Backyard Remodeling in Big Bear Lake
Backyard remodeling in Big Bear Lake typically begins with a single problem: a crumbling slab, an outdoor cooking area that never existed, a patio cover the previous owner never got around to building, or drainage that was never engineered in the first place. Because much of the housing stock dates from the 1920s through the 1960s, with a median build year near 1977, the age of a property tends to show up behind the house first, in old concrete, mature root systems, and grading that nobody planned. We work throughout The Village, Boulder Bay, Moonridge, and Fox Farm on projects that range from a complete design-build yard to a targeted tear-out and rebuild, all drawn as one scope and coordinated by a single licensed team.
Services We Offer
Covers & Outdoor Kitchens
Drainage & Landscape
Yard Tear-Out & Rebuild
Our Backyard Remodeling Process in Big Bear Lake
Backyard remodeling in Big Bear Lake follows a different sequence than work at lower elevations, because the soil conditions, frost depth and snow load requirements shape every decision before a single board goes up. We begin with a site visit to read the slope, note how water moves across the lot, and locate existing utilities. On older cabins, many built between the 1920s and 1960s, we also look for structures that may never have carried a permit, since unpermitted work has to be resolved before new construction can proceed through the City of Big Bear Lake Building and Safety Division.
After the site visit we survey the lot, confirm setbacks and easements, and draw the full yard plan covering decking, cover structures, outdoor kitchen, grades and drains. Because the Mountain Region standard sets an 18-inch frost depth for foundation design, underground work for footings and utility runs requires careful sequencing and inspection at each stage before anything is covered. Structures and surfaces follow, then lighting, equipment start-up, final inspections and a walk-through with you.
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Pulling permits for backyard work in Big Bear Lake is not optional for most projects. Pools and spas require them without exception, and so do patio covers, California rooms, new gas lines running to a grill, fire pit or pool heater, new electrical circuits, and retaining walls or grading that exceeds local thresholds. All of that permit work moves through the City of Big Bear Lake Building and Safety Division. If the property sits within a homeowners association, the architectural review committee typically has to sign off on pools, covers, walls and visible landscaping before the city even sees the drawings, so we build that review into the schedule from the start rather than treating it as an afterthought.
The structural side of permitting here is shaped by the mountain environment in ways that do not apply to a project down in the valley. County building standards require structural work to account for a 100 pound per square foot roof snow load and an 18 inch frost depth for foundation design in the Mountain Region. Those numbers are not formalities. They govern how we size posts and beams on a patio cover and how deep footings have to go before they reach stable, unfrozen ground. Many of the cabins and A-frames in Big Bear Lake, some built as far back as the 1920s and 1960s and sitting on elevated foundations beneath steep pitched roofs, were never designed with a substantial outdoor structure in mind, so the existing conditions have to be assessed before anything is drawn. Setbacks for pools, equipment pads, covers and fire features shift from parcel to parcel, and we verify those dimensions during the layout phase so nothing has to be redesigned at plan check.
Drainage planning is part of every project we draw, not an add-on. Each new patio slab, pool deck and solid cover roof converts ground that once absorbed water into hard surface that sheds it. We pitch the grades in the drawings so water moves away from the house on all sides, connect downspouts to drain lines, and place area or channel drains where hardscape meets the foundation. Permeable pavers, gravel and planted areas go where they make sense. Water is routed to an outlet the city allows, almost always the street, and never directed over a property line onto an adjacent lot.
A few regulations apply regardless of project size. California’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance is adopted by every city and county, sometimes in a stricter local version, and larger permitted landscapes can require a water budget and irrigation plan as part of the submittal. Smaller rehabilitation projects often fall under the thresholds, but it is worth confirming during design. If you plan to remove turf and your water agency offers a rebate, that approval has to be secured before any grass is removed, the replacement area must remain permeable, and synthetic turf does not qualify under most programs. Properties in a CAL FIRE mapped Fire Hazard Severity Zone require additional attention close to the structure, particularly in the first five feet where hardscape or gravel replaces bark mulch, and attached patio covers are designed with ignition resistance in mind. Finally, when a permit is issued for a new or remodeled pool or spa at a single-family home, state law requires at least two of seven specified drowning-prevention features to be in place before the city signs off on the final inspection.
Other Remodeling Services We Offer
A kitchen remodel touches more trades than any other room in the house: layout, cabinetry, plumbing, electrical, ventilation and finishes. Horizon designs and builds kitchen remodels under one contract, from the measured layout to the final inspection.
Whether you envision a classic Southern California pool or a fully customized backyard oasis, Horizon Construction & Remodeling delivers the highest level of quality and service. Our comprehensive pool design and remodeling services cover everything from layout and decking to built-in BBQs and final touches like landscaping. Let Horizon be your trusted partner in transforming your backyard into the perfect outdoor retreat.
If you are planning a complete bathroom remodel or simply want to change your tub, shower, update your plumbing fixtures, or make the space more efficient, our team at Horizon will help you through the process with expert advice, professional craftsmanship, and affordable options with beautiful results. Learn more about our bathroom remodeling services.
Transform your space with our expert interior work services. We offer a comprehensive range of solutions — from space planning and custom design to the selection of high-quality finishes and materials. Our team of experienced professionals works closely with you to create a space that’s both functional and stylish, tailored to your unique needs, goals, and budget. Whether you’re updating a single room or overhauling your entire interior, we bring precision, creativity, and craftsmanship to every project.
