New Landscape Construction in San Diego
Building Landscapes From Scratch
New construction is where everything comes together. It is the full scope of what Arcadian does -- design, grading, drainage, hardscape, softscape, irrigation, and lighting -- executed as one coordinated project. No patchwork. No calling three different contractors and hoping they communicate. One team, one plan, one point of contact.
Evan Weisman has managed new landscape construction across San Diego and North County for over a decade. He has built on flat coastal lots in Cardiff and Solana Beach, steep hillside properties in La Jolla and Del Mar, and sprawling estates in Rancho Santa Fe. Every project starts with the same question: how do you want to live outside?
From that answer, we build backward -- engineering the infrastructure, selecting the materials, and choosing the plants that will turn raw dirt into an outdoor space that works for your family, your climate, and your property for years to come.
What Goes Into New Construction
A complete landscape build involves layers of work that most homeowners never see. Here is what happens between the first shovel and the final walkthrough.
Site Clearing & Demolition
The first phase removes whatever is there now -- old concrete, dead turf, overgrown vegetation, broken irrigation, and debris. We assess what is worth saving (mature trees, healthy hardscape, usable soil) and clear everything else. On new home builds, this phase often involves coordinating with the general contractor to access the site at the right time in the construction sequence.
Grading & Drainage Engineering
Before anything gets built, the ground has to be right. We grade the site to establish proper slope for water runoff, install French drains and catch basins in low spots, and create level pads for patios, walkways, and structures. San Diego's clay soils hold water and expand, which means poor drainage leads to cracked hardscape and soggy planting beds. We solve that problem before it starts.
Hardscape Construction
Retaining walls, patios, walkways, steps, driveways, and any built structures go in next. These are the bones of the landscape -- the permanent elements that define spaces, manage elevation changes, and create the framework for everything that follows. We work with natural stone, concrete pavers, flagstone, and engineered block depending on the design and budget.
Irrigation & Electrical
Irrigation mains, valve boxes, drip lines, and sprinkler heads are installed according to the hydrozone plan. We run low-voltage electrical for landscape lighting at the same time, trenching conduit alongside irrigation lines to minimize disruption. Smart controllers with weather-based adjustment are standard on every new build -- they save water and keep plants healthy without manual intervention.
Softscape & Planting
Trees, shrubs, ground covers, perennials, and ornamental grasses go in once the hardscape and irrigation are complete. Evan selects every plant based on the specific conditions of your property -- sun exposure, soil type, wind, and proximity to the coast. Mulch, soil amendments, and initial fertilization complete the planting phase. The goal is a landscape that fills in naturally over 12 to 18 months and requires less maintenance each year as it matures.
New Construction Services
Every new build is different. Here are the core services we deliver as part of a complete landscape construction project.
Complete Builds
A complete build means Arcadian handles everything from the first design meeting to the final walkthrough. We manage the full scope -- clearing, grading, drainage, hardscape, irrigation, planting, lighting, and cleanup. You deal with one company, one contract, and one person who is accountable for the result.
Complete builds are ideal for new homes, properties being fully renovated, or homeowners who want a cohesive landscape that works as a unified system rather than a collection of separate projects done by different contractors at different times.
Grading & Drainage
Proper grading is the foundation of every successful landscape. We reshape the terrain to direct water away from structures, create level areas for patios and outdoor rooms, and establish the grades that walkways and plantings need to function properly.
Drainage solutions include French drains, channel drains, catch basins, dry creek beds, and subsurface systems that move water efficiently without visible infrastructure. On hillside properties common in La Jolla, Del Mar, and Encinitas, we engineer terraced drainage systems that prevent erosion while creating usable planting areas on slopes.
Hardscape Foundation
The hardscape is the structural framework of your landscape. Retaining walls hold back slopes and create level terraces. Patios define outdoor living spaces. Walkways connect the house to the garden, the driveway to the front door, the patio to the fire pit. Steps manage elevation changes safely and elegantly.
