Backyard Remodel Packages (San Diego 2026): 3 Programs + Real Cost Ranges
Updated January 2026 – San Diego County
If you’re searching for backyard remodel packages in San Diego, you probably want two things: (1) a clear “program” to choose from, and (2) a bid you can trust won’t drift into endless allowances and change orders.
This page gives you three premium backyard remodeling packages for 2026, plus the adders, specs, drainage plan logic, and bid requirements that make “apples-to-apples” comparisons possible.
Educational only (not legal advice). Permit and HOA requirements vary by jurisdiction (City of San Diego vs County vs other cities) and parcel overlays.
Most premium backyard remodels fall into $75k–$250k+ (front + back programs often $175k–$350k+).
TL;DR – Backyard Remodel Packages (San Diego 2026)
- Entertainer Core: typically $75k–$160k (patio + shade + lighting-ready + kitchen-ready backbone)
- Outdoor Room: usually $120k–$250k+ (kitchen + fire + walls/steps as needed + drainage upgrades)
- Whole-Property: often $175k–$350k+ (front + back integration, major drainage/grade, longer utilities)
Companion tools:
Quote Template ·
Bid Review ·
Spec Control ·
Hidden Costs
Costs: Backyard Remodel Packages (San Diego 2026)
Use these as planning ranges. The fastest way to get a real number is to pick the package, normalize the adders, then price it line-by-line.
(Also see: Backyard Remodel Cost (San Diego).)
| Package | Best for | Scope highlights | Typical installed range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entertainer Core | A real patio + shade, future-ready for kitchen/fire | Hardscape, shade structure, lighting-ready conduit, drainage tune-up, “kitchen-ready” allowance | $75k–$160k |
| Outdoor Room | A destination zone (kitchen + fire + lounge) | Expanded hardscape, outdoor kitchen build, fire feature, walls/steps as needed, drainage upgrades, lighting scenes | $120k–$250k+ |
| Whole-Property | Front + back cohesion, major grade/drainage, overlays | Multi-zone program, longer utility runs, major drainage/grade, front entry coordination, higher approval complexity | $175k–$350k+ |
Packages: Choose Your Backyard Remodel Program
Packages choose the scope. Spec tiers choose the materials + systems.
This is how you avoid vague bids and “or equal” downgrades after you sign.
- Patio zone (pavers or porcelain)
- Shade structure (pergola, cover, or louvered)
- Lighting-ready conduit + sleeve planning
- Drainage tune-up + defined discharge logic
- Optional: kitchen-ready utility allowance
- Expanded hardscape + circulation paths
- Outdoor kitchen build (utilities planned early)
- Fire feature + seating logic
- Walls/steps as required by grade
- Drainage upgrades + capture points
- Front + back coordination (phasing optional)
- Major drainage/grade strategy
- Utility backbone across zones
- Overlay/approval complexity handled early
- Higher finish tiers + tighter detailing
Adders: The 12 Things That Move Backyard Remodel Pricing
Most “package” pages skip this. But this is what makes one bid look “cheap” and another look “expensive.”
Normalize these adders and pricing starts making sense.
| Adder | Why it matters | How to control it |
|---|---|---|
| Drainage + discharge | Prevents ponding, staining, settlement, algae, odor, neighbor issues | Define slope intent, capture points, pipe route, and where water goes |
| Trenching distance (gas/electrical/data) | Long runs and restoration can dominate kitchen/shade scope | Include LF allowances + overage rules + restoration scope |
| Walls/steps/grade changes | Footings, drainage behind walls, access, engineering/permits | Require section details + proof photos before cover-up |
| Access + protection | Tight access increases labor + protection + haul costs | Lock staging/haul routes early; define protection/restoration |
| Finish tier (pavers/porcelain/stone) | Material + base system changes longevity and feel | Name products, thickness, install system, and edge detail |
| Approvals (HOA/overlays/ROW) | Approvals add timeline, redesign risk, and scope requirements | Identify jurisdiction + overlays early and assign responsibility |
Spec Tiers (Good/Better/Best): Keep Packages Comparable
“Packages” fail when specs are vague. These tiers make bids comparable and prevent silent substitutions.
