Outdoor Living
In the Coachella Valley, outdoor living is not a luxury -- it is a way of life. With over 300 days of sunshine each year and mild winters that most of the country envies, La Quinta homeowners have a unique opportunity to expand their usable living space well beyond the walls of their home. At Niem Construction, we are the outdoor living contractor La Quinta residents trust to transform backyards into functional, beautiful extensions of the indoor experience.
Our team specializes in designing and building outdoor spaces that embrace the desert climate rather than fight it. From expansive covered patios that provide respite from the afternoon sun to fully equipped outdoor kitchens where you can entertain year-round, every project we undertake is engineered for the specific demands of the Coachella Valley environment. We select materials that withstand extreme heat, resist UV fading, and maintain their beauty through scorching summers and cool desert evenings alike.
A patio remodel Coachella Valley homeowners invest in should do more than look good -- it should perform flawlessly in triple-digit temperatures and near-zero humidity. That is why Niem Construction uses heat-reflective pavers, fade-resistant finishes, and climate-appropriate hardscaping materials on every outdoor project. Whether you are updating an aging patio slab or starting from scratch with a complete backyard transformation, we bring the same level of precision and craftsmanship that has earned us a 5-star reputation over the past 17 years.
As a leading outdoor kitchen builder La Quinta homeowners recommend, we design cooking and entertaining areas that rival indoor kitchens in both functionality and style. Think built-in grills, refrigeration, stone countertops, bar seating, and integrated shade structures -- all positioned to take advantage of mountain views and desert sunsets. Our outdoor kitchens are built with stainless steel, natural stone, and weather-resistant cabinetry specifically chosen for the arid climate.
Beyond kitchens and patios, we create complete outdoor environments that seamlessly blend fire features, water elements, lighting design, and native landscaping into a cohesive living space. Fire pits and fireplaces become gathering points on cool winter evenings. Pool deck remodels with slip-resistant, heat-absorbing surfaces make barefoot comfort possible even in July. And strategic landscape integration ties everything together with drought-tolerant plants that thrive naturally in the desert.
Every outdoor living project begins with a thorough site evaluation where we assess your property's orientation, existing structures, wind patterns, and sun exposure. This ensures that shade structures, seating areas, and cooking zones are placed for maximum comfort throughout the day. With Niem Construction, you get more than a contractor -- you get a partner who understands the desert and knows how to make it work beautifully for your family.
Complete outdoor living solutions designed and built for the Coachella Valley desert climate.
Custom-built cooking and entertaining stations with built-in grills, countertops, refrigeration, and bar seating designed for year-round desert use.
Shade structures that block harsh UV rays while maintaining airflow, extending your outdoor comfort from morning coffee to evening gatherings.
Custom gas and wood-burning fire features that serve as stunning focal points and gathering spots on cool desert evenings.
Heat-resistant, slip-proof pool surrounds using cool-touch pavers and materials that stay comfortable even in peak summer temperatures.
Drought-tolerant native plants, decorative rock, and hardscaping that blend seamlessly with your outdoor living areas and the natural desert terrain.
Ambient, task, and accent lighting systems that enhance safety, extend usability into the evening, and highlight your landscape's best features.
A proven five-step process that delivers beautiful, lasting outdoor living spaces.
We visit your property to assess the lot, orientation, sun exposure, wind patterns, existing structures, and soil conditions. This ensures every design decision is grounded in the realities of your specific space.
Working closely with you, we create a detailed design that maps out every zone -- cooking, dining, lounging, fire features, and landscaping -- optimized for comfort, flow, and desert living.
We handle all permit applications and approvals required by the City of La Quinta and Riverside County, including structural, electrical, plumbing, and gas line permits as needed.
Our skilled crew builds your outdoor space with precision -- from foundation work and structural elements to plumbing, electrical, gas lines, and hardscape installation. You receive regular updates throughout.
We complete all finishing details -- lighting installation, landscape planting, final grading, surface sealing, and a thorough walkthrough to ensure everything meets our standards and yours.
Let us design and build the outdoor living space you have always wanted. Free consultations for La Quinta and Coachella Valley homeowners.
Answers to the most common questions about outdoor living projects in the Coachella Valley.
For the Coachella Valley's extreme heat and UV exposure, we recommend natural stone such as travertine and flagstone for patios and walkways, as they stay cooler underfoot than concrete or dark-colored pavers. Stainless steel (304 or 316 grade) is essential for outdoor kitchen components due to its heat and corrosion resistance. For shade structures, powder-coated aluminum and engineered wood like ipe or thermally modified pine resist warping and fading. We also use UV-stabilized composite decking and fade-resistant porcelain tile for surfaces that need to withstand years of direct sun without deteriorating.
Outdoor living project costs vary widely depending on scope and features. A basic covered patio with lighting typically ranges from $15,000 to $35,000. A mid-range project that includes a patio, fire pit, and landscape integration generally falls between $40,000 and $75,000. A comprehensive outdoor living space with a full kitchen, pergola, fire feature, lighting, and landscaping can range from $80,000 to $150,000 or more. We provide detailed, transparent estimates during your free consultation so there are no surprises. Every project is customized to your budget and priorities.
Timeline depends on the complexity of your project. A straightforward patio or pergola installation typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. A mid-scale project with a fire feature and hardscaping generally requires 4 to 8 weeks. Comprehensive outdoor living spaces with kitchens, multiple zones, electrical, plumbing, and gas work can take 8 to 14 weeks from groundbreaking to completion. Permitting adds 2 to 4 weeks before construction begins. We provide a detailed timeline during the design phase and keep you updated at every stage.
A custom outdoor kitchen from Niem Construction can include virtually anything you would find in a high-end indoor kitchen and more. Popular features include built-in gas grills, side burners, pizza ovens, smokers, outdoor-rated refrigerators, ice makers, sink stations with hot and cold water, kegerators, and warming drawers. We build custom cabinetry from marine-grade polymer or stainless steel, install durable countertops in granite or quartzite, and add bar-height seating for entertaining. Every kitchen is designed around your cooking style and how you plan to use the space.
Effective shade is essential for comfortable outdoor living in the desert. We install solid-roof patio covers that provide complete sun and rain protection, louvered pergolas with adjustable slats that let you control light and airflow throughout the day, and traditional pergolas with shade sails or retractable canopies for a more open feel. For dining and seating areas, we often recommend a combination approach: a solid roof over the primary living zone with an adjacent pergola for transitional areas. We also integrate ceiling fans, misting systems, and strategic orientation to reduce heat buildup and keep your outdoor space comfortable from spring through fall.
"Niem Construction turned our bare backyard into an incredible outdoor living space. The covered patio, built-in grill, and fire pit area are exactly what we envisioned. Phillip and his team understood the desert climate and recommended materials that look beautiful and hold up to the heat. We practically live outside now. Best investment we have made in our home."
Get a free, no-obligation estimate on your outdoor living project. Serving La Quinta, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Indio, and the entire Coachella Valley.
Tell us about your project and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.