Backyard Remodeling in Temple City
Backyard remodeling in Temple City typically begins with a single problem: a patio cover that has rotted, an outdoor kitchen that never got built, or a slab someone poured decades ago that now drains the wrong way. The housing stock here was rooted in a 1923 townsite and filled in steadily through the mid century, and that age shows up in the backyard first, through mature tree roots, cracked concrete, and drainage nobody engineered to last. We work throughout the city, from the original townsite near Temple City Park to the Live Oak Avenue and Rosemead Boulevard corridors, drawing the full yard as one coordinated plan and building it under one licensed team.
Services We Offer
Covers & Outdoor Kitchens
Drainage & Landscape
Yard Tear-Out & Rebuild
Our Backyard Remodeling Process in Temple City
How We Approach Backyard Remodeling in Temple City
Backyard remodeling in Temple City starts with a site visit where we look at the existing layout, side yard access, grade, drainage patterns, and the locations of your gas meter, electrical panel, and any existing structures. Because most homes here were built in the mid-twentieth century on flat single-family lots, underground utilities and old drainage lines are often exactly where you least want them. We also check whether any existing structures were permitted through the City of Temple City, since unpermitted work from that era commonly surfaces during renovation and has to be resolved before new permits can move forward. After the site visit we survey setbacks and easements, then draft a complete plan covering all surfaces, covers, an outdoor kitchen if included, grades, and drains.
You make material selections before demolition begins. We coordinate any required engineering, submit permit applications to the City of Temple City, and manage each inspection as underground runs for drainage, gas, electrical, plumbing, and irrigation are completed and covered. Structures and surfaces follow, then planting, lighting, equipment startup, final inspections, and a walk-through with you.
Read More →
Pulling a permit is a normal part of backyard remodeling in Temple City, not an obstacle. The City of Temple City issues building permits for all construction work inside city limits, and most backyard scopes trigger that process. Pools and spas always require a permit. So do patio covers, California rooms, retaining walls or grading past the local thresholds, new electrical circuits, and any gas line running to a grill, fire pit or pool heater. Because Temple City’s housing stock largely dates from the mid-century build-out of the original 1923 townsite, no unusual local overlay complicates the review. The building code and the age of the house are what govern, which means we work directly from those standards when we put a set of drawings together.
Setbacks for pools, equipment pads, covers and fire features vary from city to city, so we verify them during the layout phase rather than waiting until plan check. Where a homeowner’s property falls under an HOA, the architectural committee typically reviews pools, covers, walls and visible landscape before the city does, and we build that review into the schedule so it doesn’t hold up the permit submittal. State law also adds a requirement specific to pool 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 project passes final inspection. We account for that during design so there are no surprises at the end.
Drainage is what determines whether a backyard holds up over time. Every new patio, pool deck and solid cover roof adds hard surface, and water that used to absorb into a flat Temple City lot now runs off instead. We set grades in the drawings so the ground falls away from the house on every side, tie downspouts into drain lines, and add area or channel drains where hardscape meets the structure. Permeable pavers, gravel and planting go in where they fit. 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 need drainage behind them to stay standing, and many building departments require a permit for any wall over four feet measured from the bottom of the footing, or one holding back a slope, driveway or structure.
Landscaping that goes in alongside a permitted backyard remodel can fall under California’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, which every city and county adopts in some form. Smaller rehabs often come in under the thresholds, while larger permitted landscapes may need a water budget and irrigation plan included with the submittal. If a turf replacement rebate is available through a local water agency, the approval has to be in hand before any grass is removed, the replacement area has to stay permeable, and synthetic turf generally does not qualify. For properties that sit within a CAL FIRE mapped Fire Hazard Severity Zone, material choices shift near the house. The first five feet from the foundation, known as Zone 0, get hardscape or gravel rather than bark mulch, fire pits are kept clear of structures and overhangs, 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 Temple City
Horizon Construction and Remodeling Inc. is a licensed and bonded general building contractor operating under a Class B license that has been active since 2009. That classification matters for a backyard project because the work rarely stays in one trade. Concrete flatwork, framing for a covered patio, gas lines for an outdoor kitchen, and drainage grading all land on the same job site, and a Class B license is built for exactly that kind of multi-trade scope.
