Backyard Remodeling in Redondo Beach
Backyard remodeling in Redondo Beach typically starts with a single problem: a patio cover that leaked through one too many winters, an outdoor kitchen that was never finished, a lawn that dried out and stayed that way, or a slab poured decades ago that no longer drains. Redondo Beach was already an incorporated city by 1890, and its neighborhoods were built, torn down, and rebuilt across the twentieth century, which means the age of a lot shows up out back first in mature tree roots, cracked old slabs, and drainage nobody originally engineered. We work throughout North Redondo Beach, South Redondo, and Riviera Village, and our backyard remodeling projects range from a complete design-build yard to a targeted tear-out and rebuild of a space that stopped working, planned and built by one licensed team.
Services We Offer
Covers & Outdoor Kitchens
Drainage & Landscape
Yard Tear-Out & Rebuild
Our Backyard Remodeling Process in Redondo Beach
Backyard remodeling in Redondo Beach starts with understanding what the site will and will not allow, and that conversation begins the moment we walk your property. Redondo Beach lots tend to run narrow, and in the portions of the city that fall within the California coastal zone, work can require a coastal review on top of the standard building permit through the City of Redondo Beach Building and Safety Division. We look at slope, side-yard access, the existing pool if there is one, where the gas meter and electrical panel sit, and how water currently drains. Any structure that may never have been permitted gets flagged at this stage. From there we survey the full lot, including setbacks and easements, and draw the complete yard: pool, decking, cover, outdoor kitchen, planting, grades and drains.
You make your material and finish selections before demolition begins, and we handle engineering coordination, permit submittals and any HOA paperwork. Demolition and excavation come next, followed by the underground runs for gas, electrical, plumbing, drainage and irrigation, each of which is inspected before being covered. Structures and surfaces go in after that, then planting, lighting and equipment start-up. The project closes with final inspections and a walk-through with you.
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Permits, Coastal Review and HOA Approvals in Redondo Beach
Backyard remodeling in Redondo Beach moves through a permitting process that is more layered than in many inland cities. Pools and spas, patio covers and California rooms, new gas lines serving grills or fire features, new electrical circuits, and retaining walls or grading beyond local thresholds all typically require a permit through the City of Redondo Beach Building and Safety Division, part of the Community Development Department. Redondo Beach has been a developed city since before 1900, and its older neighborhoods carry setback rules, lot-coverage limits and zoning overlays that reflect decades of incremental code updates. We pull those details at the start of layout so nothing surprises you at plan check. Where a property is governed by an HOA, the architectural committee ordinarily reviews pools, covers, walls and visible landscape work before the city does, and we schedule our submittal sequence around that timing.
One factor specific to Redondo Beach deserves attention before any scope is finalized. Properties on the beach side of the city fall within the California coastal zone, and the city’s zoning code carries a Coastal Land Use Plan implementing ordinance. That means work in that area can require a coastal development review on top of the standard building permit, which affects both the timeline and the documentation required. If your address sits near the water, we identify that early so the coastal review process is budgeted into the schedule rather than discovered mid-project.
Drainage is a structural concern, not an afterthought. Every pool deck, solid patio cover and new hardscape surface reduces how much rainwater soaks into the ground. We set grades in the drawings so the yard slopes away from the foundation on every side, run downspouts into drain lines, and add area or channel drains where paving meets the house. Permeable pavers, gravel and planted beds replace hardscape wherever the design allows it. Water is routed to an outlet the city approves, which is typically the street. It never discharges over a property line onto a neighbor’s lot.
Several additional rules apply across most California backyard projects. A retaining wall that exceeds four feet from the bottom of the footing, or one holding back a slope or structure, typically requires a permit and engineered drainage behind it. 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. Turf replacement rebates from water agencies require pre-approval before any grass is removed, the replaced area must remain permeable, and synthetic turf generally does not qualify. For properties in a CAL FIRE mapped Fire Hazard Severity Zone, the first five feet around the structure are treated as the highest-priority zone, so we use hardscape or gravel there in place of bark mulch and design attached covers with ignition resistance in mind. Pool and spa permits at single-family homes trigger a state requirement for at least two of seven specified drowning-prevention features before final inspection, and we incorporate those into the drawings from the start.
