Backyard Remodeling in Highland
Backyard remodeling in Highland typically begins with a single problem: a patio cover that has rotted, an outdoor cooking area that was never built, or a lawn that drainage finally defeated. The age of a lot in this city tends to show up out back first, in mature tree roots, cracked old slabs, and drainage that was never properly planned, which is not surprising given that housing here traces back to an 1891 citrus townsite and most of the surrounding tract growth came in the decades around the 1987 incorporation. We work across East Highlands Ranch, West Highland, East Highland, and the Palm Avenue historic core, and our backyard remodeling in Highland covers everything from a full design-build yard to a targeted tear-out and rebuild, drawn as one plan and carried through by one licensed team.
Services We Offer
Covers & Outdoor Kitchens
Drainage & Landscape
Yard Tear-Out & Rebuild
Our Backyard Remodeling Process in Highland
Backyard remodeling in Highland starts with a site visit where we look at slope, side-yard access, existing structures, utility locations, and how water currently drains across the lot. Because much of Highland’s housing stock grew out of tract development in the decades around the city’s November 1987 incorporation, we often find yards where earlier work was never submitted to the City of Highland Building and Safety Division. We note anything unpermitted early, so nothing surprises us mid-project.
From there we survey the full lot, including setbacks and easements, and produce drawings that cover every element before demolition begins. If your property sits near the Palm Avenue historic core, exterior changes may warrant a preservation review given that district’s listing on the National Register of Historic Places, and we flag that before permits are submitted. Once selections are made, we coordinate engineering, pull permits, handle any HOA submittal, and sequence underground rough work through final inspections and a walk-through with you.
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Backyard remodeling in Highland moves through the City of Highland Building and Safety Division, and most of the work that changes a yard in any meaningful way requires a permit before construction starts. Pools and spas always need one. So do patio covers and California rooms, new gas lines running to a grill, fire pit or pool heater, new electrical circuits, and retaining walls or grading that crosses the local thresholds. We pull those permits and manage the inspection schedule so the project stays on track from the first shovel to final sign-off.
One detail that applies specifically to Highland is the historic character of the Palm Avenue corridor. That stretch of the original 1891 citrus townsite was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001 as the Highland Historic District. If your property sits in that area, exterior changes call for a preservation review before a standard building permit moves forward, and we factor that into the schedule from the start. Separately, setbacks for pools, equipment pads, fire features and covers vary by city, so we confirm those numbers during layout rather than discovering them at plan check. Where an HOA governs the property, its architectural committee typically reviews pools, walls and visible landscape changes before the city does, and we build that review window into the timeline.
Drainage is the part of a backyard remodel that determines whether the work holds up long term. Every new patio, pool deck or solid cover adds hard surface to a yard that used to absorb water through lawn or soil. We set grades in the drawings so ground falls away from the house on all sides, tie downspouts into drain lines, and add area or channel drains where hardscape meets the foundation. Permeable pavers, gravel and planted areas go where they fit the design and the site. Water routes to an outlet the city permits, typically the street, and never over a property line onto a neighbor’s lot. Retaining walls above four feet, measured from the bottom of the footing, or walls holding back a slope or structure, typically require a permit of their own and need drainage built behind them to stay stable over time.
A few other requirements shape what goes on the drawings. California’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance applies to new and rehabilitated landscapes, and larger permitted projects can require a water budget and irrigation plan with the submittal. If you plan to replace lawn and your water agency offers a turf rebate, approval has to come before any grass is removed, the replacement area must stay permeable, and synthetic turf does not qualify. Properties in a CAL FIRE mapped Fire Hazard Severity Zone call for hardscape or gravel in the first five feet around the house, clearance around fire features, and ignition-resistant materials on attached covers. And 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 drowning-prevention features before the final inspection closes.
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 Highland
Horizon Construction and Remodeling has held an active Class B general building contractor license since 2009, and that classification matters for backyard work because a finished outdoor space draws on multiple trades at once. Concrete, framing, electrical, plumbing, and gas lines rarely arrive one at a time on a real project, and a Class B license covers that overlap in a way a single-trade contractor cannot. We are licensed and bonded, and our license has been current through more than fifteen years of work across Southern California.
