Outdoor kitchen installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What outdoor kitchen installation is

Outdoor kitchen installation builds a grill island or cooking area with a base, countertop, gas, electrical and water connections, and optional sink, refrigerator and storage, set on a firm and suitable surface. People build one to cook and entertain outside with the same convenience as an indoor kitchen, often on a patio or deck.

Signs you need it

  • You cook outside often and carry a portable grill back and forth from the garage or the house
  • You want a permanent cooking area with counter space, storage and a sink near the grill
  • Your patio or deck has room for an island, but the current setup is makeshift
  • You want gas or electrical connections for appliances that the yard cannot run on now
  • An older built-in grill is failing, and you want a new island built around a better unit

What the pro does

  • The installer checks the surface, the clearances from the house and any structures, and the route for the gas, water and electrical lines
  • The base is built from block or framed material on a firm, level footing, sized for the appliances
  • Gas, water and electrical lines are run to the appliance locations, with the gas and electrical work done by licensed trades
  • Appliances are set, the countertop is installed, and the sink and storage are fitted and connected
  • The installation is tested for gas leaks and electrical safety, and the installer explains how to use and maintain the setup

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Size and shape of the island, and the number of counters and cabinets
  • Appliances chosen, such as grills, side burners, refrigerators and sinks
  • Gas, water and electrical runs needed, and their distance from the house
  • Base material and countertop type, which change weight and finish
  • Surface work needed, such as a new slab or deck reinforcement
  • Permits and inspections required in your area
  • Access for materials, delivery and the crew

What a written quote should spell out

  • The island size, base material and countertop material, with the finish
  • The appliances by model, with the gas and electrical connections each one needs
  • The gas, water and electrical runs, and who does each part of that work
  • Permit, inspection and surface work included or quoted separately
  • Clearance details from the house, the deck and any structures
  • The warranty on the build, the appliances and the connections

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Who does the gas work, and are they licensed where my area requires it?
  • Who does the electrical work, and is it done to local code?
  • What permits and inspections does this project need, and who pulls them?
  • What base do you build on, and is my patio or deck strong enough to carry it?
  • How do you keep the island clear of the house and any overhanging structure?
  • What warranty do you give on the build and the connections?
  • How will the gas line be tested before it is turned on?

Red flags

  • They run gas lines without a licensed gas contractor or without a test
  • They put the grill close to the house, a deck rail or a structure, without checking the clearance
  • They build the island on a surface that is not strong enough, such as an old patio with no support
  • They skip permits and inspections and say you do not need them
  • They cannot name the gas and electrical contractors who will do the connections

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can build a simple, non-gas counter or a storage cabinet, and can set a grill in a spot that is already plumbed or connected. Do not run or connect gas lines yourself, and do not do electrical or water connections that need a licensed trade. Call a licensed contractor and the licensed trades for the island, the gas, the electrical and the water connections, and check the permit rules before you start.

Licenses and permits

Outdoor kitchens commonly need licensed trades for gas, electrical and plumbing connections, and the island itself is commonly licensed contractor work in many areas; permits and inspections are often required. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your permit office before you hire or build.

Outdoor kitchen installation questions

Do I need a permit for an outdoor kitchen?

Many areas require permits for an outdoor kitchen, especially when it includes gas, electrical or water lines. Check with your local permit office, and ask the contractor who will pull the permits and schedule the inspections.

How far does the grill need to be from the house?

The clearance depends on the appliance, the surface and local rules. Ask the installer for the clearances in writing for your specific grill and house, and check them with the manufacturer's instructions and your permit office.

Can an outdoor kitchen go on a deck?

Some decks can carry an island, and others need reinforcement first. Ask a licensed contractor to check the deck's structure and the load the island will add before any work starts.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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