Built-in kitchens, patio covers, decks, pergolas and fire pits that turn the backyard into the room you use most.
Design My BackyardSan Diego averages around 260 sunny days a year, and the homes that take full advantage of it treat the yard as part of the house. A well-built outdoor space has power where you need it, shade when the afternoon sun hits, a place to cook that isn't a rolling grill, and surfaces that won't crack, fade or corrode within a few seasons.
We design and build outdoor kitchens with built-in grills, counters, sinks and refrigeration; covered patios and pergolas; wood and composite decks; paver and natural-stone patios; fire pits and fireplaces; and hardscape around existing pools. Chris oversees each project personally from layout to final walkthrough.
Everything is planned as one system, so the gas line, drainage, lighting and structure are worked out before the first paver goes down rather than patched in afterward.
A backyard in Encinitas and one in Escondido face different enemies. Near the water, salt air corrodes ordinary steel, so we specify stainless appliances, hardware and fasteners. Inland, the sun bleaches and overheats surfaces, so shade, lighter pavers and decking that stays cooler underfoot matter more.
For patios we favor interlocking pavers and natural stone, which can move with the ground instead of cracking the way a poured slab does. Composite decking is our usual pick for low upkeep, though we'll build in wood when that's the look you're after.
Outdoor projects often need more permitting than people expect. In San Diego, decks more than 30 inches above grade and most covered structures require a building permit, and new gas lines and circuits for an outdoor kitchen are inspected like any other. Patios laid at ground level usually don't need one.
We handle those permits as part of the job, keep structures within setbacks, and tie patio covers properly into the house so they hold up to wind and time. Around pools, we protect the pool and its equipment while we work and plan drainage so water runs away from the new surfaces.
Most run from about $15,000 to $75,000 or more. A built-in BBQ island starts near the low end; a complete kitchen with counters, a sink, refrigeration and a cover overhead can reach the top of the range or beyond, depending on appliances and materials.
Some do. Decks higher than 30 inches off the ground and most patio covers need a building permit, while patios built at grade generally don't. We'll tell you which applies and handle the permit paperwork and inspections.
Pavers or natural stone for patios, composite boards for low-maintenance decks, and stainless steel appliances and hardware anywhere near the coast. We'll suggest specific products based on where you live and how much upkeep you're willing to do.
Usually two to eight weeks. A paver patio can take one to two weeks; a full outdoor kitchen with a pergola and hardscape typically takes six to eight.
Yes. We design decks, hardscape, outdoor kitchens, fire features and shade structures around existing pools, and keep the pool area protected throughout construction.
Outdoor kitchens and patios for coastal air in Leucadia, Cardiff and Olivenhain.
See EncinitasCovered patios and shade structures sized for inland summers.
See EscondidoReplacing weathered decks by the coast, often alongside dry rot repair.
See Del MarTell us about your yard and how you'd like to use it. Chris will visit, sketch a few options and send a written estimate.