Short Answer
A paver patio and turf project often runs $20,000 to $45,000. Adding a covered patio, outdoor kitchen and lighting typically lands between $60,000 and $120,000, and complete hillside backyards with retaining walls and decks can exceed $200,000.
- Typical cost
- $20,000 – $200,000+ depending on scope
- Typical timeline
- 3–12 weeks of construction depending on scope
- Permits
- Permits and inspections handled by us through LADBS or your city building department.
- Service area
- All of Los Angeles County, including the San Fernando Valley, Westside, South Bay and foothill cities.
- Credentials
- Licensed, bonded and insured. CSLB #1076428. Owner-operated.
What We Build Outside
Everything from a paver patio to a complete backyard with a covered kitchen, pool deck and lighting, built by the same crews and project manager that handle our home remodels.
- Paver, concrete and natural stone patios
- Composite and hardwood decks, including hillside and roof decks
- Outdoor kitchens, BBQ islands and fire features
- Pergolas, covered patios and shade structures
- Retaining walls, steps and grading
- Artificial turf, planting, irrigation and landscape lighting
Drainage, Footings and Slopes
Outdoor work fails at the ground. Patios settle, walls lean and decks rot when drainage and footings are treated as optional. We grade for runoff, set footings to code, and engineer retaining walls over the height that triggers a permit.
- Site grading and drainage design
- Engineered retaining walls over 4 feet
- Deck footings, ledgers and flashing to code
- Hillside and view-lot deck structures
Permits and Utilities
Covered structures, decks over 30 inches, retaining walls over 4 feet, and any gas or electrical run to an outdoor kitchen need permits. We handle LADBS or your city, coordinate the trades, and keep the gas, water and electrical runs inspected and documented.
- Permits for patio covers, decks and retaining walls
- Gas, water and electrical for outdoor kitchens
- Hillside ordinance and fire-zone landscaping rules
- Water-wise planting and irrigation compliance

Isaac Sade, Project Manager
Isaac runs outdoor living, landscaping & hardscaping projects at 1 Smart Build from the first site visit through final inspection: scope, plans, permit submittal, the crews on site, and the walkthrough at the end. You deal with one person who is accountable for the whole job.
Class B — General Building Contractor, CSLB #1076428. Bonded through and insured to $1,000,000 through U.S. Specialty Insurance Company. Rated 4.9 across 168 reviews.
More about IsaacFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much does a backyard renovation cost in Los Angeles?
A paver patio and turf project often runs $20,000 to $45,000. Adding a covered patio, outdoor kitchen and lighting typically lands between $60,000 and $120,000, and complete hillside backyards with retaining walls and decks can exceed $200,000.
Do I need a permit for a patio cover or deck?
Patio covers, decks more than 30 inches above grade, retaining walls over 4 feet, and gas or electrical for an outdoor kitchen all require permits in Los Angeles. Simple ground-level pavers and planting usually don't.
How long does an outdoor project take?
Most patios and decks take 3 to 6 weeks. Full backyard renovations with structures, utilities and retaining walls run 8 to 12 weeks after permits.
Do you do outdoor living projects near me across LA?
Yes. We build patios, decks, outdoor kitchens and full backyards across Los Angeles County and neighboring cities within about 100 miles of our Woodland Hills office, including hillside lots in the Valley, Westside and foothills.
Areas We Serve
1 Smart Build provides outdoor living, landscaping & hardscaping services within a 100-mile radius of our Woodland Hills office, covering Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Orange County and the surrounding region. Homeowners searching for a remodeling contractor near me regularly hire us in:
- Outdoor Living, Landscaping & Hardscaping in Woodland Hills
- Outdoor Living, Landscaping & Hardscaping in Calabasas
- Outdoor Living, Landscaping & Hardscaping in Encino
- Outdoor Living, Landscaping & Hardscaping in Sherman Oaks
- Outdoor Living, Landscaping & Hardscaping in Studio City
- Outdoor Living, Landscaping & Hardscaping in Pasadena
- Outdoor Living, Landscaping & Hardscaping in Glendale
- Outdoor Living, Landscaping & Hardscaping in Burbank
- Outdoor Living, Landscaping & Hardscaping in Santa Monica
- Outdoor Living, Landscaping & Hardscaping in Beverly Hills
- Outdoor Living, Landscaping & Hardscaping in Culver City
- Outdoor Living, Landscaping & Hardscaping in Long Beach
- Outdoor Living, Landscaping & Hardscaping in Torrance
- Santa Clarita
- Thousand Oaks
- Ventura
- Anaheim
- Irvine
Don't see your city? View all service areas or give us a call, if you're within 100 miles, we build there.
DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT WITH 1 SMART BUILD
Licensed, bonded and insured design-build general contractor serving Los Angeles County and Southern California. Tell us about your property and goals, and we'll walk you through feasibility, permitting and a clear plan.

