Backyard Remodeling in Culver City
Backyard remodeling in Culver City typically begins with a single problem: a patio cover that leaked through one too many winters, an outdoor cooking area that never got finished, or a lawn that finally stopped being worth the effort. The compact lots common to the modest single-story homes built here from the 1920s through the 1950s tend to show their age out back first, in old slabs, mature tree roots, and drainage that was never properly thought through. We serve neighborhoods including Downtown Culver City, Fox Hills, Sunkist Park, and Blair Hills, handling everything from a full design-build yard to a targeted tear-out and rebuild, drawn as one plan and built by one licensed team.
Services We Offer
Covers & Outdoor Kitchens
Drainage & Landscape
Yard Tear-Out & Rebuild
Our Backyard Remodeling Process in Culver City
Backyard remodeling in Culver City starts with a site visit, because what sits underground determines everything that can be built above it. We walk the yard to read slope and drainage, trace where the gas meter and electrical panel are located, confirm side-yard access, and note any existing structures that may have been built without permits, something that comes up regularly in a city where most homes date to the 1920s through the 1950s and have decades of ad hoc additions behind them. We also check whether the property carries any historic designation under the Culver City Historic Preservation Program, since exterior work on Landmark or Significant structures goes through a separate review process that shapes the project timeline.
From there we survey the lot, map setbacks and easements, and produce drawings that account for every element: decking, overhead cover, outdoor kitchen, planting beds, grades and drainage. You make material selections before demolition begins, which keeps the schedule tight. We coordinate engineering, submit permit applications to the Culver City Building and Safety Division, and handle any required HOA documentation. Demolition and excavation follow, along with underground runs for gas, electrical, plumbing, drainage and irrigation, each inspected and approved before burial. Structures and surfaces go in next, then planting, lighting and equipment start-up, closing with final inspections and a walk-through with you.
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Backyard remodeling in Culver City moves through a clear set of permit and review steps, and knowing them before the first shovel goes in saves time later. Pools and spas always require a permit. Patio covers, California rooms, new gas lines to a grill or fire pit, new electrical circuits, and retaining walls or grading beyond local thresholds all require one too. That work goes through the Culver City Building and Safety Division, and we handle the submittal coordination as part of our general contracting scope. Setbacks for pools, equipment pads, shade covers and fire features vary, so we check those during the layout phase rather than discovering a conflict at plan check.
Culver City’s housing stock filled in largely between the 1920s and the 1950s, and a number of those properties carry historic designations under the city’s preservation program. That program was adopted by ordinance in 1991 and is codified at Municipal Code Chapter 15.05. It identifies Landmark, Significant and Recognized properties as well as historic districts, and exterior alterations to Landmark or Significant structures go through a separate review process before the building department sees the plans. If your address falls into one of those categories, we account for that review in the project schedule from the start rather than treating it as a surprise. Where an HOA is also in the picture, its architectural committee typically reviews pools, covers, walls and visible landscaping before the city does, and we plan around that sequence as well.
Drainage is the part of a backyard project that determines how long everything else holds up. Every patio slab, pool deck and solid cover roof you add replaces ground that used to absorb rainfall, and that water has to go somewhere controlled. We set grades in the drawings so the ground falls away from the house on all sides, tie downspout extensions into drain lines, and add area or channel drains where hardscape meets the foundation. Permeable pavers, decomposed granite and planted areas help where the layout allows. Water is directed to an outlet the city permits, ordinarily the street, and never over a property line onto a neighboring lot. Retaining walls that exceed four feet measured from the bottom of the footing, or that hold back a slope or driveway, typically require their own permit and need drainage built into the wall assembly to remain stable over time.
A few additional requirements apply depending on what the project includes. California’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance applies to new and rehabilitated landscapes, and every jurisdiction adopts it or a stricter local version. Smaller backyard scopes often fall below the thresholds, but larger permitted landscapes can require a water budget and irrigation plan as part of the submittal package. If your property falls within a CAL FIRE mapped Fire Hazard Severity Zone, the design changes in the area closest to the house. The first five feet are treated as the highest priority zone, so we use hardscape or gravel there in place of bark mulch, keep fire features clear of structures and overhangs, and detail any attached cover with ignition-resistant materials. Pool and spa projects carry a separate state requirement as well: when a permit is issued for a new or remodeled pool or spa at a single-family home, at least two of seven recognized drowning-prevention features must be in place before the final inspection closes. We track that requirement through the build so there are no delays at the finish line.
