Thoughtfully Designed Outdoor Spaces, Built for Real Life
Your outdoor space should feel like a natural extension of your home.
DESIGNED FOR RANCHO CORDOVA PROPERTIES
Rancho Cordova's newer residential communities give homeowners an opportunity to create outdoor spaces that feel like a continuation of their homes.
For newly constructed properties, the backyard often begins as an unfinished space, making it possible to consider the entire design before permanent improvements are installed.
An outdoor kitchen, pavilion, concrete patio, pool, fire feature, and surrounding landscape can all be planned together rather than added independently over time.
That may mean creating a covered entertaining area just outside the home, designing a pool and spa with comfortable surrounding patio space, or incorporating recreation areas for the whole family.
We also consider the practical details, including utilities, drainage, elevations, access, and how people will move between the different outdoor spaces.
For established Rancho Cordova homes, the planning process may involve working with existing patios, landscaping, drainage, or structures.
Our goal is to create a finished outdoor space that feels connected to the home, functions well, and reflects how you want to enjoy your property.
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.
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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.
Rancho Cordova outdoor living projects often involve coordinating several improvements within the same backyard, especially for newly constructed homes. Our experience across concrete, pools, landscaping, drainage, and outdoor structures helps us plan these features together so the finished space complements the home and functions as a whole.
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
Ideally, before permanent backyard improvements are installed.
Early planning allows us to consider how patios, pools, outdoor kitchens, pavilions, drainage, utilities, and landscaping will fit together.
Even if construction will happen in phases, having an overall plan can help avoid conflicts with work completed earlier.
Yes. CJR offers Design + Pre-Construction Services and provides construction for custom concrete, outdoor kitchens, pavilions, pools, spas, fire features, landscaping, irrigation, drainage, lighting, and other outdoor improvements.
Coordinating these features together helps establish a consistent design and construction plan.
Start by considering the home's architecture, the way you use your indoor spaces, and how you want to spend time outside.
Patio placement, outdoor dining areas, shade structures, finishes, lighting, and connections between spaces all influence how naturally the backyard relates to the home.
We consider these details during design so the finished improvements feel intentional rather than added separately.
Absolutely. Outdoor entertaining spaces may include a covered kitchen, built-in grill, dining area, pavilion, fire feature, pool, spa, or surrounding patios.
We consider how many people you typically entertain, how the space will be used, and how the different features should connect.
A thoughtfully planned layout can make the outdoor space more comfortable and practical for everyday use as well as larger gatherings.
Yes. Phased construction can work well when the complete outdoor plan is considered from the beginning.
Future utilities, drainage, elevations, and construction access should be considered before permanent improvements are installed.
Planning ahead can help reduce the need to disturb completed areas when additional features are built later.
The investment depends on the size, materials, features, site conditions, and complexity of the project.
A custom patio and fire feature will have different requirements than a complete backyard involving a pool, outdoor kitchen, pavilion, concrete, landscaping, and lighting.
We discuss your priorities and targeted comfort zone of investment during planning to help determine an appropriate scope.
Compare the actual scope of work, not just the overall price.
Concrete specifications, drainage, grading, utility connections, structural requirements, material selections, lighting, landscape installations, and exclusions can vary significantly.
Understanding those details helps you evaluate the construction being proposed and identify any items that may require additional work later.
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 is personally involved in evaluating the property, discussing the proposed work, and overseeing construction, while our team coordinates the different stages of the project.
We believe clear communication, direct owner involvement, and accountability are important throughout the construction process.
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
Rudy's Hideaway has been a CJR family favorite for generations. From holidays and anniversaries to birthdays and family celebrations, we've spent countless occasions gathered around a table at Rudy's over the years. It's one of those restaurants that holds so many special memories for our family. There's something about returning to a familiar place where you've celebrated so many milestones together. We love supporting longtime local establishments that have become part of our own family traditions, and Rudy's will always have a special place on our list!
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If you're in the mood for some good barbecue, The Hangry Herd BBQ is a local spot worth checking out! Known for its smoked meats, generous portions, and laid-back atmosphere, it's the kind of place where you can enjoy a hearty meal without anything too fancy. We always appreciate local businesses that put care into what they serve, and this is a great stop for anyone who enjoys a good plate of BBQ.
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Bringing a little taste of Brazil to Rancho Cordova, Mimo Bake Studio is a locally owned bakery and café founded by two moms with a shared passion for Brazilian food and traditions. From their signature Bolo de Rolo, a traditional Brazilian rolled cake, to fresh açaí bowls, tapioca sandwiches, and specialty coffee, Mimo offers something a little different from your typical neighborhood bakery. We love seeing small, family-founded businesses introduce their culture and traditions to our local communities. It's a wonderful addition to Rancho Cordova and a great spot to stop in and try something new!
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Whether you're planning an outdoor kitchen, pavilion, custom concrete, or a complete backyard 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, understand your options, and plan the next steps.
