Thoughtfully Designed Outdoor Spaces, Built for Real Life
From new construction homes to established properties surrounded by Rancho Murieta's natural landscape, every backyard offers an opportunity to create something special.
DESIGNED FOR RANCHO MURIETA PROPERTIES
Rancho Murieta offers a mix of newer residential communities, established neighborhoods, and custom homes with beautiful natural surroundings.
For homeowners in Murieta Hills, Haven at Murieta, and Riverview, an unfinished backyard presents the opportunity to design the outdoor space around the home from the beginning.
Patios, outdoor kitchens, pavilions, pools, landscaping, and lighting can be planned together, with consideration for utilities, drainage, and construction sequencing.
Established properties may require a different approach, incorporating existing trees, landscaping, concrete, and changes in elevation.
We consider how each area connects to the home and how the outdoor space will be used to create a design that feels natural, functional, and well suited to the 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.
From newly constructed homes to established custom properties, Rancho Murieta offers a variety of opportunities for complete outdoor living projects. Our experience with concrete, pools, drainage, landscaping, and outdoor structures allows us to plan improvements together while considering the property's layout, existing conditions, and future use.
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 designs and builds custom outdoor kitchens, pavilions, pergolas, patios, fire features, landscape installations, irrigation, lighting, turf, putting greens, and other outdoor improvements.
We also construct custom pools and spas and can coordinate multiple features as part of a complete backyard project.
Yes. For homeowners moving into newly built homes, we can plan the outdoor space from the beginning.
This may include concrete patios, walkways, landscaping, drainage, outdoor kitchens, shade structures, lighting, and other improvements.
Planning the different features together allows us to coordinate the layout, utilities, elevations, and construction sequence.
Yes. Not every outdoor living project requires starting from scratch.
We evaluate existing concrete, landscaping, drainage, structures, and other improvements to determine what may be appropriate to retain, modify, or replace.
The goal is to create a cohesive finished space while considering the condition and functionality of what's already there.
We consider how the different elevations affect patios, steps, walkways, drainage, retaining features, and the connection between outdoor areas.
These details can influence both the design and construction approach.
Planning them early helps create outdoor spaces that feel connected and are comfortable to use.
Absolutely.
Planning these improvements together allows us to consider the placement of the kitchen, shade structure, seating areas, concrete, lighting, and necessary utilities.
It also helps coordinate construction sequencing and create a finished space where the different features work naturally together.
Yes. Depending on the scope and property conditions, phased construction may be an option.
For example, a homeowner may want to complete the primary patio and drainage first, then add an outdoor kitchen, pavilion, or additional landscaping later.
We recommend discussing future improvements during the initial planning process so utilities, elevations, and construction access can be considered before the first phase begins.
Yes. We understand that Rancho Murieta has established HOA guidelines and architectural review requirements for exterior improvements, including outdoor kitchens, pavilions, concrete, landscaping, and other outdoor living features.
We're familiar with working through HOA requirements and can assist our clients with the design plans and project information needed for architectural review.
Our goal is to make the approval process as simple and straightforward as possible, helping homeowners navigate the requirements while keeping their project moving forward.
We consider these requirements early in the planning process so they can be incorporated into the design before construction begins.
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.
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
Just outside Rancho Murieta in the historic community of Sloughhouse, The Slough House Kitchen is a wonderful spot for a memorable meal. Located along Meiss Road, this restaurant offers a beautiful countryside setting with a welcoming atmosphere and a menu featuring Italian-inspired dishes, fresh pasta, and other thoughtfully prepared favorites. There's something special about restaurants that embrace the history and character of the area around them. We love seeing local establishments bring new life to familiar places while preserving the charm that makes these communities unique. Whether you're planning a dinner with family or celebrating a special occasion, The Slough House Kitchen is a great place to visit.
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Located right in Rancho Murieta, The Backyard BBQ Bar and Grill is a great neighborhood spot for good food and a relaxed atmosphere. Their menu offers everything from smoked tri-tip, pulled pork, and ribs to burgers, sandwiches, salads, and plenty of appetizers to share. Whether you're stopping in for lunch, meeting friends for dinner, or getting together with the family, there's something for everyone. We appreciate having local restaurants that give neighbors a place to gather, enjoy a meal, and spend time together. The Backyard is a great example of that community atmosphere, and an easy addition to our Rancho Murieta favorites.
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A short trip into nearby Ione brings you to Church and Main, a charming locally owned coffee shop and café located along the town's historic Main Street. Founded by Anna and Rachel, Church and Main was created as a welcoming gathering place for the community. They serve quality coffee alongside breakfast and lunch made from scratch, with an emphasis on incorporating ingredients from local farms whenever possible. We love seeing small businesses create spaces where people can slow down, connect, and support their local community. There's something about a neighborhood coffee shop that brings people together, and Church and Main captures that small-town feeling beautifully. If you're exploring the area or passing through Ione, it's definitely worth stopping in!
Visit
Whether you're planning an outdoor kitchen, a new patio, a pavilion, or a complete backyard transformation, we'd love to hear your ideas.
From initial planning through construction, CJR brings together the different elements of outdoor living to create a space that complements your home and the way you live.
