Case study

Paver Terrace, Pet Turf Dog Run and DG Courtyard in Los Altos Hills

Los Altos Hills hillside backyard rebuilt around three uses: a Belgard paver terrace and walkway, a fenced pet-turf dog run, and a stabilized decomposed-granite courtyard, finished with low-voltage lighting and drought-tolerant planting.

Location: Los Altos Hills
Completed: June 2026
Project size: 1816
Investment: $98,100–$115,200

Full project details

Timeline: Crew on site April 20 to substantial completion June 1, 2026 (31 active build days). One approved change order during the build; a rain day on May 28 cost part of a day. Final walk and completion certificate June 10.

The challenge

A hillside Los Altos Hills property had outgrown its lawn. The long strip between the clipped hedges was worn turf on compacted soil, thirsty in summer and muddy in winter, crossed by a narrow stone path that could not handle daily traffic. The family needed a dedicated dog run that would survive real use, gophers included, a usable route from the back door to the pool and fire pit, and surfaces that stay clean year-round without the water bill.

Our approach

Sequoia Outdoor replaced the lawn with three purpose-built zones. A 740 sq ft Belgard Catalina Grana terrace and walkway, laid in premium colors over compacted base with G2 polymeric joint sand, now runs from new paver steps at the back door to a circular terrace and on toward the pool. The dog run got 370 sq ft of pet-rated synthetic turf over gopher mesh with Envirofill infill, ringed by 670 sq ft of stabilized decomposed granite, steel edging and a 6 ft hog-wire fence with gate. Planting beds were rebuilt with 90 new plants, drip irrigation reusing three existing valves, 1,000 sq ft of fresh mulch, and a pea-gravel garden under the hedge line. Fifteen low-voltage fixtures on a WiFi-controlled 150W transformer light the steps, walkway and terrace.

The outcome

The finished project delivered 740 sq ft of Belgard paving with 60 ln ft of Melville step treads, a fenced pet-turf dog run over gopher mesh, 670 sq ft of stabilized decomposed granite, 215 ln ft of steel edging, rebuilt planting beds with 90 new plants on drip, and 15 low-voltage lights on a WiFi transformer. Crew hit the site April 20 and reached substantial completion June 1, 2026: 31 active build days, with the completion certificate signed June 10.

Build highlights

Lawn removed and the terrace layout painted out on graded soil

Demo and layout

The worn lawn came out and the terrace, walkway and dog run were painted out full-size on the graded soil, so the family could walk the plan before a single paver was set.

Compacted class II base for the paver field, screeded and ready

Base preparation

Class II base compacted in lifts under every paved surface. On a hillside lot the base, not the pavers, decides whether the terrace is still flat in ten years.

Belgard Catalina Grana pavers going down across the new terrace

Belgard Catalina paving

740 sq ft of Catalina Grana Large 3-Piece 60mm pavers in premium colors, laid from the house toward the circular terrace and locked with G2 polymeric joint sand.

New paver steps taking shape at the back door with the walkway layout marked

Paver steps at the back door

The old back steps were rebuilt with paver landings and 60 ln ft of Belgard Melville wall-cap treads, tying the porch directly into the new walkway.

Stabilized decomposed granite

670 sq ft of stabilized DG installed against river-cobble borders: a firm, permeable surface that frames the turf and drains straight through.

Crew fitting pet-rated synthetic turf over gopher mesh in the dog run

Pet turf over gopher mesh

370 sq ft of SiteOne Pro-Trade Pet Light turf with Envirofill infill, laid over gopher mesh across 450 sq ft so nothing tunnels up through the run.

Container plants set out along the finished walkway with path lights already wired

Planting and lighting

90 drought-tolerant plants set out on drip irrigation, beds mulched, and 15 low-voltage fixtures wired to a 150W WiFi-controlled transformer.

Before and after

Before — worn lawn and a narrow stone path running toward the house in Los Altos Hills — The main strip toward the house: worn lawn and a narrow stone path became a Belgard paver walkway and circular terrace with new steps and planted borders.

After — Belgard Catalina paver walkway and circular terrace with new steps and planted borders — The main strip toward the house: worn lawn and a narrow stone path became a Belgard paver walkway and circular terrace with new steps and planted borders.

