Turf, Pavers, or Both? Planning a Backyard Remodel in French Valley
A full backyard remodel in French Valley usually mixes artificial turf for the lawn area with pavers or stamped concrete for patios and walkways. On a typical quarter-acre lot we're looking at $15,000 to $35,000 total, depending on how much turf versus hardscape the design calls for and how much grading the slope needs.
Last updated: September 2026
What Drives the Design Decision
French Valley lots tend to be bigger than what we see in San Jacinto or Hemet, and a lot of them have some grade change from the street to the back fence. We've covered the slope grading issues on a specific French Valley job before, and that same grading work usually gets folded into a full remodel instead of being its own project.
Turf makes sense for the areas that get foot traffic and don't need drainage built in for a garden bed. Pavers make sense where you want a dining or fire pit area that won't hold water after a winter storm. Natural grass rarely makes the cut anymore once a homeowner sees the water bill difference over a full summer.
Turf vs Pavers vs Natural Grass for a French Valley Remodel
| Artificial Turf | Pavers | Natural Grass | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per sq ft installed | $9 - $14 | $18 - $28 | $0.60 - $1.20 |
| Summer water need | None | None | High |
| Maintenance | Occasional rinse and brush | Occasional resealing | Weekly mowing, fertilizing |
| Lifespan | 15 - 20 years | 20+ years | Reseed every few years |
A French Valley Job We Priced This Summer
A homeowner near Leon Road wanted the back third of the yard as turf for the kids and dog, a paver patio off the slider, and a small retaining wall to hold back a slope on the property line. Base prep for the sloped section alone ran close to $4,000 because we had to bring in extra fill and compact it in stages before anything else could go in.
That job landed around $28,000 total. A flatter lot of similar size with less retaining work would have come in closer to $19,000.
How Much Does a Backyard Remodel Cost in French Valley?
Most full remodels we quote in French Valley run $15,000 to $35,000. The range is wide because turf square footage, paver square footage, and grading needs vary so much lot to lot. A remodel that's mostly turf with a small patio comes in low. One with a large paver area, a retaining wall, and a fire pit runs high.
We handle the whole scope ourselves, from grading and irrigation to turf, pavers, and retaining walls. No subcontractors moving through your yard on different days. Estimates are free, and we'll walk the lot with you before we write a number down.