We handle design, engineering coordination, permits, and construction under one contract with one project manager. Permits for backyard work in Highland go through the City of Highland Building and Safety Division, and if your property sits near the Palm Avenue historic core, exterior changes may require a preservation review before work begins. We account for that early so it does not slow the job down later.
Because one team carries the project from grade and drain planning through final construction, nothing gets lost between a designer and a builder who have never met. Reach us at (714) 449-9035 to schedule a site visit.
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Backyard Remodeling FAQ
Do I need a permit for a backyard remodel in Highland?
Most backyard remodeling work in Highland does require permits, though minor jobs like swapping out plants or patching a small patio surface typically do not. Patio covers, California rooms, pools and spas, taller retaining walls, substantial grading, new gas lines, and new electrical circuits all go through the City of Highland Building and Safety Division. Pool projects must also meet California’s drowning-prevention requirements to pass final inspection, and any gas, electrical, or plumbing runs get inspected before they are covered. We review local rules during the layout phase, prepare the drawings, pull every permit the project needs, and work through plan-check comments until approvals are in hand.
How long does a backyard remodel take?
How long a backyard remodel in Highland takes depends on scope, HOA review, selections, and permit timing through the City of Highland Building and Safety Division. A hardscape-and-planting job can reach construction within a few weeks of permit approval. A yard with a pool, patio cover, and outdoor kitchen commonly runs a few months, with design and permitting often taking as long as the build. Tear-out, drainage, or engineered walls add time up front. Each proposal includes a project-specific schedule.
What drives the cost of a backyard remodel?
Backyard remodeling costs in Highland vary based on a combination of site conditions and project scope. Access matters first: a yard served only by a narrow side gate limits equipment size and increases hand labor. Slope and soil conditions shape excavation needs and whether retaining walls are required. Distance from the gas meter and electrical panel, along with existing panel capacity, affects what outdoor amenities are practical. Material selections, demolition volume, the type of patio cover, and any HOA or fire-zone submittals all influence the final number. Homes near the Palm Avenue historic core may also need a preservation review before exterior work begins, so it pays to confirm that early in planning.
What's the difference between a backyard remodel and a backyard renovation?
Backyard remodeling in Highland works from one of two starting points, and often both at once. Some homeowners come to us with a clear list of additions, a covered patio, hardscape, an outdoor kitchen, and planting pulled together into a single coordinated plan. Others start because something has failed, cracked concrete, a rotting deck, poor drainage, or an unpermitted structure that has to come out before anything new can go in. In either case we design the drainage and underground work first, before any surface goes down. Homeowners near the Palm Avenue historic core should also verify whether their property falls within the Highland Historic District before committing to exterior changes, since that designation can affect what is approved. All permits for backyard work in Highland are issued through the City of Highland Building and Safety Division, and we coordinate that process as part of the project.
Can we build the backyard in phases?
Yes, phasing a backyard remodel in Highland is common and very workable. The approach that holds up best 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 so later work never cuts through a finished patio slab. In a city where many tract homes along streets like those near East Highlands Ranch sit on straightforward rectangular lots, that upfront planning pays off. If an outdoor kitchen or fire pit is a possibility down the road, we sleeve the conduit or gas line under the concrete now. The tradeoff is that phasing typically means paying for mobilization and some City of Highland Building and Safety Division inspections more than once.
Can you keep my pool and replace everything around it?
In most cases, yes, the pool can stay in place while the surrounding deck and drainage are addressed. Older pools common in Highland’s tract neighborhoods often have a structurally sound shell paired with a failing surround, where cracked or lifted decking, loose coping, and a compromised expansion joint have been letting water migrate beneath the slab. We replace the deck and correct the underlying drainage in the same scope of work. If the pool shell also needs resurfacing, new tile, or equipment upgrades, we coordinate both phases together so the deck does not have to be poured twice.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Highland and the surrounding San Bernardino County communities.