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 Culver City
Horizon Construction and Remodeling has held a Class B general building contractor license since 2009, and that classification matters on a backyard job because the work rarely stays in one trade. Concrete, framing, electrical, gas and drainage all come together in the same project, and a general building license covers exactly that kind of multi-trade scope. We are licensed and bonded, and we coordinate the specialty trade portions through appropriately licensed subcontractors rather than leaving you to manage separate contractors who each see only their own piece of the job.
Culver City’s housing stock dates largely from the 1920s through the 1950s, and the compact lot sizes common to that era shape what a backyard remodel can accomplish and how the plans need to be drawn. Permits for this work go through the Culver City Building and Safety Division, and if your property carries a Landmark or Significant designation under the city’s Historic Preservation Program, exterior alterations require an additional review process we factor in from the start.
We handle design, engineering coordination, permitting and construction under a single contract with one project manager overseeing the full scope. The people who plan the grades and drains are the same team that builds them. Call (714) 449-9035 to set up a site visit and get a free estimate on your backyard remodel in Culver City.
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Backyard Remodeling FAQ
Do I need a permit for a backyard remodel in Culver City?
Most backyard remodeling work in Culver City does require a permit. Pools and spas, patio covers, California rooms, taller retaining walls, significant grading, new gas lines and new electrical circuits all go through the Culver City Building and Safety Division, while swapping out plants or resurfacing a small patio typically does not. On the compact lots common to the modest single-story homes built here from the 1920s through the 1950s, inspectors check gas, electrical and plumbing runs before they are buried, and pool installations must include state-required drowning-prevention features to pass final. We review the local rules during layout, prepare the drawings, pull every permit the project needs and work through plan-check comments until approvals are issued.
How long does a backyard remodel take?
How long backyard remodeling in Culver City takes depends on scope, permit timing, HOA review, and how quickly material selections are made. A straightforward hardscape-and-planting project can wrap up in 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 sometimes taking as long as the build itself. Tear-out work involving drainage or engineered walls adds time upfront. A project-specific schedule comes with every proposal.
What drives the cost of a backyard remodel?
Backyard remodeling costs in Culver City vary based on a wide range of site-specific factors. Access matters from the start, so a yard reachable only through a narrow side gate typically means smaller equipment and more hand labor. Soil conditions and slope influence excavation depth and whether retaining walls are needed. Adding a new pool carries different costs than renovating an existing one, and opening an older pool often reveals plumbing that needs replacing. Distance from the gas meter and electrical panel, available panel capacity, patio cover type, material selections, demolition volume, and any HOA or landscape submittals all affect the final number.
What's the difference between a backyard remodel and a backyard renovation?
Backyard remodeling in Culver City works best when drainage and any underground work are planned before surface materials are chosen, because those decisions drive everything above grade. Some projects start from a clear goal, adding hardscape, an outdoor kitchen, a patio cover, or landscaping tied together under one plan. Others start from what has failed, cracked concrete, a rotting deck, poor drainage, or unpermitted structures that need to come out first. Most jobs involve both, and we approach them the same way.
Can we build the backyard in phases?
Yes, phasing a backyard remodel is common, and it works best when the full yard layout is drawn out before any ground is broken. Underground runs for gas, electrical, plumbing, drainage, and irrigation go in during the first phase so later work never cuts through finished concrete or pavers. If an outdoor kitchen, cover, or fire pit is on the horizon, we sleeve the conduit and gas line under the slab now. Keep in mind that phasing does mean paying for mobilization and inspections more than once.
Can you keep my pool and replace everything around it?
Backyard remodeling in Culver City often makes it possible to replace a damaged pool deck without draining or demolishing the pool itself. Many older pools have a sound shell but a failed surround: cracked or lifted decking, loose coping, and an expansion joint allowing water beneath the slab. We address the drainage problem that caused the damage at the same time. If the pool also needs resurfacing, tile, or equipment work, we coordinate both scopes together so the deck is only poured once.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Culver City and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities.