Top Hardscaping Contractors in Long Beach, California Ranked

Transforming your outdoor space with permanent, non-living elements is the essence of hardscaping. In Long Beach, this means creating beautiful and functional patios, walkways, retaining walls, and other structures that can withstand the coastal climate while enhancing your property's value and usability. Finding the right local expert for your masonry, paver, or outdoor living project is crucial, as they understand the specific material and drainage needs of our area. This guide will help you understand the key considerations for hardscaping in Long Beach and connect you with qualified professionals to bring your vision to life.

Gabriel´s Tree Service And Landscaping

11528 Felton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Gabriel's Tree Service And Landscaping is a full-service tree and landscaping company based in Los Angeles, CA. They offer a wide range of services including tree trimming, removal, stump grinding, emergency tree care available 24/7, landscape design, sprinkler installation and repair, land clearing, demolition, and hardscaping. Their certified arborists use professional equipment to safely manage tree emergencies and routine maintenance for residential and commercial properties. With over 20 years of experience, Gabriel's Tree Service And Landscaping also provides demolition services tailored to site preparation and renovation needs.

5.0

595 Reviews

Green Advisor Inc.

7660 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Green Advisor Inc. is a landscaping and remodeling company based in Los Angeles, CA. They provide comprehensive landscape design and construction services, including hardscaping, irrigation system installation, and custom outdoor renovations. Their expertise extends to pool construction, patio and deck building, and eco-friendly home remodeling projects. The company is recognized for its award-winning landscape designs and sustainable outdoor solutions. Green Advisor Inc. also offers 3D design services to help clients visualize their projects. They serve the Greater Los Angeles area, including the San Fernando Valley, and collaborate with trusted suppliers to ensure quality materials and craftsmanship.

5.0

250 Reviews

RainforestLA, Inc.

442 Alandele Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

RainforestLA, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based landscape company with over 20 years of experience. They offer landscape design, hardscaping, and outdoor lighting installation services throughout Los Angeles, Inglewood, and Santa Monica, CA. Their capabilities include creating detailed 3D landscape designs and installing LED low-voltage lighting to enhance outdoor spaces after dark. The company focuses on combining functionality with aesthetic appeal to create inviting outdoor living areas.

5.0

92 Reviews

DiBara Masonry

611 N Brand Blvd Suite 1300, Glendale, CA 91203

DiBara Masonry is a hardscaping contractor based in Los Angeles, CA, specializing in pavers and retaining walls. The company has a strong heritage as a fourth-generation masonry business, tracing its roots back to the early 1900s when its founders emigrated from Italy and began building homes with brick and stone. This long history reflects their deep experience in masonry and hardscaping.

4.9

142 Reviews

System Pavers

1730 W Cameron Ave #200, West Covina, CA 91790

System Pavers is a landscaping and hardscaping company based in Los Angeles, CA. They specialize in designing and installing outdoor living spaces including paver driveways, patios, artificial turf, decks, and outdoor lighting. The company offers personalized design consultations and uses premium materials backed by industry-leading warranties. With over 30 years of experience since 1992, System Pavers provides durable and customizable outdoor solutions that add value to properties.

4.9

105 Reviews

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Understanding Hardscape Design in a Coastal Climate

Long Beach's enviable weather comes with specific environmental factors that must guide your hardscaping plans. The proximity to the ocean means salt air is a constant presence, which can corrode certain metals and degrade less durable materials over time ¹. Furthermore, the local soil composition often includes clay, which presents challenges for proper drainage and foundation stability ². A skilled hardscape contractor will account for these elements from the initial design phase, selecting appropriate materials and engineering solutions to ensure your investment lasts for decades. This foresight is what separates a simple installation from a professionally crafted outdoor living area.

Popular Hardscaping Materials for Long Beach Homes

Choosing the right materials is the first step toward a successful project. Durability and resistance to coastal elements are paramount.

• Patios and Walkways: For flatwork, stone pavers are a top choice. This includes both concrete pavers, which offer a wide variety of colors and styles, and natural stone options like bluestone, granite, and flagstone ^{1 3 4}. Decomposed granite (DG) is another popular, permeable option for pathways and casual patio spaces, providing a more natural look ¹.
• Retaining Walls: These structures require strength and stability. Segmental retaining wall (SRW) blocks are a common engineered solution, available in many textures and colors ^{3 4}. For a more natural aesthetic, contractors may use natural stone or large boulders, though this often comes at a higher cost and requires expert installation ⁴.
• General Considerations: Regardless of the project, materials should be selected for their ability to resist salt corrosion. For instance, using sealed concrete, stainless steel fasteners, and naturally salt-resistant stones like granite is a standard practice among experienced local contractors ¹.

The Critical Role of Drainage and Site Preparation

Perhaps the most important technical aspect of hardscaping in Long Beach is managing water. Impervious surfaces like patios and driveways create runoff, and when combined with clay soils that drain poorly, the risk of water pooling or damaging foundations increases significantly ^{2 5}.

• Soil and Sub-Base: Proper installation begins below the surface. Clay soil requires thorough compaction and the creation of a solid, gravel sub-base to provide stability and facilitate subsurface water movement ².
• Integrated Drainage Systems: A well-designed hardscape will incorporate drainage solutions directly into the plan. This can include:
  • French Drains: Perforated pipes surrounded by gravel to collect and redirect groundwater.
  • Catch Basins: Grates that collect surface runoff from downspouts or paved areas.
  • Strategic Sloping: Grading all hard surfaces to slope gently away from your home's foundation is a fundamental requirement ^{2 5}.
• Managing Runoff: Contractors must plan for the water that will flow off new hard surfaces. This often involves tying new drainage systems into existing ones or creating new pervious areas, like planted beds with absorbent soil, to "sink" the water naturally ⁵.

Cost Expectations for Hardscape Projects

Budgeting for a hardscape project depends heavily on the materials chosen and the complexity of the work. While every project is unique, here are general price ranges you might encounter in the Long Beach area, based on material and installation ^{1 3}:

• Patios and Walkways (Pavers or Decomposed Granite): Projects typically range from $15 to over $30 per square foot. Natural stone will be at the higher end of this range, while basic concrete pavers or DG may start lower.
• Segmental Retaining Wall (SRW) Blocks: Expect costs between $40 and over $80 per linear foot for materials and professional installation.
• Natural Stone or Boulder Retaining Walls: These high-end features can range from $50 to over $100 per linear foot due to the cost of materials and the skilled labor required for placement ⁶.
• Decomposed Granite Surfaces: For DG alone, installed costs can range from $5 to $15 per square foot, making it a cost-effective option for pathways and informal spaces ¹.

It's important to note that these are estimates. The final cost for your masonry or outdoor structure project will be influenced by site accessibility, the need for demolition or removal of old materials, and the intricacy of the design.

Long Beach-Specific Construction Factors

Beyond materials and drainage, a few other local conditions inform hardscape construction:

• Slope and Grading: Long Beach is relatively flat, but even minor elevation changes require careful grading to ensure proper drainage. Retaining walls become necessary for creating level spaces in yards with any significant slope ^{1 2}.
• Frost Concerns: Unlike inland areas, Long Beach has minimal risk of frost or freeze-thaw cycles, which is a major advantage. This reduces the stress on materials and means contractors have one less environmental challenge to engineer against ¹.
• Permitting: Depending on the scope of your project-especially for retaining walls over a certain height or projects that significantly alter drainage patterns-you may need a permit from the City of Long Beach. A reputable contractor will handle this process for you.

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