Materials that crack or rust outside
Cheap stainless and painted steel rust near the grill. We use 304-grade stainless for doors and drawers and weather-rated materials for the structure.
Serving Evanston & nearby Skokie, Glenview
Outdoor Kitchen Installation in Evanston, IL
Built-in grills, islands and outdoor sinks for Evanston backyards, built for Chicago winters.
- Local crews working in Evanston ZIP 60201, 60202, 60208
- Design, permits and every trade on one schedule
- A written, itemized estimate before any work
Outdoor kitchen questions we solve for Evanston backyards
An outdoor kitchen here has to survive freeze-thaw cycles, snow load and road-salt air, not just summer cookouts. We build grill islands in Evanston on a proper base, with weather-rated materials, gas and electrical run to code and plumbing that can be drained before the first hard frost.
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.
Setbacks and HOA rules
Some subdivisions ask for an architectural review. We prepare the drawings and material list you need to submit.
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.
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.
Smoke blowing toward the house or neighbors
Grill placement matters: we plan around prevailing wind, windows, doors and overhangs, and follow the grill maker's clearance requirements.
Wanting a sink outside
We add an outdoor sink when the plumbing can be run and drained properly; sometimes a simpler cold-water setup makes more sense.
Uneven patio or no base to build on
Pavers can settle under a heavy island. We set it on a proper concrete footing or slab so it doesn't shift over winters.
Everything in a outdoor kitchen project
- Site visit and measurementsWe look at the patio, the house wall, gas and electrical locations and how you want to use the space.
- Design and layoutYou get a plan showing the island shape, grill location and finishes.
- Base and footingWe build or confirm a level, solid base that can carry the island.
- Utility rough-inLines are run to the island location and roughed in before it is built.
- Finishes and countertopStone veneer, stucco or tile goes on the sides, then the top is set and sealed.
- Appliance installationThe grill, burners, fridge, sink and access doors are installed and connected.
- Testing and walkthroughWe test the gas connections, outlets and drain, then show you how to use and winterize everything.
Finishes and options
Natural gas or propane grillsBuilt-in grills run on a natural gas line from the house or a propane tank in a vented cabinet.
Sealed granite and natural stoneDense granite tops handle sun and freezing well once sealed.
304 stainless steelThe common choice for outdoor access doors and appliances; it holds up to moisture and cleaning.
Pergolas and coversA pergola or roof adds shade and some rain protection; it may need its own permit.
Block and steel-stud framesConcrete block or galvanized steel studs make a frame that won't rot or warp outside.
What the work looks like in Evanston homes
Before
In progress
AfterAn Evanston backyard: before and after
The site: a backyard in Evanston. What bothered the owners most: an empty patio they wanted to use for cooking. After: 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 site visit and measurements, base and footing, plus finishes and countertop.
Before
AfterOutdoor Kitchen Installation in a backyard, Skokie
A backyard in Skokie, a typical kitchen for Skokie. 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 base and footing.
Outdoor Kitchen Installation in Skokie →
Before
AfterEvanston kitchen, prewar brick bungalow: kitchen remodeling
What changed: soft sage-green inset-style cabinets with unlacquered brass hardware, honed white marble-look quartz counters, a white handmade-look square tile backsplash, restored oak strip floor and schoolhouse pendant lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Evanston →
Before
AfterAn Evanston prewar brick bungalow: before and after
What changed: the same doors sprayed in soft white, new matte black pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Evanston →
Before
AfterAn Evanston prewar brick bungalow: before and after
New five-piece shaker doors in charcoal gray on the existing boxes, matching face-frame veneer and polished nickel pulls.
Cabinet Refacing in Evanston →From first visit to final walk-through
- 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 designOn site we confirm the location, utility routes and finishes.
- Written estimate and permitsWe put the scope and price in writing, then file the paperwork.
- 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 Evanston 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 much does an outdoor kitchen cost?
We can't price it without seeing the yard: a simple grill island and a full kitchen with a sink and pergola are very different jobs.
Can you build on my existing patio?
We inspect the patio before designing; a heavy masonry island needs a solid foundation.
Do you install pergolas or roofs?
Yes, and we plan grill clearances and any outdoor vent hood around the structure.
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 Evanston rules and pull the permits.
Does an Evanston historic district affect outdoor kitchen project?
Evanston has locally reviewed areas, including Preservation Commission reviews exterior work in local districts, the city states it has four local historic districts (the city, s list names Lakeshore and Ridge. Exterior changes there can need review; interior-only work usually does not. We check before anything changes on the outside.
Evanston contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
All contractors working in city limits must register with the City; annual fee General Contractor $150, Trade Contractor $125. We take care of that before work starts.
Can you do outdoor kitchen project in an Evanston 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.
Evanston building permit for outdoor kitchen project: where do I apply?
Permits go through Community Development Department, Building & Development Services (Building & Inspection Services), phone (847) 448-4311. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
What does Evanston ask for on electrical work?
Electrical contractors must register and submit a copy of an electrical license from a testing municipality (or state license if state-regulated). Electrician must be on site for electrical rough inspections. New circuits and wiring are done by licensed electricians.
Do I need a permit for outdoor kitchen project in Evanston?
It depends on the scope. Evanston's rule in short: Residential permit applications go through the Citizen Portal; City worksheets signed by the contractors are required for any electrical, plumbing or HVAC work. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department, Building & Development Services (Building & Inspection Services).
Do you work in my part of Evanston?
Yes. Our crews work across Evanston — ZIP 60201, 60202, 60208 — and nearby Skokie, Glenview, Park Ridge.
Working in Evanston
- Most Evanston homes are prewar. We work around plaster walls, radiators and out-of-square rooms every week.
- Condo or townhome? We follow association rules on work hours and elevators and bring the insurance certificate your board asks for.
- Live in a historic district? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
ZIP 60201ZIP 60202ZIP 60208
Outdoor Kitchen Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Evanston
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.