Vallejo, CA · Solano County
Complete backyard transformation in Vallejo — pavers, sod, rock and irrigation
The backyard was dry lawn, patchy shrubs and an aging slab that nobody used. We cleared it, corrected the grade, installed a paver patio and walkway, set decorative rock, ran a new irrigation system and finished with fresh sod.
Verified Yelp review from the homeowner · June 14, 2025
The finished yard
A quick walkthrough of the finished backyard, filmed by the homeowner.
What the yard looked like
Most of the space was unusable. The lawn had thinned out to bare soil in places, the border shrubs had grown past the fence line, and the old slab at the back was cracked and stained. There was no working irrigation, so anything planted would have dried out again by mid-summer.
How we rebuilt it
We cleared the yard, hauled everything off and cut the subgrade to the right depth before any surface material went down. The patio and walkway sit on a compacted aggregate base with proper edge restraint, so the pavers stay tight instead of spreading at the borders. Grade was set to move water away from the house and off the paved area, and irrigation lines went in before the sod so the zones match how the space is actually used.
Why the prep matters
Pavers and sod both fail for the same reason — what is underneath them. A shallow or poorly compacted base lets pavers settle unevenly within a couple of seasons, and sod laid over compacted clay never roots properly. Getting excavation, compaction and grade right is the part of the job that decides how the yard looks in five years.
What the homeowner said
“Had a great experience with Golden Hills Landscape. They installed pavers, irrigation, rocks, and sod in my backyard and did a fantastic job. Super professional, great prep work, and everything was done in a timely manner. Pricing was very fair. The yard looks amazing--would definitely use them again and highly recommend.”
Services used on this project
Patios & Walkways
Outdoor space you actually use, laid flat, drained and finished with clean edges.
Irrigation Systems
Water the plants, not the sidewalk — with zones that match how your yard is planted.
Drainage & Grading
Move water away from the house before it turns into a bigger problem.
Paver Driveways
A driveway that handles daily vehicle weight and still looks sharp in ten years.
Questions about a project like this
- How long does a backyard like this take?
- A full backyard with demolition, pavers, irrigation and sod usually runs one to two weeks of on-site work, depending on access, the size of the area and how much material has to be hauled off.
- Can pavers, irrigation and sod be done in one project?
- Yes, and it is usually the better way to do it. Irrigation lines and grading have to be set before the sod and the paved areas go in, so doing them in one sequence avoids cutting into finished work later.
- Do you have to remove the existing lawn?
- In most cases yes. Laying sod over old turf or compacted soil is why so many new lawns thin out. We strip it, correct the grade and prepare the soil first.
- Do you work in Vallejo and nearby Solano County?
- Our main service area is Contra Costa and Alameda counties, and we take projects in Vallejo and nearby Solano County communities as well. Call and ask about your address.
Ready to Improve Your Outdoor Space?
Whether you’re planning a new driveway, patio, walkway, retaining wall, drainage system or complete outdoor renovation, Golden Hills can help you understand the right next step.