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Curving stabilized DG path alongside a stacked-stone retaining wall with mulch beds and a fabric grow bag of basil in the...

A University City Backyard Built Around Its Drainage

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Curving stabilized DG path winds between mulched planting beds with young trees in a residential front yard.

Coyote Gold DG paths and shredded fir mulch beds frame newly planted trees in this modern University City front yard.

Curved stabilized DG path bordered by shredded fir mulch beds with succulents, beside a stucco home with a yucca tree.

Coyote Gold DG paths and mulch planting beds take shape in this modern University City front yard transformation.

Freshly installed stabilized DG path curves past shredded fir mulch beds and young trees along a white stucco house.

Coyote Gold DG pathways wind through new mulch planting beds in this modern University City front yard transformation.

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Project Snapshot

Location University City, San Diego (92122)
Style Modern
Timeline About 6 build days
Price Range $20k-$24k

– Pavers: Belgard Avalon Slate Border Bella, 225 sf, with soldier-course border and NextGel gray polymeric sand (4 bags)
– Decomposed Granite: Coyote Gold stabilized DG, 742 sf, over weed barrier with poly board edging
– Poly board: SGW 1x4x20 ft boards (15 pieces), installed at 300 lf perimeter
– Mulch: Shredded fir (non-dyed), 2-inch depth, 861 sf
– Pergola footings: 4 concrete footings, 12×12 inches with anchor straps
– Conduit: Standard 1-inch gray PVC, 50 lf total in two runs
– Irrigation: 2 pressure-regulated drip valves with up to 40 lf Schedule 40 3/4-inch PVC each, 100 lf drip line per zone, pressure regulators, up to 15 emitters per zone
– Plants: 10 five-gallon, 5 ten-gallon; species not documented
– Base: Compacted crushed aggregate per ICPI Tech Spec 2; subgrade compacted to 98% Standard Proctor density (ASTM D 698)

– Drain pipe: 3-inch SDR35, 180 lf total (130 lf original scope plus 50 lf scope adjustment)
– Fittings: 14 straight couplers, 9 elbows (45-degree and 90-degree), 4 drain caps
– Outfall: Curb core-out at street curb and under sidewalk
– Surface grade directed away from foundation at minimum 6 inches of fall within 10 feet

Active installation ran six working days on site (Aug 25 to Sep 2). Pre-install checklist verification, re-measurement, Dig Alert confirmation, and sprinkler and drain testing were completed before the crew site setup. Scope adjustment covering the additional drain line, pergola footings, and drip irrigation was approved and finalized prior to installation start. Final inspection verified paver joints, cuts, and paver condition.

Project Story

Overview

A University City backyard went from a water-prone grass lawn to a low-maintenance outdoor space with a 225 sf paver patio, 742 sf of stabilized decomposed granite paths, 180 linear feet of drain line, and new planting beds. The project also included four concrete pergola footings, two drip irrigation zones, and fresh mulch throughout.

The Challenge

  • The grass lawn drove regular mowing, watering, and edging but returned no usable outdoor living surface — replaced here with 225 sf of Belgard Avalon Slate patio and 742 sf of stabilized Coyote Gold DG.
  • Surface water had no managed outlet, prompting 180 lf of 3-in SDR35 drain line in this scope.
  • The existing patio had no structural footing to carry a pergola, so 4 concrete pergola footings were poured before the cover could be expanded.

What Changed

The backyard replaced a high-maintenance grass lawn with 225 sf of Belgard interlocking pavers, 742 sf of stabilized DG walkways, and 861 sf of mulched planting beds. A 180 lf drain line system now carries surface water to the street, and four concrete pergola footings give the homeowner a solid base for the pergola they plan to add. The drip system runs on a timer; no one mows, waters, or edges anymore.
How Install It Direct Helped
The drain line came first: 180 lf of 3-inch SDR35 routed to a curb core-out at the street so surface water finally had an outlet. Once drainage was set, Install It Direct laid 225 sf of Belgard Avalon Slate pavers with a soldier-course border as the dining patio, set four 12x12 pergola footings with anchor straps, and ran 742 sf of stabilized Coyote Gold DG paths through the new planting beds. When the original Avalon finish was discontinued mid-build, the team walked the substitute slabs out before delivery and kept the eight-day schedule intact.

Market Context

For a University City backyard combining interlocking pavers, stabilized DG paths, a managed drainage system, and new planting zones, $20k-$24k is consistent with mid-range San Diego residential landscape installs where drainage scope and curb outfall work add meaningful cost above a basic patio job.

Neighborhood Context

This University City backyard sits in a dense residential pocket near UCSD and the UTC corridor, where lots are mid-size and outdoor living space often goes underused due to grass maintenance demands and inadequate drainage.

