Backyard Remodeling in Lakewood
Backyard remodeling in Lakewood typically begins with a single problem: a patio cover that was never built, an outdoor kitchen that exists only as a wish list, a worn-out lawn, or a slab that has outlived its purpose. Because nearly all of Lakewood’s homes went up between 1950 and 1953, the yards behind them carry decades of accumulated issues, from mature tree roots and aging drainage to old concrete poured without much of a plan. We work throughout Lakewood Village, Lakewood Park, Carson Park, and Mayfair, handling both full design-build yard projects and targeted tear-out-and-rebuild work, coordinated as one scope under one licensed contractor.
Services We Offer
Covers & Outdoor Kitchens
Drainage & Landscape
Yard Tear-Out & Rebuild
Our Backyard Remodeling Process in Lakewood
Backyard remodeling in Lakewood starts with a site visit, because what we find on the ground shapes every decision that follows. The typical home here is a single-story tract house built between 1950 and 1953, and after seven decades the original utility runs, grades, and any unpermitted structures all factor into how we plan the work. We walk the lot to note slope, side-yard access, where the gas meter and electrical panel sit, and how water moves across the yard today. From there we survey setbacks and easements, then draw the full scope: decking, a cover, an outdoor kitchen, planting areas, grades, and drains. You make your selections before demolition begins.
Once the design is set, we coordinate engineering, prepare the permit submittal for the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division, and handle any HOA paperwork. Because the building code and the age of the house govern what is required here, getting the permit package right before we break ground saves time later. Demolition and excavation follow, then underground runs for gas, electrical, plumbing, drainage, and irrigation, each inspected before backfill. Structures and surfaces come next, then planting, lighting, equipment start-up, final inspections, and a walk-through with you.
Read More →
Pulling a permit is a normal part of backyard remodeling in Lakewood, and most of the work that changes how a yard looks or functions will require one. Patio covers and California rooms, pools and spas, retaining walls or grading past the city’s thresholds, new electrical circuits, and any gas line run to a grill, fire pit, or pool heater all go through the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division of the Community Development Department before work begins. Because Lakewood carries no unusual local overlay, the governing factors are the California building code and the age of the structure itself. That second point matters here more than in many cities. Nearly every house in Lakewood went up between 1950 and 1953, so the original construction reflects mid-century standards, and any structural attachment or utility connection we make to the house gets evaluated against what that era’s framing and systems can support.
Setbacks for pools, equipment pads, fire features, and covers vary by city, and we verify those numbers during the layout phase rather than waiting for plan check to flag a problem. Where a homeowner’s association is in place, the architectural committee typically reviews pools, covers, walls, and visible landscape changes before the city does, and we build that review window into the schedule so it does not stall the permit submittal. State law also sets a specific requirement for pool and spa work: when a permit is issued for a new or remodeled pool or spa at a single-family residence, at least two of seven drowning-prevention features must be in place before the city signs off on the final inspection. We account for that in the design from the start.
Drainage shapes whether a finished backyard holds up over time. Every patio slab, pool deck, and solid cover roof converts ground that once absorbed rainwater into a surface that sheds it. We establish grades in the drawings so the ground falls away from the house on every side, connect downspouts into drain lines, and place area or channel drains where hardscape meets the foundation. Permeable pavers, gravel, and planted areas go in where they fit the design and help manage runoff volume. Water is directed to an outlet the city allows, most often the street, and never over the property line onto a neighboring lot. Retaining walls that rise more than four feet from the bottom of the footing, or walls holding back a slope, driveway, or structure, typically require their own permit, and every wall we build includes drainage behind it to prevent hydrostatic pressure from pushing the wall out over time.
Landscape scope affects the permitting picture in other ways. California’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance applies to new and rehabilitated landscapes, and every city and county adopts it or a stricter local version. Smaller backyard projects often fall under the thresholds, while larger permitted landscapes can require a water budget and irrigation plan as part of the submittal package. If you are planning to replace a lawn and your water agency offers a turf replacement rebate, the approval has to come before any grass is removed, the replacement area must stay permeable, and synthetic turf typically does not qualify. Finally, if the property sits within a CAL FIRE mapped Fire Hazard Severity Zone, the design changes close to the house. The innermost five feet, designated Zone 0, call for hardscape or gravel rather than bark mulch, fire pits need clear separation from structures, overhangs, and trees, and any attached cover is designed with ignition resistance in mind.
