Custom pools and outdoor living construction in Lafayette.
Family-owned since 1985, Pacheco Landscape & Pool Construction builds custom pools, hillside and pier-supported pools, pool remodels, outdoor living spaces, hardscape, drainage, pool houses, ADUs, and complete backyard projects for Lafayette homeowners.
Built for Lafayette homes, hillsides, creeks, and outdoor living.
Lafayette properties can include rolling or steep terrain, mature trees, creek corridors, established landscaping, narrow access, retaining walls, drainage concerns, and grade changes that affect where and how a swimming pool can be constructed.
Whether the project is a new custom pool, a pool remodel, an outdoor kitchen, drainage improvement, or a complete backyard transformation, the pool and surrounding site work should be evaluated together before construction begins.
Quality construction for serious backyard projects.
We are not trying to be the cheapest pool builder in Lafayette. We are focused on quality construction, clear communication, detailed proposals, and work that reflects the reputation behind the Pacheco name.
Built with pride. Backed by the Pacheco name.
Complete backyard construction for Lafayette homeowners.
A Lafayette backyard project may involve much more than a pool. We coordinate pool construction, pool remodeling, hardscape, drainage, retaining walls, outdoor living spaces, pool houses, ADUs, and site work so the entire yard feels intentional, functional, and appropriate for the property.
Custom Pool Construction
New gunite swimming pools, spas, baja shelves, water features, equipment, automation, tile, coping, and finishes.
Pool Remodeling
Pool refinishing, waterline tile replacement, coping, equipment upgrades, lighting, plumbing, and full renovations.
Outdoor Living Spaces
Outdoor kitchens, BBQ islands, patios, fire features, poolside living areas, lighting, and entertainment spaces.
Hardscape Construction
Concrete, patios, walkways, pool decks, steps, retaining walls, grading, drainage, and structural landscape work.
Pool Houses & ADUs
Pool houses, cabanas, guest suites, home offices, accessory structures, ADUs, and complete backyard additions.
Drainage & Site Work
Area drains, channel drains, grading, surface drainage, retaining wall drainage, pool deck drainage, and site preparation.
Some Lafayette pool sites require more than standard construction.
Lafayette’s hillside neighborhoods, changing grades, fill, retaining conditions, creek and drainage patterns, nearby structures, and difficult access can affect the pool foundation, reinforcing, inspections, testing, and order of construction. These conditions should be evaluated before a hillside or technically complex pool is treated like a conventional project.
Hillside & Pier-Supported Pools
Learn how PLAPCO coordinates hillside gunite pools, drilled piers, reinforcing-steel cages, special inspections, concrete-strength testing, drainage, retaining conditions, and difficult-site construction.
Site-Specific Pool Engineering
Learn the difference between accepted standard pool plans and property-specific geotechnical and structural engineering for unusual soils, slopes, walls, loading, groundwater, or owner-requested analysis.
Conditions that may require additional evaluation
- A pool near a hillside, retaining wall, home, garage, driveway, or other surcharge
- Deep fill, expansive soil, weak bearing material, groundwater, or prior movement
- Elevated or exposed pool walls that are not fully supported by surrounding soil
- Drilled piers, grade beams, added reinforcing steel, or other foundation requirements
- Special inspections, concrete-strength testing, or geotechnical verification
- Grading, drainage, and access conditions that affect the design or construction sequence
Additional engineering can also be a voluntary choice.
Owners planning a larger, higher-value, or technically complex custom pool sometimes choose site-specific engineering even where accepted standard details might otherwise be available.
They may want property-specific soil information, a foundation designed around the actual site, or an additional level of professional analysis before making a significant long-term investment.
The decision should be based on the property and project—not assumed from the neighborhood.
Lafayette pool projects need hillside, grading, drainage, and access planning.
Outdoor construction in Lafayette can involve hillside lots, narrow access, creek setbacks, drainage management, expansive soils, retaining walls, mature trees, natural grade changes, and established homes where the backyard must be built with care. A property within the Hillside Overlay District may require a Hillside Development Permit, and larger earthwork or site changes may trigger separate grading review.
Common Lafayette Project Considerations
- Hillside or sloped properties requiring grading, drainage, and structural evaluation
- Creeks, swales, drainage paths, mature trees, and natural site features
- Retaining walls, pool decks, patios, and landscape structures that must work together
- Existing pools needing refinishing, tile, coping, lighting, plumbing, or equipment upgrades
- Limited access for excavation, drilling, concrete, and material delivery
- Planning and building reviews that may involve both the City and Contra Costa County
What Lafayette Homeowners Often Want
- A custom pool that fits the architecture, scale, and natural setting of the property
- Outdoor kitchens, patios, fire features, shade, and gathering spaces designed together
- A complete remodel that updates the pool and surrounding backyard as one project
- Practical drainage, retaining walls, grading, and access incorporated early
- Modern equipment, lighting, automation, heating, and easier maintenance
- An experienced contractor capable of coordinating high-value and technically complex work
Hillside, grading, and building review may involve separate steps.
