Backyard Remodeling in Inglewood
Backyard remodeling in Inglewood typically begins with a single problem: a cracked slab, a patio cover that rotted through, an outdoor cooking area that never got built, or a lawn that finally quit. Many lots here carry the physical history of the city’s two building waves, the 1920s boom and the postwar tract push that gave neighborhoods like Morningside Park, Fairview Heights, Inglewood Knolls, and Century Heights their character, meaning mature tree roots, old drainage that was never engineered, and concrete poured before modern standards. We cover both a full design-build yard and a targeted tear-out and rebuild, drawn as one plan and managed by one licensed team.
Services We Offer
Covers & Outdoor Kitchens
Drainage & Landscape
Yard Tear-Out & Rebuild
Our Backyard Remodeling Process in Inglewood
Backyard remodeling in Inglewood starts with a site visit, because the conditions on the ground decide every decision that follows. We look at slope, side-yard access, where gas and electrical connections land, and how water currently drains off the property. On an older home, and many properties here trace back to the postwar tract-building era of the late 1940s and 1950s, we also check for structures that may have been added without permits. That history matters, because the City of Inglewood Building and Safety Division will flag unpermitted work during the permit review process, and it is better to surface those issues early.
Once we understand the site, we survey the lot, confirm setbacks and easements, and draw the full scope: decking, cover, outdoor kitchen, planting, grades and drains. You make finish selections before demolition begins, many of them at our Fullerton design center. We then coordinate engineering, prepare permit submittals, and manage every trade in sequence, from underground utility runs through structures and surfaces, final inspections and a walk-through with you.
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Backyard remodeling in Inglewood almost always involves permits, and the range of work that triggers them is wider than most homeowners expect. Patio covers, California rooms, retaining walls, grading beyond certain limits, new electrical circuits, and any new gas line serving a grill, fire pit, or pool heater all require a permit before work begins. Pools and spas require one without exception. That paperwork goes through the City of Inglewood Building and Safety Division. One thing worth knowing about this city: no unusual local overlay complicates the process, so what governs is the building code itself and the age of your home. Given that much of Inglewood’s housing stock dates to the postwar tract-building era of the late 1940s and 1950s, and some homes go back further to the 1920s boom, older construction details like original foundations and buried utility lines often surface during the permit and layout phase. We check setbacks for pools, equipment pads, covers, and fire features during layout so nothing has to be redesigned at plan check. If your property is governed by an HOA, its architectural committee typically reviews pools, walls, and visible structures before the city does, and we build that review into the schedule.
Drainage is one of the most consequential decisions in any backyard project. Every new patio slab, pool deck, and solid cover roof reduces the ground’s ability to absorb rainfall, and water that used to soak in now moves across hard surfaces. We set grades in the drawings so the yard falls away from the house on all sides, connect downspouts to drain lines, and add area or channel drains where hardscape meets the structure. Permeable pavers, gravel, and planted areas go where they can do the most work. Water is directed to an outlet the city allows, typically the street, and never over a property line onto a neighbor’s lot. Retaining walls that rise more than four feet from the bottom of the footing, or any wall holding back a slope, driveway, or structure, typically require a permit and need drainage built behind them to stay sound over time.
Landscaping that goes in alongside a permitted backyard project may fall under California’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, which every city and county adopts at minimum and some tighten further. Smaller rehabilitation projects often come in under the thresholds, but larger permitted landscapes can require a water budget and irrigation plan as part of the submittal. If you plan to remove a lawn and your water agency offers a turf replacement rebate, the agency has to approve the project before any grass comes out, the replacement area has to remain permeable, and synthetic turf does not qualify under most programs.
If your address falls within a CAL FIRE mapped Fire Hazard Severity Zone, the design near the house changes. The first five feet around any structure, sometimes called Zone 0, are treated as the highest priority, so we specify hardscape or gravel there rather than bark mulch, keep fire features set well away from overhangs and trees, and design any attached cover with ignition-resistant materials and assembly details in mind. Pool and spa projects carry an additional state requirement: when a permit is issued for a new or remodeled pool or spa at a single-family home, California law requires at least two of seven drowning-prevention features to be in place before the final inspection is signed off. We walk through all of this with you at the consultation so the scope and budget reflect what the project actually requires.
