Outdoor Kitchen Remodeling Golden, CO
A well built outdoor kitchen remodeling project turns the patio into the room everyone wants to be in all summer. We build grill stations, counters, sinks and covered prep areas made for Colorado weather.
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- We pull the permits and handle inspections
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Outdoor Kitchen Remodeling
Few projects change how you use your backyard like outdoor kitchen remodeling, especially with the dry, cool summer evenings we get here.
Once the grill has counters next to it, a sink nearby and a fridge within reach, you stop running back inside for every plate and pair of tongs. The cook gets to stay with the people, and the patio starts to feel like part of the house.
An outdoor kitchen is still a kitchen, though. It needs gas, water and power run safely, a solid base under it and materials that can sit through a hail storm in June and a foot of snow in March. That is where most of the planning goes.
We start by looking at your patio or deck, where the house meets the yard, where the sun hits in the evening and how far the nearest gas line, water line and outlet are from where you want to cook.
Most homeowners plan this right alongside their indoor kitchen, and our kitchen remodeler services cover both sides of the wall.
Below you will find what an outdoor kitchen costs, how to build one for this climate and the layouts that work best.
What an Outdoor Kitchen Costs
The cost of an outdoor kitchen depends on its size, the appliances and whether the frame is built on site or bought as a prefab kit.
National data puts the average around $13,000, with most projects landing between about $5,000 and $17,000. A simple grill island can come in near $3,000, while large custom builds with pizza ovens, fridges and full covers can pass $40,000.
By the foot, prefab frames often run about $250 to $475 per linear foot, and custom built frames about $320 to $670 per linear foot.
Appliances swing the budget the most. A grill alone can run from a few hundred dollars to over $8,000. Outdoor fridges, sinks, side burners and pizza ovens all add to it, along with the gas, water and electrical lines that feed them. We list each piece on your estimate so you can choose where to spend.
Building for Colorado Weather
Weather is the biggest reason outdoor kitchen remodeling here has to be done differently than one in a warm, humid state.
At this altitude, the sun is strong. It fades some finishes and can yellow certain counters over time. Hail can chip soft stone and dent thin metal. And water that soaks into a crack freezes, swells and makes the crack bigger every winter.
So we pick materials that handle all of it. Stainless steel or powder coated cabinets made for outdoor use, sealed granite or concrete counters, and stone or masonry bases hold up well. Quartz is a great indoor counter, but most brands do not recommend it in direct sun.
A cover helps a lot. A roof, pergola or shade structure keeps the cook out of the afternoon sun and keeps snow off the counters. It also protects the appliances when they are not in use.
Plan for winter too. Water lines need a shut off inside the house and a way to drain before the first hard freeze. Grill covers and appliance covers keep ice out of knobs and burners.
Gas, Water, Power and Permits
Running utilities is the part of outdoor kitchen remodeling that most needs a pro and a permit.
In Golden, new gas piping and changes to electrical work both need a permit. So does a deck that has a roof or cover over it. If your project adds any of these, we pull the permits and book the inspections.
Outdoor outlets need GFCI protection, and most appliances need their own circuit. Gas grills need their own clearances from siding, railings and overhangs, so we place the grill where the heat and smoke stay away from the house.
Sinks need both a water line in and a way for water to drain out. Some homes can tie into the house drain, while others use a simpler setup. We look at what your yard allows before the design is final.
If you live in an HOA, check the rules early. Some neighborhoods limit the size of outdoor structures or where gas lines can run.
Layouts and Features
Good outdoor kitchen remodeling layouts follow the same idea as indoor ones: keep the things you use together close together.
A straight run along a wall is the simplest and fits smaller patios. An L shape gives you more counter space and lets the cook turn toward guests. An island with seating on the back side keeps everyone at the same counter while the food cooks.
Think in zones. There is a hot zone for the grill and burners, a cold zone for the fridge and drinks, a wet zone with the sink and a dry zone for prep and serving. Counter space on both sides of the grill is one of the most useful things you can add.
Popular features right now include pergolas, social islands with bar seating, shaker style cabinets borrowed from indoor kitchens, natural stone and wood, and add-ons like pizza ovens, smokers and beverage stations. Modular setups that can grow over time are also catching on.
Outdoor Kitchen Questions
Here is what homeowners ask most before planning an outdoor kitchen.
What is the average cost for an outdoor kitchen?
National data puts the average outdoor kitchen around $13,000, with most projects between about $5,000 and $17,000. A basic grill island can cost around $3,000, and large custom builds can pass $40,000. Size, appliances, counters and the cost of running gas, water and power are what move the price the most.
What are the latest outdoor kitchen trends?
Recent design coverage points to pergolas and covered cooking areas, social islands with bar seating, bolder colors and patterned tile, shaker style cabinets, natural materials like wood and limestone, modular setups and more appliances beyond the grill, such as pizza ovens, smokers and beverage stations.
What are the best designs for an outdoor kitchen?
The best designs keep the cook facing the guests and keep the hot, cold, wet and dry zones close together. An L shape or an island with seating on the back side works well for most patios. Leave counter space on both sides of the grill, add a cover for sun and snow, and use materials made for outdoor use.
Does an outdoor kitchen add value to a house?
It can. In a national report from the National Association of Realtors, Realtors estimated that a typical $15,000 outdoor kitchen recovers about 100 percent of its cost at sale, and owners gave it a 9 out of 10 for how much joy it brings. Very few Realtors suggest building one just to sell, though, so it makes the most sense if you plan to use and enjoy it.
Ready to Cook Outside?
Tell us about your patio or deck and what you want to cook on, and we will call you back to set up a free walkthrough. You get a written estimate before any work starts.
(720) 909-3011Serving Golden, Lakewood, Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Edgewater, Morrison, Applewood, West Pleasant View and Fairmount.
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