Adding an outdoor kitchen to the deck can pay off. Not only does an outdoor kitchen provide a natural gathering space for family and friends during warmer weather, but it can also increase the value of the home when it’s sold.
Many homeowners are intimidated by the process of planning and building this outdoor space, but there is no need to be frightened. There are tools available to make planning and constructing an outdoor kitchen an enjoyable experience.
1. Comfortable with DIY or will a Contractor be Needed?
One of the most significant decisions is making the project DIY or hiring a contractor. Each option has its strengths and weaknesses depending on the property owner’s personal skill level.
There is also the option of using a contractor for specific projects requiring specialized expertise. It’s a great idea to get some tips from RTA Outdoor Living to gain insight into the process. Setting the budget upfront and sticking to it will provide a realistic look into available options.
2. Advantages of Hiring a Pro
Hiring a skilled contractor can save time and ensure a job is completed correctly. This assurance is particularly beneficial when working with gas lines or other potentially dangerous situations.
Contractors should also be familiar with local building codes and will handle the project with long-term durability and usefulness in mind. But, there can be drawbacks to hiring a contractor for the job, with the most obvious being the added costs to the project’s bottom line.
Handling the project as a DIY will substantially lower costs and include the personal satisfaction of completing the renovation to exact individual specifications.
Completing and constructing the project without input allows the homeowners’ vision to become a reality but will add more time to the design and building process. While building the outdoor kitchen yourself will save money, it may result in a kitchen that will require more upkeep later on.
3. Consider the Ready to Assemble Concept
A third option gaining popularity with consumers is ready to assemble furniture concept. This concept entails the customer purchasing the furniture in a kit that they complete.
The price of the items needed will be significantly less when the items are purchased in this manner. Although outdoor kitchens may be a new use for the idea, selling ready-to-build furniture has been around for quite some time.
Ready-to-assemble cabinets and furniture have been around since the mid 19th century and evolved out of a necessity to ship bulky products efficiently over a long distance.
The industry received a boost during the early part of the 20th century with the growing popularity of catalog shopping. The first U.S. patent for “snap-together” furniture was awarded in 1953 for a table designed by an Ohio cabinetmaker.
4. Other things to include in the Budget
While the cabinets will take up a large portion of the budget, other items will need to be considered when designing the outdoor kitchen.
Are helpful but costly things like a grill included in the design or will there be a range? What about the countertops?
Will an industrial-level outdoor quartz countertop be required, or will a beautiful, far less expensive countertop fit the bill? Once the final decisions are made, perform some thorough research to ensure the best possible outcome.
