Backyard Remodeling & Outdoor Living in Malibu, CA
Source: https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/services/exterior-remodeling/malibu
Last modified: 2026-09-24T00:00:00.000Z
Text part: 1 of 1
Full website text index | Services by city | Previous page | Next page
Image: Pool and raised spa with a fire pit, outdoor bar and lawn at dusk
- Malibu
Design · Permit · Build
Backyard & Outdoor Living in Malibu
We design the whole backyard as one, so patio, kitchen and shade fit together.
Book a Consultation Call 818-300-2393
Built for Malibu Homes
Septic capacity usually sets the ceiling long before design does. The wastewater system determines how many bedrooms an addition can add and where a pool, its equipment and backwash line are allowed to sit. Because every parcel sits in the coastal zone, we sequence geology, biology and drainage work alongside the coastal permit application rather than after it.
On blufftop and canyon sites we also budget for long haul distances and wind-exposed material choices.
Everything from tight beachfront strips between the highway and the sand to multi-acre canyon and ridge parcels with steep buildable pads and long private driveways.
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, bonded and insured, CSLB license #1119054 .
Permits in Malibu: The city runs its own Building Safety Division and issues its own building and grading permits. The entire city lies within the coastal zone, and because the Local Coastal Program was certified in 2002 the city itself issues coastal development permits under its Land Use Plan and Local Implementation Plan, including review against the ESHA overlay.
Onsite wastewater treatment systems are permitted through the Community Development Department's Wastewater Management and Environmental Health staff, and installing a new system requires its own coastal development permit. Processing depends heavily on required geotechnical, biological and wastewater studies, so schedules vary considerably from parcel to parcel.
Permit details checked September 2026 against City of Malibu . Rules change, so we confirm them again for your parcel.
What We Build
- Onsite wastewater capacity analysis
- Coastal development permit submittal support
- Geotechnical and shoring coordination
- 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 to Know in Malibu
These local conditions change the scope, the schedule and the budget.
01
Nearly every property runs on an onsite wastewater system rather than a sewer, and its rated capacity limits added bedrooms and constrains where a pool, equipment pad and backwash line can sit.
02
Blufftop and canyon parcels carry documented landslide and erosion history, so geotechnical setbacks and shoring design are settled before any pool or deck layout is finalized.
03
Sustained onshore wind and salt spray degrade untreated metal, cabinetry and fabric fast, which changes material selection for outdoor kitchens, pergolas and pool equipment.
04
Long approaches along winding canyon roads and the highway make concrete pours, crane days and soil export significantly more expensive to stage than comparable flatland work.
Areas we serve in Malibu:Point DumeMalibu ColonySerra RetreatBig RockMalibu ParkTrancas Canyon
Investment
What It Costs in Malibu
Real Southern California price ranges, not teaser numbers.
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, aluminum 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
Your lot, access and finishes set the price. We walk the site, then show you where every dollar goes.
Get a line-item price for your Malibu property
The Process
How We Work in Malibu
01
Site Review
We measure the yard, check drainage and grade, and find the constraints before design starts.
02
Design & 3D
You walk the whole yard in 3D, so layout and materials are settled before we build.
03
Plans & Permits
Structures, walls and electrical get drawn and permitted where the work requires it. In Malibu that submittal goes to City of Malibu Building Safety Division (Community Development Department).
04
Demo & Grading
Old surfaces come out, levels are set and drainage is corrected properly.
05
Build
Hardscape, structures, kitchen, features and lighting go in, sequenced by our own crews.
06
Planting & Handover
Planting, turf and final detail, then a full walkthrough of the finished yard.
Questions
What Malibu Homeowners Ask
Who issues the permits for this work in Malibu?
City of Malibu Building Safety Division (Community Development Department). The city runs its own Building Safety Division and issues its own building and grading permits. The entire city lies within the coastal zone, and because the Local Coastal Program was certified in 2002 the city itself issues coastal development permits under its Land Use Plan and Local Implementation Plan, including review against the ESHA overlay.
Onsite wastewater treatment systems are permitted through the Community Development Department's Wastewater Management and Environmental Health staff, and installing a new system requires its own coastal development permit. Processing depends heavily on required geotechnical, biological and wastewater studies, so schedules vary considerably from parcel to parcel.
We prepare the drawings, make the submittal and handle plan-check corrections ourselves, so you are not the one chasing plan check.
What makes building in Malibu different?
Everything from tight beachfront strips between the highway and the sand to multi-acre canyon and ridge parcels with steep buildable pads and long private driveways. One local condition that shapes the work: Nearly every property runs on an onsite wastewater system rather than a sewer, and its rated capacity limits added bedrooms and constrains where a pool, equipment pad and backwash line can sit.
Which parts of Malibu do you work in?
All of it, including Point Dume, Malibu Colony, Serra Retreat and Big Rock. Our crews run every job out of our Cahuenga Pass base in Los Angeles, with our own people on site.
What does a backyard or outdoor living project cost in Malibu?
Full backyard transformation: generally $50,000 to $250,000+ across Southern California. 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 Malibu
Pool & Spa Remodeling in Malibu ADUs & Additions in Malibu Kitchen, Bath & Interior Remodeling in Malibu Plans, Permits & Design in Malibu Everything we build in Malibu
Backyard & Outdoor Living Nearby
Backyard & Outdoor Living in Pacific Palisades Backyard & Outdoor Living in Santa Monica Backyard & Outdoor Living in Calabasas Backyard & Outdoor Living in Agoura Hills Backyard & Outdoor Living in Westlake Village Backyard & Outdoor Living in Topanga
Planning Guides
Before You Build in Malibu
Costs, materials and process notes from our own projects.
Malibu Backyard Remodel Cost: The Coastal Premium A Malibu backyard remodel runs $90,000 to $300,000. Here is how that splits across hardscape, shade, pool work and soft costs, and why coastal rules add 15 to 30 percent. Read guide Outdoor Living in Malibu: Coastal Design Inspiration Malibu's coastal setting demands special considerations for outdoor living. Explore design ideas that embrace ocean views while withstanding salt air and marine conditions. Read guide 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 guide Indoor-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 guide
Planning a Backyard in Malibu?
Sit down with your project manager and get an accurate estimate. We call you back within one business day.
Book a Consultation 818-300-2393
Licensed, bonded & insured · CSLB license #1119054
End of text part 1 of 1. This page is complete.