At Horizon, we believe your home is more than just four walls — it’s where life happens. It’s the place you relax, gather with family and friends, and create lasting memories. That’s why we offer a full range of exterior work services designed to elevate your outdoor living space. From patios and hardscaping to custom decks and exterior renovations, we help turn your vision into a dream yard that complements your lifestyle and enhances curb appeal.
At Horizon Construction & Remodeling, our expert team includes a dedicated design and planning division that works hand-in-hand with licensed architects and structural engineers. We take care of everything — from detailed plans and blueprints to securing city permits — so you don’t have to deal with delays or red tape. Our goal is to streamline the process and provide a fully approved set of documents that aligns with both your vision and city regulations, saving you time and stress.
Why Choose Horizon Remodeling For Backyard Remodeling in Big Bear Lake
Why Big Bear Lake Homeowners Work With Horizon
Horizon Construction and Remodeling is a licensed and bonded Class B general building contractor, active since 2009 and serving Southern California for over 15 years. A Class B license is the right fit for a backyard project in Big Bear Lake, where framing, electrical, plumbing and structural work all converge on a single job rather than sitting neatly in one trade’s lane.
We work design-build, which means design, engineering coordination, permits and construction all live under one contract with one project manager on your side. Cabins and A-frames throughout Moonridge, Boulder Bay and Fox Farm often sit on elevated foundations built decades ago, and structural decisions here carry real weight. County standards set a 100 psf roof snow load and an 18-inch frost depth for foundation design, so any structural work connected to your backyard remodel gets that context from the start.
Permits for backyard work in Big Bear Lake go through the City of Big Bear Lake Building and Safety Division, and we coordinate that process on your behalf. Call (714) 449-9035 to set up a site visit and request a free estimate.
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Backyard Remodeling FAQ
Do I need a permit for a backyard remodel in Big Bear Lake?
Most backyard remodeling work in Big Bear Lake does require a permit. Patio covers, California rooms, taller retaining walls, significant grading, new gas lines, and new electrical circuits all go through the City of Big Bear Lake Building and Safety Division, while swapping out plants or resurfacing a small patio typically does not. Gas, electrical, and plumbing runs are inspected before burial, and any pool or spa installation must include the state-required drowning-prevention features to reach final approval. We review the local rules during project layout, prepare the necessary drawings, pull every permit the scope calls for, and work through plan-check comments until approvals are in hand.
How long does a backyard remodel take?
How long backyard remodeling in Big Bear Lake takes depends on scope, permit timing, and how quickly material selections are finalized. A straightforward hardscape-and-planting project can run a few weeks of construction once permits are in hand, while a yard combining a patio cover, outdoor kitchen, and new pool commonly stretches to a few months, with design and permitting often taking as long as the build itself. Because Big Bear Lake building permits are issued through the City of Big Bear Lake Building and Safety Division, and structural elements like patio covers must account for the area’s significant snow load requirements, plan review can add meaningful time up front, especially when drainage work or engineered retaining walls are part of the scope. Every proposal includes a project-specific schedule.
What drives the cost of a backyard remodel?
Backyard remodeling costs in Big Bear Lake shift based on a combination of site conditions and project scope, and no two yards price out the same way. Access matters first: a narrow side gate limits equipment size and pushes more work to hand labor. Slope and soil conditions drive excavation and retaining wall requirements, which is a real consideration on the elevated foundations common to the canyon cabins and A-frames throughout areas like Moonridge and Boulder Bay. Distance from the electrical panel and gas meter, panel capacity, the style of patio cover, material selections, and how much existing structure needs to be demolished and hauled away all move the final number. An existing pool may need plumbing work once it is opened, and that adds scope. Any HOA requirements, fire-zone restrictions, or landscape submittals required by the City of Big Bear Lake Building and Safety Division factor in as well.
What's the difference between a backyard remodel and a backyard renovation?
Backyard remodeling in Big Bear Lake works best when drainage and any underground work are planned before a single surface goes down, because that sequence holds whether you are starting fresh or fixing what has already failed. A full backyard project can mean adding hardscape, an outdoor kitchen, or a covered structure designed as one coordinated plan. It can also mean removing cracked concrete, a rotting deck, or unpermitted structures before rebuilding from the ground up. In the older cabins common to areas like Moonridge and Boulder Bay, drainage problems are especially worth addressing early. Most projects involve both, and we approach them the same way.
Can we build the backyard in phases?
Yes, phasing a backyard remodel over time is common and very workable. The approach that saves the most disruption is mapping the entire yard before any ground is broken, then completing all underground runs for gas, drainage, electrical conduit, and irrigation in that first phase while the soil is still open. In Big Bear Lake, where older cabins in neighborhoods like Moonridge or Fox Farm often sit on elevated foundations with limited utility access beneath them, getting those lines placed correctly from the start matters even more. If an outdoor kitchen, fire pit, or covered structure is a possibility down the road, we set the gas line or conduit under the new concrete now rather than cut back into finished work later. The honest trade-off is that phasing typically means paying for contractor mobilization and certain inspections more than once.
Can you keep my pool and replace everything around it?
In many cases, yes, the pool can stay in place while the surrounding work gets done. Older pools often have a structurally sound shell paired with a failed deck, whether that means cracked or lifted concrete, loose coping, or an expansion joint that has been channeling water beneath the slab. We replace the deck and correct the drainage problem that caused the damage in the first place. If the pool shell also needs resurfacing, new tile, or equipment upgrades, we schedule that work alongside the deck so nothing gets poured twice.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Big Bear Lake and the surrounding San Bernardino County communities.