Backyard Remodeling in Cerritos
Backyard remodeling in Cerritos usually begins with a single problem: a slab that has shifted, drainage that was never properly designed, mature tree roots buckling old concrete, or an outdoor space that simply stopped working for the family using it. Because Cerritos converted from dairy land to dense tract housing in one concentrated push after a 1963 special election, most yards in the city share the same construction vintage, the same soil conditions, and often the same issues, so the work we see near Liberty Park or the Los Cerritos Center area tends to repeat block after block. We handle complete design-build projects and targeted tear-out-and-rebuild scopes as a single coordinated plan.
Services We Offer
Covers & Outdoor Kitchens
Drainage & Landscape
Yard Tear-Out & Rebuild
Our Backyard Remodeling Process in Cerritos
Backyard remodeling in Cerritos starts with understanding what is already there, and in this city that context matters more than most people expect. The typical home here is a single-story or split-level tract house built during the early-1970s residential push that converted former dairy land into large subdivisions almost overnight. Because entire blocks share the same construction vintage and the same original layout, neighbors frequently face identical issues: aging underground utility runs, drainage grades that have shifted over decades, and covered structures that were added informally and never submitted to the City of Cerritos Building and Safety Services Division for review.
We account for all of that before a single shovel goes in. The process opens with a site visit to read slope, side-yard access, and existing conditions, followed by a full lot survey covering setbacks and easements. Selections happen before demolition, drawings get finalized, and we handle engineering coordination and permit submittals with the city. Underground work for drainage, utilities, and irrigation is inspected and approved before anything is covered. Structures and surfaces come next, then planting, lighting, equipment startup, final inspections, and a walk-through with you.
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Pulling permits for a backyard remodel in Cerritos is not optional for most of the work on the list. Pools and spas always require one. Patio covers, California rooms, new gas lines serving a grill, fire pit, or pool heater, new electrical circuits, and retaining walls or grading beyond local thresholds all go through the City of Cerritos Building and Safety Services Division before a shovel hits the ground. Setbacks for pools, equipment pads, covers, and fire features vary from city to city, so we confirm those measurements during the layout phase rather than waiting for plan check to flag a problem. Where a homeowner belongs to an HOA, the architectural committee typically reviews pools, covers, walls, and visible landscape changes before the city does, and we build that review into the schedule from the start.
One thing worth knowing about Cerritos is how the city was built. The former dairy land was replanned wholesale into large tract subdivisions in a single early-1970s push, and the result is that blocks tend to share one layout and one construction vintage. That means neighbors frequently need the same backyard work at the same point in a home’s life, and drawing on permit and inspection experience from one house on a street often applies directly to the next one over.
Drainage is where a backyard remodel either holds together or starts to fail. Every new patio surface, pool deck, and solid cover roof converts ground that used to absorb water into hard runoff area. We set grades in the drawings so the ground falls away from the house on every side, tie downspouts into drain lines, and add area or channel drains wherever hardscape meets the foundation. Permeable pavers, gravel, and planted areas go in where they fit the design and the lot. Water is directed to an outlet the city allows, most often the street, and never over the property line onto a neighbor’s lot.
Retaining walls carry their own permit trigger. Many building departments require a permit for any wall taller than four feet measured from the bottom of the footing, or for a wall holding back a slope, driveway, or structure, and proper drainage behind the wall is part of what keeps it standing over time. If the address falls within a CAL FIRE mapped Fire Hazard Severity Zone, material choices shift near the house: hardscape or gravel replaces bark mulch in the first five feet, fire pits stay clear of structures, overhangs, and trees, and attached covers are designed with ignition resistance in mind. Pool permits at single-family homes carry a state requirement as well: at least two of seven drowning-prevention features must be in place before final inspection is approved.
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 Cerritos
Horizon Construction and Remodeling holds a Class B general building contractor license and has been bonded and active since 2009. A backyard pulls in several trades at once, framing, concrete, electrical, plumbing, and gas, and a Class B license covers that multi-trade scope well. Specialty trade portions are performed by appropriately licensed subcontractors we coordinate directly, so you work with one contractor throughout.
