Backyard & Outdoor Living in Brentwood
Full backyard transformations, pavers, outdoor kitchens, fire features, shade structures and turf. Designed, permitted and built by our own crews.
Backyard & Outdoor Living built for Brentwood properties
There are really two build conditions here. On the flat park-district streets we work around mature protected sycamores and oaks whose root zones decide where a pool shell can land. Up in Mandeville, Kenter and Sullivan canyons, single-lane roads and fire-zone construction requirements drive the schedule, and every cubic yard of exported soil has to leave on a route the city has already approved. We price both realities separately.
Broad, level, deeply landscaped lots in the flat park district, transitioning to long, narrow canyon parcels with steep side slopes and single-lane frontage.
We are a design-build team, which means the people who draw your project are the people who build it. Design, engineering, permits and construction run through one project manager and our own crews, so nothing gets lost in a handoff between a salesperson and a subcontractor. We are licensed and insured, LIC #1119054.
Permits in Brentwood: Permits are issued by LADBS, since this is part of the City of Los Angeles rather than a separate city. Hillside lots north of Sunset fall under the Baseline Hillside Ordinance (No. 184,802) for height, floor area and grading limits, and import or export of more than 1,000 cubic yards in a hillside grading area triggers a haul route hearing before the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners. The canyons are mapped Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, which brings Chapter 7A ignition-resistant construction and brush clearance obligations. The city's protected tree and shrub ordinance (No. 186,873) covers oak, western sycamore, Southern California black walnut and California bay laurel, plus toyon and Mexican elderberry.
What We Build
- Protected tree root-zone planning
- Canyon access, staging and haul route logistics
- Full backyard transformations
- Paver patios, driveways and walkways
- Outdoor kitchens and BBQ islands
- Pergolas, patio covers and shade structures
- Fire pits, fire tables and fireplaces
- Retaining walls and seat walls
- Artificial turf and drought-tolerant planting
- Drainage correction and grading
- Landscape and architectural lighting
- Front yard and curb appeal remodels
Local Conditions
What building in Brentwood actually involves
Every city in Southern California builds differently. These are the things that change the scope, the schedule or the budget on Brentwood projects.
Flat park-district lots carry mature sycamores, oaks and walnuts whose protected root zones frequently dictate where a pool shell, footings and utility trenching can go.
Canyon properties north of Sunset sit on single-lane roads with limited turnarounds, so concrete, crane and soil-export days have to be reserved well in advance.
Soils shift from expansive clay to shallow bedrock within a few hundred feet, which changes excavation cost and foundation design substantially between neighboring lots.
Mid-century canyon homes often retain original service panels and galvanized water lines that need upgrading before pool equipment, spa heaters and outdoor kitchens are added.
Investment
What this costs in Brentwood
Real Southern California ranges, not a teaser number. Every project is priced line by line after we have seen the site.
Full backyard transformation
$50,000 to $250,000+
What moves it: how much hardscape is involved, whether a pool or outdoor kitchen is included, grading and retaining, and the level of lighting and planting
Paver patio and hardscape
from about $13,000
What moves it: square footage, paver type, base preparation, drainage, and any steps or retaining involved
Outdoor kitchen and BBQ island
$10,000 to $50,000+
What moves it: counter length, appliance package, countertop material, and whether gas, water and power need to be run a long distance
Pergola and shade structure
from about $9,500
What moves it: span, material (wood, aluminium or louvered), footing requirements, and integrated lighting or heating
Artificial turf
from about $9,900
What moves it: area, turf grade, base depth, drainage, and any pet-specific infill
How We Build
Your Brentwood project, step by step
Site Review
We measure the yard, check drainage and grade, and find the constraints before design starts.
Design & 3D
You walk the whole yard in 3D, so layout and materials are settled before we build.
Plans & Permits
Structures, walls and electrical get drawn and permitted where the work requires it. In Brentwood that submittal goes to Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS).
Demo & Grading
Old surfaces come out, levels are set and drainage is corrected properly.
Build
Hardscape, structures, kitchen, features and lighting go in, sequenced by our own crews.
Planting & Handover
Planting, turf and final detail, then a full walkthrough of the finished yard.
Brentwood Questions
Common questions from Brentwood homeowners
Who issues the permits for this work in Brentwood?
Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). Permits are issued by LADBS, since this is part of the City of Los Angeles rather than a separate city. Hillside lots north of Sunset fall under the Baseline Hillside Ordinance (No. 184,802) for height, floor area and grading limits, and import or export of more than 1,000 cubic yards in a hillside grading area triggers a haul route hearing before the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners. The canyons are mapped Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, which brings Chapter 7A ignition-resistant construction and brush clearance obligations. The city's protected tree and shrub ordinance (No. 186,873) covers oak, western sycamore, Southern California black walnut and California bay laurel, plus toyon and Mexican elderberry. We prepare the drawings, make the submittal and handle plan-check corrections ourselves, so you are not the one chasing the city.
What makes building in Brentwood different?
Broad, level, deeply landscaped lots in the flat park district, transitioning to long, narrow canyon parcels with steep side slopes and single-lane frontage. In practice that means flat park-district lots carry mature sycamores, oaks and walnuts whose protected root zones frequently dictate where a pool shell, footings and utility trenching can go..
Which parts of Brentwood do you work in?
All of it, including Brentwood Park, Mandeville Canyon, Kenter Canyon, Sullivan Canyon. We are based in Los Angeles at Cahuenga Pass, so Brentwood is a short run for our crews rather than a job we service from out of the area.
What does backyard & outdoor living cost in Brentwood?
Full backyard transformation in this market generally runs $50,000 to $250,000+. What moves it is how much hardscape is involved, whether a pool or outdoor kitchen is included, grading and retaining, and the level of lighting and planting. We give line-item pricing after seeing the site rather than quoting a number over the phone.
How long does a backyard remodel take?
A patio and turf refresh often finishes in three to five weeks. A full transformation with hardscape, an outdoor kitchen, structures and lighting typically runs ten to sixteen weeks, and longer if a pool is part of the same phase.
Pavers or poured concrete?
Pavers cost more up front but flex with ground movement instead of cracking, and individual units can be lifted and replaced. Poured concrete is cheaper initially, but a crack means cutting out and repouring a section that rarely matches. On most Southern California soil we recommend pavers for anything you will look at every day.
Can you fix drainage at the same time?
Yes, and on most projects we insist on it. Correcting grade and adding proper drainage while the yard is already open is far cheaper than retrofitting it after new hardscape is down.
Do you handle the whole yard in one project?
Yes. Design, permits, hardscape, structures, kitchen, lighting and planting run through one team and one project manager, so nothing gets lost between trades.
More services in Brentwood
Brentwood Guides
Planning guides for Brentwood homeowners
Costs, materials and process notes from our own projects.
Whole-Home Remodel Sequencing: What to Do First
A whole-home remodel done in the wrong order costs 15 to 25 percent more. Here is the correct sequence, from structural and roof through to paint, and why each stage has to precede the next.
Read guideIndoor-Outdoor Living Conversions in Southern California
A 16-foot multi-slide door runs $18,000 to $45,000 installed. Here is how the full indoor-outdoor conversion works, from structural header to flush threshold to covered patio tie-in.
Read guideTarzana Outdoor Living: A Builder's Guide to South of the Boulevard Lots
Tarzana backyards run hot and deep. A working outdoor living build here — shade, hardscape, kitchen, lighting — typically lands between $85,000 and $220,000, and the ground drives most of the number.
Read guidePorter Ranch Backyard Transformation: Wind, Slope and What It Costs
A full backyard transformation in Porter Ranch runs $95,000 to $280,000. Wind exposure, slope, HOA review and fire-zone material rules shape the design before anything about style enters the conversation.
Read guidePlanning backyard & outdoor living in Brentwood?
Sit down with your project manager, go through the details, and get an accurate estimate for your property.
Licensed & Insured · LIC #1119054