Where it goes matters more than what's in it
The best outdoor kitchens are close enough to the back door that carrying a tray out isn't a chore, and far enough from the seating that smoke doesn't drift into everyone's face. They don't sit tight against vinyl siding or under a low roofline, where grill heat does damage. And they're on the patio, not on a separate pad off to the side.
Get the location right and a simple grill island gets used every week. Get it wrong and an expensive kitchen becomes a place to set things down.
How we build them
An island is heavy, so it gets the same foundation as the patio: excavated, filled with crushed stone and compacted. The body is built from block, faced in stone or veneer to match your house or walls, and topped with a counter in the finish you choose.
We build around the exact appliances you pick, so the grill drops in and the doors line up. Gas grills get vents in the island, the way the manufacturers require. Gas and electrical connections are made by licensed trades, planned before the patio goes down so nothing has to be torn up later.
- Straight grill islands, L-shapes and bar-height counters
- Built-in grill, side burner, fridge and storage doors
- Bar seating along the back of the island
- Stone or veneer faces matched to your walls and house
- Lighting under the counter and on nearby steps
Kitchen, fire pit and seating, planned together
Most of our kitchens are part of a bigger backyard: the patio, a fire pit or seating wall at the other end, and lighting tying it together. Designing it as one space is what makes it feel like an outdoor room instead of a grill parked on some pavers.
If you already have a patio, we can often add an island to it. We'll check the base first, because a heavy island on a thin base is how cracks start.
Outdoor kitchen questions we get
How much does an outdoor kitchen cost?
It depends almost entirely on size and what goes in it. A straight grill island with a short counter is a very different job from an L-shaped kitchen with a fridge, bar seating and a new patio underneath. After a free visit you get an exact, itemized price, so you can see what each piece adds.
Do you install the grill and appliances?
We build the island around the exact grill, side burner, fridge and doors you choose, so the cutouts fit and the appliances drop in. Gas and electrical hookups are made by licensed trades, and we plan those runs before the patio goes down.
Can you add an outdoor kitchen to my existing patio?
Often, yes. An island is heavy, so we check the patio's base first. If it's solid and there's room, the island can go right on it. If the base is thin or the patio is too small, we'll usually extend it with a properly built section for the kitchen.
Where is the best spot for an outdoor kitchen?
Close to the back door, on the patio, and away from the main seating so smoke doesn't drift over people. Keep it off vinyl siding and out from under low eaves, because grill heat can warp siding. We'll walk the yard with you and show you where it works on your lot.
How long does it take to build an outdoor kitchen?
It depends on the size of the kitchen and whether a new patio goes in with it. You get the schedule with your estimate, and we show up on the day we said.
