Southern California averages just 15 inches of annual rainfall, yet occasional downpours can overwhelm storm drains and wash valuable water straight to the ocean. Installing rain barrels Los Angeles–style captures that runoff and stores it for landscape irrigation, pressure washing, or even gray-water systems. The result is lower water bills, greener yards during drought restrictions, and a smaller environmental footprint. CountBricks helps homeowners and residential builders integrate rain harvesting into new builds and remodels with precision AI estimating, voice-driven scope creation, and fast field deployment.
CountBricks.com/services combines real-time material pricing, local labor rates, and City of Los Angeles compliance data to create an itemized estimate while you speak. No spreadsheets, no waiting for callbacks—just a clear cost roadmap in minutes.
• Voice-to-Estimate technology converts your on-site walkthrough into a detailed scope.
• AI blueprint takeoffs pinpoint downspout locations and optimal barrel capacity from your plans.
• Automatic task sequencing schedules excavation, pad preparation, and plumbing in the right order.
• Instant quote documents let you secure HOA approvals or green-rebate applications without delay.
Barrel choice affects capacity, durability, curb appeal, and code compliance. CountBricks catalogs hundreds of SKUs from food-grade plastic to architectural steel tanks, all indexed by current supplier pricing within our platform.
• Capacity: A 1,000 sq. ft. roof sheds about 600 gallons per 1” of rain. Most LA homeowners start with 50–100-gallon barrels per downspout.
• Material: UV-resistant polyethylene resists sun damage; corrugated steel blends with modern facades; oak whiskey barrels give a classic look.
• Footprint: Tight side yards may need slimline models only 18” deep.
• Overflow handling: Integrated diverter kits prevent foundation splashback during heavy storms.
• Filtration: Leaf screens and first-flush diverters keep debris out, extending pump life.
1. Site Assessment: CountBricks technicians confirm roof area, downspout flow, and clearance for maintenance.
2. Pad Construction: We pour a level concrete or compacted-gravel base to support full barrel weight—up to 800 lbs when filled.
3. Diverter & Plumbing: A downspout diverter feeds the barrel while an overflow hose returns excess water to the drain line or rain garden.
4. Barrel Placement: Food-grade Teflon tape seals threaded fittings; stainless straps anchor the barrel for seismic safety.
5. Final Inspection: Our superintendent certifies installation meets LADBS guidelines and rebate program standards.
Rain barrels under 100 gallons typically require no permit, but larger cisterns or integrated irrigation pumps may trigger LADBS review. CountBricks auto-flags permit thresholds during the estimating phase and generates ready-to-submit documentation. We also track LADWP Sustainable Landscaping rebates, updating your estimate when funding tiers change so clients see the real net cost in real time.
• Barrel & Diverter Kit: $120 – $380 depending on capacity and finish
• Base Construction: $95 – $150 per barrel
• Plumbing Connections: $70 – $140 per downspout
• Labor & Supervision: $3.25 – $4.10 per installed gallon
Because CountBricks syncs with supplier APIs each morning, your estimate reflects up-to-the-minute Los Angeles pricing rather than last quarter’s averages.
Design-build clients increasingly demand sustainable features. By tapping CountBricks during the architectural phase, builders can rough-in stub-outs, allocate slab recesses for tank pads, and coordinate pump circuitry before framing begins. That proactive coordination saves tear-outs, change orders, and client frustration. Our platform exports BIM-compatible data sets so your design team can drop rain barrel assets directly into Revit or SketchUp files.
• Position barrels on the north side to reduce UV exposure and algae growth.
• Install a hose bib 6” above barrel bottom to avoid sediment discharge.
• Connect multiple barrels in series with flexible PVC to scale capacity as budgets allow.
• Use a small solar pump to drip-irrigate planter beds, increasing water savings.
• Schedule annual clean-outs during LA’s October-November dry window to minimize downtime.
A homeowner adding a 600-sq.-ft. accessory dwelling unit wanted off-grid irrigation. Using CountBricks voice estimation, we identified three potential downspouts and sized two 75-gallon barrels. AI takeoffs revealed a tight setback that called for slimline units. Our crew completed installation in one day, and LADWP rebates covered 35% of costs. Six months later, the owner reports zero municipal water used for landscaping.
Whether you’re a DIY homeowner or a general contractor managing multiple custom homes, CountBricks puts actionable data in your hands.
• Call our voice bot to generate a line-item estimate in under five minutes.
• Upload your PDF plans for automated downspout counts and material schedules.
• Review live dashboards showing labor allocation, delivery dates, and inspection checkpoints.
Ready to capture every drop? Visit CountBricks.com/consultation to book a free virtual walk-through today.
Rain barrels Los Angeles projects are often the first step toward a broader water-management plan. CountBricks helps clients scale from single barrels to full cistern fields, gray-water reuse, and permeable hardscape installations—without losing cost transparency.
• Stage 1: 50–100-gallon decorative barrels fed by select downspouts
• Stage 2: Manifolded 250-gallon poly tanks connected through buried flex-PVC to irrigate lawns
• Stage 3: 1,500-gallon underground cisterns using submersible pumps for whole-yard drip systems
Each upgrade is pre-modeled in our platform, so owners see material, labor, and rebate impacts before committing a dollar.
During framing, CountBricks collaborated with the GC to rough-in pipe chases leading to a future 2,000-gallon cistern. The homeowner installed only two 80-gallon barrels initially but knew expansion would be plug-and-play. Two years later, a landscaped pool deck was added; CountBricks returned, excavated the cistern pocket precisely where the chase terminated, and swapped overflows in a single weekend—zero rework on finished surfaces.
CountBricks offers optional annual service packages:
• Spring filter replacement and overflow test
• Fall sediment flush and seismic strap inspection
• Real-time sensor data uploads to your CountBricks dashboard so you can track water levels from your phone
Subscribers report 18% greater capture efficiency because clogged diverters and minor leaks are fixed before storm season.
California’s water future is unpredictable, but your conservation strategy doesn’t have to be. Partner with CountBricks to design, estimate, and install rain barrels Los Angeles residents can rely on today—with a growth path for tomorrow. Visit CountBricks.com/services to explore packages or schedule an on-site assessment.
