Thoughtfully Designed Outdoor Spaces, Built for Real Life
Make more of the space surrounding your home.
DESIGNED FOR PENRYN PROPERTIES
Penryn's countryside setting, spacious residential lots, mature trees, and natural landscape provide opportunities to create outdoor spaces that feel connected to their surroundings.
For some homeowners, that means a covered outdoor kitchen and dining area close to the home. For others, it's a larger entertaining space with a pool, pavilion, fire feature, and areas for recreation.
On larger properties, the placement of these features matters. An outdoor kitchen positioned too far from the home may be less convenient for everyday use. A pavilion should take advantage of the property without interrupting natural views or circulation between spaces.
Existing trees, changes in elevation, granite, drainage, and access can also influence the design and construction.
We consider these details alongside your priorities so the finished outdoor space feels thoughtfully planned rather than a collection of separate improvements.
Additional custom outdoor living features and options are available upon request.
COMPLETE OUTDOOR LIVING
A complete backyard is not about fitting as many features as possible into the available space. It is about understanding which features matter to your family and planning the relationship between them so the finished property feels natural and easy to use.
An outdoor kitchen should support the gathering happening around it—not become an obstacle in the middle of it. We consider cooking space, seating, circulation, proximity to the home, shade, utilities, dining areas, and how the kitchen relates to the rest of the backyard.
Shade can dramatically change how often an outdoor area gets used. Structures should be positioned around sun exposure, views, gathering areas, architecture, and the activities happening underneath them.
When a pool is part of the larger outdoor plan, we consider it in relation to patios, structures, landscape, gathering spaces, views, access, and the home rather than designing it in isolation.
Planting, irrigation, drainage, lighting, and landscape areas help soften the hardscape and connect the finished project to the surrounding property. For CJR, these elements are primarily incorporated into larger outdoor construction projects so they can be coordinated with the rest of the work.
Recreation areas should be placed where they can actually be used without disrupting the rest of the backyard. Turf, putting greens, sport areas, and open lawn can provide valuable usable space when incorporated intentionally.
Not every part of an outdoor project has to be built at once. But if future phases are likely, we want to understand them before the first phase begins. Utilities, drainage, access, elevations, sleeves, structures, and future connections can often be planned ahead. Good phasing begins with planning the later phases before the first one starts.
CONCEPT TO COMPLETION
Complete outdoor construction involves a lot of moving pieces.
Instead of asking homeowners to coordinate separate pool, concrete, landscape, drainage, lighting, and outdoor-living contractors themselves, CJR can plan and manage the major elements of the project through one team.
That creates clearer communication, better sequencing, and accountability for how the individual pieces come together.
Coordination isn't something homeowners should have to figure out between multiple contractors after the project starts.
REQUEST A CONSULTATION
BUILT FOR REAL LIFE
Outdoor living looks different for every family, which is why we spend time understanding how you want to use your space before deciding what belongs in it.
For some homeowners, the priority is creating a backyard centered around family, swimming, and summer days at home. Others want more room for entertaining, an outdoor kitchen for hosting, a comfortable place to gather under a pavilion, or quieter areas to relax at the end of the day.
Those priorities help guide the layout and relationship between each part of the project.
A well-planned outdoor space should feel natural to your home, your property, and the way your family lives.
From complete backyard construction to outdoor kitchens, pavilions, concrete, pools, landscape installations, lighting, and recreation spaces, explore some of the outdoor environments CJR has built for local homeowners.
Outdoor projects become much easier to manage when the company planning them understands more than one trade. Here's what sets the CJR experience apart.
We design and build pools, concrete, hardscape, outdoor living, landscape, drainage, and more—so every element works together from the beginning.
CJR is a family-owned and owner-operated company. You work directly with owner Colton Ray from the initial consultation through construction—there isn't a salesperson between you and the person responsible for the work.
Our background in concrete, excavation, pools, and complete outdoor construction helps us anticipate challenges, plan properly, and consider how each part of the project affects the next.
We want our clients to understand what they are building, what is included, how the project will be approached, and who is accountable for bringing it together.
Penryn outdoor living projects can involve larger residential properties, changes in elevation, natural granite, mature landscaping, and unique construction access considerations. Our experience across concrete, pools, drainage, landscaping, and complete outdoor construction helps us consider these conditions together and plan improvements that complement the property. Being based in neighboring Loomis, we're familiar with the character of Penryn and the surrounding foothill communities.
Our focus is thoughtful planning, proper preparation, quality craftsmanship, and doing the work correctly—not taking shortcuts to move a project along.
Colton and his team were EXCEPTIONAL in their work at our home. We had a big backyard of flat dirt and he helped turn it into a beautiful resort like feel.
— Heather A. · CJR client, via Google
The Details That Matter
CJR builds custom outdoor kitchens, pavilions, pergolas, concrete patios, fire features, pools, spas, landscape installations, irrigation, lighting, turf, putting greens, and other outdoor improvements.
Some projects involve one primary feature, while others bring together multiple elements to create a complete outdoor environment.
We evaluate the overall scope and how the different improvements will work together.
Yes. Larger residential properties can offer opportunities for multiple outdoor gathering areas, recreation spaces, pools, pavilions, and landscape features.
The key is planning how those areas will connect with the home and one another.
We consider distances, access, utilities, elevations, drainage, and the intended use of each space when developing the design.
Yes. Many outdoor living projects involve established properties with existing patios, landscaping, irrigation, structures, or other improvements.
We evaluate what should remain, what may need to be removed, and whether the current layout could function better.
Depending on the project, that may involve replacing concrete, changing elevations, relocating features, or developing a completely new outdoor plan.
Existing trees and natural landscape features can be important parts of a property's character.
We consider their location, surrounding grades, construction access, and potential conflicts with excavation, utilities, concrete, or structures.
Whether a particular feature can remain depends on its condition and relationship to the proposed improvements.
Our goal is to develop a practical design that respects the property while meeting the homeowner's priorities.
Yes. CJR offers Design + Pre-Construction Services for projects that benefit from a more detailed planning process.
Depending on the scope, this may include conceptual layouts, 2D or 3D design, hardscape planning, material selections, and coordination of different outdoor improvements.
The process helps homeowners evaluate their vision and develop a clearer construction scope before moving forward.
Yes. Phased construction can be a practical approach when the long-term plan is considered early.
For example, if you're installing a patio now but anticipate adding an outdoor kitchen, pavilion, pool, or other features later, it's helpful to consider future utilities, drainage, elevations, and construction access.
Planning ahead may reduce the need to disturb completed improvements during later phases.
The investment depends on the size, scope, materials, site conditions, and complexity of the project.
A custom pavilion or outdoor kitchen has different construction requirements than a complete property transformation involving concrete, pools, landscaping, lighting, and multiple outdoor features.
On some Penryn properties, rock, grading, access, and the distance between improvements may also influence the scope.
Discussing your targeted comfort zone of investment early helps us understand what may align with your expectations.
An outdoor kitchen or pavilion should be planned around more than its appearance.
Placement, utilities, shade, drainage, surrounding concrete, and how the space connects to the home can all influence the design and construction.
We also consider how people will move between the kitchen, seating areas, pool, and other outdoor features.
Planning these details together helps create a space that's comfortable, functional, and enjoyable for years to come.
You'll meet directly with CJR owner Colton Ray rather than a salesperson.
Colton remains personally involved in project planning and construction oversight, while our team coordinates the different stages of the work.
We believe direct owner involvement, clear communication, and accountability are especially important when a project includes several connected outdoor improvements.
Planning an outdoor project comes with a lot of questions. We’re here to help you understand your options, what may make sense for your property, and the right next step.
More than just your average outdoor living contractor. We specialize in complete outdoor construction, including decorative concrete, structural concrete foundations, landscape installations, artificial turf, outdoor living, and more. One point of contact. One seamless experience thoughtfully designed and built by one experienced team.
Explore All ServicesBuilding your dream backyard may be more attainable than you think. Through our trusted financing partners, Lyon Financial and HFS Financial, we offer flexible financing options for custom pools and outdoor living projects. Get pre-approved today with a soft credit inquiry and explore financing that fits your budget and goals.
Explore FinancingTrusted Partners & Suppliers
Take a look at a few of the trusted suppliers and local businesses we rely on for quality products and professional services.
Local Suppliers & Partners →CJR's Local Picks
Penryn's agricultural roots are part of what makes this community so special, and Placer Farms Produce is a wonderful reflection of that local character. With fresh, seasonal produce and a true farm-to-community feel, it's the kind of local stop that reminds us why we love living and working in this area. We appreciate the hardworking local growers who help preserve the agricultural traditions that have been part of Penryn for generations. Supporting places like Placer Farms Produce is one small way to keep those roots thriving!
Visit
There's something special about seeing a familiar local landmark take on a new life. Growing up in the Loomis area, we remember frequently visiting CattleBaron's with our family, so seeing that same building transformed into Greenhouse Penryn brings back some wonderful memories. Today, it's a beautiful, welcoming brunch spot that gives a familiar local place a new chapter while keeping its connection to the community. We love seeing places that were part of our childhood continue to be enjoyed by families in the communities we grew up in. It's a little piece of local nostalgia, and definitely worth a visit!
Visit
Roanie's is located inside Penryn Pet Hospital, and there's something especially sweet about grabbing your coffee here—their to-go cups feature photos of animals available for adoption, helping local pets get a little extra visibility. We love seeing a local business use something as simple as a coffee cup to help animals find loving homes. It's a thoughtful touch that makes this Penryn coffee stop even more special!
Visit
Whether you're envisioning a custom outdoor kitchen, pavilion, new concrete, or a complete outdoor transformation, we'd love to hear what you have in mind.
From the first consultation through construction, our team will help you evaluate your property, consider your options, and plan the next steps.
