Large backyard, long utility runs
In Des Plaines, many yards put the patio far from the house. Longer gas and electrical runs mean trenching and planning, which we include in the estimate.
Serving Des Plaines & nearby Mount Prospect, Park Ridge
Outdoor Kitchen Installation in Des Plaines, IL
Built-in grills, islands and outdoor sinks for Des Plaines backyards, built for Chicago winters.
- Local crews working in Des Plaines ZIP 60016, 60018
- Design, permits and every trade on one schedule
- A written, itemized estimate before any work
Outdoor kitchen questions we solve for Des Plaines backyards
A freestanding grill and a folding table only go so far. Our Des Plaines crew builds permanent outdoor kitchens with a concrete or block base, stone or stainless finishes, GFCI-protected outlets and permits pulled where the village requires them.
Protecting it through winter
Winter care is simple when the kitchen is built for it: shut off and drain the water, cover the grill and keep the top sealed.
Smoke blowing toward the house or neighbors
We position the grill so smoke goes away from the back door and seating, with the clearances the manufacturer specifies.
Evening cooking in the dark
Task lights over the grill and low-voltage lights on the island make it safe to cook after dark.
Food storage and a fridge outdoors
Only outdoor-rated refrigerators belong outside; indoor units struggle with heat and cold. We plan the space, power and ventilation they need.
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.
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.
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.
What the project covers
- Design and layoutWe lay out the island, appliances and clearances and agree on materials with you.
- Permits and approvalsPermit applications for gas, electrical and structure are prepared and filed.
- 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 countertopStone veneer, stucco or tile goes on the sides, then the top is set and sealed.
- Appliance installationBuilt-in appliances go in and are hooked up to gas, power and water.
- Testing and walkthroughEvery connection is checked, and you get a walkthrough on operation and fall shutdown.
Finishes and options
Sealed granite and natural stoneDense granite tops handle sun and freezing well once sealed.
Pergolas and coversOverhead structures make the space usable in more weather and are planned with grill clearances.
Natural gas or propane grillsWe set up the grill for the fuel that suits your house: natural gas or propane.
304 stainless steelUsed for doors, drawers and grill heads because it resists rust outdoors much better than lower grades.
Stone and brick veneerBrick or stone veneer matches the house or patio and weathers well.
Before and after: kitchens near Des Plaines
Before
In progress
AfterA Des Plaines patio off the kitchen: before and after
A patio off the kitchen in Des Plaines, a typical kitchen for Des Plaines. What bothered the owners most: an empty patio they wanted to use for cooking. Finished kitchen: an outdoor kitchen island with a built-in grill and side burner, a stone veneer base, a granite top and a pergola overhead. On site this meant permits and approvals, utility rough-in, plus appliance installation.
Before
AfterOutdoor Kitchen Installation in a backyard patio, Mount Prospect
The site: a backyard patio in Mount Prospect. The main complaint was 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. The job covered island framing, appliance installation, plus testing and walkthrough.
Outdoor Kitchen Installation in Mount Prospect →
Before
AfterDes Plaines kitchen, postwar bi-level: kitchen remodeling
Finished: cabinets in light butter yellow with satin brass pulls, creamy quartzite-look quartz counters, a green zellige-look tile backsplash, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Des Plaines →
Before
AfterDes Plaines kitchen, postwar bi-level: kitchen cabinet painting
What changed: the same doors sprayed in pale sage, new polished nickel pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Des Plaines →
Before
AfterA Des Plaines 1950s ranch: 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 Des Plaines →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 designOn site we confirm the location, utility routes and finishes.
- Written estimate and permitsYou get an itemized estimate, and once approved, we apply for permits.
- BuildBase, utilities, framing, finishes and appliances, with inspections where required.
- Startup and handoverWe test everything with you and explain care and winterizing.
Outdoor Kitchen Installation questions from Des Plaines homeowners
Is an outdoor kitchen worth it in Chicago?
If you grill often from spring through fall, many homeowners find it extends how they use the yard. Built right, it handles the winters.
How long does it take to build?
Construction time depends on the size and utilities; we give you a schedule with the estimate.
Do I need a permit for an outdoor kitchen?
Usually for gas and electrical work, and in some villages for the structure, a roof or pergola. We check the Des Plaines rules and pull the permits.
Can you build on my existing patio?
We inspect the patio before designing; a heavy masonry island needs a solid foundation.
How much does an outdoor kitchen cost?
It depends on size, the appliances, materials and how far gas, power and water must run. We give a written, itemized estimate after a site visit.
Des Plaines contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
Contractors must register with the City (via the online portal); registrations expire Dec 31. We take care of that before work starts.
Des Plaines building permit for outdoor kitchen project: where do I apply?
Permits go through Community and Economic Development Department - Building Division, phone 847-391-5380. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Does Des Plaines require a licensed electrician for outdoor kitchen project?
Electricians need a City contractor license and fees plus an Electrical Test Certificate. New circuits and wiring are done by licensed electricians.
Does Des Plaines require a licensed plumber for outdoor kitchen project?
Plumbers need a State of Illinois license; no City fees. Our plumbing connections are made by licensed plumbers.
Do I need a permit for outdoor kitchen project in Des Plaines?
It depends on the scope. Des Plaines's rule in short: A building permit is required for any residential kitchen remodel; non-structural work uses the Kitchen/Bath Non-Structural permit ($150 fee, rough and final inspections). We handle the permit when one is needed with Community and Economic Development Department - Building Division.
Do you work in my part of Des Plaines?
Yes. Our crews work across Des Plaines — ZIP 60016, 60018 — and nearby Mount Prospect, Park Ridge, Elk Grove Village.
Working in Des Plaines
- A lot of Des Plaines kitchens date from the 1960s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Des Plaines homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community and Economic Development Department - Building Division handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60016ZIP 60018
Outdoor Kitchen Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Des Plaines
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.