Outdoor & Backyard Remodeling
Custom patios, outdoor kitchens, hardscaping, fire features, and pergolas — built for year-round LA living.
Outdoor & Backyard Remodeling in Los Angeles
LA weather means your backyard is usable 300+ days a year — but most backyards aren't set up for it. Alto Builders designs and builds outdoor living spaces that actually get used: kitchens you can cook in, patios with proper drainage, fire features with gas lines, and shade structures that don't blow over.
We handle everything from grading and drainage to gas, electrical, and finish work. Most outdoor projects require permits for structures, gas lines, or electrical — we pull all of them. Every project is tracked in Buildertrend with daily photos and a shared schedule. CSLB #1118841.
What We Build
- Hardscaping & Patios — Concrete pavers, natural stone, stamped concrete, and poured-in-place. We grade for proper drainage, install compacted base material, and set to precise slope so water moves away from your house.
- Outdoor Kitchens — Built-in grills, side burners, concrete or stone countertops, bar sinks with hot/cold water, under-counter refrigeration, and dedicated gas and electrical runs. We build the structure from steel stud and concrete board, not wood.
- Fire Features — Gas fire pits, wood-burning fire pits, and outdoor fireplaces. Gas features get a dedicated line from your meter with a key valve or electronic ignition. We handle the gas permit and inspection.
- Pergolas & Shade Structures — Western red cedar, steel, or aluminum pergolas. Motorized louvered roofs for adjustable shade. All structures are engineered and permitted — we don't do unpermitted patio covers.
- Landscape Integration — Retaining walls, planter walls, French drains, pathway lighting (low-voltage LED), and irrigation connections. We coordinate with your landscaper or handle the hardscape portion of a full backyard redesign.
Our Process
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Site Consultation We walk your yard, discuss how you want to use the space, and identify any drainage, grading, or access issues. You'll get a rough scope and ballpark budget.
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Design & Permits Hardscape layout, material selections, structural plans for any covered structures, and permit applications for gas, electrical, or structures.
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Construction Grading, drainage, base preparation, hardscape installation, structure framing, gas and electrical rough-in, countertops, fixtures, and final grading. Daily Buildertrend updates.
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Final Walkthrough We test all gas connections, electrical, water lines, and drainage. Punch list review and warranty documentation.
Areas We Serve
Alto Builders provides outdoor remodeling services across Los Angeles and the surrounding area, including Encino, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Tarzana, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Topanga, Hidden Hills, Oak Park, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Burbank, Glendale, and North Hollywood.
Frequently Asked Questions
A basic patio with pavers runs $15,000–$30,000. Add an outdoor kitchen and you're at $40,000–$80,000. A full backyard remodel with patio, kitchen, fire feature, and pergola typically runs $60,000–$150,000+. The biggest cost drivers are the kitchen appliance package and whether you're doing a permitted shade structure.
A patio-only project takes 2–4 weeks. A backyard with outdoor kitchen and fire feature runs 6–10 weeks. A full backyard remodel with a covered structure takes 8–14 weeks, plus permit time.
Structures (pergolas, patio covers, pool houses) always need permits. Gas lines and electrical always need permits. Basic hardscaping on grade — pavers, flagstone — usually doesn't, but check with your city. We handle all permit applications and inspections.
Paver and stone patios, outdoor kitchens with gas and plumbing, fire pits and fireplaces, pergolas and shade structures, retaining walls, pathway lighting, and drainage solutions. We focus on the built elements — for plants and irrigation, we coordinate with your landscaper.
Ready to Transform Your Outdoor Space?
From a simple patio to a full outdoor kitchen and entertaining area — it starts with a conversation. We are here to help you design and build an outdoor space you will actually use.