Protecting it through winter
We leave you a short fall checklist for draining, covering and protecting the appliances.
Serving Arlington Heights & nearby Mount Prospect, Palatine
Outdoor Kitchen Installation in Arlington Heights, IL
Built-in grills, islands and outdoor sinks for Arlington Heights backyards, built for Chicago winters.
- Kitchen remodels across Arlington Heights ZIP 60004, 60005
- One project manager from drawings to final walk-through
- Permits and inspections handled for you
Outdoor kitchen questions we solve for Arlington Heights backyards
We design and build outdoor kitchens for Arlington Heights patios: a built-in grill on natural gas or propane, counter space, storage, and when you want them, a sink, a fridge and lighting. The frame, the top and every utility line are chosen with Chicago winters in mind.
Grill on a cart with no prep space
We replace the rolling grill and side table with a permanent island sized for the way you cook.
No power on the patio
Outdoor outlets must be GFCI-protected and in weatherproof boxes. We plan the circuit and have it installed and inspected.
Not sure if you need a permit
Gas and electrical work outdoors usually requires permits, and some villages also review pergolas, roofs or large structures. We check the Arlington Heights rules and pull the permits.
Running a gas line to the grill
Natural gas means no more empty tanks. The line is trenched or routed to the island, pressure-tested and inspected where the village requires it.
Uneven patio or no base to build on
If the existing patio is cracked or sloped, we fix the base before building anything on top of it.
Setbacks and HOA rules
Before you fall in love with a layout, we confirm setbacks and any HOA approvals your neighborhood requires.
Pipes that freeze over winter
Outdoor plumbing here needs a winterizing plan from day one: an indoor shutoff, a drain-down valve and fittings that can be emptied.
Everything in a outdoor kitchen project
- Site visit and measurementsA visit to measure the area and check where gas, power and water can come from.
- Design and layoutWe lay out the island, appliances and clearances and agree on materials with you.
- Permits and approvalsWe apply for the permits the village requires and help with HOA submissions if needed.
- Base and footingWe build or confirm a level, solid base that can carry the island.
- Utility rough-inGas, electrical and water lines are trenched or routed to the island and inspected where required.
- Island framingThe island frame goes up in block or steel studs with cement board, with openings sized for each appliance.
- Finishes and countertopWe apply the exterior finish and install a weather-rated top.
Choices you'll make
Stone and brick veneerBrick or stone veneer matches the house or patio and weathers well.
Pergolas and coversOverhead structures make the space usable in more weather and are planned with grill clearances.
Block and steel-stud framesMasonry or steel framing is chosen over wood for long outdoor life.
Sealed granite and natural stoneDense granite tops handle sun and freezing well once sealed.
Concrete countertops and basesCast or poured concrete gives a solid, weather-rated top or island body.
Kitchens like yours in Arlington Heights: before and after
Before
In progress
AfterOutdoor Kitchen Installation in a backyard, Arlington Heights
This one is a backyard in Arlington Heights. The reason for the call: an empty patio they wanted to use for cooking. The result: an outdoor kitchen island with a built-in grill and side burner, a stone veneer base, a granite top and a pergola overhead. Work included site visit and measurements, utility rough-in, plus finishes and countertop.
Before
AfterOutdoor Kitchen Installation in a backyard, Mount Prospect
This one is a backyard in Mount Prospect. What bothered the owners most: cooking outside without counter space or storage. The result: an outdoor kitchen island with a built-in grill and side burner, a stone veneer base, a granite top and a pergola overhead. The job covered permits and approvals, base and footing, plus island framing.
Outdoor Kitchen Installation in Mount Prospect →
Before
AfterAn Arlington Heights postwar Cape Cod: before and after
Finished: cabinets in dark teal with brushed nickel bar pulls, charcoal concrete-look quartz counters, a white 2x8 tile in a vertical stack backsplash, hickory luxury vinyl plank flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Remodeling in Arlington Heights →
Before
AfterArlington Heights kitchen, postwar bi-level: kitchen cabinet painting
The same doors sprayed in pale sage, new polished nickel pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Arlington Heights →
Before
AfterAn Arlington Heights postwar bi-level: before and after
New five-piece shaker doors in creamy white uppers and navy lowers on the existing boxes, matching face-frame veneer and unlacquered brass knobs and cup pulls.
Cabinet Refacing in Arlington Heights →How your outdoor kitchen project goes
- Tell us about your yardA few pictures and your wish list help us plan the first visit.
- Site visit and designWe measure, check utilities and permits and present a layout with materials.
- Written estimate and permitsYou get an itemized estimate, and once approved, we apply for permits.
- BuildConstruction usually runs over several weeks depending on weather and inspections.
- Startup and handoverWe test everything with you and explain care and winterizing.
Outdoor Kitchen Installation questions from Arlington Heights homeowners
How much does an outdoor kitchen cost?
Appliances and utility runs drive most of the price, then the finishes. You get a line-item estimate before anything starts.
Can I add a sink to my outdoor kitchen?
Yes, with a water line that can be drained before freezing weather and a drain route we plan in advance.
Do you install pergolas or roofs?
Yes, and we plan grill clearances and any outdoor vent hood around the structure.
Can you build on my existing patio?
Sometimes. We check whether the patio is level and strong enough; if not, we add a footing or pad.
How do you winterize an outdoor kitchen?
Drain the water line, unplug and prop open the fridge if the maker recommends it, and cover the appliances.
Arlington Heights building permit for outdoor kitchen project: where do I apply?
Permits go through Building & Life Safety Department, phone (847) 368-5560. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Can you do outdoor kitchen project in an Arlington Heights condo?
Associations usually set rules for work hours, elevators, deliveries and insurance, and many require approval for plumbing, electrical or structural changes. We provide the certificate of insurance and follow the building's rules.
Does Arlington Heights require a licensed electrician for outdoor kitchen project?
Electrical permit application must include a copy of the electrical license. New circuits and wiring are done by licensed electricians.
Arlington Heights contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
The Village of Arlington Heights contractor license number must be listed on permit applications; homeowners doing their own work file a Homeowner as General Contractor form. We take care of that before work starts.
Arlington Heights plumbing code: who can do the plumbing for outdoor kitchen project?
Plumbing permit application must include a Letter of Intent and an IDPH 055 license. Our plumbing connections are made by licensed plumbers.
Do I need a permit for outdoor kitchen project in Arlington Heights?
It depends on the scope. Arlington Heights's rule in short: Remodel permit applications (shown here via a basement remodel checklist dated 2020) require a building permit application, plans and a contractor proposal; plumbing and electrical permit applications are added if applicable. We handle the permit when one is needed with Building & Life Safety Department.
Do you work in my part of Arlington Heights?
Yes. Our crews work across Arlington Heights — ZIP 60004, 60005 — and nearby Mount Prospect, Palatine, Buffalo Grove.
Working in Arlington Heights
- A lot of Arlington Heights kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Condo or townhome? We follow association rules on work hours and elevators and bring the insurance certificate your board asks for.
- We know how Building & Life Safety Department handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60004ZIP 60005
Outdoor Kitchen Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Arlington Heights
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.
Cabinet RefacingNew doors and fronts on your existing cabinet boxes.
Countertop Fabrication & InstallationQuartz, granite and butcher block, templated and installed.
Kitchen Backsplash InstallationTile backsplashes with clean lines and flush outlets.