Best Artificial Turf Contractors in San Diego (2026): How to Choose + Base/Drainage Checklist
Updated January 2026 – San Diego County
- Base + compaction: defined excavation depth, aggregate base thickness, and compaction approach.
- Drainage plan: surface slope + targeted drains where needed + a defined discharge approach.
- House protection: doesn’t raise grade against stucco/weep screed or the foundation.
- Seams & edges: clean seam method, strong perimeter restraint, and crisp transitions at hardscape.
- Proof: photos of excavation, base depth, drains, and seams before everything is finished.
TL;DR — The 60-Second Turf Contractor Test
- Ask: “How deep do you excavate and what base thickness do you install?”
- Ask: “How do you prevent ponding and where does water go?”
- Ask: “How do you keep grade below the weep screed / away from the foundation?”
- Ask: “How do you do seams and edges (and how do you prevent edge curl)?”
- Ask: “What gets photo documented before it’s covered?”
Cost Reality Check (San Diego)
The fastest way to spot a risky turf bid is to compare it to realistic installed ranges and then check whether base/drainage/seams were quietly cut to hit a low price.
San Diego Code & Compliance: What Turf Installers Must Not Ignore
Artificial turf itself is often treated as a landscaping scope, but grade changes, drainage discharge, and stormwater pollution prevention are where homeowners get into trouble. Here are the practical compliance items to understand before hiring anyone:
- Do not raise grade against stucco. Maintain weep screed clearance (commonly 4″ above earth or 2″ above paving) and don’t bury the home’s drainage plane.
- Maintain positive drainage away from structures. County final inspection guidance references ~1% slope for 5 feet away from exterior and minimum clearances between grade and building elements.
- Control “dirty water” during construction. City stormwater guidance requires construction BMPs (even small sites should prevent sediment from entering storm drains).
- Don’t create neighbor discharge problems. “Where does water go?” must be answered clearly; discharging toward neighbors is a common dispute trigger.
- If grading or ROW work is involved, permits may apply. Large grading, public frontage tie-ins, and other scope can trigger grading/ROW permits—verify early by jurisdiction.
For the deeper, San Diego-specific drainage and stormwater framework, see:
Yard Drainage & Stormwater (San Diego).
What “Best” Means for Artificial Turf Contractors
The best turf contractors build a turf system like a hardscape system: correct subgrade prep, correct base, correct drainage, clean seams, and clean documentation. Use the table below to compare contractors objectively.
| Category | What a Top Contractor Provides | How You Verify |
|---|---|---|
| CSLB + insurance | Active license, real COIs (liability + workers’ comp) | CSLB Verification · COI Guide |
| Base + compaction | Defined excavation depth, base thickness, and compaction approach | Written spec + photos of depth checks |
| Drainage | Slope plan + drains where needed + defined discharge | Ask where water goes + see plan |
| Seams & edges | Seam method, edge restraint, crisp transitions to hardscape | Close-up seam photos + edge detail |
| Pet performance | Infill + drainage approach designed for odor control and wash-down | Ask exactly what makes it “pet-ready” |
| Documentation | QA photos before cover-up + closeout record | QA & Documentation · Closeout Package |
Specs Checklist: What Should Be Defined in Writing
- Excavation depth and what is removed (soil/sod/rock)
- Base type and thickness (aggregate + leveling layer, if used)
- Compaction approach (in lifts; compaction expectations)
- Slope plan and low-spot strategy
- Weed barrier / separation fabric (if used) and why
- Seam method (tape/glue), seam orientation, and reinforcement
- Edge restraint method (nailer, bender board, concrete mow strip, etc.)
- Infill type and rate (pet vs family vs cooling goals)
- Transitions to hardscape, planters, and the house (weep screed clearance)
- Warranty terms + what voids warranty (pets, heat, chemicals, etc.)
For substitutions control (so specs don’t quietly downgrade), see:
Spec Control & Substitutions.
Drainage & Discharge: The Turf Version of “Where Does the Water Go?”
Turf is permeable, but the yard still needs a real drainage plan. The best contractors will:
- Set a consistent slope so water does not pond on the surface
- Use targeted drains in low spots (especially pet yards and shaded areas)
- Coordinate roof runoff/downspouts so water isn’t dumped into the turf edge
- Define where water exits the system (discharge plan)
Deep dive: Yard Drainage & Stormwater.
Quote Checklist (Turf Bid Must-Haves)
Use this to force apples-to-apples bids:
- SF of turf + waste factor
- Demo/export and any export limits
- Excavation depth and subgrade prep
- Base thickness/material and compaction approach
- Drainage adders (drains, pipe, discharge)
- Edge restraint detail and transitions
- Seam method and seam warranty
- Infill type and amount (pet/odor/cooling)
- Cleanup and final grooming
- QA photo documentation before cover-up
Use the universal template and add the turf specifics above:
San Diego Outdoor Living Quote Template.
QA Photo Proof: 12 Photos You Should Have
- Before demo (wide shots)
- After demo / rough grade
- Excavation depth check
- Base thickness check #1
- Base thickness check #2 (low spot)
- Compaction in progress
- Drain lines (if any) before backfill
- Edge restraint detail
- Seam close-up (pre-infill)
- Infill type shown + spread
- Final grooming (wide)
- Final details (edges, transitions, drains)
Full standard: QA & Documentation.
Red Flags That Predict Turf Failure (Odor, Wrinkles, Ponding)
- No written excavation/base/compaction specs
- No discussion of weep screed / foundation clearance
- “French drain fixes everything” with no discharge plan
- Seams not described or “we’ll make it disappear” with no method
- Edge restraint is vague (“we’ll stake it”) near hardscape
- Very low price with missing base/drainage/export scope
- No photos before cover-up
FAQs
Do I need a permit for artificial turf in San Diego?
Often turf is treated as landscaping, but grading, discharge, public frontage work, and special overlays can change the requirements. If your project includes significant grading, drainage tie-ins, or ROW work, verify with your jurisdiction early.
Why does artificial turf smell in pet yards?
Odor issues usually come from poor drainage, poor base prep, and the wrong system for pet use. “Pet-ready” should mean a defined odor-control and wash-down plan, not just a marketing label.
What should I receive at the end of the project?
A closeout packet: photos of buried work, base/drainage notes, warranty info, and a basic as-built for drains if installed. See: Closeout Package.
Educational only. Always confirm jurisdiction and parcel-specific requirements (City vs County, HOA/DRB rules, and any grading/ROW/stormwater constraints). For legal advice, consult a California construction attorney.