Backyard Remodeling in Santa Monica
Backyard remodeling in Santa Monica typically begins with a single problem: a patio cover that has rotted out, an outdoor kitchen that was never built, a concrete slab poured decades ago with no thought given to drainage, or a lawn that simply stopped being worth the effort. Because Santa Monica was founded as a seaside resort in 1875 and most of its housing filled in through the early and middle twentieth century, the age of a lot tends to show up out back first, in mature tree roots, crumbling slabs, and drainage systems nobody planned. We work across Ocean Park, Main Street, Montana Avenue, and the Downtown District, handling everything from a complete design-build yard to a targeted tear-out and rebuild, all drawn as one plan and managed by one licensed team through the City of Santa Monica Building and Safety Division.
Services We Offer
Covers & Outdoor Kitchens
Drainage & Landscape
Yard Tear-Out & Rebuild
Our Backyard Remodeling Process in Santa Monica
Backyard remodeling in Santa Monica starts with a site visit, because what sits underground determines everything that can be built above it. We walk the yard to read the slope, trace where water currently drains, note the locations of the gas meter and electrical panel, and check side-yard access. On older properties, which make up much of the housing stock here, we also look for structures that may never have been permitted, since that history affects what we can propose and how we submit to the City of Santa Monica Building and Safety Division. If the property carries a landmark designation, a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Landmarks Commission must be secured before any permit can move forward.
Once we have a clear picture of the site, we survey the lot, document setbacks and easements, and draw the complete scope. You make material and fixture selections before demolition begins. We coordinate engineering, prepare permit submittals, and handle any HOA documentation. Demolition and excavation follow, then the underground runs for drainage, irrigation, gas, electrical, and plumbing, each inspected before being covered. Structures, surfaces, planting, lighting, and equipment start-up come next, closing with final inspections and a walk-through with you.
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Backyard remodeling in Santa Monica moves through more permit steps than most homeowners expect, and the sequence matters as much as the scope. Pools and spas always require a permit. So do patio covers and California rooms, new gas lines to a grill, fire pit or pool heater, new electrical circuits, and retaining walls or grading that exceeds local thresholds. All of that work goes through the City of Santa Monica Building and Safety Division. One layer that catches owners off guard: if the property carries a landmark designation, the Landmarks Commission must issue a Certificate of Appropriateness under Chapter 9.56 of the municipal code before any city department can even open a permit application. We identify that early so it does not stall a project mid-drawing.
Santa Monica’s housing stock is old by Southern California standards. The city grew up as a seaside resort starting in 1875, and most of its residential fabric filled in through the first half of the twentieth century. That history means setbacks, lot coverage limits and zoning overlays can differ sharply from one block to the next, and we verify them during layout rather than discovering a conflict at plan check. Where a homeowners association exists, the architectural committee typically reviews pools, covers, walls and visible landscape changes before the city does. We build that review window into the schedule from the start rather than treating it as a surprise delay.
Drainage is the part of a backyard remodel that determines whether the finished yard holds up over time. Every patio, pool deck and solid-roof cover replaces ground that used to absorb rain, 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, route downspouts into drain lines, and add area or channel drains wherever hardscape meets the foundation. Permeable pavers, gravel and planting beds absorb what they can. 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 are part of that system too: a wall over four feet from the bottom of the footing, or one holding back a slope, driveway or structure, typically requires a permit and needs drainage behind the wall to stay standing.
A few more rules shape the final design. 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 as part of the submittal. Smaller rehabs often fall under the thresholds, but we check. If the address sits in a CAL FIRE mapped Fire Hazard Severity Zone, the five-foot zone closest to the house, referred to as Zone 0, calls for hardscape or gravel instead of bark mulch, clear separation between fire features and structures or overhangs, and ignition-resistant framing for any attached cover. Turf replacement rebates from water agencies require pre-approval before any grass is removed, the replacement area must stay permeable, and synthetic turf does not qualify. Finally, 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 to be in place 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 Santa Monica
Horizon Construction and Remodeling is a licensed and bonded Class B general building contractor, and that classification matters for backyard work in Santa Monica. A backyard remodel rarely stays in one trade. Framing, electrical, plumbing and gas lines all show up on the same job, and a general building license covers projects that cross those lines. Our license has been active since 2009, giving us well over fifteen years of work on Southern California properties.
