighting.
Scope 1,018 sq ft paver patio (Angelus, Ashlar); planter wall with concrete footing; tall fescue sod (1,308 sq ft) with soil prep and amendments; drainage (3" perforated pipe + 3" SDR35 line + pop-up drain); irrigation controller and valve zones; (10) path lights with transformer and timer.
Style Modern
Timeline ~2-3 Weeks
RANGE $53k–$58k
Problem
- “We just bought the home, and the backyard felt unfinished and hard to actually use day-to-day.”
- “We needed more functional space for a patio setup, not just a narrow or awkward area.”
- “We wanted real grass and a clean layout, but only if it was done in a way that manages water correctly.”
How IID Helped
When you buy a home, you should be able to enjoy the yard immediately, not live with a temporary-looking space while you figure out who to trust. IID helped turn this backyard into a clear, intentional layout by combining hardscape, a planter wall system, lawn, and the supporting infrastructure (drainage, irrigation, lighting) so everything works together, not as disconnected upgrades. Over 1,000 five-star reviews and 1,500+ San Diego homeowners served.
Plan
- Confirm the usable layout and build lines (patio footprint, planter wall alignment, lawn coverage) so the space feels larger and more organized.
- Install a paver system designed for longevity, with proper excavation, base preparation, and edge restraint so the patio stays flat and tight over time.
- Expand usable yard area with a planter wall system on a continuous concrete footing, including behind-wall drainage to reduce water buildup.
- Implement code-aligned drainage strategy that moves surface water away from structures (CRC R401.3) using on-site collection and discharge components where needed.
- Rebuild lawn areas with soil prep, tall fescue sod, and irrigation controls so the lawn is sustainable, not a short-term “green for a month” fix.
Build
• Demo and site preparation • Drainage and irrigation rough-in • Planter wall footing and wall construction • Paver patio installation and polymeric joint sand • Soil preparation and sod installation • Landscape lighting install • Final cleanup and punch list
• Not documented for this project. IID performed internal quality control checks on base and grade, drainage flow paths, wall alignment, and final walk-through.
• Irrigation: Hunter Pro-C modular outdoor 4-station controller; valve zones including a drip valve with pressure regulator/filter; pop-up sprinkler zones as needed. • Lighting: 150W transformer, 12/2 low-voltage wire, (10) path lights, smart socket timer control.
Result
The backyard now has a defined outdoor living footprint with a 1,018 sq ft paver patio and 1,308 sq ft of new tall fescue lawn, supported by integrated drainage, irrigation control, and low-voltage lighting for everyday use.
We were a priority and they genuinely cared about the outcome!
We recently bought our home knowing we wanted to have the backyard redone. It was covered in dyed mulch which was a complete nightmare. When we started looking for vendors, we had several companies come out and got a variety of answers of what was possible or not, and also how long the process would take. They all had delayed response times, and odd requirements that were really off putting.
On a whim we reached out to Install It Direct to get yet another option. Man we are glad we went with them. Steve was great and quickly turned around a rendering and captured our vision almost to a T after our first conversation.
The shinning star of the entire project was Troy, from day one we knew he was understood our vision and had our best interest in mind with every decision we had to make. He checked in with us regularly, kept us abreast with everything happening and whenever an issue arose (which were all minor and expected) that we were presented with pros/cons for each solution. He made us feel like we were a priority and that he genuinely cared about the outcome.
All in all, it was a great experience. We love our new yard and would highly recommend IID and Troy to anyone. They were able to make our dream backyard come to life.
Sweeney
Project Details
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Pavers: Angelus Courtyard Combo (Standard) 60MM; 1,018 sq ft; Ashlar laying pattern.
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Paver section (per scope): Excavation and disposal of 7.5 inches from final grade; 4 inches Class II base; bedding sand (approx. 1 inch); geotextile fabric; polymeric sand; concrete bond beam (as specified).