Before — worn lawn running between the tall hedge and the pool bed, looking toward the house in Los Altos Hills — The pool-side strip, same hedge and palm in both photos: patchy lawn became the Belgard paver terrace, with the fire-pit corner and DG path beyond.

After — The paver terrace running toward the pool between the clipped hedges — The pool-side strip, same hedge and palm in both photos: patchy lawn became the Belgard paver terrace, with the fire-pit corner and DG path beyond.

Before — thin lawn inside the river-cobble border under the hedge line, with the path light that stayed — The back garden, same path light and cobble border: thin lawn under the hedge line became a raked pea-gravel garden.

After — raked pea-gravel garden edged in river cobbles under the mature hedge line — The back garden, same path light and cobble border: thin lawn under the hedge line became a raked pea-gravel garden.

Project gallery

Kidney-shaped pet turf set in decomposed granite with the hills beyond — The pet-turf dog run set in decomposed granite, with the hills beyond the new fence.

The finished dog run under the twin palms: pet turf ringed by stabilized DG — The finished run under the twin palms: turf, DG apron and steel edging.

Grasses and perennials planted along the paver walkway and circle terrace — Grasses and perennials planted along the walkway and circle terrace.

Morning light on the new steps, walkway and planted slope at the back of the house — Morning light on the new steps, walkway and planted slope.

New hog-wire fence and gate closing the dog run, with fresh mulch beds — The 6 ft hog-wire fence and gate that close the dog run.

Morning light on the pet-turf dog run and decomposed-granite apron — Morning light on the pet-turf run and its decomposed-granite apron.

Belgard Melville step treads and paver landings climbing to the covered porch — Melville step treads and paver landings climbing to the covered porch.

The rebuilt back steps and walkway meeting the covered porch — The rebuilt back steps meeting the covered porch.

The pet-turf oval and DG path running toward the new gate under the palms — The turf oval and DG path running toward the gate under the palms.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a backyard project like this cost in Los Altos Hills?

This project ran between $95,000 and $107,000 as built: a signed base contract plus one approved change order, covering the paver terrace and steps, the fenced pet-turf dog run, stabilized decomposed granite, pea-gravel gardens, planting, irrigation and lighting. Figures reflect our 2026 price book and the original signed contract, rounded for client privacy. Our project minimum is $25,000. See how this project compares across everything we have published on the Bay Area landscaping cost index.

What exactly was installed?

740 sq ft of Belgard Catalina Grana pavers plus 36 sq ft of steps with 60 ln ft of Melville treads, 370 sq ft of SiteOne pet-rated synthetic turf with Envirofill infill over gopher mesh, 670 sq ft of stabilized decomposed granite, 215 ln ft of steel edging, a 6 ft hog-wire fence with gate, 450 sq ft of Dymondia at the pool, 1,000 sq ft of mulch over 1,500 sq ft of prepped beds, 90 new plants on drip irrigation reusing three existing valves, and 15 low-voltage lights on a 150W WiFi-controlled transformer.

How long did it take?

Crew arrived April 20, 2026 and reached substantial completion June 1: 31 active build days, including one approved change order and a partial rain day on May 28. The final walkthrough and completion certificate followed on June 10.

Why decomposed granite instead of more lawn?

Stabilized DG stays firm underfoot, drains straight through, needs no mowing or irrigation, and stands up to dogs. On this hillside lot it also let us keep the ground permeable around the mature hedges instead of sealing it under concrete.

Is the turf actually safe for dogs?

Yes. It is a pet-rated product with a permeable backing, infilled with Envirofill, and the entire run is laid over gopher mesh so nothing tunnels up through it. The hog-wire fence and gate keep the run enclosed without blocking the view.

Did the yard need a permit?

This scope, flatwork, turf, planting, low-voltage lighting and a garden fence under height limits, did not require a building permit. Work that adds retaining walls over 4 ft, gas, or covered structures in Los Altos Hills does, and we handle that process when a design calls for it.

Who managed the project?

A dedicated Sequoia project manager ran the build day to day, posted photo updates through the project channel from the first day of demo to the final walkthrough, and closed out the job with a signed completion certificate.

Project location

Approximate neighborhood near Los Altos Hills. The pin is displaced by approximately 150 metres to protect client privacy.