Outdoor Living

Backyard Remodeling in Tarzana

Outdoor kitchens, pavers, pools and full backyard transformations across the Los Angeles area.

Backyard remodeling in Tarzana and the LA area. Outdoor kitchens, pavers and driveways, artificial turf, cement work, pool remodels, drought-tolerant landscaping, built to extend the usable square footage of your home outdoors

Your backyard should be one of the most-used rooms of the home. We design and build outdoor kitchens with built-in BBQs and refrigeration, paver patios and driveways in modern and classic patterns, full pool remodels, decomposed-granite paths and complete drought-tolerant planting plans across Tarzana, Encino, Woodland Hills, Calabasas and Hidden Hills. Get inspired by the latest backyard remodeling trends.

At a glance

Cost

$20,000 to $200,000+

Hardscape, pool and outdoor kitchen scope drive it

Timeline

4 to 10 weeks

Hardscape; pools and grading 3 to 6 months

Permits

Handled in-house

Drainage, gas and electrical coordinated

License

CSLB #979219

General Building contractor. Verify license at CSLB

Outdoor Kitchens

Built-in BBQs, prep counters, refrigeration and shade structures.

Pavers & Driveways

Concrete and natural stone pavers in modern and classic patterns.

Artificial Turf

Premium turf that looks and plays like real grass year-round.

Cement & Concrete

Stamped concrete patios, walkways and retaining walls.

Pools & Spas

New pools, replasters and equipment upgrades.

Drought-Tolerant Landscaping

Native planting, drip irrigation and DG paths that cut water use.

Free estimate

Planning a backyard project? Get a free estimate from our Tarzana team.

Get a Free Estimate (855) 741-3167

What backyard clients say

Rated 4.9 out of 5 across 60 Google reviews, with 42 more on Yelp.

★★★★★
“They took the time to understand my vision and make sure that everything was done exactly the way I wanted it. They were also very meticulous about the cleanup process, which I really appreciated.”
Kobi Laredo
verified Google review

★★★★★
“Master in Design recently finished my backyard project. They did a great job pouring cement, updating my irrigation system, and fixing electrical problems.”
Maggie Kademian
verified Google review

★★★★★
“2 years after having work done, we ran into a problem with some pavers from drainage issue, Danny came and looked at the issue and sent his team over and fixed everything at no charge.”
Philip S.
verified Yelp review

Who runs your project

Avi “Danny” Vaknin, owner

Avi Vaknin owns Master in Design, the Tarzana design-build firm serving the San Fernando Valley since 2012. Most clients know him as Danny.

Reviews describe him on site during the build and back at the house when something needs attention, sometimes years after the job is done.

About Master in Design

What we build

Outdoor living rooms

Patios, decks, pergolas, outdoor kitchens and pools designed as extensions of the home, with full landscape and hardscape work coordinated with any indoor remodel happening at the same time.

Concrete and travertine patios with integrated drainage
Pergolas, ramadas and covered outdoor kitchens
Pools, spas and water features with adjacent decking
Fire pits, built-in seating and outdoor fireplaces

What we build

Landscape & hardscape

Drought-tolerant planting plans, retaining walls, drainage and irrigation, designed to perform in LA’s climate while staying low-maintenance year-round.

Drought-tolerant and native-plant landscape design
Retaining walls, terracing and slope drainage
Smart-controller irrigation with leak detection
Outdoor lighting paths and accent landscape lighting

Our process

Backyard work coordinates with permits for any structural elements (pools, pergolas over 120 sq ft, retaining walls over 4 ft). Typical timeline: 4–10 weeks for hardscape and landscape. Projects that include a pool or major grading run 3 to 6 months.

Backyard Remodeling FAQs

What our Tarzana clients ask about outdoor projects.

Do you handle pool installation or pool remodel work?

Yes, new pools, replasters, equipment upgrades, decking and coping are all in scope. We coordinate the pool sub-trade, gas, electrical and decking work so the finished yard ties together.

What does a full backyard transformation cost?

Outdoor projects typically range $20,000–$200,000+ depending on hardscape area, pool work, outdoor kitchen scope and planting. We line-item every piece so you can choose where to invest.

Can you do drought-tolerant landscaping?

Yes. Drought-tolerant planting, drip irrigation, decomposed-granite paths and artificial turf are the most common ways our LA-area clients reduce water use without losing the lived-in look.

How long does a backyard project take?

Hardscape-only projects (pavers, decks, outdoor kitchens) typically run 4–10 weeks. Adding a pool or major grading extends that to 3–6 months. We confirm timing once the design and permits are locked.

Do you pull permits for outdoor work?

Yes, when required. Pools, electrical, gas lines, retaining walls over 4 feet and structures with footings all need permits. We handle the submittals and inspections.

What adds the most value to a backyard?

The features that add the most value to a backyard are the ones that make it usable year round: a paver patio, an outdoor kitchen, shade from a pergola, good lighting and low-water landscaping. In the Valley, drought-tolerant planting also cuts water bills. Pools can add value in Los Angeles, but they cost the most to build and maintain, so plan one for your own use rather than for resale.

What are common backyard renovation mistakes to avoid?

Common backyard renovation mistakes to avoid include poor drainage, no shade and skipping permits for gas lines, electrical or tall retaining walls. Other problems are plants that need too much water, a patio that is too small for a table and no lighting plan. Running gas, water and power lines before the pavers go in saves you from tearing up new work later.

What makes a backyard look expensive?

A backyard looks expensive when it has clean lines, a few quality materials and good lighting. Large-format pavers or natural stone, a built-in outdoor kitchen, a covered seating area and layered landscape lights make the biggest difference. Keep the palette simple, with two or three materials that match the house. Tidy edges, hidden pool equipment and mature plants finish the look without adding much cost.

Is it worth hiring a landscape designer?

Yes, it is usually worth hiring a landscape designer for a full backyard remodel, because a plan catches drainage, grading and utility issues before construction starts. A design also helps you phase the work if the budget needs it. With a design-build firm like Master in Design, the design and the build come from the same team, so the drawings match what the crew actually installs.

Recent Work

Built. Finished. Loved.

Recent outdoor projects from our Tarzana design-build team. An outdoor kitchen pairs well with custom kitchen remodeling indoors. Backyard clients often update a nearby bath with spa-style bathroom remodeling. A family room bump-out can open straight onto the patio, which is why many clients pair outdoor work with room additions. Big yard projects often come with whole-home remodels.

Open-plan whole-home remodel in modern California style by Master in Design, Tarzana CA

Designer Visualizations

Ready to start your project?

Tell us about it. No obligation, no pressure. We respond within one business day.

★★★★★
4.9 out of 5 from 60 Google reviews, plus 42 reviews on Yelp.
Licensed General Building contractor, CSLB #979219. Serving Tarzana and the San Fernando Valley.

Outdoor scopes in Tarzana cover pavers, artificial turf, outdoor kitchens, retaining walls, fire features and pool decks. Permits, drainage, gas lines and 240V electrical are all coordinated alongside the build.

Southern California's climate (mild winters, low humidity, and 284 sunny days per year) makes outdoor living space genuinely useful year-round. A well-designed backyard remodel extends your home's functional square footage without the cost of a structural addition, and it typically delivers a 50–80% return on investment at resale according to the National Association of Realtors' outdoor remodeling impact data.

What We Build

Hardscape. The foundation of any outdoor space. We install concrete pavers (Belgard, Calstone, Basalite), poured concrete, decomposed granite pathways, and natural stone flagstone. Every installation includes proper base compaction, edge restraint, and drainage grading so water moves away from the foundation.

Outdoor kitchens. Built-in grill islands with dedicated gas lines, weatherproof GFCI outlets, bar sinks, and island structures from steel studs and cement board, not wood framing that rots.

Pergolas and patio covers. Cedar, redwood, pressure-treated lumber, or prefabricated aluminum. Every structure anchored to concrete footings with Simpson Strong-Tie connectors.

Retaining walls. Segmental blocks, poured concrete, and natural boulder walls. Every wall over 3 feet gets engineered and permitted. Drainage behind every wall prevents failure.

Decks. Cedar, redwood, composite, and Ipe. Hidden-fastener systems and joist tape on every framing member.

Fire features. Gas and wood-burning fire pits and outdoor fireplaces. Permitted gas lines, setback-compliant placement.

Landscape lighting. Low-voltage LED systems with solid-brass or copper fixtures and direct-burial-rated wire.

Permitting

Most hardscape under 200 sq ft, low-voltage lighting, and freestanding pergolas under 120 sq ft do not require a building permit in Los Angeles. Outdoor kitchens with gas, structures attached to the house, retaining walls over 3 ft, and decks over 30 inches above grade all do. We pull the correct permits and schedule inspections. Unpermitted outdoor structures are a common deal-killer at escrow.