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 Inglewood
Why Inglewood Homeowners Work With Us
Horizon Construction and Remodeling has held a Class B General Building license since 2009, and that classification matters on a backyard project. A backyard remodel pulls together framing, grading, drainage, electrical, plumbing and gas lines on a single job, exactly the kind of multi-trade scope a Class B license is built for. We are licensed and bonded, and our work is coordinated under one contract with one project manager from design through final inspection.
Many Inglewood homes date to the postwar tract-building era of the late 1940s and 1950s, with some going back to the 1920s boom years. Those older structures often present conditions that affect how a backyard project is scoped and sequenced. Permits for this work go through the City of Inglewood Building and Safety Division, and the age of the house is typically what governs code requirements. We handle that permitting process as part of the job.
Rather than hiring a mason, a patio cover contractor and a drainage company separately, you deal with one team that sees the whole picture. Call (714) 449-9035 to schedule a site visit and free estimate.
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Backyard Remodeling FAQ
Do I need a permit for a backyard remodel in Inglewood?
Most backyard remodeling work in Inglewood does require a permit, though smaller tasks like replacing plants or resurfacing a compact patio typically do not. Patio covers, California rooms, taller retaining walls, meaningful grading, new gas lines, and new electrical circuits all go through the City of Inglewood Building and Safety Division. Because so many homes here date to the postwar tract-building era, the age of the structure and the base building code are what govern the work. Gas, electrical, and plumbing runs get inspected before they are covered, and any pool or spa must include the state-required drowning-prevention features to reach final approval. We review the rules during layout, prepare the drawings, pull every permit the project calls for, and handle plan-check comments until the permits are issued.
How long does a backyard remodel take?
How long backyard remodeling in Inglewood takes depends on scope, permit timing, HOA review, and how quickly material selections are made. Straightforward hardscape and planting work can run a few weeks of construction once permits are in hand from the City of Inglewood Building and Safety Division. A yard that adds a patio cover and outdoor kitchen commonly runs a few months, and design and permitting can take as long as the build itself. Tear-out with drainage work or engineered retaining walls adds time up front. A project-specific schedule comes with the proposal.
What drives the cost of a backyard remodel?
Backyard remodeling costs in Inglewood shift based on several overlapping factors, and no two yards price out the same way. Site access matters first: a yard reached only through a narrow side gate limits equipment size and increases hand labor. Slope and soil conditions drive excavation depth and whether retaining walls are needed. Panel capacity and the distance from the gas meter affect what outdoor amenities are practical. The type of patio cover, material selections, demolition volume, and haul-off requirements all move the final number, as do any HOA submittals that apply to your property.
What's the difference between a backyard remodel and a backyard renovation?
Backyard remodeling in Inglewood can start from either direction: building something new or fixing what has already failed. If you want to add covered patio space, an outdoor kitchen, or hardscape, we design those elements together as one coordinated plan. If cracked concrete, rotting wood, poor drainage, or unpermitted structures are the problem, those get resolved before any new surface goes in. Many projects in the postwar tract homes that fill neighborhoods like Morningside Park and Inglewood Knolls involve both, and drainage and underground work are always laid out first.
Can we build the backyard in phases?
Yes, phasing a backyard remodel is common, and the right approach is to map out the full yard before any ground is broken so the underground work for gas, electrical, plumbing, drainage, and irrigation can all be roughed in during the first phase. That way a future covered patio, outdoor kitchen, or fire pit does not require cutting into finished concrete to reach a gas line or conduit. Many Inglewood homes, particularly the postwar tract houses in areas like Inglewood Knolls, sit on compact lots where disrupting finished surfaces twice is especially costly. Phasing does mean paying for mobilization and some City of Inglewood Building and Safety Division inspections more than once, so the tradeoff is worth discussing before work begins.
Can you keep my pool and replace everything around it?
Older pools can often be partially renovated without replacing the entire shell. A cracked or lifted deck, loose coping, and a failed expansion joint letting water under the slab are the most common problems, and we can replace the deck and correct the drainage that caused the damage while the pool stays in place. In Inglewood, where many backyards sit behind postwar stucco bungalows built in the 1940s and 1950s, aging concrete surrounds are a familiar issue. If the pool also needs resurfacing, new tile, or equipment work, we schedule that at the same time so the deck does not have to be poured twice.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Inglewood and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities.