Lawn replacement planning tool

This tool doesn't quote a price. It shows the factors that move the number, so you walk into a quote call knowing what to ask. The water-savings estimates are based on published UC Cooperative Extension and SDCWA numbers (native plants use roughly 60-80% less water than cool-season lawn). Rebate eligibility reflects the current MWD SoCalWater$mart program rules. A pro quotes the real cost after seeing the yard.

Access to the yard, soil condition, existing irrigation, grading needs, and the specific plant palette all move the cost, and none of that is visible from a form. A flat 600 sq ft front yard with existing valves ready for drip is a different job than a sloped 1,200 sq ft lot with compacted builder clay and no existing irrigation, even though both are 'a lawn conversion.' The pros you talk to quote against the real yard, not a form.

If you're in SD County and have a live, maintained lawn, you almost certainly do. MWD SoCalWater$mart requires at least 100 sq ft of live turf removed, replacement with 3+ plant species at 40% mature-coverage density, efficient irrigation (drip or low-volume), and permeable groundcover. Dead/dirt-only lawns don't qualify, you'd need to re-establish turf first, which is rarely worth it. Call us and we'll pre-qualify the project for you.

3-5 days for a front yard (600-1,000 sq ft), 5-10 days for a full property with grading and hardscape. Rebate inspections (pre and post) add about 2-4 weeks to the overall timeline but don't slow install.

Yes, and the rebate applies to DIY projects too. The tricky parts are the pre-inspection paperwork, the plant density requirement (40% mature coverage), irrigation conversion, and proving the permeable groundcover spec to pass post-inspection. Most DIY projects succeed; they just take longer than expected.