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Planning an Outdoor Kitchen? Look to These Professionals for Help
Find out who can help you achieve your dream space, whether it's part of a larger remodel or a stand-alone project
An outdoor kitchen can take your landscape and entertaining game up a notch, providing you with an all-in-one space for hanging out with family and friends for much of the year. Your vision may be as simple as a bar or countertop next to your grill or as elaborate as the kitchen inside your home. As you start to plan, you should also get an idea of the different professionals who can help you achieve your goals.
Read on to learn the roles of the various pros who may be providing services and working around your home.
Read on to learn the roles of the various pros who may be providing services and working around your home.
Landscape architect. Landscape architects are trained in both architecture and horticulture and generally hold advanced degrees. They will provide both the overall design as well as the technical details, such as grades, drainage, structural requirements, materials and finishes. They usually do not handle the installation but will provide you with recommendations.
Landscape designer. These pros give homeowners an aesthetic design and horticultural plan. They often provide a design for the structural elements, from drainage and irrigation to patios, decks, pergolas and more. Their backgrounds will vary. They generally do not do the actual installation.
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Landscape designer. These pros give homeowners an aesthetic design and horticultural plan. They often provide a design for the structural elements, from drainage and irrigation to patios, decks, pergolas and more. Their backgrounds will vary. They generally do not do the actual installation.
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Landscape design-build firm.These firms straddle the gap between an architect or designer and a contractor. They generally have landscape designers or architects on staff or have a partnership with other firms. Once you’ve decided on a design, they then handle the installation, including the plantings. “We handle everything from A to Z,” Pam Cosce of Lazar Landscape Design and Construction in Oakland, California, says.
Gorski adds that a landscape design-build firm can streamline a project. “So many types of work go into a single outdoor kitchen, finding a group who can handle the design and installation minimizes mistakes and maximizes communication,” she says.
Gorski adds that a landscape design-build firm can streamline a project. “So many types of work go into a single outdoor kitchen, finding a group who can handle the design and installation minimizes mistakes and maximizes communication,” she says.
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Landscape contractor. These are general contractors who do the installation of both hardscape and plantings. If you’re looking for someone with specific experience as an outdoor contractor, you might consider a specialty contractor. “We can design your project and we would handle all facets of the project, including masonry and structural elements,” says Scott Arnold, who owns Arnold Masonry & Landscape in Atlanta.
Another option is to buy off-the-shelf outdoor kitchen elements and have a contractor install them. There are lower-quality options that may not suit your style, but there are also companies that are producing prebuilt pieces that would look at home in any kitchen. “They’re very high-end and can look lovely,” Cosce says.
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Another option is to buy off-the-shelf outdoor kitchen elements and have a contractor install them. There are lower-quality options that may not suit your style, but there are also companies that are producing prebuilt pieces that would look at home in any kitchen. “They’re very high-end and can look lovely,” Cosce says.
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Cabinets, Countertops and Structures
The backbone of an outdoor kitchen is the infrastructure: the cabinets and counters, additional structures such as pergolas and benches and new flooring. Ideally, the same design and construction crew will be able to handle most of this work.
If you have a special request, bring that up while you’re interviewing firms so you’ll know if that’s something they’re familiar with.
10 Questions to Ask a Landscape Designer
The backbone of an outdoor kitchen is the infrastructure: the cabinets and counters, additional structures such as pergolas and benches and new flooring. Ideally, the same design and construction crew will be able to handle most of this work.
If you have a special request, bring that up while you’re interviewing firms so you’ll know if that’s something they’re familiar with.
10 Questions to Ask a Landscape Designer
Appliances, Lighting and Other Electrical Items
You’ll also need to plan for electrical work to be done. A landscape design-build firm or a landscape contractor may have these professionals on staff. If not, they will either contract with a firm they usually work with or give you recommendations on someone to call.
You’ll need an electrician if you’re installing outlets for appliances and any additional lighting. You may also want the capability to install heaters, fans and sound systems.
Find an electrician in your area
You’ll also need to plan for electrical work to be done. A landscape design-build firm or a landscape contractor may have these professionals on staff. If not, they will either contract with a firm they usually work with or give you recommendations on someone to call.
You’ll need an electrician if you’re installing outlets for appliances and any additional lighting. You may also want the capability to install heaters, fans and sound systems.
Find an electrician in your area
Sinks and Gas Lines
Plumbing comes into play for water and gas lines, as needed. “Plumbing is far more complicated outdoors, especially if you’re adding a sink and need to tie into the sewer line,” Cosce says.
Plumbers will also install gas lines to permanent grills or fire features. “If natural gas lines are involved, we have our clients contact the plumber of their choice. This allows them to receive the warranty straight from the plumber plus saves them the upcharge fees,” Arnold says.
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Plumbing comes into play for water and gas lines, as needed. “Plumbing is far more complicated outdoors, especially if you’re adding a sink and need to tie into the sewer line,” Cosce says.
Plumbers will also install gas lines to permanent grills or fire features. “If natural gas lines are involved, we have our clients contact the plumber of their choice. This allows them to receive the warranty straight from the plumber plus saves them the upcharge fees,” Arnold says.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
Specialty Features
It’s the extra things that can take an outdoor kitchen to the next level. A specialty countertop can become the kitchen’s focal point. Perhaps you want to add a pizza oven, a built-in fireplace or a fire pit. You also might want to include an AV system or outdoor TV. “Many people now are really looking for an entertaining spot,” Cosce says.
10 Party-Ready Specialty Outdoor Kitchen Features
It’s the extra things that can take an outdoor kitchen to the next level. A specialty countertop can become the kitchen’s focal point. Perhaps you want to add a pizza oven, a built-in fireplace or a fire pit. You also might want to include an AV system or outdoor TV. “Many people now are really looking for an entertaining spot,” Cosce says.
10 Party-Ready Specialty Outdoor Kitchen Features
Depending on how elaborate your plans are, it might be wise to call in someone who specializes in that particular element to be sure the result is what you want. An AV specialist, for example, will be able to coach you on the differences in sound and television options and what wiring and structural support you’ll need.
A mason or stone expert will have the skills to finesse your finish. If you’re installing a specialty wood or concrete countertop, you’ll want someone with experience in the material you’re using.
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A mason or stone expert will have the skills to finesse your finish. If you’re installing a specialty wood or concrete countertop, you’ll want someone with experience in the material you’re using.
More on Houzz
What to Know About Adding an Outdoor Kitchen
Browse thousands of outdoor kitchen photos
Work with a landscape contractor in your area
Shop for outdoor products
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As with any home project, creating a plan is your first step. The complexity of your outdoor kitchen wish list will help you determine whom to contact. “The pros you probably will need include a [landscape] designer, if you don’t do that yourself, a mason who can probably install the cabinets and appliances as well, a plumber and an electrician,” says Kara Gorski of Landed, a landscape design-build firm in Alexandria, Virginia.
If the outdoor kitchen is part of a larger home makeover, your architect, interior designer or design-build firm may also be able to tackle the design. However, someone who specializes in outdoor projects may be a better choice, especially if the project is complex.
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