BACKYARD REMODELING · WOODLAND HILLS, CA
Backyard Remodeling Contractor in Los Angeles
Complete backyard renovation from Rafa Home Builders, an outdoor living space builder in the San Fernando Valley that plans grading, hardscape, outdoor kitchens, lighting and landscaping as one design.
- CSLB License #1150519Class B General Building
- Licensed, Bonded & InsuredLiability + workers’ comp
- Family-Owned & Owner-LedJustin & Elon on every job
- Written Workmanship WarrantyOn qualifying projects
- Financing AvailableThrough Enhancify
ONE PLAN FOR THE WHOLE YARD
Outdoor Living Space Builder for Los Angeles
Most backyards grow piece by piece: a patio here, a few plants there, a fire pit that never quite fits. A complete backyard renovation starts with the whole lot instead, deciding where people will cook, eat, relax and play, how water will drain and how the yard connects to the house.
As a backyard remodeling contractor in Woodland Hills, Rafa Home Builders handles patio design-build, grading and drainage, retaining walls, outdoor kitchen construction, lighting and planting under one plan, with hardscaping integration so every surface and structure works together. When a project calls for landscape architecture or engineering, we coordinate those professionals as part of the same plan.
Valley summers mean shade, water use and evening comfort matter as much as looks, so we design for them from the start. As a Los Angeles general contractor, we bring patios, outdoor kitchens and planting together under one plan and one contract.
- 3D design of the full yard before work starts
- Grading, drainage and retaining walls planned first
- Outdoor kitchens, fire features and lighting coordinated
- Drought-tolerant landscaping that suits Valley summers
Quick Answers
Backyard Remodeling Quick Answers
Short answers to the questions homeowners ask us most. More detail follows below.
- Who designs and builds the backyard? Rafa Home Builders, a licensed California general contractor (CSLB #1150519) in Woodland Hills, designs and builds your backyard under one contract.
- What can a backyard makeover include? Patios and walkways, outdoor kitchen construction, fire pit installation, retaining walls, outdoor lighting and drought-tolerant landscaping, plus decks and pools when you want them.
- Do you handle drainage? Yes. Grading and drainage are planned first so water moves away from the house and does not pool on patios or planting beds.
- Do retaining walls need a permit? Taller walls, walls holding back a slope or a driveway, and walls in hillside areas generally need permits and engineering. We confirm the requirements before the design is final.
- Can you build an outdoor kitchen? Yes. Counters, grill, sink, refrigeration, power and gas lines are planned together, with permits where the utilities require them.
- Can my backyard be drought-tolerant? Yes. Water-wise plants, efficient irrigation and permeable surfaces cut water use. Lawn replacement rebates may be available, and most require approval before work begins.
- Where do you work? The Greater San Fernando Valley, including Encino, Tarzana, Sherman Oaks, Calabasas and Studio City.
- How do I get started? Request a free estimate online or call (714) 768-5719 to schedule a site visit.
WHAT WE BUILD
Complete Backyard Renovation, Planned as One Design
01
Patio Design-Build
Patios and paths sized for how you entertain, built on a solid base.
02
Outdoor Kitchen Construction
Counters, grill, sink and utilities planned for cooking outdoors.
03
Fire Pit Installation
Gas or wood-burning fire features placed with safe clearances.
04
Retaining Walls
Walls that level the yard and hold back slopes, engineered where required.
05
Outdoor Lighting
Path, step and accent lighting for safety and evening use.
06
Drought-Tolerant Landscaping
Water-wise plants and efficient irrigation suited to the Valley.
PROJECT GALLERY
Backyard, Hardscape and Outdoor Living Projects
PLANNING GUIDE
Planning a Backyard Makeover: Where to Start
The order of decisions that makes a backyard feel finished, not pieced together.
Zones for outdoor living
Start with how you want to use the yard: cooking, dining, lounging, play, gardening or a pool. We place each zone based on sun and shade, views from the house and how people will move between them.
Grading and drainage
Water has to go somewhere. Before any patio is poured, we plan slopes, swales and drains so runoff moves away from the foundation and off hard surfaces, which matters most during winter storms.
Retaining walls on sloped lots
Many Valley and hillside lots need retaining walls to create usable, level space. Taller walls, walls that hold back a slope or driveway, and walls in hillside areas generally require permits and engineering, and we plan for that up front.
Outdoor kitchen construction
An outdoor kitchen works best close to the house, with gas, power and water lines routed before the hardscape is finished. We plan counters, appliances, landing space and any shade structure as one design.