Homes in Temple City are largely single-story houses built during the mid-century build-out of the original 1923 townsite, and many of them sit on flat lots with backyards that have seen little structural change since they were first graded. Permits for this work go through the City of Temple City, and because no unusual local overlay applies, the age of the house and the standard building code are what drive the permit requirements. We handle the permit application and inspection coordination as part of the project.
We run a design-build process, which means design, engineering coordination, permits, and construction fall under one contract managed by one project manager. You are not left tracking separate bids from a patio contractor, a concrete crew, and a plumber who each see only their portion of the job. Call (714) 449-9035 to schedule a free on-site estimate.
Schedule a Consultation
Backyard Remodeling FAQ
Do I need a permit for a backyard remodel in Temple City?
Most backyard remodeling work in Temple City does require a permit, though not all of it. The City of Temple City issues building permits for work inside city limits, and that process covers pools and spas, patio covers, California rooms, new gas lines, new electrical circuits, taller retaining walls, and significant grading. Replacing plants or resurfacing a small patio typically does not. Gas, electrical, and plumbing runs are inspected before burial, and pool work must include the state’s drowning-prevention features to pass final. We review local requirements during layout, prepare the drawings, pull every permit the project needs, and work through plan-check comments until they are issued.
How long does a backyard remodel take?
Backyard remodeling timelines in Temple City depend on scope, permit timing, HOA review, and how quickly material selections are made. A hardscape-and-planting project can run a few weeks of construction once the City of Temple City issues permits, while a yard combining a patio cover, outdoor kitchen, and pool typically runs a few months, with design and permitting often taking as long as the build itself. Projects that include drainage work or engineered retaining walls add time at the front end. A project-specific schedule comes with your proposal.
What drives the cost of a backyard remodel?
Backyard remodeling costs in Temple City vary based on several interconnected factors, and no two projects land at the same number. Access matters immediately: a yard served only by a narrow side gate limits equipment size and increases hand labor. Most homes here sit on flat lots, which simplifies grading, though soil conditions still influence excavation depth and whether retaining walls are needed. Pool work ranges widely depending on whether you are building new or reopening an older pool that may need updated plumbing. Panel capacity, distance from the gas meter, the style of patio cover selected, material choices, and demolition and haul-off volume all shift the final figure, as do any required submittals to the City of Temple City building department.
What's the difference between a backyard remodel and a backyard renovation?
Backyard remodeling in Temple City works in two directions, and most projects combine both. If you are starting fresh, the plan begins with what you want to add: hardscape, a covered patio, an outdoor kitchen, and landscaping laid out as a single coordinated design. If something has already failed, the work starts by removing it first, whether that means cracked or heaved concrete, a rotting deck, dead lawn, or an unpermitted structure. On the flat lots common to Temple City’s mid-century single-family homes, drainage and any underground work get designed before surfaces are touched.
Can we build the backyard in phases?
Yes, phasing a backyard remodeling project in Temple City is common and entirely workable. The most important step is mapping the full yard before any ground is broken, then completing all underground runs for gas, electrical, plumbing, drainage, and irrigation in the first phase so that later work never has to cut through finished concrete or pavers. If a covered structure, outdoor kitchen, or fire pit is even a possibility down the road, we sleeve the gas line and conduit under the new slab now. Phasing does mean paying for mobilization and separate inspections more than once, which is a real cost to weigh against the flexibility it buys.
Can you keep my pool and replace everything around it?
In most cases, yes, you can keep the pool and still fix the surrounding deck. Many mid-century homes in Temple City were built with pools that still have a structurally sound shell even when the deck has cracked, lifted, or let water migrate under the slab through a failed expansion joint or poor drainage. We address the drainage problem and replace the deck in the same scope of work. If the pool also needs resurfacing, new tile, or equipment updates, we schedule everything together so the concrete is never poured twice.
Explore More in Temple City
Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Temple City and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities.