We handle the whole renovation in-house — demolition, grading and drainage corrections, hardscape, planting, irrigation and lighting — so nothing falls between trades.
What we build
- Demolition and removal of failed hardscape and lawn
- Regrading and drainage corrections
- New patios, walkways, walls and steps
- Planting, irrigation and lighting replacement
- Phased renovations built over time
- Design that works with what is worth keeping
What stays and what goes
The first site walk is largely about triage: mature trees and sound structures usually stay, failing walls and cracked slabs usually do not. Deciding that early keeps the budget pointed at the parts of the yard you actually use.
Renovations expose old problems
Most older San Diego yards were built without a real drainage plan. Once the surface comes up we fix the grade and water path first, because everything installed on top of it depends on that.
Who a backyard remodel is for
Usually a San Diego homeowner with a yard that was landscaped decades ago: cracked concrete, a lawn that costs too much to keep, spray irrigation running into the fence line, and a slope nobody uses. Outdoor remodeling starts with removing those decisions, not decorating around them.
Renovating around what already works
Mature trees, sound walls, healthy hedges and usable slabs are worth keeping when they still serve the plan. Renovation budgets stretch furthest when the money goes to the parts of the yard that change how it gets used.
Phasing a landscape renovation
We design the entire yard once, then build in stages if that suits the budget. Conduit, drainage lines and base work for later phases go in during the first stage so nothing gets torn up twice.
Read first
Before you start your backyard remodel project
Planning and cost guides from our own build experience.
Cost & Pricing
How to Budget a Full Landscape Renovation in San Diego
Budget tiers for real San Diego yards, how to phase a build without paying twice, and where money is genuinely well spent.
3 min readCost & Pricing
What Landscape Design Costs in San Diego (And What You Get)
How design fees are structured, what a complete design package should contain, and why the plan is the cheapest part of the project to change.
4 min readDesign & Planning
Landscape Design Styles That Work in San Diego
Five styles that genuinely suit San Diego architecture and climate, and the material and planting choices that make each one convincing.
3 min readServing San Diego County
We take on backyard remodel projects in La Jolla, Del Mar, Carmel Valley, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Poway, Scripps Ranch, Point Loma, Coronado, North Park, Chula Vista, El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, Escondido, San Marcos, Rancho Santa Fe, Mission Hills, Clairemont, University City and surrounding communities. See all service areas.
Licensed and insured — CSLB License #1159370
Common questions
- What is the difference between a backyard remodel and new landscaping?
- A remodel starts with demolition and correction — removing failed hardscape, fixing grade and drainage, and deciding what existing planting and structure is worth keeping. New landscaping starts from bare ground, so there is far less to undo.
- Can a backyard remodel be built in phases?
- Yes, and it often should be. We design the whole yard once, then build in stages so conduit, drainage and base work for later phases are already in the ground before the finish surfaces go down.
- Do you handle demolition and haul-off?
- Yes. Demolition, removal and disposal of old concrete, lawn, irrigation and failing walls are handled by our own crews as part of the contract.
- How long does a backyard remodel take?
- Small renovations run a few weeks. A full backyard with demolition, grading, walls, hardscape, planting, irrigation and lighting typically runs a couple of months on site, with access and permitting driving most of the variation.
- Do we need to move out during the work?
- No. Yard work is disruptive but livable — we stage material, protect access routes and keep the site closed up at the end of each day.
- Are you licensed for backyard remodel work in San Diego?
- Yes. Staples Landscaping holds California contractor license #1159370, carries liability and workers' compensation coverage, and pulls permits on any work that requires them. You can verify the license directly with the CSLB.
- Do you serve my part of San Diego County?
- We work across San Diego County — coastal, central, inland, East County and South Bay. Each area has its own soil, climate and permitting reality, which is why we publish neighborhood-level pages rather than one generic service area list.