Fire pit installation and outdoor lighting
Fire features need safe clearances from structures and plants and must follow local rules on fuel type. Outdoor lighting along paths, steps and seating areas adds safety and makes the yard usable after dark.
Drought-tolerant landscaping and hardscaping integration
Water-wise plants, drip irrigation and permeable surfaces keep water use down. We integrate planting with the hardscape so beds, walls and patios work together, and we can point you to lawn replacement rebate programs, which typically require approval before work starts.
See Your Whole Backyard in 3D
Book a free site visit. We will walk the yard with you, talk through your goals and start your 3D backyard design.
How It Works
Our Backyard Remodeling Process, Step by Step
From the first site visit to the first evening outside.
- 01
Free Site Visit
We walk the yard, check slopes, drainage, access and utilities, and talk about how you want to use it.
- 02
3D Design & Selections
We design the full yard in 3D and help you choose surfaces, features, lighting and plants.
- 03
Written Scope & Permits
You receive a written scope, schedule and price. We pull any permits the work requires.
- 04
Construction
Grading, drainage, walls, utilities, hardscape, outdoor kitchen, lighting and planting, with regular updates.
- 05
Final Walkthrough
We walk the finished yard with you, review irrigation and lighting, and go over your warranty terms.
BEFORE YOU BUILD
Backyard Remodel Permits, Costs and Timelines
What to expect before construction starts.
Permits
- Outdoor kitchens with gas, electrical or plumbing generally need permits.
- Taller or surcharged retaining walls and walls in hillside areas generally need permits and engineering.
- Attached patio covers and some structures require permits.
- City of Los Angeles addresses go through LADBS; Calabasas has its own department.
What drives cost
- Yard size and access for equipment
- Grading, drainage and retaining walls
- Hardscape materials
- Outdoor kitchen and fire features
- Utility runs for gas, power and water
Your free estimate itemizes these choices. Financing is available.
What affects timeline
- Design decisions and selections
- Permit review where required
- Weather and soil conditions
- Material and appliance lead times
You receive a written schedule before work begins.
Service Areas
Backyard Remodeling in Encino, Tarzana, Sherman Oaks, Calabasas and Studio City
From our office in Woodland Hills, we build outdoor living spaces across the Greater San Fernando Valley, from flat lots in Encino and Tarzana to sloped yards in Sherman Oaks, Calabasas and Studio City, and take on backyard projects across LA County and Orange County.
Backyard remodeling service areas include:
- Calabasas
- Hidden Hills
- Tarzana
- Encino
- West Hills
- Canoga Park
- Winnetka
- Reseda
- Chatsworth
- Northridge
- Woodland Hills
- Sherman Oaks
- Studio City
- Porter Ranch
- Granada Hills
- Agoura Hills
- Valley Village
- Bell Canyon
- Toluca Lake
- Burbank
Focused on one part of the yard? See our hardscape, decks and patios and pools and spas pages, or call (714) 768-5719.
FAQ
Backyard Remodeling FAQs
How much does a backyard remodel cost in Woodland Hills?
Cost depends on the size of the yard, grading and drainage needs, retaining walls, hardscape materials, outdoor kitchen and fire features, and utility work. Rafa Home Builders provides a free, itemized estimate after a site visit, and financing is available through Enhancify, subject to credit approval.
How long does a complete backyard renovation take?
It depends on the scope, permits, weather and material lead times. Your written schedule is set before construction starts.
Do I need a permit for a backyard remodel or outdoor kitchen?
Work involving gas, electrical or plumbing, taller retaining walls and some patio covers and structures generally require permits. Planting and simple paving often do not. We confirm what your project needs and handle the permits.
Do retaining walls need a permit in Los Angeles?
Generally, walls over about four feet, walls holding back a slope, driveway or other load, and walls in hillside areas need permits and engineering. We verify the requirements for your property before finalizing the design.
Can I get a rebate for replacing my lawn?
Lawn replacement rebate programs have been offered through bewaterwise.com and local water agencies. They usually require approval before work begins and have specific planting and irrigation rules, so check before you start.
How do you handle drainage on a sloped yard?
We plan grading, swales, drains and retaining walls together so water is directed away from the house and off patios, and we design walls and steps to manage the slope safely.
Is my backyard project covered by a warranty?
Qualifying projects come with a written workmanship warranty, with the terms spelled out in your project agreement. Products and equipment may also carry their own manufacturer warranties.
START YOUR BACKYARD PROJECT
Ready to Talk With a Backyard Remodeling Contractor in Los Angeles?
Tell us how you want to use your yard. We will schedule a free site visit and walk you through design ideas, permits and pricing.