Large backyard, long utility runs
We map the route from the house to the island before digging and call to have buried utilities marked.
Serving Elmhurst & nearby Villa Park, Lombard
Outdoor Kitchen Installation in Elmhurst, IL
Built-in grills, islands and outdoor sinks for Elmhurst backyards, built for Chicago winters.
- Kitchen remodels across Elmhurst ZIP 60126
- One project manager from drawings to final walk-through
- Permits and inspections handled for you
Outdoor kitchen questions we solve for Elmhurst backyards
A freestanding grill and a folding table only go so far. Our Elmhurst 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.
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 Elmhurst rules and pull the permits.
Grill on a cart with no prep space
A built-in grill set into an island gives you counter space on both sides, storage below and a place for platters, all at one working height.
Running a gas line to the grill
If your house has natural gas, we can run a line to the outdoor kitchen. Otherwise the grill is set up for a propane tank stored in a vented compartment.
Pipes that freeze over winter
Water lines to an outdoor sink must be drainable. We install shutoffs inside the heated house and drain points so the line can be emptied before freezing weather.
Evening cooking in the dark
Task lights over the grill and low-voltage lights on the island make it safe to cook after dark.
No power on the patio
Lights, a fridge and a rotisserie need outdoor power. We run a circuit to the island with GFCI-protected, weather-rated outlets and covers.
Protecting it through winter
Covers, a drained water line and a sealed top keep an outdoor kitchen in good shape until spring. We show you how to close it down each fall.
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.
- 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 countertopStone veneer, stucco or tile goes on the sides, then the top is set and sealed.
- Testing and walkthroughWe test the gas connections, outlets and drain, then show you how to use and winterize everything.
Materials and options
304 stainless steelThe common choice for outdoor access doors and appliances; it holds up to moisture and cleaning.
Concrete countertops and basesConcrete is strong and freeze-resistant when properly made and sealed.
Block and steel-stud framesConcrete block or galvanized steel studs make a frame that won't rot or warp outside.
Pergolas and coversA pergola or roof adds shade and some rain protection; it may need its own permit.
Stone and brick veneerBrick or stone veneer matches the house or patio and weathers well.
Before and after: kitchens near Elmhurst
Before
In progress
AfterElmhurst kitchen, backyard: outdoor kitchen installation
The site: a backyard in Elmhurst. The main complaint was a freestanding grill with nowhere to prep. After: 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, design and layout, plus testing and walkthrough.
Before
AfterLombard kitchen, backyard patio: outdoor kitchen installation
A backyard patio in Lombard, a typical kitchen for Lombard. The reason for the call: a freestanding grill with nowhere to prep. After: 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 design and layout, base and footing, plus island framing.
Outdoor Kitchen Installation in Lombard →
Before
AfterAn Elmhurst 1950s ranch: before and after
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 Elmhurst →
Before
AfterKitchen Cabinet Painting in a 1960s ranch, Elmhurst
Finished: the same doors sprayed in creamy white uppers and navy lowers, new brushed nickel bar pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Elmhurst →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar bi-level in Elmhurst
Finished: 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 Elmhurst →How your outdoor kitchen project goes
- Tell us about your yardSend photos of the patio and the back of the house, and let us know what you want to cook and store.
- 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.
- BuildBase, utilities, framing, finishes and appliances, with inspections where required.
- Startup and handoverA final walkthrough covers how to use, clean and close down the kitchen for winter.
Outdoor Kitchen Installation questions from Elmhurst homeowners
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 long does it take to build?
Most projects take a few weeks on site after permits are approved.
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.
Can I add a sink to my outdoor kitchen?
We can add one; the key questions are where it drains and how the line will be winterized.
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.
Does outdoor kitchen project need a Elmhurst building permit, and who files it?
Permits go through Community Development Department (Building), phone 630-530-3030. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a permit for outdoor kitchen project in Elmhurst?
It depends on the scope. Elmhurst's rule in short: Elmhurst requires permits for building and construction projects; all permits are applied for through the City's Citizen Self-Service Portal. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department (Building).
Do you work in my part of Elmhurst?
Yes. Our crews work across Elmhurst — ZIP 60126 — and nearby Villa Park, Lombard, Addison.
Working in Elmhurst
- A lot of Elmhurst kitchens date from the 1950s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Elmhurst homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community Development Department (Building) handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60126
Outdoor Kitchen Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Elmhurst
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.