Most homes in Cerritos were built in a single push of tract construction during the late 1960s and early 1970s, so outdoor spaces across many blocks share the same age and often the same limitations. Work on these lots typically requires permits through the City of Cerritos Building and Safety Services Division, and we handle that filing and inspection coordination as part of the project rather than passing it to you.
We work design-build, with design, engineering coordination, permits, and construction all under one contract and one project manager. The people who plan the drainage grades are the people who build them. Finishes and materials can be reviewed in person at our Fullerton office before anything is ordered. Call (714) 449-9035 to set up a site visit.
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Backyard Remodeling FAQ
Do I need a permit for a backyard remodel in Cerritos?
Most backyard remodeling work in Cerritos does require a permit, though smaller jobs like replacing plants or resurfacing a compact patio typically do not. Pools and spas, patio covers, California rooms, new gas lines, new electrical circuits, taller retaining walls, and significant grading all go through the City of Cerritos Building and Safety Services Division. Because the city’s neighborhoods were built in a single early-1970s push, the same project needs tend to come up on block after block. Gas, electrical, and plumbing runs are inspected before they are buried, and pool work must include state-required drowning-prevention features to pass final. We review local requirements during layout, prepare the drawings, pull every permit the project calls for, and respond to plan-check comments until approvals are in hand.
How long does a backyard remodel take?
How long a backyard remodeling project takes in Cerritos depends on scope, permit timing, HOA review, and how quickly material selections are made. A hardscape-and-planting job can run a few weeks of construction once permits are in hand, while a yard with a patio cover and outdoor kitchen commonly runs a few months, with design and permitting taking as long as the build itself. Because most homes here share the same early-1970s construction vintage, drainage conditions and layout challenges tend to repeat from block to block. A tear-out involving drainage work or engineered retaining walls adds time up front. Every proposal includes a project-specific schedule.
What drives the cost of a backyard remodel?
Backyard remodeling costs in Cerritos shift based on a handful of project-specific variables, and understanding them early helps avoid surprises. Site access matters immediately: a yard reachable only through a narrow side gate limits equipment size and increases hand labor. Slope and soil conditions drive excavation scope and retaining wall needs. Pool work splits into new construction versus remodeling an existing shell, and an older pool may require plumbing replacements once it is opened up. From there, distance to the gas meter and electrical panel, panel capacity, patio cover type, material selections, demolition and haul-off volume, and any HOA or landscape submittal requirements all push the final number in different directions. Because most Cerritos homes were built in a single early-1970s tract push, neighbors frequently share the same layout and the same aging infrastructure, so the starting conditions on one block tend to mirror the next. Permits for this work go through the City of Cerritos Building and Safety Services Division, and scope determines exactly which submittals apply.
What's the difference between a backyard remodel and a backyard renovation?
Backyard remodeling in Cerritos typically means addressing both what you want to add and what has already failed, and we plan for both at the same time. A pool, hardscape, covered patio, outdoor kitchen, and landscaping get designed together as one coordinated plan, while cracked concrete, a rotting deck, poor drainage, or unpermitted structures get resolved before any new surfaces go in. Because Cerritos was built out almost entirely in a single early-1970s push, many homes on the same block share the same construction vintage and the same drainage or concrete issues. Drainage and underground work are always designed first.
Can we build the backyard in phases?
Yes, phasing a backyard remodel in Cerritos is common and completely workable. The approach that holds up best is mapping the entire yard before any ground is broken, then running all underground lines for gas, drainage, irrigation, electrical, and plumbing in that first phase so later additions never require cutting into finished concrete. If a covered patio, outdoor kitchen, or fire pit is on the horizon, we sleeve the conduit and gas line under the new slab now. Phasing does mean paying for mobilization and City of Cerritos Building and Safety Services Division inspections more than once, so budget for that from the start.
Can you keep my pool and replace everything around it?
Often, yes. Many pools from Cerritos’s late-1960s and early-1970s tract-home era have a sound shell and a failed surround: cracked or lifted decking, loose coping, and an expansion joint letting water under the slab. Replacing the deck and fixing the drainage that caused the damage can happen while the pool stays. If resurfacing, tile, or equipment is also needed, we schedule it together so the deck is not poured twice.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Cerritos and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities.