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 Lake Zurich & nearby Palatine, Buffalo Grove
Outdoor Kitchen Installation in Lake Zurich, IL
Built-in grills, islands and outdoor sinks for Lake Zurich backyards, built for Chicago winters.
- Kitchen remodels across Lake Zurich ZIP 60047
- One project manager from drawings to final walk-through
- Permits and inspections handled for you
Outdoor kitchen questions we solve for Lake Zurich backyards
A freestanding grill and a folding table only go so far. Our Lake Zurich 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.
Pipes that freeze over winter
A sink line that holds water through a Chicago winter can split. We plan the plumbing so it drains down completely each fall.
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.
Materials that crack or rust outside
Indoor cabinets and untreated wood don't last outside here. We build with concrete, masonry, sealed stone and 304 stainless, which handle moisture and freeze-thaw.
Setbacks and HOA rules
In some villages and HOAs there are rules on how close structures can sit to lot lines or what materials are allowed. We check them during design.
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.
Food storage and a fridge outdoors
An outdoor fridge must be rated for outdoor use and installed with the clearances its maker lists.
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.
What's included
- Site visit and measurementsA visit to measure the area and check where gas, power and water can come from.
- Base and footingA concrete pad or footing is poured, or the existing patio is checked and prepared.
- Utility rough-inLines are run to the island location and roughed in before it is built.
- Island framingWe frame the island with weather-rated materials and cut-outs for the grill and doors.
- 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.
Materials and options
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.
304 stainless steelThe common choice for outdoor access doors and appliances; it holds up to moisture and cleaning.
Natural gas or propane grillsWe set up the grill for the fuel that suits your house: natural gas or propane.
Concrete countertops and basesConcrete is strong and freeze-resistant when properly made and sealed.
Kitchens like yours in Lake Zurich: before and after
Before
In progress
AfterBefore and after: a backyard in Lake Zurich
A backyard in Lake Zurich, a typical kitchen for Lake Zurich. The reason for the call: cooking outside without counter space or storage. 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 utility rough-in, finishes and countertop, plus appliance installation.
Before
AfterPalatine kitchen, patio off the kitchen: outdoor kitchen installation
A patio off the kitchen in Palatine, a typical kitchen for Palatine. The main complaint was 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. On site this meant site visit and measurements, base and footing, plus utility rough-in.
Outdoor Kitchen Installation in Palatine →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1990s two-story colonial in Lake Zurich
What changed: cabinets in deep olive with unlacquered brass knobs and cup pulls, charcoal concrete-look quartz counters, a white 3x12 tile in a stacked pattern backsplash, gray wood-look porcelain plank flooring and black cage pendants and slim recessed lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Lake Zurich →
Before
AfterA Lake Zurich 1980s two-story: before and after
What changed: the same doors sprayed in cream uppers and walnut-stained lowers, new satin brass pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Lake Zurich →
Before
AfterA Lake Zurich 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
What changed: new five-piece shaker doors in sage green on the existing boxes, matching face-frame veneer and satin brass pulls.
Cabinet Refacing in Lake Zurich →From first visit to final walk-through
- 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.
- BuildConstruction usually runs over several weeks depending on weather and inspections.
- Startup and handoverA final walkthrough covers how to use, clean and close down the kitchen for winter.
Outdoor Kitchen Installation questions from Lake Zurich homeowners
What countertop works best outside?
We recommend granite, concrete or other weather-rated tops and seal them for outdoor use.
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 Lake Zurich rules and pull the permits.
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.
Natural gas or propane?
Natural gas means no tanks to refill and is usually preferred if your house has it. Propane works where a gas line isn't practical.
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.
Does Lake Zurich require a licensed plumber for outdoor kitchen project?
Plumbing contractors submit state registrations (055 & 058) and a letter of intent with each permit application. Our plumbing connections are made by licensed plumbers.
Do I need a Lake Zurich-registered contractor for outdoor kitchen project?
All contractors and subcontractors must register with the Village before work: form, $120 annual fee (Illinois-licensed plumbers exempt), signed $10,000 surety bond. Village pages show differing fee amounts ($110/$120/$125). We take care of that before work starts.
Does Lake Zurich require a licensed electrician for outdoor kitchen project?
Electrical contractors must submit a copy of an electrical license when registering with the Village. New circuits and wiring are done by licensed electricians.
What is the Lake Zurich building department phone number?
Permits go through Building and Zoning Division (Community Services Department), phone 847-540-1696. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a permit for outdoor kitchen project in Lake Zurich?
It depends on the scope. Lake Zurich's rule in short: Permit required for remodeling (kitchen, bath, basement). We handle the permit when one is needed with Building and Zoning Division (Community Services Department).
Do you work in my part of Lake Zurich?
Yes. Our crews work across Lake Zurich — ZIP 60047 — and nearby Palatine, Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights.
Working in Lake Zurich
- A lot of Lake Zurich kitchens date from the 1980s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Lake Zurich homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Building and Zoning Division (Community Services Department) handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60047
Outdoor Kitchen Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Lake Zurich
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.