ServicesConcrete Backyards
Concrete Backyards in Lake Forest
We turn tired lawn, patchy pavers and bare dirt into one well-drained concrete backyard. We plan the slope, the joints and the finish with you first, then protect your gate, plants and floors while the work happens.
A Finished Backyard, Not Just a Slab
A concrete backyard covers most or all of the yard behind your home. That makes it a bigger job than a single patio. Water has to leave the yard, planters and trees need room to breathe, and the surface has to meet the house, the fence and any existing walkway at the right heights.
It's the right call when the lawn costs more water than it gives back, when the yard floods into the house after a winter storm, or when you want one durable surface for dining, kids and pets. If you only need a seating area, our Patios page may be the better fit.
What the Work Includes
- Removal and haul-off
- We take out turf, old pavers or broken concrete and haul it away. Sprinkler lines in the pour area are capped or rerouted so nothing is buried live.
- Grading for drainage
- We set the slope so water runs away from the foundation and toward area drains or the side yard. A gentle fall you barely notice underfoot does most of the work.
- Compacted base and steel
- We compact a gravel base first. Rebar or wire then goes in on small blocks, which hold the steel up at mid-depth instead of letting it rest on the dirt, where it would do very little.
- Planters and cutouts
- Trees, beds and drain grates are formed in before the pour, so you keep the green you want and nothing is sawed out later.
- Finish of your choice
- Broom, smooth trowel, exposed aggregate or a pattern from our stamped concrete work. We show samples so you can see the color and texture in daylight.
- Joints and curing
- Control joints are cut on a planned layout so the slab cracks where we tell it to. We cure the surface properly before you move furniture back.
Signs Your Yard Is Ready for Concrete
Water pools near the house
Puddles against the stucco or slab after rain mean the grade runs the wrong way. A new backyard surface is a chance to correct it.
The lawn never recovers
Brown patches, shade-killed grass and a high water bill all point to turf that isn't earning its place.
Pavers have sunk or shifted
Uneven pavers trip people and trap weeds. A continuous slab stays flat and sweeps clean.
Mud tracked inside
If pets and kids carry dirt across your floors every time they come in, a hard surface near the back door solves it quickly.
No usable space for gatherings
When chairs sink into soil or wobble on gravel, the yard goes unused. Level concrete makes room for a table, a grill and a shade structure.
How a Backyard Pour Runs
- 1
Walk the yard together
We measure, check where water goes and talk through planters, steps and finish. You get a written estimate with each part of the work listed.
- 2
Protect the route
Before any digging, we lay plywood over walkways and lawn on the path to the back, cover nearby plants and keep a clear line through the side gate. If a concrete pump is needed, the hose comes around the house, never through it.
- 3
Excavate, base and form
Over a day or two we remove material, grade, compact the base and set forms and steel. We check the slope again before the pour.
- 4
Pour and finish
On pour day the crew places, levels and finishes the concrete in one continuous effort. We tell you in advance when trucks arrive and how long the street side will be busy.
- 5
Cure, clean and hand over
We cut joints, rinse off splatter, remove the protection and walk the finished yard with you, including when it's safe for foot traffic and furniture.
What Moves the Price
Every backyard is priced from its own measurements and conditions, so we quote after seeing it. The estimate spells out each piece of work, so you can see where the money goes and adjust the plan if you want.
- Size and shape
- Square footage matters most, but curves, many planters and tight corners add forming time.
- Access to the back
- A wide side yard lets us wheel concrete in. A narrow gate or long run usually means a pump, which adds cost but protects your landscaping.
- What comes out first
- Old concrete, thick turf or heavy roots take more labor and disposal than bare soil. Expansive clay, common across south Orange County, may call for a deeper base.
- Drainage work
- Area drains, channel drains and pipe runs to the street are priced separately so you can see them clearly.
- Finish and color
- A broom finish is the simplest. Exposed aggregate, integral color and stamped patterns take more material and finishing time.
Backyard Concrete Questions
Something not covered here? (949) 749-7684
How soon can we use the backyard after the pour?
Light foot traffic is usually fine after a day or so. Patio furniture can come back after several days. Heavy items like a spa or planter boxes should wait longer while the concrete gains strength. We give you dates based on your weather and mix.
Is a new backyard slab going to crack?
Expect some fine lines over time. As the mix dries and hardens it loses a little volume, and that tension has to go somewhere. We give it a place to go with joints cut on a planned layout, a well-compacted base and steel held at mid-depth. That way any cracking stays hairline and follows the joints rather than wandering across the open part of the yard.
Can we keep our trees and garden beds?
Yes. We form planters around trees and beds before the pour and leave space for roots and watering. We'll tell you honestly if a tree's roots are likely to lift the slab, so you can decide before work starts.
Will anyone need to come through the house?
No. Crews, tools and concrete reach the backyard through the side yard or gate. We cover that path and any plants beside it, and if a pump is used the hose stays outside.
Does someone have to stay home while you work?
You don't need to be there for every hour of it. It helps to have you around when the crew arrives on the first morning and again for the final walk-through. In between, we'll keep you updated on pour timing and anything we uncover under the old surface. Mostly we just need the gate open and a working hose bib.
Can the backyard connect to a pool deck or walkway?
It can. We match heights and finishes where new concrete meets existing work. We also build concrete pool decks and walkways and sidewalks, so they can be part of the same project if you'd like.
Talk Through Your Backyard
Tell us what the yard is like now and how you'd like to use it. We'll set a time to walk it with you and explain what the work involves before anything is dug.