Free Estimate →
Curved segmental seat wall with cap stones and small path lights bordering a herringbone-pattern concrete paver patio.

A Fire Pit, a Seat Wall, and Two HOA Boards

Project Gallery

Curved cobblestone paver path flanked by stabilized decomposed granite on both sides, running alongside a white stucco bui...

Winding ORCO Holland paver ribbon divides stabilized DG zones, part of a modern 1,444 sf outdoor-living renovation in Sabre Springs.

Brick-tone clay pavers forming an L-shaped walkway set into an exposed-aggregate concrete driveway, flanked by shrub beds.

ORCO Holland pavers define a crisp pathway transition within this modern Sabre Springs outdoor-living renovation.

Herringbone-pattern brick pavers covering a covered patio alongside a white stucco home with mountain views beyond.

1,444 sf of ORCO Holland pavers laid in a herringbone pattern anchor this modern outdoor living space in Sabre Springs, San Diego.

Wet cobble-style brick pavers on a covered patio, showing a curved border pattern between two laying directions.

1,444 sf of ORCO Holland pavers installed in a running-bond field with curved accent border on this modern Sabre Springs patio.

Get a Free Estimate →

Project Snapshot

Location Sabre Springs, San Diego (92128)
Style Modern
Timeline About 8 build days
Price Range $48k-$59k

– Pavers: ORCO Holland 4×8, 1,444 sf installed; NextGel polymeric sand (gray) for joint stabilization
– Bond beam edging: 192 units; mow strip / paver-on-edge: 134 units set in concrete
– Seat wall block: ORCO AB Country Courtyard (Dublin/York/Corner), 36 sf; AB Capstone, 27 units
– Wall footing: 12×12-inch poured concrete, 20 linear feet
– Turf: SGW Nature’s Best, 1,000 sf; SGW Envirofill (green, 16/30), 30 bags
– DG: Stabilized desert gold, 1,090 sf
– River rock: AZ river rock 3/4-in to 1-1/2-in, 193 sf
– Lighting: 15 Pro-Trade PTH1 path lights (15-in. riser, 2.5W 2700K LED, aluminum black); 3 Pro-Trade BUL1 uplights (3W 2700K, 38-degree, aluminum black); 1 Pro-Trade 150W stainless steel TR1 transformer; 1 smart socket timer; 500 lf 12/2 low-voltage wire
– Fire feature: natural gas fire pit, 18-in double-ring stainless steel burner, concrete block with stucco or stackable block finish
– Base prep per ICPI guidelines (98% Standard Proctor compaction, 1-in screeded sand bed)

– 150 linear feet of 3-inch SDR35 drainline installed with 10 plastic drain caps
– Drain routed straight down to avoid surface exposure at the outlet
– Surface graded to slope away from the foundation, with a target of a 6-inch fall in the first 10 feet from the foundation wall
– 1 drip valve with pressure regulator, up to 40 lf Schedule 40 3/4-inch PVC, and 100 lf drip line serving the landscaping perimeter

– Project required approval from two separate HOAs before site setup
– Construction began after both HOA boards cleared the plans
– A natural gas line for the fire pit typically requires a Simple MEP permit in San Diego, coordinated with applicable permit requirements

– Overall project window: approximately 4 weeks from first contact to close
– Active build: 12 calendar days on site (8 working days) from first site setup to final checks sign-off
– HOA approval process consumed roughly 10 days before ground was broken

Project Story

Overview

Drew a single-material plan to clear two HOA boards: 1,444 sf of ORCO Holland 4x8 pavers in running bond, a curved AB Country Courtyard seat wall as the only vertical move, and a natural-gas fire pit with an 18-inch double-ring burner at center. Ran 150 lf of drain line and wired 15 Pro-Trade path lights to a smart-timer transformer. Eight build days from staging to lit burner.

The Challenge

  • The backyard was mostly bare dirt and unfinished soil, making outdoor use uncomfortable and tracking mud into the house after any rain.
  • The existing paver walkway along the side of the house had multiple border units dislodged and several pavers settled or sunken, creating a trip hazard.
  • Without any evening lighting or a fire feature, the outdoor space sat unused after dark.