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Planter wall system: Angelus 16″ Planter Wall block (tan) with continuous 12″ x 12″ concrete footing.
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Behind-wall drainage: 3″ triple-wall perforated pipe with sleeve (73 ln ft per scope).
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Yard drainage: 3″ SDR35 drain line (40 ln ft per scope) with fittings and (1) pop-up drain emitter; collection basins were included in materials.
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Sod: Tall fescue sod (1,308 sq ft per scope); soil demo (2″) in lawn areas; amended topsoil blend used for prep.
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Irrigation: Hunter Pro-C 4-station controller; drip valve with pressure regulator/filter; standard valve zones for sprinklers.
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Lighting: (10) Pro-Trade PTH1 path lights (2.5W, 2700K); Pro-Trade 150W stainless transformer; 12/2 wire; smart socket timer.
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Yard and hardscape areas were graded to move surface water away from the home in a code-aligned manner (CRC R401.3).
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Behind-wall drainage was installed to relieve water pressure and prevent buildup behind the planter wall.
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A solid drain line with a pop-up emitter was used to route collected water to an appropriate on-site discharge location.
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Drainage and grading were coordinated with patio, lawn, and wall elevations so water flow remains predictable long-term.
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No HOA requirements were documented for this property.
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Scope consisted of typical landscape improvements generally completed without a building permit when constructed within non-structural limits.
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Work was planned and executed with City of El Cajon and San Diego County drainage and grading standards in mind.
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Approximate project duration: ~2–3 weeks
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Timeline includes demolition, wall construction, paver installation, drainage and irrigation, sod installation, lighting, and final cleanup.
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Schedule may vary based on access, weather, and material availability.
Investment Breakdown
| Component | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Paver Patio | $25,000 | $31,000 |
| Retaining / Planter Wall | $14,000 | $18,000 |
| Lawn & Irrigation | $14,000 | $17,000 |
| Drainage | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| Landscape Lighting | $2,000 | $2,500 |
| Whole Project | $53,000 | $58,000 |
Gallery
FAQs
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in El Cajon?
It depends on wall height, site conditions, and what the wall is supporting. Many landscape planter walls are installed as non-structural features, but taller walls, surcharge loads, or walls supporting significant grade change can trigger engineering and permitting requirements. IID treats wall planning as a code-aware decision, not a guess, and will advise based on the actual conditions of your property.
How do you make sure a new patio does not push water toward the house?
The plan starts with drainage logic, not pavers. We grade and route water intentionally so it moves away from structures in a code-aligned way (CRC R401.3) and toward collection and discharge points when needed, instead of letting it “find its own way” after everything is hard and finished.
What kind of drainage was used on this project?
This project used multiple drainage components depending on location, including behind-wall drainage (3" perforated pipe with sleeve) and a solid 3" SDR35 drain run with a pop-up drain emitter to move collected water away from the main use areas.
Why use polymeric sand instead of regular joint sand?
Polymeric sand is designed to harden in the joints, which helps reduce washout and weed intrusion compared to loose sand. It also helps the paver surface feel tighter and more finished underfoot.
What does “proper sod prep” actually mean?
Sod only performs as well as what is underneath it. This project included soil demo where needed, amendments, and irrigation control so the lawn can root correctly and stay consistent, instead of struggling with uneven moisture or poor soil conditions.
What should I budget for a similar backyard renovation in East County?
Projects like this (patio + wall + lawn + drainage/irrigation/lighting) commonly fall into a broad mid-five-figure range depending on layout, access, and how much grade management is required. For this scope, a realistic planning range is $53k–$58k, with the final number driven by exact quantities and site conditions.
3-Step Plan: What to Expect When Working With Install it Direct
Design
Site walk, 2D/3D concepts, and a written price range that fits your goals.
Build
We manage permits/HOA, drainage & utilities, inspections, and daily updates to your phone.
Enjoy
Final walkthrough, care guide, warranty, and ongoing service when you need us.
About The Project Manager
Troy MacMillian
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.
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