| Category | Good | Better | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patio surface | Quality concrete pavers, clean joints, disciplined pattern | Large-format pavers, tighter geometry, premium edge restraint | Outdoor porcelain system or premium slab-look with full system spec |
| Shade | Pergola or simple cover | Louvered system with lighting-ready planning | Architectural pavilion/cover with integrated options (as desired) |
| Outdoor kitchen | Grill + storage, clean utility routing | Full kitchen layout, better finishes, clearances handled | Premium appliance suite + tight detailing and higher-end cladding |
| Lighting | Path + steps, single scene | Multiple scenes, key accents, transformer capacity planned | Layered scenes, architectural washes, precise beam control |
Drainage & Underdrains: Why Premium Packages Last
Drainage is the #1 reason backyard remodels fail early: settlement, staining, algae, and ponding. Premium packages treat drainage as a system.
- Slope intent: where water moves in a heavy storm (and where it must not go).
- Capture points: area drains, channel drains, or slot drains where ponding would occur.
- Underdrain strategy: when soils/grade require sub-surface relief.
- Defined discharge path: so you do not create neighbor conflicts.
- Proof photos before cover-up: base depth, drain routing, compaction checkpoints.
Permits, HOA, and Right-of-Way (ROW)
Approvals change scope, timeline, and documentation. We flag likely triggers early so you do not redesign mid-build.
- Structures (covers, pavilions, louvered systems)
- Gas and electrical work (kitchens, heaters, lighting circuits)
- Walls, steps, grade changes, and drainage tie-ins
- Anything that touches public frontage (ROW exposure)
Start with:
Permits & Inspections and
Driveway ROW Permits
Timeline: What Backyard Packages Take in the Real World
| Phase | Typical range | What drives duration |
|---|---|---|
| Scope lock + selections | 3–10 days | Material decisions, utility routes, layout finalization |
| Permits/HOA (if triggered) | 2–8+ weeks | Jurisdiction, overlays, plan check cycles, HOA cadence |
| Build | 2–8+ weeks | Drainage/walls/utility complexity, access, finish tier |
Timing expectations: On-Time Landscaping Guarantee
Maintenance: Keep Your Backyard Remodel Looking New
- Hardscape: periodic rinse, joint sand checks, and stain cleanup before it “sets.”
- Porcelain: keep detergents simple, avoid film-builders, and fix drainage ponding quickly.
- Drainage: keep area drains/channel drains clear of leaves and mulch.
- Lighting: label transformers/zones and keep a simple “as-built” map for future service.
Quote Checklist: What to Demand in Backyard Remodel Package Bids
If the bid does not say it, it does not exist. Use this checklist to prevent vague scope and silent substitutions.
- Scope map + quantities: SF/LF by zone, not vague descriptions.
- Drainage + discharge: capture points + where water goes in a heavy storm.
- Utilities + trenching: included LF, overage rules, restoration scope.
- Walls/steps: assumptions, drainage behind walls, geometry details.
- Materials + system: named products, thickness, base spec, edge restraint.
- Allowances + substitutions: written approval rule, no “or equal” loopholes.
- Documentation: QA photo proof before cover-up + closeout packet before final payment.
FAQs
Are backyard remodel packages a fixed price?
No. A legitimate package is a defined scope bundle with named specs and clear allowances. Final price depends on site conditions (drainage, access, grade), trenching distance, and finish tier.
What is the fastest way to control my budget?
Pick the package scope first, then lock the adders early: drainage/discharge, trenching distance, walls/steps/grade changes, and access constraints. Then choose a finish tier that matches your home.
Why do some bids look “cheap” for the same package?
Usually because scope is vague (allowances), drainage is under-scoped, trenching is excluded, or the material/system spec is not named (silent downgrade risk).
Do I need permits for shade structures, kitchens, or walls?
Sometimes. Approvals depend on jurisdiction, size/height, utilities, setbacks, and parcel overlays. A good contractor flags likely triggers early and assigns responsibility in writing.
Do you do smaller projects?
Our minimum build projects start at $15,000. On-Time Guarantee applies to $25,000+ projects.
Service Area (San Diego County)
We design-build premium outdoor living projects across San Diego County including Carmel Valley (92130), Del Mar, Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe,
Encinitas, Carlsbad, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Clairemont, Serra Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Poway, and nearby areas.