Unless your idea of an outdoor kitchen is a grill on a patio, there’s lots to consider in building an outdoor kitchen. What do you want? Who will do it? How long will it take and how much will it cost? This will vary greatly depending on how elaborate an installation you envision. Will it simply be a built-in grill with room for serving platters and accessories or are you wanting prep space, lighting, seating, and entertainment? How much space will you want? Room to expand?

Here are a few things to consider before charging ahead.
 

Location, Location, Location
Most people want their outdoor kitchen near to the indoor kitchen. It makes handling ingredients easier and lets them take advantage of indoor plumbing and appliances. If you already have a patio or deck adjoining the kitchen, you’ll probably also have easy access to it. If not, you may need add a door, so take that into account.

Maybe you want it somewhere else…poolside or in a pergola. Be sure you can run utilities if you’ll need them.

Also consider your yard’s microclimates. A place that’s sheltered from blazing sun, gusty wind, rain, and dirty trees will be a lot more inviting to both the cook and the customers.
 

Appliances and Amenities
What will you want beyond a single grill? A pizza oven? A sink? Refrigerator? A keg tap or beverage cooler? What about lighting? No one wants to cook or eat in the dark. Heating or cooling? Music or TV?
All these things need things like wiring and plumbing. And they can get expensive, so be sure to include them in your budget. If you can’t do them all at once, plan ahead for future expansion.
 

Know Your Local Codes
Most electrical and plumbing work done in urban areas require permits and inspections. Even construction like carpentry and stonework may need permits. Be sure to know your local rules before spending a lot of time and money on work that has to be redone…or worse.

And don’t presume you’ll get away with it because it’s in your back yard and nobody’ll notice. Your neighbors have eyes and ears—and phones.

Tradespeople
At a minimum, you’ll need someone to do the building, whether it’s a carpenter, a stonemason, or you. As the project gets more elaborate, you may need a plumber, an electrician, or a landscaper. If you’re going to handle the project yourself, you’ll need to find reliable contractors to do the work you can’t (or don’t want to do). That’s especially important with plumbing and electrical work that can result in disaster if not done properly.

But don’t overlook structural work, either. You don’t want your expensive new additions to fall victim to shoddy construction. And if landscaping is part of the project, be sure you’re working with someone who knows how to make it work with your design.

Be sure to hire only reliable tradespeople and schedule them so their work is done in sequence to avoid needless costs and delays.

Start with a Good Plan and Finish with Good Work
Remodeling, renovations, and additions need top-notch electrical work and Allstar Electrical Services delivers the quality results you expect and deserve. We work hand-in-hand with you and your contractors to ensure your new project is done right, on budget, and on time.

We’ve served the Front Range for over 20 years, are top-rated by the BBB and Angie’s List, and are proud to be a Home Advisor Preferred Contractor. 

Whatever your electrical needs, call Allstar Electrical at (303) 399-7420 or visit our website. Then use our handy on-line forms to request an estimate or set up an appointment.