Pergola, Pool Deck and Stone Fireplace in Torrey Del Mar

Projects of this scope in the Torrey Del Mar area of 92130 tend to range from $100,000 to $115,000 when they include a large paver field (in this case approximately 1,600 combined square feet of Angelus and Belgard Mega Arbel pavers), a stone-veneer fireplace, a 12-foot BBQ island, an enlarged pergola, and landscape lighting. The biggest cost drivers are paver square footage, the complexity of the fire feature and gas line run, and whether site prep involves saw-cutting existing concrete and removing root intrusions from neighboring trees, all of which applied here.

Yes. Installing a new gas line for an outdoor fireplace or fire feature in San Diego requires a Simple (No-Plan) MEP permit under California Plumbing Code Chapter 12 and City of San Diego requirements. The line must be buried at the proper depth with tracer tape, and a pressure test inspection is required before backfilling the trench. A licensed contractor with the appropriate gas piping license must perform the work. This project included a 50-linear-foot 3/4-inch gas line with two sweeps and two connections to serve both the fireplace and the BBQ island. Verify current requirements with a licensed contractor or attorney.

The main patio field uses Angelus Courtyard Combo pavers and the extension areas use Belgard Mega Arbel Patio Slab (60mm, pedestrian-rated). Both surfaces were sealed at completion with a Techniseal joint-stabilizing sealant in a natural-look semi-gloss finish. Maintenance is straightforward: rinse with a garden hose periodically, avoid pressure washing at high angles directly over joints, and plan on resealing every 3 to 5 years depending on sun exposure and traffic. Joint-stabilizing sealants harden the polymeric sand in the joints, which reduces weeds and ant activity over time.

It depends on the site. In this Torrey Del Mar project, the existing wooden pergola was already in place but undersized, so the team enlarged and reinforced the structure instead of replacing it from scratch, which kept that portion of the budget more contained. The BBQ island and fireplace were built as part of the broader hardscape renovation, which made sense because the concrete was being ripped out anyway for paver installation. If your patio surface is already in good condition, a targeted outdoor kitchen and pergola addition is often feasible without touching the rest of the yard. A site visit is the best way to assess what's practical.

Low-voltage landscape lighting systems operate at 12 volts DC, well below household current. They require a listed transformer (in this project a 300-watt stainless steel unit), and all components must be UL-listed. Wet-location fixtures like the 30 aluminum bronze up-lights installed here are specifically rated for outdoor and poolside use. The low operating voltage makes them safe to work around even in damp conditions, and they draw far less energy than line-voltage fixtures. The 2700K color temperature used here produces a warm amber light that flatters stone, wood, and plantings without the harshness of cooler fixtures.

This project ran approximately 6 weeks from first demo day through project closeout. That timeline included demolition and site prep, grading and base compaction, paver installation and sealing, fireplace and BBQ construction, gas line trenching, pergola modification, lighting installation, drip irrigation, and planting. Larger or more complex backyards can run longer, particularly when concrete saw-cutting, unexpected utility upgrades, or tree root removal add scope mid-construction.