Hardscape & Outdoor Living · San Bernardino County
Hardscape in San Bernardino County: paver patios, driveways, retaining walls and fire pits on a compacted base with drainage planned in. Licensed design-build.
Tell us about the house. A project manager will call to set up a walk-through.
Prefer to talk? Call (714) 449-9035
Most of the San Bernardino County homes we work on sit in the valley cities along the base of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains. That location brings sloped lots near the foothills, strong seasonal winds, and long hot summers. North of the valley floor, many neighborhoods fall in CAL FIRE fire hazard severity zones, and wind-driven embers are the main threat, so hardscape in the first five feet around the house and block walls in place of wood fencing where it meets the home are practical choices, not only design ones.
On sloped lots, retaining walls take the most planning. Height is measured from the bottom of the footing, and a wall that holds back a slope or a driveway loses the usual exemption and needs engineering. Heat shapes the patio: lighter surfaces, shade from a patio cover and gas fire features instead of wood are common choices here. Housing ranges from older valley neighborhoods with original slabs and walks to newer tracts with HOA review, and we plan the permits and approvals for each before demolition starts.
Horizon works in San Bernardino County as a licensed Class B general building contractor, with more than 18 years building in Southern California and more than 1,500 completed projects. Foothill lots here call for walls with proper footings and sub-drains, and fire-zone lots call for noncombustible hardscape near the house. Our design-build team handles drawings, engineering coordination, permits and construction under one contract, with one project manager. We’re NARI and NKBA members and A+ rated with the BBB. Call (714) 449-9035 to schedule a site visit and a look at your grade.
Each city page covers who issues the permit there, what the local housing stock looks like and what that means for your project.
A patio laid at grade usually doesn’t need a building permit by itself. Retaining walls over 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing, or any wall supporting a surcharge such as a slope or driveway, generally do, and some cities set lower limits near slopes. Gas lines, lighting circuits and driveway work in the right-of-way need their own permits. We confirm the rules with your city.
Both last when the base is built right. Pavers flex with small ground movement and can be lifted for repairs, which helps on clay soil. Concrete is one continuous slab that’s easy to clean, but it cracks, so control joints matter. Stamped and colored concrete need periodic resealing. We recommend a surface based on use, soil and how much upkeep you want.
It can. CAL FIRE’s defensible space guidance calls the first five feet around a home the most important zone and recommends gravel, pavers or concrete there instead of bark or mulch. It also recommends replacing combustible fencing and gates attached to the house. We plan that band around the home as part of the layout.
Yes. Many HOAs review driveways, front walks, walls and visible patio covers. We prepare the drawings, material samples and site plan the architectural committee asks for, submit them with you and build their review time into the schedule so construction doesn’t start before approval. If the committee asks for changes, we revise the drawings and resubmit.
Planning hardscape and outdoor living in San Bernardino County? Schedule a consultation or call (714) 449-9035.
Horizon Construction & Remodeling, Class B General Building Contractor.
