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 Skokie & nearby Evanston, Park Ridge
Outdoor Kitchen Installation in Skokie, IL
Built-in grills, islands and outdoor sinks for Skokie backyards, built for Chicago winters.
- Local crews working in Skokie ZIP 60076, 60077, 60203
- Design, permits and every trade on one schedule
- A written, itemized estimate before any work
Outdoor kitchen questions we solve for Skokie backyards
We design and build outdoor kitchens for Skokie 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.
Not sure if you need a permit
Permit rules vary by village. Utility work generally needs one, and covered structures may as well. We confirm it before the build and handle the applications.
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.
Wanting a sink outside
An outdoor sink needs a water supply and a drain. We plan where the drain goes and how the line will be emptied for winter.
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.
Setbacks and HOA rules
Before you fall in love with a layout, we confirm setbacks and any HOA approvals your neighborhood requires.
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.
Grill on a cart with no prep space
Carrying food back and forth from the house gets old fast. An island with a built-in grill and landing space keeps everything within reach.
What the project covers
- 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.
- 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 installationBuilt-in appliances go in and are hooked up to gas, power and water.
Finishes and options
Concrete countertops and basesCast or poured concrete gives a solid, weather-rated top or island body.
Sealed granite and natural stoneDense granite tops handle sun and freezing well once sealed.
Block and steel-stud framesConcrete block or galvanized steel studs make a frame that won't rot or warp outside.
304 stainless steelUsed for doors, drawers and grill heads because it resists rust outdoors much better than lower grades.
Stone and brick veneerNatural or manufactured stone veneer over cement board covers the island in a durable finish.
Outdoor Kitchen Installation before and after — Skokie homes
Before
In progress
AfterA Skokie backyard: before and after
A backyard in Skokie, a typical kitchen for Skokie. The main complaint was a freestanding grill with nowhere to prep. 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, island framing, plus appliance installation.
Before
AfterOutdoor Kitchen Installation in a patio off the kitchen, Evanston
The site: a patio off the kitchen in Evanston. The main complaint was a freestanding grill with nowhere to prep. 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 design and layout, utility rough-in, plus island framing.
Outdoor Kitchen Installation in Evanston →
Before
AfterKitchen Remodeling in a postwar Cape Cod, Skokie
Cabinets in light butter yellow with polished nickel pulls, black honed granite counters, a gray beveled subway tile backsplash, light oak hardwood flooring and two glass pendants and recessed lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Skokie →
Before
AfterKitchen Cabinet Painting in a 1960s ranch, Skokie
What changed: the same doors sprayed in powder blue, new satin brass pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Skokie →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1950s ranch in Skokie
What changed: new five-piece shaker doors in soft white on the existing boxes, matching face-frame veneer and satin brass pulls.
Cabinet Refacing in Skokie →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 permitsWe put the scope and price in writing, then file the paperwork.
- 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 Skokie homeowners
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.
Do you install pergolas or roofs?
Yes, and we plan grill clearances and any outdoor vent hood around the structure.
Is an outdoor kitchen worth it in Chicago?
It depends on how much you cook and entertain outside. We help you decide on a scope that matches how you'd use it.
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?
It depends on the village and what's included. Gas lines and new circuits generally need permits; we confirm the rest before building.
Do I need a Skokie-registered contractor for outdoor kitchen project?
Many contractors must be registered and insured with the Village each year; permits are not issued unless all listed contractors are registered and insured. We take care of that before work starts.
Does outdoor kitchen project need a Skokie building permit, and who files it?
Permits go through Community Development Department - Building & Inspection Services Division (www.skokiepermits.com), phone (847) 933-8223. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a permit for outdoor kitchen project in Skokie?
It depends on the scope. Skokie's rule in short: Electrical work and plumbing or electrical system changes need a permit. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department - Building & Inspection Services Division.
Do you work in my part of Skokie?
Yes. Our crews work across Skokie — ZIP 60076, 60077, 60203 — and nearby Evanston, Park Ridge, Glenview.
Working in Skokie
- A lot of Skokie kitchens date from the 1950s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Skokie homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community Development Department - Building & Inspection Services Division handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60076ZIP 60077ZIP 60203
Outdoor Kitchen Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Skokie
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.