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 Redondo Beach
Why Redondo Beach Homeowners Work With Us
Horizon Construction and Remodeling has held a Class B general building contractor license since 2009 and is licensed and bonded to work across Southern California. A backyard project pulls multiple trades together at once, and a Class B license covers exactly that kind of multi-trade scope, from framing and structural work to the coordination of electrical, plumbing, and gas through appropriately licensed subcontractors, all under one contract and one project manager.
Redondo Beach lots tend to run narrow, and a good number of the city’s homes share walls or sit close to property lines, so backyard layouts require careful planning before anything is built. We handle design, engineering coordination, and permit submission together, which matters when your project goes through the City of Redondo Beach Building and Safety Division and may also require coastal review if your property falls within the California coastal zone.
Keeping design and construction under one agreement means the people who plan the grading and drainage are the same people who build it. 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 Redondo Beach?
For most backyard remodeling work in Redondo Beach, yes, a permit is required. Projects such as 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 Redondo Beach Building and Safety Division, part of the Community Development Department. Properties on the beach side of the city may also need coastal review under the city’s Coastal Land Use Plan implementing ordinance, on top of the standard building permit. Replacing plants or resurfacing a small patio typically does not require a permit. Gas, electrical and plumbing runs are inspected before burial, and pool work must include the state’s required drowning-prevention features to pass final inspection. We check the applicable rules during layout, prepare the drawings, pull every permit the project needs and work through plan-check comments until permits are issued.
How long does a backyard remodel take?
How long a backyard remodeling project takes in Redondo Beach depends on scope, permit timing, HOA review, and how quickly selections are made. A hardscape-and-planting job can run a few weeks of construction once permits are in hand, while a yard combining a patio cover and outdoor kitchen commonly runs a few months, and design and permitting can take as long as the build itself. Properties near the coast may also require coastal review on top of the standard City of Redondo Beach building permit, which adds time up front, as does any tear-out involving drainage work or engineered walls. A project-specific schedule comes with the proposal.
What drives the cost of a backyard remodel?
Backyard remodeling costs in Redondo Beach vary based on a long list of site-specific factors, and no two projects land at the same number. Access matters first: a yard reachable only through a narrow side gate limits equipment size and increases hand labor. Slope and soil conditions drive excavation scope and whether retaining walls are needed. Distance from the gas meter and electrical panel, along with panel capacity, affects how the utility connections are routed. The type of patio cover and the materials selected throughout the project shift the budget in either direction. Demolition volume and haul-off add to the total, as do any HOA submittals or fire-zone requirements. For properties on the beach side of the city, work may fall within the California coastal zone, meaning a coastal review can be required on top of the standard building permit pulled through the City of Redondo Beach Building and Safety Division.
What's the difference between a backyard remodel and a backyard renovation?
Backyard remodeling in Redondo Beach can mean adding something new, fixing what has failed, or both at once. A full outdoor addition pulls together hardscape, a cover structure, an outdoor kitchen, and landscaping under a single coordinated plan. A renovation, on the other hand, starts by removing what went wrong first, whether that is cracked or heaved concrete, a rotting deck, dead lawn, poor drainage, or unpermitted structures. On the coastal side of the city, that work may also require coastal zone review on top of the standard building permit. Every project we take on addresses drainage and underground work before any finished surface goes in.
Can we build the backyard in phases?
Yes, phasing a backyard remodel is common, and Redondo Beach projects are no exception. The right approach is to map out the full yard before any ground is broken, then complete all underground work in the first phase: gas, electrical, plumbing, drainage, and irrigation. Running a gas line or conduit beneath new concrete now, even if an outdoor kitchen or fire pit is still years away, avoids cutting into finished surfaces later. Keep in mind that phasing does mean paying for mobilization and some inspections more than once.
Can you keep my pool and replace everything around it?
Often, yes. Many older pools have a failing surround even when the shell itself is still sound, showing up as a cracked or lifted deck, loose coping, and expansion joints that let water migrate under the slab. During a backyard remodeling project in Redondo Beach, we can replace the deck and correct the drainage problem that caused the damage while the pool stays in place, and if the pool also needs resurfacing, new tile, or equipment updates, we schedule everything together so the deck is only poured once.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Redondo Beach and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities.