A backyard remodel in Los Angeles can run from a few thousand dollars to more than $100,000, depending on what you add. A new swimming pool runs $65,000 to $150,000, a deck $8,000 to $25,000, a concrete patio $10 to $18 per square foot, and an outdoor kitchen $10,000 to $100,000. Here’s the full cost breakdown by project so you can plan a budget that fits your yard. If you’re in Northern California, see our Bay Area backyard cost guide. If you are in San Diego County, see our San Diego backyard cost guide.
In Los Angeles and throughout Southern California, creating a usable and lovely backyard is a priority for many homeowners. However, backyard remodel cost is not insignificant. Many of the amenities in a backyard can be relatively expensive, but are well worth it for the many years of enjoyment that the family will get from a backyard renovation.
If you have a backyard that needs a makeover and you want to know the costs of creating that dream backyard, I’ll discuss those and break them down. Depending on your budget, there are small projects as well as major projects you can do, so understanding the cost of each item is an important first step in considering a backyard or patio remodel project.
Here at GreatBuildz, we speak with clients every day who are looking for quality backyard contractors for an outdoor construction project. GreatBuildz is a free service that connects homeowners with reliable, pre-screened landscape and pool contractors in Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura & San Diego, then provides ongoing project support to ensure a stress-free experience.
Give us a call at 818.317.3567 or visit our website at www.GreatBuildz.com to learn more and discuss your project.
Key Takeaways
- Swimming pools, though a luxurious addition, can be a costly backyard renovation, with pool remodel cost ranging from $65,000 to $150,000. Hot tubs or spas, costing $3,000 to $25,000, offer a more budget-friendly water feature.
- Patios and decks provide seating and lounging spaces. Concrete patios can cost $10-$18 per square foot, while decks made from materials like wood or Trex range from $8,000 to $25,000, offering versatile options for outdoor living.
- Outdoor kitchens, fire pits, fireplaces, and heaters contribute to the usability and ambiance of a backyard. Outdoor kitchens are priced between $10,000 and $100,000.
- Recommendations from friends or online services like GreatBuildz can help find reliable contractors. Verify licenses, check for insurance, and obtain multiple estimates to make an informed decision.
A backyard or patio remodel might entail different potential projects with varying budgets, so let’s discuss the various categories and possibilities:
- Water element: Pool, spa, pond, or other water feature
- Seating: patio, deck, pergola, or other patio covers
- Landscaping: lawn, trees, shrubs, ground cover, and other plants
- Features: outdoor BBQ/kitchen, firepit, fireplace, pizza oven, heaters, tv, etc.
- Privacy: fencing, walls, gates, etc.
Pools and Spas
Swimming pools and other water features are a very popular backyard renovation project and can add significant value to your property. They are also very appealing to people with kids or people who like to entertain. However, by far, they are on the highest end of typical backyard remodel costs; swimming pools can cost anywhere from $65,000-$150,000. If you’re including lots of features such as a hot tub, pool heaters, waterfalls, waterslides, or other amenities, a pool can easily run into a six-figure project. What moves a pool from one end of that range to the other is mostly construction type, site access, and how much is bundled into the contract. Almost every pool built in Southern California is gunite, the most expensive of the three construction types; a fiberglass shell costs less but limits size and shape. A flat lot a truck can reach is the cheap case, while rock, a hillside, or a side yard too narrow for machinery is the expensive one. After that it is equipment (heater, variable-speed pump, saltwater, automation), interior finish (plaster at the base, pebble and tile above it), and whether decking and drainage sit inside the contract or outside it. Budget for change orders too: rock, extra plumbing, hauling, and decking commonly add $15,000 to $30,000 before the pool is usable.
When it comes to a spa or hot tub, that project runs $3,000 to $12,000 for an above-ground unit set on a pad, including delivery, and $10,000 to $25,000 for an in-ground spa built into the surrounding hardscape. Leaving a spa or hot tub above ground is the cheapest way to go, but you still need a contractor to connect the unit to water, power, and potentially gas lines. An in-ground spa has a cleaner look and is more likely to increase the long-term value of your home.
A cheaper way to add the aesthetics of water to your backyard is through a pond or waterfall feature which is less expensive than a pool or spa. Cost depends on size and features, it can range from $5,000 to $25,000. This backyard feature, if maintained, can add value to a home, but many of these are often abandoned or ignored by the homeowner after several years.
Outdoor Seating
If you’re interested in hardscaping in Los Angeles, an outdoor patio remodel or deck will provide seating and lounging areas for you and your guests, as well as room for other outdoor furniture. Patios can be as simple as concrete or built with pavers and other materials like flagstone, brick, etc.
Backyard patio cost is mainly decided by the materials you work with. Concrete in Los Angeles can cost anywhere from $10-$18 per square foot, including installation and materials. That is for a plain broom finish. Stamped, colored, or exposed-aggregate concrete runs $15 to $30 per square foot. Pavers and other flagstone materials run $18 to $45 per square foot installed. Concrete pavers sit at the low end, and travertine or porcelain adds roughly $8 to $15 per square foot over standard concrete.
Another backyard remodeling idea is to build a deck created from wood or wood-style materials like Trex, which might cost anywhere from $8,000 to $25,000, depending on the size. Ask your outdoor contractor about which material will work well in your yard. Material sets the floor and the site sets the ceiling. Pressure-treated lumber is the cheapest, composite sits in the middle, and redwood or IPE is the top end, with redwood the usual West Coast choice. A deck sitting on grade is a different job from one on posts, and a hillside deck needs post-and-beam framing, deeper footings, and structural engineering, which adds 20% to 40%. Budget separately for drainage, roughly $2,000 to $6,000 on a flat lot and effectively mandatory on a slope, and for the permit: LADBS requires one for any deck over 30 inches high or attached to the house, and fees run $500 to over $3,000.
Patio Covers
A pergola or some kind of patio cover is also a very important element for the comfort and usability of any elegant patio remodel. With the hot Los Angeles and Southern California sun, you want to make sure that you’re protected against the elements with some kind of cover for your seating areas – so save space in your budget for the added expense of this backyard remodel cost.
The total cost of a pergola or patio cover will depend on the style, size, and material you choose, but you can expect it to cost between $5,000-$25,000. A nice patio cover or pergola will add value to your home by making your backyard space seem much more functional for family enjoyment and entertaining.
Landscaping
Landscaping is an important element of any backyard as it will increase the aesthetics and enjoyment of your patio remodel. Landscaping includes things like a lawn, trees, shrubs, irrigation, etc. An irrigation system itself will be necessary before you do any planting, and you can expect this to cost $3,000 to $8,000, depending on the size of your backyard.
With regard to a lawn, you can choose between the more cost-effective option of using grass seed or spending more by installing fully grown sod. Also, you can consider the option of fake grass, which is more expensive to install but very low maintenance and environmentally friendly, with no need for water.
You can expect the cost of a lawn to range between $3,000 – $20,000. If you are replacing lawn with drought-tolerant landscaping, LADWP customers can claim a turf replacement rebate of $5 per square foot on projects between 250 and 5,000 square feet, capped at $25,000, and the application has to be pre-approved before any work starts. The other backyard remodel costs of all other landscaping, like shrubs, trees, and flowers, will largely depend on what you choose and the size of your backyard, so ask your landscape contractor for specific prices.
Outdoor Features
The next items to consider when evaluating backyard remodel costs are features that add to the overall useability and comfort of your backyard, such as:
- Outdoor kitchen
- BBQ
- Fireplace
- Fire pit
- Heaters
- TV
Most people love the idea of having an outdoor kitchen for entertaining or family outdoor dining. This usually includes a BBQ island, prep area, refrigerator, sink, etc. Outdoor kitchens will add value to the home but can cost anywhere from $10,000 all the way up to $100,000 if they include exotic elements such as a fireplace, pizza oven, etc. It’s a good idea to ensure that any outdoor kitchen island has weatherproof materials such as granite or concrete for the countertop.
An amenity like a firepit or fireplace can really add to the useability of a backyard remodel, especially in the evening or during the fall months. These days, portable or pre-fabricated firepits are available for purchase from retailers and should cost you less than $2,000.
If you’re considering creating a more custom firepit or fireplace, you should be prepared to spend $3,500 to $8,000 for a built-in gas fire pit and $5,000 to $20,000 for a custom masonry fireplace, depending on size, design, and materials. Budget for the gas line separately at $20 to $95 per linear foot, and note that California requires a licensed C-36 plumbing contractor to run it. A general contractor or outdoor contractor should be able to show you photos of various options and costs.
Fencing
You’ll want to make sure your patio remodel is secure and private, and this requires including some exterior walls or fences. The most common and cost-effective is wood fencing. Wood will always show wear with time and various weather conditions. You might consider using a harder, more durable wood like redwood or cedar or at least painting and sealing the fence at completion. A wood fence in Los Angeles or Southern California might cost you $30-65 per linear foot.
Another option is a vinyl fence, which usually comes in a nice, clean-looking white color. Vinyl is a good option because it’s long-lasting and low maintenance. It also has a more appealing look than wood, but it can cost you slightly more at $40-75 per linear foot.
If you’re looking for a fence that creates some security but allows you to maintain a view, one option is wrought iron. The costs can vary substantially based on the look, size, and height you’re trying to achieve.
Eco-Friendly Additions
Incorporating eco-friendly additions into your backyard remodel costs contributes to sustainable living and adds a unique touch to your outdoor space. The cost of these eco-friendly elements can vary based on the specific features you choose.
- Rain Gardens and Permeable Paving: Creating a rain garden, which captures and uses rainwater, or installing permeable paving to reduce runoff, typically falls within the range of $1,000 to $5,000. While these elements enhance water conservation and eco-friendliness, they also add look to your landscape.
- Solar-Powered Features: Choosing solar-powered outdoor lights, irrigation systems, or even a solar lawn mower may require an initial investment ranging from $500 to $5,000. Despite the upfront cost, the long-term benefits include reduced energy bills and a lower environmental impact.
- Eco-Friendly Lawn: Choosing a lawn made of drought-resistant plants or artificial turf can cost between $2,000 and $15,000. While artificial turf requires higher upfront costs, it proves to be a sustainable, low-maintenance option that saves water over time.
Investing in these eco-friendly additions aligns with environmental consciousness and positions your backyard as a sustainable oasis with long-term cost-saving benefits. The initial expenses are balanced by the positive impact on both your wallet and the planet.
Backyard Landscape Design
If you’re planning a major backyard project with multiple of the above elements, the first place to start is with a plan or design. Some contractors work with design professionals that can do this for you or you can hire your own landscape architect to create this plan. You’ll start by telling this professional what elements are important in your new backyard design as well as your rough budget. From there, they can design a draft layout for you to review and revise as needed. It’s important to have an experienced landscape designer work with you as they take into consideration things like the area temperatures, the location of the sun in the sky relative to your yard, the size of full-grown plants and trees, etc. A good landscape architect can make sure that your actual backyard remodel costs don’t exceed your desired budget.
How Do I Find Good Pool & Landscape Contractors Near Me?
A good option to find a reliable landscape contractor or outdoor contractor for your patio remodel is to ask friends, neighbors, or co-workers to recommend someone they’ve used. You can look to find a list of contractors recommended on sites like Facebook. But beware: if you ask for recommendations at these sites, you should only trust recommendations from your ‘real-life’ friends. Other people on these sites can be biased (they’ll recommend a cousin who is a contractor, etc).
If you don’t get any good suggestions from people you know personally, you should look into services that do the most intensive contractor screening and offer personalized introductions to reputable contractors (like GreatBuildz).
Related: GreatBuildz Top Rated Contractors
The worst option is just going online and sifting through a long list of backyard contractors on various online review sites. There are too many contractors and most of them seem to have a 4- or 5-star rating on these sites, and you just can’t tell the good contractors from the bad ones just based on reviews and photos.
After you meet with several contractors and get their estimates, resist the urge to simply hire the one that provides you the lowest cost. You’ll want to compare these cost estimates carefully to ensure they include all the items that you want in your outdoor remodel. For more info on comparing contractor bids that vary in price, check out this blog.
A quality backyard and landscape contractor will have the appropriate license (C-27) for the CSLB. A pool contractor should always be licensed with the CSLB (C53 license). Make sure to check the CSLB site to confirm the contractor’s license is still active and that there are no complaints filed. You can also see there how long the company has been licensed and in business. In addition, make certain that the contractor you are considering for your backyard remodel has both general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance.
If a contractor quotes you a price for backyard remodel costs that seems too good to be true, it probably is. If they are willing to work for such a low price, they are quite likely to rush to finish quickly or use sub-par materials. There is no such thing as a free lunch.
How Tariffs Could Impact Backyard Remodeling Costs
Tariffs on imported construction materials may lead to higher remodeling costs, as many essential materials come from Canada, Mexico, and China.
The biggest impact is expected on Canadian lumber, which supplies about one-third of the U.S. market and cement from Mexico may become more expensive. So if you’re planning on creating a patio or patio cover, your costs may be impacted
While this might seem concerning, there are two important things to keep in mind. First, most homeowners don’t buy materials right away, and if you start planning now, your project may not require materials for another three to six months, giving time for tariffs to change. Second, materials typically make up less than half of total construction costs, so even if material prices increase by 10%, the overall impact on your budget will be minimal.
Related: How To Spot a Bad Contractor Before It’s Too Late
Frequently Asked Questions About Backyard Remodel Costs
How much does a backyard remodel cost in Los Angeles?
A backyard remodel in Los Angeles can run from a few thousand dollars to more than $100,000, depending on what you add. A new swimming pool runs $65,000 to $150,000, a deck $8,000 to $25,000, a concrete patio $10 to $18 per square foot, and an outdoor kitchen $10,000 to $100,000.
What is the most expensive part of a backyard remodel?
A swimming pool is usually the biggest single cost at $65,000 to $150,000, followed by an outdoor kitchen, which can reach $100,000 with high-end appliances and finishes. Pools also add ongoing maintenance costs, so factor those in when you budget.
How can I remodel my backyard on a budget?
Focus on lower-cost, high-impact projects first: fresh landscaping and a lawn run about $3,000 to $20,000, a pergola or patio cover runs $5,000 to $25,000, and a spa or hot tub runs $3,000 to $25,000. Phasing the work over time also keeps any single year’s spending down.
GreatBuildz is a free service that connects homeowners in Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura & San Diego with reliable, thoroughly screened landscape and pool contractors and provides project support from start to finish.
Call now (818.317.3567) to chat with a real person about your next renovation project or visit our website for more information: www.greatbuildz.com