What Changed

1,444 square feet of ORCO Holland interlocking pavers now cover the backyard patio and side walkway where bare dirt and a failing path once stood. The finished yard adds 1,000 square feet of artificial turf, a natural gas fire pit with a curved segmental seat wall, and 18 low-voltage fixtures across the property. Drainage flow away from the foundation was field-verified before project close.
How Install It Direct Helped
The homeowner had a large, underused backyard and a failing paver walkway along the side of the house, and needed a design that would clear both HOA boards before any ground was broken. Install It Direct coordinated the dual-HOA approval process and had materials staged so site work could begin as soon as clearance came through. The crew replaced the failing walkway and bare yard with 1,444 square feet of ORCO Holland pavers, 1,000 square feet of SGW Nature's Best turf, and a natural gas fire pit anchored by a curved segmental seat wall. Now the patio runs from the covered porch out to the fire pit seating area, with path lights coming on at dusk along every edge.

Market Context

Backyard paver projects at this scope in Sabre Springs — large-format pavers, artificial turf, a gas fire pit, full drainage, and low-voltage lighting — generally land in a $45,000 to $65,000 range in the San Diego area, with the final number driven by site access, drainage complexity, and HOA review timelines.

Neighborhood Context

Sabre Springs is a family-oriented community east of I-15 in the 92128 ZIP, where lots often include covered patio structures and dual-HOA governance is common for planned communities.

Over 1,000 five-star reviews and 1,500+ San Diego homeowners served.

Before & After

Bare concrete patio with covered pergola, patio furniture, and grills behind a stucco home before renovation.
BEFORE

The existing backyard before installation of modern pavers, artificial turf, DG, and fire pit in Sabre Springs, San Diego.

Herringbone-pattern brick pavers covering a covered patio alongside a white stucco home with mountain views beyond.
AFTER

1,444 sf of ORCO Holland pavers laid in a herringbone pattern anchor this modern outdoor living space in Sabre Springs, San Diego.

Design & Build

The Plan

Project plan

  • Layout centered on a large curved paver patio wrapping from the covered porch structure outward, with a contrasting soldier-course accent band defining the perimeter

  • ORCO Holland 4×8 pavers selected for their classic brick profile and compatibility with the existing stucco exterior; NextGel polymeric sand used for joint stability

  • ORCO AB Country Courtyard segmental block built a curved freestanding seat wall encircling the fire pit zone; AB Capstone units capped the wall at a comfortable seating height

  • 150 linear feet of 3-inch SDR35 drain line with 10 drain caps routed to carry surface water away from the foundation

  • 15 Pro-Trade PTH1 path lights (15-in. riser, 2.5W 2700K LED) and 3 Pro-Trade BUL1 uplights wired to a 150W stainless steel transformer with a smart socket timer

  • 1,090 sf of stabilized desert gold DG and 193 sf of AZ river rock filled bed areas flanking the turf zone, with a drip valve system serving the planting perimeter

The Build

Pergola posts set in compacted gravel base with orange safety fencing, drain stub-outs, and trenching visible during site...
Early groundwork phase showing drain line trenching and post placement before paver and DG surface installation begins.
Build phases

Before any work began, the team submitted plans to both HOAs governing the property. Once the approvals came through, the crew staged materials at the site and the active build clock started.

The build kicked off with a skid steer clearing existing vegetation, removing the failing side walkway, and excavating the backyard to the specified subgrade depth. Trenches were cut for drain lines and edge footings.

The drain line trench was backfilled after the 3-inch SDR35 pipe was set and routed straight down to avoid surface exposure. Base aggregate was spread and compacted across the patio footprint, with screed lines and string stakes confirming grade before sand was placed.

Through the main build window, the crew set ORCO Holland 4x8 pavers across 1,444 square feet, including the side walkway run, with a curved soldier-course border throughout. The segmental seat wall went up concurrently, with footing poured for 20 linear feet and AB Country Courtyard block stacked and capped.

SGW Nature's Best turf was cut and pinned over weed cloth across 1,000 square feet, infilled with SGW Envirofill. Stabilized desert gold DG was spread across 1,090 square feet of bed areas; AZ river rock covered 193 square feet of accent zones. The drip valve system was connected.

The natural gas fire pit block was set in the seat wall enclosure and the 18-inch double-ring stainless steel burner installed. Path lights and uplights were wired back to the transformer. The superintendent completed a final drainage flow check and signed off on the close-out walk with the homeowner.

Investment

Investment breakdown

What would a similar project cost in San Diego?

Toggle components on/off to estimate your project

Pavers and Hardscape (1,444 sf installed) $14,500 – $17,500
Artificial Turf and Landscaping (1,000 sf turf, 1,090 sf DG, 193 sf river rock) $10,500 – $12,500
Drainage (150 lf drainline, 10 caps, drip system) $2,000 – $2,500
Lighting (15 path lights, 3 uplights, transformer) $1,000 – $1,500
Walls and Steps (36 sf seat wall, capstone, footing) $1,000 – $1,500
Fire Feature (natural gas fire pit, 18-in burner) $1,000 – $1,500
Demo and Site Work $2,000 – $2,500
Estimated Total

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a paver patio with artificial turf cost in Sabre Springs San Diego?

Projects similar to this one in Sabre Springs run roughly $48,000 to $59,000. This project included 1,444 sf of interlocking pavers, 1,000 sf of artificial turf, a gas fire pit, segmental seat wall, drainage, and 18 low-voltage light fixtures. Smaller patio-only scopes start lower; gas features and drainage add cost.

Does a Sabre Springs HOA allow artificial turf?

Yes. California Civil Code Section 4735 makes HOA bans on artificial turf unenforceable. The HOA may set reasonable quality and appearance standards, such as pile height or color, but cannot block installation outright. This project navigated a dual-HOA approval process and the turf was approved.

Do I need a permit for a paver patio and fire pit in San Diego?

A paver patio itself generally does not require a permit in San Diego. A natural gas fire pit typically requires a Simple MEP Permit for the gas line connection. Retaining or freestanding walls over 3 feet (measured from top of footing) require a permit under San Diego standards; the seat wall on this project was kept below that threshold.

How do I maintain a paver patio and artificial turf yard?

ORCO Holland pavers with NextGel polymeric sand require occasional rinsing and re-sanding of joints if they erode, typically every few years. The SGW Nature's Best turf needs periodic brushing to keep the blades upright and rinsing to clear debris. The Envirofill infill helps with drainage and odor. The low-voltage lighting system is automated with a smart socket timer and needs bulb checks annually.

How long does a paver patio installation take in San Diego?

The active build on this project ran 8 working days on site (about 12 calendar days). Total project time was closer to four weeks when HOA approvals are included. Straightforward backyard paver installs without HOA review often wrap in 10 to 14 calendar days depending on size and drainage scope.

What is the best artificial turf for a backyard in San Diego?

This project used SGW Nature's Best, a nylon-based product suited for high-traffic residential yards. It was infilled with SGW Envirofill, an antimicrobial acrylic-coated silica sand that helps control odors and keeps the surface cooler. For San Diego backyards with kids or pets, an infilled product like this performs better than uninfilled turf over time.

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

Patrick Diehl

Patrick Diehl

Install It Direct designs and builds paver, turf, drainage, and outdoor-living projects across San Diego. The Sabre Springs project shipped with superintendent-verified final checks and a documented drainage sign-off at close.

More Projects

More from Patrick Diehl

Transitional

Paver Patio Meets Turf Lawn in Santee, CA

Santee
Transitional

Low-Water Lawn Upgrade in El Cajon

El Cajon
Transitional

765 Square Feet of Turf, Four Days in Lakeside

Lakeside
Mediterranean

An outdoor kitchen in Carmel Valley — stone veneer, marble counter, eight appliances

San Diego
Modern

A University City Backyard Built Around Its Drainage

San Diego
Transitional

Paver Driveway & Turf Front Yard, Bonita CA

Bonita

Ready to Transform Your Outdoor Space?

Let's discuss your project and bring your vision to life.

Schedule a Free Estimate →