See your backyard , before you commit a dollar.
Upload a photo of your yard. Pick a style (Modern · Classic · Tropical · Mediterranean). Pick a finish level. Choose features , patio, pool, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, pergola cover, lighting, landscaping, turf. In 60 seconds, you’ll see a real-photo AI rendering of your backyard transformed.
It’s free. It’s a preview, not a promise. Then we come out, measure, and turn it into a fixed-price contract.
See your backyard transformed ↓ • Get a fixed-price estimate →
CSLB #[CSLB Number , pending owner verification] · Bonded · Insured · Fixed-price contracts · 130+ LA homeowners visualized this month
What an LA backyard transformation actually costs in 2026
Based on 121 real Visualizer-to-quote leads we processed in the last 28 days, here’s the true LA backyard market:
| Scope | Includes | Typical investment |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh | Hardscape repair, new turf or low-water landscape, lighting, basic patio | $4,000 to $35,000 |
| Patio + landscape rebuild | Concrete or pavers, planting plan, lighting, fire pit | $35,000 to $80,000 |
| Full outdoor living | Patio + cover/pergola + outdoor kitchen + fire feature + designer lighting | $80,000 to $180,000 |
| Pool + outdoor living | All the above + new pool/spa, deck, water feature, equipment | $180,000 to $300,000 |
| Estate | Multi-zone backyard with pool, cabana, full outdoor kitchen, fire features, landscape lighting design, irrigation overhaul | $300,000+ |
The most popular features Angelenos pick (from real Visualizer data):
– Landscaping (67% choose it)
– Patio (55%)
– Lighting (54%)
– Patio cover or pergola (43%)
– Outdoor kitchen (41%)
– Fire feature (40%)
– Pool (31%)
– Drought-friendly turf (28%)
Average customer chooses 3 to 4 features.
What you can build with us
Patio & Hardscape
Concrete (smooth-finished, exposed-aggregate, stamped), pavers (travertine, porcelain, basalt), Ipe or thermally-modified wood deck, flagstone. Permitted as needed. Drainage engineered for LA’s Mediterranean climate (rare but heavy rain events).
Outdoor Kitchens
From a built-in BBQ + counter to a full chef’s outdoor kitchen with pizza oven, refrigeration, sink, ice maker, and bar seating. Stainless or stone façades. Gas, water, electrical all permitted.
Fire Features
Fire pits (gas or wood), linear fire tables, sculptural fireplaces, fire-and-water combination features. All gas connections permitted; wood features designed to comply with LA County fire safety zones.
Pools & Spas
Custom geometric pools, infinity edges, plunge pools, integrated spas, dark plaster (for that “natural body of water” look that’s huge in LA right now). Equipment pads designed to be invisible.
Pergolas & Patio Covers
Wood (Western red cedar, Ipe), aluminum (modern slat or louvered systems), steel-and-glass for a clean modern look. Engineered for LA wind loads. Permitted.
Landscape Design
Drought-friendly California native palettes, Mediterranean (olive trees, lavender, rosemary), tropical (palms, birds of paradise, philodendrons), modern minimalist (succulents, ornamental grasses, stone). Irrigation drip-converted, smart controllers.
Outdoor Lighting
Path lighting, uplighting on trees, downlighting on hardscape, accent lights, water-feature lighting, smart-control via Lutron or similar. Always low-voltage where possible , safer, easier to maintain, much better look.
Drought-Friendly Turf
LADWP rebate-eligible turf removal + drought-friendly replanting. Or, if you want a green lawn that survives water restrictions, premium artificial turf with proper drainage.
What “Built for LA” means for outdoor living
Drought regulations & LADWP rebates. Most of LA County is under permanent water-use restrictions. New lawn turf is heavily restricted. We help you navigate this , and capture LADWP rebates for turf removal where eligible (currently up to $5/sqft).
Title 24 outdoor lighting. All new outdoor electrical must comply with current Title 24 , lumens caps, motion sensor or photocell controls. We engineer to this.
Hillside fire safety. Hillside lots in Hollywood Hills, Bel Air, Pacific Palisades, Mt. Washington fall under LAFD brush clearance and ember-resistance rules. We design landscapes that comply.
Pool permits. Every new pool requires LADBS permit + structural + plumbing + electrical inspections. Plus a fence/safety enclosure that meets state law. Plus VGB drain compliance. We file all of it.
Coastal Commission. Palisades / Venice / parts of Malibu in the coastal zone may need a Coastal Development Permit for substantial backyard work. We tell you in feasibility.
What’s in a fixed-price ACE outdoor living contract
- Full design with renderings
- Demolition and disposal
- Hardscape (every material spec’d by brand, model, finish)
- Landscape (every plant species, size at install, quantity)
- Irrigation (controller, valve count, head count, drip lines)
- Lighting (fixture by fixture, with control system)
- Outdoor kitchen (every appliance + counter material)
- Fire feature (manufacturer + model + gas spec)
- Pool/spa if included (gunite spec, plaster color, tile waterline, equipment)
- Permits and inspections
- Final irrigation tuning and turf rolling
- One-year workmanship warranty
- Two-year coverage on installed systems (irrigation, pool equipment, fire components)
Real Los Angeles backyards we’ve built
[Project cards populate from CPT ace_project.]
FAQ
How long does a backyard transformation take?
Patio-only refresh: 3 to 5 weeks. Full outdoor living build (patio + kitchen + fire + landscape + lighting): 8 to 14 weeks. Pool addition extends to 14 to 20 weeks including curing and inspection. Hillside or coastal projects add 3 to 6 weeks for permits.
Do I need permits for a patio cover, pergola, or outdoor kitchen?
Almost always yes. A patio cover over 120 sqft, any structure with a foundation, any gas line, any new electrical circuit, any water line , all permitted with LADBS. We file every one.
Can you work with my existing pool / hardscape?
Yes. Most projects we do are partial replacements , keeping a pool that’s in good shape but rebuilding the deck and equipment, or keeping a patio and adding a kitchen. We’ll tell you what’s worth keeping.
What about water restrictions?
LA County is under permanent water-use restrictions. New large lawns are heavily restricted. We design landscapes that comply , drought-friendly natives, smart irrigation, drip systems, mulching strategy. And we apply for LADWP rebates where eligible.
Can I add an ADU later in the backyard I’m building now?
Yes , and you should plan for it now. Tell us in the consultation. We’ll position the patio, kitchen, and landscape so an ADU fits cleanly later, and we’ll route utilities (gas, water, electric stub-outs) so the future build doesn’t tear up the new yard. Read our ADU page →
What’s the smallest backyard project you’ll take?
About $4K for a small refresh project. Below that, a specialty landscaper is a better fit than us.
See your backyard transformed ↓ • Get a fixed-price estimate →
Real Outdoor Living projects in LA
Photographed as built. Permitted with LADBS. Built on a fixed-price contract.