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Design & Build

The Plan

Project plan

  • Patio layout: 225 sf rectangular interlocking paver field using Belgard Avalon Slate Border Bella with a soldier-course perimeter, set on a compacted aggregate base and 1-inch bedding sand per ICPI standards

  • Walkways: 742 sf of stabilized Coyote Gold decomposed granite with poly board edging (300 lf) and weed barrier beneath, forming curved paths through planting areas

  • Drainage: 180 lf of 3-inch SDR35 drain line with 4 drain caps, 14 couplers, and 9 elbows; trench routed to street via curb core-out; surface grade directed away from foundation

  • Conduit: 50 lf of standard 1-inch gray conduit in two runs (38 lf + 12 lf) trenched 18 inches deep, providing utility pathway across patio and walkway areas

  • Irrigation: 2 pressure-regulated drip valves, each serving up to 100 lf of drip line with up to 15 emitters, connected to existing water source

  • Planting: 10 five-gallon and 5 ten-gallon plants installed in mulch beds; 861 sf of 2-inch shredded fir mulch applied throughout planting areas; species not documented

The Build

Excavated backyard area with crushed gravel base layer spread across the dig, orange spray paint marking patio boundaries...
Sub-base prep underway for a 225 sf Belgard Avalon Slate paver patio, with drain pipe fittings staged nearby for the 180 lf SDR35 drain line install.
Build phases

Skid-steer stripped and removed existing sod across the backyard. Demolished 36 sf of brick/clay/tile set in concrete. Approximately 663 sf of subgrade was excavated 2 inches to reach finish grade. All material hauled off site.

Trenched 18 inches deep for drain line and conduit runs. Installed 180 lf of 3-inch SDR35 pipe with couplers and elbows, terminated at 4 drain caps. Cut curb core-out at street for outfall. Pulled 50 lf of 1-inch conduit in two segments.

Spread and compacted crushed aggregate base across patio and walkway footprints. Screeded 1-inch bedding sand layer for paver field. Shaped DG base along curved walkway alignments and installed metal poly board edging.

Laid Belgard Avalon Slate Border Bella pavers across 225 sf patio with soldier-course border. Set 4 concrete pergola footings with anchor straps at 12x12 inches each. Applied 4 bags of NextGel gray polymeric sand to lock joints.

Installed weed barrier and 742 sf of stabilized Coyote Gold DG across walkway areas. Applied 861 sf of shredded fir mulch in planting beds. Planted 10 five-gallon and 5 ten-gallon plants. Connected 2 drip valve zones with pressure regulators to existing water source.

Investment

Investment breakdown

What would a similar project cost in San Diego?

Toggle components on/off to estimate your project

Pavers & Hardscape (225 sf patio + 4 pergola footings + conduit) $5,000 – $6,000
DG Walkways & Landscaping (742 sf DG, 861 sf mulch, plants, edging) $7,500 – $9,000
Drainage (180 lf SDR35 pipe, fittings, caps, curb core-out) $4,000 – $4,500
Irrigation (2 drip valve zones) $1,000 – $1,500
Demo & Site Work (sod removal, excavation, hauling, access) $4,000 – $4,500
Estimated Total

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a paver patio and DG walkway install cost in University City San Diego?

A project like this one in University City ran $20,000-$24,000, which included 225 sf of Belgard interlocking pavers, 742 sf of stabilized Coyote Gold DG paths, 180 lf of drain line with a curb core-out, two drip irrigation zones, and new planting beds. Scope, drainage complexity, and access all affect the final number.

Do I need a permit to install pavers and drainage in San Diego?

Paver patios and DG walkways at residential grade typically do not require a building permit in San Diego. Drainage work that connects to the street curb, as this project did with a curb core-out, may require city coordination. Retaining walls over 3 feet in San Diego require a permit per the city's bulletin, but no permit-required walls were part of this scope.

Can an HOA block artificial turf or DG in University City?

Under California Civil Code Section 4735, HOAs cannot prohibit synthetic turf outright, though they may impose appearance standards. Stabilized DG is generally permitted. If you live in a University City community with an HOA, confirm any color or finish requirements before choosing materials. This project did not involve an HOA restriction.

What drainage solution works for a San Diego backyard that holds water after rain?

This project used 180 lf of 3-inch SDR35 drain pipe routed to a street curb core-out, which carries surface runoff off the property entirely. For most San Diego backyards, a properly sloped drain line sized to the yard area is more reliable than a dry well or French drain when you need water gone fast. The surface grade was also set to slope away from the house at roughly 6 inches per 10 feet.

Does stabilized decomposed granite need much maintenance?

Stabilized DG holds together well under foot traffic and San Diego weather, requiring far less upkeep than a grass lawn. Occasional raking and a light top-dress every year or two keeps the surface looking fresh. The weed barrier installed beneath this 742 sf area limits weed growth and reduces how often you need to pull or spray.

How long does a backyard paver and DG installation take in San Diego?

Active installation on this University City project ran six working days on site, from Aug 25 to Sep 2. Pre-install prep, including re-measurement, Dig Alert confirmation, and drain testing, was completed the week before crews arrived. Scope changes, such as extra drain line or irrigation, are best finalized before site setup to keep the build schedule tight.

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 handled every phase of this University City project in-house, from demolition and drain line routing to paver installation and drip irrigation tie-in. Patrick walked the site three weeks before the crew arrived, verified the drain run with Dig Alert, and confirmed the Belgard delivery. When the original Avalon finish came back discontinued, he had the substitute on the way before the paver crew left base — eight working days from skid-steer day to final inspection.

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