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 Lakewood
Why Lakewood Homeowners Work With Horizon
Horizon Construction and Remodeling is a licensed Class B general building contractor, bonded and in business since 2009. A Class B license is the right fit for backyard remodeling because a project like this pulls together framing, flatwork, electrical, plumbing and gas lines on a single job site, and that mix of trades is exactly what a general building license is built to cover. Specialty trade portions are performed by appropriately licensed subcontractors, all coordinated by Horizon under one contract and one project manager.
Because virtually every home in Lakewood went up between 1950 and 1953 to one of a handful of repeated tract plans, the age of the structure and the current California building code are what govern the work. Permits run through the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division of the Community Development Department, and we handle that process from application through final inspection so you are not managing it yourself.
Working design-build means the team that plans the grades and drainage is the same team that builds them. You are not handing off between a separate designer, a mason and a patio cover contractor who each see only their own scope. That single point of accountability matters on a backyard remodel, where every trade affects the next. Call (714) 449-9035 to schedule a site visit and free estimate.
Schedule a Consultation
Backyard Remodeling FAQ
Do I need a permit for a backyard remodel in Lakewood?
Most backyard remodeling work in Lakewood does require permits, though smaller jobs like replacing plants or resurfacing a modest patio typically do not. Pools and spas, patio covers, California rooms, taller retaining walls, significant grading, new gas lines, and new electrical circuits all go through the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division of the Community Development Department. Because nearly every home here was built to the same handful of repeated tract plans between 1950 and 1953, the age of the structure and the current building code are what govern. Gas, electrical, and plumbing runs get inspected before they are buried, and any pool project must include the state’s required drowning-prevention features to reach final approval. We review the local rules during layout, prepare the necessary drawings, pull every permit the project requires, and work through plan-check comments until permits are in hand.
How long does a backyard remodel take?
How long a backyard remodeling project in Lakewood takes 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 sometimes taking as long as the build itself. Lakewood homes went up fast in the early 1950s, and the building code alongside the age of the structure is what governs today, so permit review through the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division shapes the schedule from the start. A tear-out with drainage work or engineered walls adds time up front. You receive a project-specific schedule with your proposal.
What drives the cost of a backyard remodel?
Backyard remodeling costs in Lakewood vary based on a mix of site conditions and project choices that are worth understanding before you budget. Access matters first: a yard behind a narrow side gate limits equipment size and increases hand labor. Soil conditions and any slope determine how much excavation and retaining work is needed. Distance from your gas meter and electrical panel, along with panel capacity, affects utility connections. The type of patio cover, material selections, demolition volume, and hauling all shift the final number, and because most Lakewood homes were built between 1950 and 1953 to a small set of repeated floor plans, permits go through the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division, and the age and original construction of your house are the primary factors that govern what the work requires.
What's the difference between a backyard remodel and a backyard renovation?
Backyard remodeling in Lakewood can mean building something new, fixing what has failed, or doing both at once. You might want a covered patio, an outdoor kitchen, hardscape, and planting all designed together as a single plan. Or you might be dealing with cracked concrete, a rotting deck, poor drainage, or unpermitted structures that need to come out before anything else goes in. Because most Lakewood homes date to the early 1950s, underground drainage and utility conditions vary, so we design that work before any surface is touched.
Can we build the backyard in phases?
Yes, phasing a backyard remodel in Lakewood is common and very workable. The approach that holds up best is mapping the entire yard before any ground breaks, then completing all underground runs for drainage, irrigation, gas, and electrical conduit in the first phase so later work never has to cut through finished concrete. If an outdoor kitchen, fire pit, or covered structure is on the horizon, we sleeve the gas line and conduit now. Phasing does add mobilization costs and may require separate inspections through the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division each time we return.
Can you keep my pool and replace everything around it?
In many cases, yes, a pool deck can be replaced without touching the pool shell itself. Cracked or lifted concrete, loose coping, and a failed expansion joint letting water under the slab are common problems we see during backyard remodeling in Lakewood, where the original concrete flatwork on these early-1950s tract properties has had decades to move and settle. We replace the deck, correct the drainage that caused the damage, and if the pool also needs resurfacing, tile, or equipment work, we coordinate both scopes together so the concrete is not poured twice.
Explore More in Lakewood
Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Lakewood and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities.