Irvine · Orange County
Backyard Remodel & Landscape Design in Irvine, CA
Woodbridge, Turtle Rock, Northwood and University Park. Design and construction under one contract, one point of contact.
The short answer
An Irvine backyard remodel with NHG HOME runs $15K to $400K+ depending on tier. Most full-yard transformations land at $30K–$75K and finish in 8 to 12 weeks after approvals. Nearly every Irvine village requires Architectural Review Board sign-off first, and we prepare and file that submittal.
Service Overview
Outdoor Spaces Designed for Irvine
Irvine is one of America's most carefully master-planned cities, and every neighborhood carries its own architectural guidelines, HOA expectations, and community aesthetic. From the modernist estates of Shady Canyon to the family-oriented villages of Woodbridge and Northwood, NHG HOME designs and builds backyards that respect each community's character while delivering the outdoor living experience you actually want. We plan every Irvine design around what that village's Architectural Review Board expects.
Neighborhoods We Serve
Serving Every Irvine Community
We have completed projects in every major Irvine neighborhood and know the architectural style, HOA expectations, and landscape traditions of each:
Designed for Local Climate
Irvine Climate Considerations
Irvine's Mediterranean climate delivers 280+ days of sunshine and mild temperatures year-round, making outdoor living a genuine daily luxury rather than a seasonal activity. Summers stay dry with low humidity, perfect for pergolas, outdoor kitchens, and fire pit lounges. Winter lows rarely dip below 50°F, so your investment in landscape lighting, heated patios, or garden structures pays off twelve months a year.
Navigating Irvine HOAs
We Handle the Full HOA Approval Process
Nearly every Irvine village requires Architectural Review Board approval before any exterior structure, hardscape, or significant planting change. Woodbridge HOA has strict rules on fence heights and lake-adjacent landscaping. Shady Canyon demands architect-sealed plans for any backyard structure over 80 square feet. Turtle Rock and Quail Hill enforce specific palette and material guidelines. NHG HOME manages the entire submission process — drawings, material samples, committee correspondence — so you never have to.
- ✓HOA submission drawings and material boards
- ✓Architectural Review Board committee correspondence
- ✓Design revision rounds until first-read approval
- ✓City permitting and inspection coordination
Core Services
What an Irvine Backyard Remodel Includes
- ✓
Landscape Design
Full landscape design with 3D renderings, plant palettes, and HOA submissions. - ✓
Hardscape Construction
Patios, walkways, pavers, natural stone, retaining walls, and steps. - ✓
Patio Covers & Shade
Louvered roofs, insulated patio covers, and cedar or aluminum pergolas engineered for the lot. Patio covers & shade structures in Irvine → - ✓
Outdoor Kitchens
Custom BBQ islands, pizza ovens, refrigeration, and full outdoor cooking. Outdoor kitchen builders in Irvine → - ✓
Fire Features
Fire pits, fireplaces, and integrated seating for year-round entertaining. - ✓
Landscape Lighting
Low-voltage path lighting, uplights, and smart integration. - ✓
Water Features
Fountains, waterfalls, koi ponds, and rain chain details. - ✓
Drainage & Irrigation
Engineered drainage systems and smart irrigation.
Fixed-fee design from $1,350.
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Investment Guide
Irvine Project Pricing
Irvine backyard project costs vary by scope, materials, and complexity. Below are typical price ranges:
Entry Level
hardscape refresh + planting
Full Backyard
full backyard with pergola
Premium Build
resort-style with kitchen
Estate-Level
estate-level design-build
The table below breaks those four tiers out with the timeline and approval path for each. Village arb review on top of city permits.
| Tier | Cost range | What it covers | Typical timeline | Approvals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $15K-$30K | Planting refresh, irrigation retrofit, path lighting, small patio. No permitted structures. | 3 – 5 weeks | Usually no permit required |
| Full Backyard | $30K-$75K | Demo and re-grade, full hardscape, planting, lighting, irrigation, one shade structure. | 8 – 12 weeks | Permit for structures (pergola, retaining wall) |
| Premium Build | $75K-$150K | Everything above plus an outdoor kitchen, fire feature, and engineered shade structure. | 14 – 20 weeks | Permit plus HOA review |
| Estate-Level | $150K-$400K+ | Multi-zone estate build: pool deck, guest structures, custom masonry, full landscape lighting design. | 24 – 40 weeks | Permit, HOA, and stamped engineering |
* Final cost depends on project size, material grade, HOA requirements, and site conditions. We provide free on-site consultations with detailed, itemized pricing.
Common Questions
Questions about Irvine backyards.
How much does backyard landscape design cost in Irvine?
Landscape design and backyard construction in Irvine typically ranges from $15,000 to $150,000+ depending on scope. A basic hardscape refresh with planting starts around $15,000-$30,000, a full backyard transformation with pergola and patio runs $30,000-$75,000, and resort-style backyards with outdoor kitchens, water features, and premium materials range from $75,000 to $150,000+. Estate-level projects in Shady Canyon or Turtle Rock can exceed $400,000. NHG HOME provides free on-site consultations with itemized, transparent pricing.
Which Irvine HOAs do you work with most often?
We work throughout Irvine's villages, including Woodbridge, Northwood, Turtle Rock, University Park, Quail Hill, Shady Canyon, Orchard Hills, Portola Springs, Northpark, Oak Creek, and Cypress Village. Each community has different ARB requirements — Woodbridge focuses on lake-side and fence-height rules, Shady Canyon requires architect-sealed plans, Turtle Rock enforces material palettes. We handle the full submission for any Irvine HOA.
How long does a backyard project take in Irvine from start to finish?
A typical Irvine backyard project runs 8-16 weeks from signed contract to final walkthrough. Design and HOA approval take 4-8 weeks (HOA review boards usually meet monthly), permitting takes 1-2 weeks, and construction takes 3-8 weeks depending on scope. Pool-adjacent projects or custom structures take longer. We provide a detailed schedule during your consultation and post weekly progress updates.
Do you handle permits with the City of Irvine?
Yes. NHG HOME handles all required permits with the City of Irvine Building and Safety Division. Most landscape work (planting, irrigation, pavers under a certain area) doesn't require a permit, but structures like pergolas, outdoor kitchens, retaining walls over 3 feet, gas lines, and electrical work do. We pull the permits, schedule inspections, and handle any corrections — you never interact with the city yourself.
Can you match existing Irvine Community Association landscape standards?
Absolutely. Irvine has some of the most detailed landscape architecture standards in the country — from Master HOA plant palettes to village-level material requirements. We routinely match existing community aesthetics while still creating spaces that feel distinctly yours. We maintain a library of approved materials and plant species for every major Irvine village.
Also serving
Ready to Start Your Irvine Backyard?
Contact us for a free on-site consultation and custom design proposal for your Irvine home.