A backyard remodel usually mixes several trades: pavers, planting, irrigation, lighting, maybe a patio cover or retaining wall. That makes it easy for gaps to hide in a quote. Here is how to pick a contractor and compare bids without paying for surprises later.
Last updated October 15, 2026. Free to read, no sign-up. Sources are linked at the bottom.
Step 1: Check the license (5 minutes, free)
In California, anyone who does a home improvement job worth $1,000 or more (labor and materials together), or any job that needs a building permit, or uses employees, must hold an active license from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). The smaller-job exemption rose from $500 to $1,000 on January 1, 2025.
- Ask for the license number in writing. Licensed contractors must put it on their bids, contracts, and ads.
- Look it up free at CSLB's Check a License page.
- Confirm three things: the status is active, the business name and address match your quote, and the classification fits the work. Landscaping, hardscape, irrigation, and pavers are usually the C-27 Landscaping class. Structures like patio covers or outdoor kitchens are often done by a B General Building contractor; pools need C-53; electrical work needs C-10. If one company does it all, ask which licenses cover which parts.
- On the same page, look at the bond (required to stay licensed), workers' compensation (a policy on file, or an exemption that means "no employees"), and any disciplinary or legal actions.
A company that arrives with a crew but shows a workers' comp exemption is a red flag: if an uninsured worker gets hurt on your property, you can be pulled into it.
Step 2: Ask for insurance in writing
A CSLB license is not insurance. Ask for a certificate of general liability insurance that names the business on your quote, and check the dates. If anything looks off, call the insurer listed on the certificate. Liability insurance covers damage to your home or a neighbor's property; workers' comp covers the crew. You want both when more than one person is on the job.
Step 3: Get 3 written, itemized quotes
Ask at least three companies to quote the same scope so you compare like with like. A useful quote lists:
- Every item of work, with materials named by brand, model, or grade where it matters
- Who pulls and pays for permits, and whether inspection fees are included
- Demolition, haul-away, and cleanup
- Start date, expected finish date, and what can cause delays
- A payment schedule tied to finished stages of work
- Warranty terms in writing
A much lower bid usually means something is missing. Ask each company what is not included.
Published San Diego ranges: pavers about $22–$52 per sq ft installed (HomeGuide IQ San Diego) and artificial turf about $11–$19 per sq ft (local installers’ published pricing). Estimates only; use our backyard cost calculator. When comparing bids, check paver base depth and compaction, drainage, irrigation changes, and plant sizes (1-gallon vs. 5-gallon makes a big price difference).
Permits
Plain planting and pavers often need no permit. Patio covers, pergolas attached to the house, outdoor kitchens with gas or electrical, and retaining walls usually do. Under the California Building Code, retaining walls over 4 feet (measured from the bottom of the footing) or holding back extra load need a permit. Rules vary by city, so check with your building department, and put permit responsibility in the contract.
Free money check: if you’re replacing grass, SoCal Water$mart’s turf replacement program pays $2 per sq ft (minimum 250 sq ft), but you must reserve before removing grass, and artificial turf doesn’t qualify. Ask contractors whether their design fits the rules.
The contract and payments: California rules that protect you
- Down payment: no more than 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less (CSLB).
- Pay as work is done. Pay only for work that's completed, never ahead of it.
- Right to cancel: for many home improvement contracts you have 3 business days to cancel, and 5 business days if you're 65 or older (CSLB homeowner checklist).
- Changes in writing, signed before the extra work starts.
- Liens: your contract should include the "Notice to Owner" about mechanics liens. An unpaid supplier or sub can file a lien even if you paid the contractor, so ask for lien releases as you pay.
- Don't pay in cash, and keep a job file with the contract, receipts, photos, and warranties.
Warranties
Ask for a written workmanship warranty (for example on paver settling and irrigation leaks) and the manufacturer warranties for turf, lighting, and pavers. Plants are often warrantied only briefly, and only if watered as instructed. Get that in writing too.
How to read reviews
- Read the 1- and 2-star reviews first, then how the owner replied. A calm, specific reply that fixes the problem is a good sign.
- Look for recent reviews describing jobs like yours in your part of the county.
- Be wary of a sudden burst of short 5-star reviews with no details.
- Ask for 2 or 3 recent customers you can call, or finished jobs you can drive by.
- Reviews tell you about service. They don't replace the license and insurance check.
Questions to ask before you sign
- How long have you been licensed under this business name?
- Who will be on site: your employees or subcontractors? Are subs licensed and insured?
- Who pulls the permit, and is the inspection fee in the price?
- What is not included in this quote?
- What warranty do you give on labor, in writing, and for how long?
- How are change orders priced if you find a problem after you start?
- How will you handle drainage so water moves away from the house?
- Which parts do you subcontract, and are those subs licensed?
- Does your design meet the turf rebate rules, if I apply?
Red flags
- No license number, or a number that belongs to a different business name
- A big deposit, or pressure to pay in cash
- "Today only" pricing or door-to-door offers after a storm or fire
- No written contract, or one that is vague about materials and dates
- Asking you to pull the permit as the "owner-builder" (that makes you responsible)
- Payments that run ahead of the work
- Starting turf removal before the rebate reservation is approved (you can lose the rebate)
Questions
How do I check a backyard contractor license in California?
Ask for the license number and search it free on the CSLB Check a License page at cslb.ca.gov. Make sure the status is active, the business name matches your quote, and the classification (C-27 Landscaping, or B for structures) fits the work. The same page shows bond, workers’ compensation, and any disciplinary actions.
How much deposit can a backyard contractor ask for in California?
For most home improvement contracts, no more than 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less, according to CSLB. After that, pay only for work that is finished.
Do I need a licensed contractor for a small job?
Since January 1, 2025, California’s minor-work exemption covers jobs under $1,000 including labor and materials, and only if no building permit is needed and the person has no employees. Anything else needs a CSLB license.
Can I cancel a home improvement contract after signing?
Often yes. CSLB says a 3-day right to cancel applies to many home improvement contracts, and a 5-day right applies if you are 65 or older. Check whether it applies before work starts.
Do I need a permit for a backyard remodel in North County?
Plain landscaping and pavers often don’t. Patio covers, outdoor kitchens with gas or electric, and retaining walls over 4 feet usually do. Check with your city’s building department and make the contractor responsible for permits in the contract.
Sources (checked October 15, 2026)
- CSLB: Check a License
- CSLB: Hire a Contractor (consumer guide)
- CSLB: Homeowner checklists (down payment, 3-day and 5-day cancel, payment schedule, lien notice)
- CSLB: Senior Scam Stopper
- HomeGuide IQ: San Diego paver patio cost
- SoCal Water$mart: turf replacement program
- CSLB: License classifications