Casa de RJ — Landscaping & Exterior Living
Built for the life outside.
Landscape design-build for the Bay Area: patios, decks, planting, fire, water, and full backyard resorts — designed and built by one licensed team, from the first sketch to the last light fixture. Serving Berkeley, Lamorinda, the 680 Corridor, and San Francisco & the Peninsula.
Licensed General Contractor
CSLB #1084784. Structural work, permits, and inspections handled the right way — not the fast way.
Design-Build, One Team
Design, engineering coordination, and construction under one roof. One contract, one point of contact.
High-End Residential Focus
We build for the up-close view — the transitions, textures, and details that hold up under scrutiny.
Every home has a story. Yours shouldn't stop at the back door.
Most Bay Area backyards are a slope nobody uses, a cracked slab, or a "someday" project that never gets a plan. Our mission is to craft outdoor living environments that blend stylish design with natural serenity — spaces where family and friends connect, relax, and thrive.
Before we ever talk materials, we ask better questions.
Ask yourself
- What frustrates you most about your current space?
- What do you want guests to feel when they walk into it?
- Which part of your daily routine should your remodel improve?
- What's the one feature you'd splurge on without hesitation?
What we build
Full-service landscaping and outdoor construction — one property, one plan, hardscape through horticulture. Mix and match, or hand us the whole yard.
Patios & Hardscape
Paver and natural-stone patios, flagstone, stamped concrete, steps, and retaining walls built to drain and last.
Decks & Railings
Composite and wood decks with glass or aluminum rail systems — including engineered hillside structures.
Pergolas & Shade
Motorized louvered pergolas, cabanas, and shade structures that open the sky or close out the sun.
Planting & Privacy
Drought-tolerant and pollinator gardens, edible landscapes, privacy screening, and artificial turf.
Fire & Outdoor Kitchens
Fire pits, sunken lounges, overhead heaters, and fully equipped outdoor kitchen islands and bars.
Water Features & Pools
Ponds, koi ponds, rain curtains, waterfalls, and swimming pools with attached spas.
Backyard Wellness
Saunas, cold plunges, outdoor showers, and gym spaces — a spa day without leaving home.
Lighting, Sound & Fencing
Landscape lighting, outdoor audio, custom gates and fences, and the framing details that tie it together.
Materials and partners we spec: Techo-Bloc, Belgard, Azek, StruXure, LaCantina, Mulholland, Bromic Heating, Aquascape, Cane-line, Vondom, Gloster.
Three ways in
Straight from our Exterior Living guide — real starting investments, so you can plan before we ever meet. Every project is scoped to your property at the walkthrough.
$60k+ starting investment
- Patio & outdoor living room
- Fire pit
- Aquascape pond
- Butterfly & pollinator garden
- Honey bee farm
$250k+ starting investment
- Outdoor kitchen & dining area
- Fire pit with lounges
- Koi pond
- Jacuzzi & cold plunge
- Sauna & small gym
- Cabana lounge area
- Edible landscape & fruit trees
$500k+ starting investment
- Pool with attached jacuzzi & waterfall
- Rain curtain
- Sunken fire pit
- Outdoor kitchen & bar with TV
- Cabana & pool lounges
- Copper outdoor shower
- Sport court
- Executive office / ADU
Starting figures reflect typical scopes at each level from our printed Exterior Living guide. Site conditions, engineering, and finish selections set the final number — you'll see it in writing before construction begins.
"Ryan is excellent at what he does and is refreshingly honest with my clients about scope of work and pricing estimates — he doesn't sugar coat, he gives honest numbers."
— Sandor H., Google reviewWhat happens next
The same six steps printed in our Exterior Living guide. No mystery, no detours — you always know where we are on the map.
Pre-Construction Agreement
We sign an agreement that lets us work together through the design phase before the full construction contract is finalized.
Finalize the Design
Architects and engineers complete the detailed architectural and engineering drawings for your project.
Submit for Permits
We handle the submission of your plans to the local authorities to obtain the necessary building permits.
Construction Contract
We finalize and sign the main agreement — cost, timeline, payment schedule, milestones, and what happens when work changes.
Permits Approved
After approval from the local authorities, your project is cleared to begin construction.
Construction Begins
Site preparation starts — clearing and preparing the land so everything is ready for the build.
Built nearby, built to last
Recent landscaping and outdoor construction projects around the East Bay. More at casaderj.com/projects.
Berkeley, CA
Perimeter fence, bamboo privacy screen, raised garden beds, vehicle access, and planting.
Berkeley, CA
Composite deck with lounge seating, sliding-door connection, and exterior lighting.
Lafayette, CA
Hillside rehabilitation — retaining walls, stairs, and a new deck on structural concrete.
"RJ went above and beyond on our new pergola. His team was professional, personable, and thorough — always on time and delivering top-quality work. Fair pricing, reasonable timelines, and incredible results — we couldn't be happier."Leanne N. — Google review
Start with a property walkthrough
We walk your property together, talk through what you want the space to do, and map what's actually possible on your lot — grade, drainage, setbacks, and all.
- An honest read on scope, sequencing, and which investment tier fits
- Straight answers on permits, engineering, and timelines
- No pressure — we take on a limited number of clients per year
Fill out the form and we'll reach out within one business day to schedule.
Questions we hear every week
How much does an exterior living project cost?
Our entry-level Premier projects — patio, outdoor living room, fire pit, planting — start around $60k. Elite backyards with outdoor kitchens, spas, and wellness features start around $250k, and fully bespoke resort builds with pools start at $500k+. Your walkthrough pins down where your property and wish list actually land.
Do you serve my area?
We build in Berkeley and the East Bay hills, Lamorinda (Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda), the 680 Corridor (Walnut Creek, Alamo, Danville, San Ramon), and San Francisco and the Peninsula. Our office is in Danville. Not sure if you're in range? Ask — the answer is usually yes.
Designer or builder first?
Both. A designer keeps the vision clear, and the builder turns the details into construction plans and brings the project to life. As a design-build team, you get both under one contract.
Do we need an architect and engineer?
In most cases, yes. Cities often require updated drawings and site plans for permits, and engineers are needed for structural elements such as foundations, retaining walls, and decks to make sure everything is safe and built correctly. We coordinate all of it.
How long will it take?
Pre-construction and design: 3 to 6+ months. Building: 2 to 10+ months. Your scope of work — structural and design complexity — determines where you land, and you'll see the timeline in writing before construction starts.
Do you handle permits?
Yes. We handle the submission of your plans to the local authorities to obtain the necessary building permits and secure permission to build — including the notoriously slow East Bay jurisdictions.
Do pavers need to be perfectly level?
Not always. Pavers should be properly leveled and graded for drainage so water flows away from the home, preventing pooling and surface movement over time. Proper installation is what keeps your outdoor space safe, functional, and long-lasting.
What's your availability?
We work with a limited number of clients per year so quality is never sacrificed and you get real attention from our team. If the timing fits, we'll tell you. If it doesn't, we'll tell you that too.
Turning dreams into reality. Enjoyed best with sunshine.
Tell us about your yard, and let's find out what it wants to be.
Start My Exterior Plan