We work design-build, which means design, engineering coordination, permits and construction all run under one contract with a single project manager. You are not left tracking a separate patio builder, a concrete contractor and a plumbing subcontractor who each see only their own scope. The people who plan the grades and drainage are the same people who build them. Permits for this work go through the City of Santa Monica Building and Safety Division, and if your property carries landmark status, a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Landmarks Commission is required before any permit can move forward.
Santa Monica’s housing stock is largely pre-war and mid-century, and many of the lots that come with those older homes are modest in size. We are used to working within those constraints. Call (714) 449-9035 to schedule a site visit and talk through what your backyard can realistically do.
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Backyard Remodeling FAQ
Do I need a permit for a backyard remodel in Santa Monica?
Most backyard remodeling work in Santa Monica does require permits. Patio covers, California rooms, pools and spas, taller retaining walls, significant grading, and new gas or electrical circuits all go through the City of Santa Monica Building and Safety Division. Replacing plants or resurfacing a small patio typically does not. Gas, electrical, and plumbing runs are inspected before burial, and pool projects must include the state’s required drowning-prevention features to pass final inspection. We review the local requirements during the layout phase, prepare the necessary drawings, pull every permit the project calls for, and work through any plan-check comments until approvals are in hand.
How long does a backyard remodel take?
How long a backyard remodeling project takes in Santa Monica depends on scope, permit timing, HOA review if applicable, and how quickly material selections are finalized. Straightforward hardscape and planting work can run a few weeks of construction once permits are in hand, while a project combining a new patio cover, outdoor kitchen, and drainage improvements commonly runs a few months, with design and permitting sometimes taking as long as the build itself. Engineered retaining walls or significant grading adds time up front. We provide a project-specific schedule with every proposal.
What drives the cost of a backyard remodel?
Backyard remodeling costs in Santa Monica vary based on several overlapping factors, and no two projects land at the same number. 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 retaining wall requirements. Distance from the gas meter and electrical panel, along with panel capacity, affects utility work. Material choices, the type of patio cover selected, demolition volume, and haul-off all shift the budget, as do any HOA, fire-zone, or landscape submittals required before construction begins.
What's the difference between a backyard remodel and a backyard renovation?
Backyard remodeling in Santa Monica starts in two places: adding a pool, hardscape, a cover, an outdoor kitchen, and planting as one plan, or clearing what has failed: cracked or heaved concrete, a rotting deck, dead lawn, bad drainage, or unpermitted structures. Many projects are both. Housing built through the early and middle twentieth century makes that second scenario common here. We design drainage and underground systems before any surface.
Can we build the backyard in phases?
Yes, phasing a backyard remodel in Santa Monica is common and entirely workable. The approach that holds up best is mapping the full yard on paper before any ground is broken, then completing all underground runs for gas, drainage, irrigation, electrical conduit, and plumbing in that first phase so later work never has to cut through finished concrete or pavers. If an outdoor kitchen or fire pit is a possibility down the road, we sleeve the gas line or conduit now while the ground is already open. The honest trade-off is that separate phases do mean paying for mobilization and certain inspections more than once.
Can you keep my pool and replace everything around it?
In many cases, yes, a pool deck can be replaced without draining or demolishing the pool itself. Older pools often have a structurally sound shell paired with a failing surround, where cracked or lifted decking, loose coping, and failed expansion joints allow water to work its way under the slab. We address the deck and correct the underlying drainage issues that caused the deterioration in the first place. If the pool also needs resurfacing, new tile, or equipment upgrades, we coordinate that work together so the deck is only poured once.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Santa Monica and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities.