Real Transformations, Real Numbers
I believe in transparency. When homeowners are planning a backyard remodel, they deserve to see what's actually possible at different price points—not just staged photos with no context. Here are five of our recent projects with the honest numbers behind them.
Project 1: The Woodland Hills Family Yard
Budget: $95,000 | Timeline: 8 Weeks | Lot: 8,500 sq ft
The homeowners had a tired 1990s backyard with a cracking concrete patio, dying grass, and a rusting chain-link fence. Two kids under 10, a dog, and a desire to 'actually use the backyard.'
- Pool: Standard 14x28 with Baja shelf and raised spa — $62,000
- Hardscape: 600 sq ft travertine patio with built-in bench — $14,000
- Landscape: 400 sq ft artificial turf play area, planting — $8,000
- Fencing: New vinyl privacy fence (120 linear ft) — $6,000
- Lighting: 12 LED landscape lights, 2 pool lights — $5,000
Result: The family went from never using their backyard to being out there every evening. The Baja shelf is where the kids live all summer, and the turf area handles the dog perfectly.
Project 2: The Encino Entertainer
Budget: $185,000 | Timeline: 14 Weeks | Lot: 11,000 sq ft
Empty nesters who host frequently. Their backyard was oversized grass with a basic concrete patio. They wanted a complete outdoor living destination for dinner parties of 20+.
- Pool: 16x36 geometric pool with infinity edge — $85,000
- Outdoor kitchen: L-shaped island, Lynx grill, sink, fridge, bar seating for 6 — $28,000
- Pergola: 16x20 solid roof with fans and heaters — $22,000
- Fire feature: Linear fire pit with built-in seating for 10 — $15,000
- Hardscape: 1,200 sq ft porcelain pavers — $25,000
- Landscape & lighting: Drought-tolerant planting, 24 LED lights — $10,000
Result: They hosted a 40-person holiday party three months after completion. Their words: 'We don't go to restaurants anymore.'
Project 3: The Calabasas Modern Retreat
Budget: $310,000 | Timeline: 20 Weeks | Lot: 15,000 sq ft (hillside)
A complete hillside transformation. The property had a steep 18-foot grade drop with an unusable slope. The vision: a tiered outdoor resort with mountain views from every level.
- Retaining walls: Three terraces, poured concrete with stone veneer — $65,000
- Pool: 18x40 infinity edge with catch basin, raised spa — $110,000
- Outdoor kitchen & dining: Full kitchen, 12-seat dining under cantilever pergola — $45,000
- Landscape: Terraced planting, turf, mature trees — $25,000
- Hardscape: 1,800 sq ft travertine across all terraces — $40,000
- Fire pit & lounge: Sunken conversation pit with 48" fire bowl — $18,000
- Engineering & permits: Soils, structural, civil — $17,000
Project 4: The Sherman Oaks Quick Refresh
Budget: $48,000 | Timeline: 4 Weeks | Lot: 6,500 sq ft
Not every project is a six-figure gut job. This homeowner had a perfectly good pool that just needed the surroundings updated. The goal: modern, clean, and done fast.
- Pool deck resurfacing: Paver overlay on existing concrete — $18,000
- New pool coping: Porcelain bullnose — $6,000
- Artificial turf: 350 sq ft replacing dead grass — $7,000
- Fire pit: 36" round gas fire pit with seating wall — $8,000
- Landscape lighting: 10 LED uplights and path lights — $4,500
- Planting refresh: Drought-tolerant plants in existing beds — $4,500
Result: Four weeks, no major construction headaches, and the backyard looks completely different. This is what a smart refresh looks like when the bones are good.
Project 5: The Studio City ADU + Backyard
Budget: $145,000 (backyard only) | Timeline: 12 Weeks | Lot: 9,000 sq ft
This project happened alongside a 500 sq ft ADU construction (separate contractor for the ADU). We coordinated the backyard remodel to share trenching, grading, and utility work.
- Pool: 15x30 with spa, positioned between house and ADU — $70,000
- Hardscape: 900 sq ft pavers, privacy fence between pool and ADU — $22,000
- Pergola: 14x16 attached to house, covering outdoor dining — $18,000
- Outdoor kitchen: Compact grill island with counter — $14,000
- Landscape: Turf, planting, and screening between zones — $12,000
- Lighting and irrigation: Full LED package, smart irrigation — $9,000
Savings from combining with ADU construction: approximately $22,000 (shared trenching, grading, and utility work).
Key Takeaways Across All Five Projects
- The pool is always the biggest single line item (35-55% of total budget)
- Hardscape costs are proportional to area—every extra 100 sq ft adds $2,500-4,500
- Hillside engineering adds $10,000-25,000 before any construction begins
- Lighting is always worth the investment—it's 3-5% of budget but transforms the evening experience
- The best results come from a single design vision executed as one project
💡 Pro Tip
When comparing quotes from different contractors, make sure you're comparing the same scope. Line-item detail matters. A '$90,000 pool' quote might not include coping, deck, equipment, or electrical—which could add $25,000-40,000 of 'surprises.'
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the minimum budget for a meaningful backyard transformation in LA?
For a significant change (new hardscape, landscape, and one major feature like a fire pit or small pool), budget $40,000-60,000 minimum in 2026 LA pricing.
How do I know if my backyard needs a full remodel or just a refresh?
If the 'bones' are good (solid concrete, working pool, adequate drainage), a $30,000-50,000 refresh can be transformative. If there are structural issues, drainage problems, or the layout doesn't work, a full remodel is the better investment.
Do you offer financing for backyard remodels?
We can discuss payment schedules tied to project milestones. We require a deposit at contract signing, with progress payments throughout the project.