We build with materials that suit San Diego's climate and your design aesthetic -- natural stone for a timeless look, concrete pavers for durability and pattern flexibility, or poured concrete with exposed aggregate for a clean modern finish. Every hardscape element is built on a properly compacted base with appropriate drainage underneath.
Softscape & Planting
Softscape is what brings a landscape to life. Trees provide shade and vertical structure. Shrubs create privacy screens, garden borders, and foundation plantings. Ground covers fill spaces between stepping stones and stabilize slopes. Perennials and ornamental grasses add seasonal color and movement.
Evan selects every plant based on your property's conditions and your lifestyle. Low-maintenance homeowners get drought-tolerant natives that thrive on minimal water. Families with kids get shade trees and soft ground covers. Gardeners get organized planting beds with room to add seasonal flowers. The planting plan is always tailored to the person who will be living with it.
Working With Homebuilders
Early Integration Saves Money
The best time to bring in a landscape contractor is before the house is finished. When Evan joins a new home build during the framing or rough grading phase, he can coordinate with the general contractor to install irrigation mains, drainage infrastructure, and electrical conduit while the ground is already open. This prevents having to trench through finished hardscape or tear up new concrete later -- work that costs thousands of dollars and delays the project.
Project Management
On new construction sites, timing is everything. Landscape work needs to happen in the right sequence relative to the building trades. We coordinate with framers, plumbers, electricians, stucco crews, and painters to make sure our work does not interfere with theirs. Evan manages this scheduling personally and keeps the general contractor informed at every stage. The result is a smooth build where the landscape is ready when the house is.
Custom Homes and Estates
For custom homes in Rancho Santa Fe, La Jolla, Del Mar, and Carmel Valley, the landscape is often as important as the architecture. These projects involve extensive outdoor living areas -- multiple patios, outdoor kitchens, water features, fire elements, and lighting systems that turn the yard into a true extension of the home. Evan has built landscapes for custom homes ranging from 5,000 to 30,000+ square feet of outdoor space, and he understands the level of detail and craftsmanship these projects demand.
New Construction Gallery
Ground-up landscape builds across San Diego and North County.
New Construction FAQ
Timeline depends on project size and complexity. A straightforward backyard build with patio, planting, and irrigation typically takes 3 to 6 weeks. Full property builds with retaining walls, grading, multiple outdoor rooms, and lighting can run 8 to 16 weeks. We provide a detailed project schedule before breaking ground so you know what to expect each week.
Yes. We coordinate with general contractors, builders, and architects on new construction projects throughout San Diego County. Evan joins the process early -- during framing or rough grading -- so landscape infrastructure like drainage, irrigation mains, and electrical conduit can be installed before hardscape and finish work begins. This prevents costly rework later.
New landscape construction budgets vary widely based on property size, materials, and scope. A focused backyard project with patio, planting, and irrigation might start around $25,000 to $50,000. Full property builds for larger homes in La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe, or Del Mar typically range from $75,000 to $250,000+. We provide itemized estimates so you see exactly where every dollar goes.
Drainage is one of the first things we address on any new build. San Diego's clay soils and seasonal rain events can cause serious erosion and foundation issues if water is not managed properly. We grade the site to direct runoff away from structures, install French drains and catch basins in low spots, and use permeable hardscape materials to reduce surface water. Every project includes a drainage plan.
Evan Weisman manages every project personally. He is on site regularly, coordinates subcontractors and material deliveries, and serves as your single point of contact from start to finish. You will not be handed off to a project manager you have never met. Evan designed the project and he oversees the build to make sure the finished landscape matches the plan.
Related Services
Landscape Design
Every new build starts with a design. See how Evan creates comprehensive plans for properties of every size.
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Hardscape
Retaining walls, walkways, patios, and stone work -- the structural backbone of every new build.
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Irrigation
Smart irrigation systems designed for San Diego's climate. Hydrozones, drip lines, and weather-based controllers.
Learn MoreGet Your Free Estimate
Planning a new landscape from scratch? Whether you are building a new home or transforming an existing property, we will walk the site, discuss your vision, and provide a detailed estimate. No pressure, no obligation.