Lafayette performs the local zoning and planning review for development projects. After the City completes the applicable review and stamps the plans, Contra Costa County Building Inspection performs the building-permit plan check and construction inspections. The exact path depends on the property and scope.
City of Lafayette review may address
- Hillside Development Permit requirements within the Hillside Overlay District
- Grading review for larger amounts of cut and fill or site changes affecting drainage
- Creek setbacks, trees, swales, erosion, natural features, and visual site impacts
- Retaining walls, pool location, accessory structures, and other planning triggers
- Planning approval before the construction drawings move to County building review
- Project-specific requirements that should be confirmed before final pricing
Why this matters before construction
A pool estimate based only on the visible backyard may not account for hillside review, grading limits, creek or drainage constraints, retaining conditions, structural engineering, access, or added inspection requirements.
PLAPCO begins with the property and the likely approval path so those conditions can be identified before they become expensive mid-project changes.
Good planning protects both the construction budget and the finished property.
Owner-operated, family-owned, and focused on quality over volume.
Homeowners choose Pacheco Landscape & Pool Construction because they want a contractor who understands the full backyard, communicates clearly, and takes pride in the work from start to finish.
Family-Owned Since 1985
Our company has been built over decades through reputation, referrals, craftsmanship, and accountability.
Owner-Operated
We stay personally involved so your project is not treated like just another job on a volume schedule.
Detailed Proposals
We believe homeowners should understand the scope, what is included, and how the work is being approached.
Complete Outdoor Construction
Pools, remodels, hardscape, drainage, outdoor kitchens, pool houses, ADUs, and backyard spaces can be coordinated together.
Licensed, Bonded & Insured
California Contractor License #987689 with B, C-53, and C-27 classifications.
Built for Long-Term Use
We focus on preparation, drainage, sequencing, materials, and construction details that matter after the project is complete.
Start with the property, the goals, and the right plan.
Lafayette projects can vary widely depending on hillside-overlay status, access, grades, creeks, drainage, trees, existing improvements, structures, and project complexity. We start by understanding the property and likely approval path before moving too far forward.
1. Initial Conversation
We discuss the Lafayette property, project goals, timing, budget expectations, photos, plans, hillside conditions, creek or drainage concerns, access, and overall scope.
2. Site Review
We review access, grades, drainage, trees, retaining conditions, existing pool or hardscape, utilities, soil concerns, and whether hillside, grading, or engineering review may apply.
3. Detailed Proposal
We prepare a clear proposal so you understand the scope, what is included, and how the work is being approached.
Common questions from Lafayette homeowners.
These are some of the questions homeowners often ask before starting a pool, remodel, outdoor living, hardscape, drainage, pool house, ADU, or complete backyard project.
Do you build custom pools in Lafayette?
Yes. Pacheco Landscape & Pool Construction builds custom gunite swimming pools, spas, and complete backyard projects for Lafayette homeowners.
Do you remodel pools in Lafayette?
Yes. We remodel existing pools, including pool refinishing, waterline tile replacement, coping, equipment upgrades, lighting, plumbing, automation, hardscape, and related backyard improvements.
Do Lafayette pool projects need grading or drainage planning?
Many do. Lafayette properties can include slopes, creeks, swales, grade changes, expansive soils, retaining walls, and drainage concerns that should be evaluated before construction. The City may require grading review when the amount of cut and fill or other site conditions trigger it.
Can you build a pool on a hillside property in Lafayette?
Yes. PLAPCO builds complex hillside and sloped-lot gunite pools. Depending on the property and approved design, the project may involve grading, drainage, site-specific engineering, drilled piers, special inspections, concrete-strength testing, retaining conditions, or other specialized construction. Learn more on our Hillside Pool Construction page.
Does a Lafayette pool need site-specific engineering?
Not every pool does. The need depends on slope, soils, fill, groundwater, nearby walls or structures, surcharge loading, pool configuration, and the requirements of the reviewing agencies and design professionals. Some owners also voluntarily choose property-specific engineering for a larger or more technically complex investment. Learn more on our Site-Specific Pool Engineering page.
Can you build the pool, patio, and outdoor living area together?
Yes. Many Lafayette projects involve the full backyard, including pools, spas, patios, outdoor kitchens, fire features, drainage, hardscape, retaining walls, pool houses, and surrounding landscape construction.
Are you the cheapest pool builder in Lafayette?
No. We are not trying to be the cheapest contractor. We focus on quality construction, clear communication, detailed proposals, proper preparation, and work that reflects the Pacheco name.
What makes PLAPCO different?
PLAPCO is family-owned since 1985, owner-operated, licensed, bonded, and insured. We focus on quality over volume and build our reputation one backyard at a time.
Planning a pool or complete backyard project in Lafayette?
Whether you are considering a new custom pool, pool remodel, hillside pool, site-specific engineering, outdoor living space, hardscape, drainage improvement, pool house, ADU, or complete backyard transformation, we would be happy to learn more.