Start with how you cook and entertain
An outdoor kitchen can be a simple grill island or a full setup with a sink, refrigerator, side burners, and bar seating. The right size depends on how often you cook outside and how many people you host — not on filling a wall with stainless steel.
- Work zones. Plan landing space on both sides of the grill for platters and tools, a prep area, and a place to serve.
- Face the guests. An L-shape or an island with bar seating lets the cook face the patio, pool, or lawn instead of the house.
- Keep traffic clear. Guests heading to the pool or the yard shouldn't walk through the cooking zone.
- Mind the smoke. Consider prevailing breezes, windows, and doors so smoke drifts away from the seating area and the house.
Utilities: planned early, done by licensed trades
Most of an outdoor kitchen's complexity is behind the counters.
- Gas — natural gas lines or propane connections are installed by a licensed gas contractor, with permits where required.
- Electrical — refrigerators, lighting, outlets, and fans need circuits installed by a licensed electrician to code, including the protections required for outdoor locations.
- Water and drainage — a sink needs a supply line and a code-compliant way to drain, handled by a licensed plumber.
We plan the layout, base, and hardscape around those connections and sequence the work so lines and sleeves are in place before the patio goes down. The proposal identifies who performs each part; this site doesn't imply that one company does all of it.
Materials that suit Florida
- Base construction. Masonry bases finished in stucco or stone veneer are common and durable; modular frames are another option.
- Countertops. Dense natural stone such as granite is a frequent choice. Many engineered quartz products aren't rated for outdoor sun, so check before choosing.
- Appliances. Choose products rated for outdoor use, and follow the manufacturer's cutout and clearance requirements exactly.
- Surface around the kitchen. Pavers that hide grease spots and clean easily — often mid-tone blends — work well near a grill.
Illustrative renderingShade and clearances
Shade makes an outdoor kitchen usable in summer. If the grill sits under a pergola, patio cover, or other roof, the grill manufacturer's clearance and ventilation requirements apply, and some installations need a vent hood. Covers and pergolas bring their own engineering and permit considerations — see pergolas & shade structures.
What the project involves
- Layout and utility planning, including gas, electrical, and water routes
- Locates, excavation, and utility rough-ins by the licensed trades
- Footings or a slab for the kitchen base as designed
- Base construction, veneer, and countertops
- Patio base and pavers around the kitchen
- Appliance setting and final connections by the appropriate trades
- Inspections where permits are involved
What affects the cost
- Size and shape of the kitchen
- Base construction and finishes (stucco, stone veneer, countertop material)
- Appliances — often the largest variable
- Distance from the gas meter, electrical panel, and water supply
- Shade structure, lighting, and fans
- Patio expansion around the kitchen
See the cost guide for how these add up and how to compare proposals.
Next step
Make a list of what you'd cook and how many people you usually host, and note where your gas meter and electrical panel are. Then request a consultation.
