Outdoor kitchen Decked Out Builders

Northern IL & Southern WI · Decked Out Builders

Outdoor Kitchen
Pricing Guide

Real costs, real projects, real specs — from one of the area's top outdoor kitchen and deck builders in northern Illinois.

Kitchenette $5K–$25K
Full Outdoor Kitchen $15K–$45K
Premium $45K–$60K+
It's Not Just a Grill

A Fully Integrated
Outdoor Kitchen

An outdoor kitchen from Decked Out Builders is designed from the ground up as part of your deck or porch — not added on afterward. Gas lines, plumbing, framing, and cladding are all planned together so everything looks like it belongs.

The kitchen, the deck, and the structure are designed as one project.

  • Steel-framed island — no wood outdoors
  • Stainless appliances rated for outdoor exposure
  • Cladding and countertop coordinate with your decking
Inverness outdoor kitchen overview Kitchen detail Inverness kitchen from deck Inverness deck and kitchen

Composite Deck & Outdoor Kitchen · Inverness, IL · Blaze Cabinetry · Fortress Steel Pergola · View Full Project →

Investment Levels

What's Your Kitchen Budget?

Costs range widely based on size, appliances, utility connections, and whether a cover structure is included. The numbers below are for the kitchen only — deck and porch base is separate.

01 · Starter

Kitchenette / Station

$5,000–$25,000
  • Modular unit
  • Grill, drawer, or refridgeration combo
  • Minimal site work — fast install
  • Ideal as a deck or patio add-on
03 · Premium

Custom Full Build-Out

$60,000–$100K+
  • Blaze, Napoleon, or Coyote appliances
  • Pizza oven + ice maker + warming drawer
  • Granite countertop
  • Cabinetry & storage drawers
  • Dedicated pergola or covered structure
  • Stone veneer or premium cladding
  • Full lighting & electrical

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Location & Layout

Plan the Space Before the Appliances

Where the kitchen sits on your deck — and how far it sits from your gas meter, water lines, and electrical panel — affects cost more than almost any single appliance choice.

We evaluate every site before quoting, looking at utility access, sun and shade patterns, traffic flow, and how the kitchen integrates with the surrounding structure.

  • Closer to the house = lower utility rough-in cost
  • West and south-facing locations benefit most from shade structures
  • L-shape or U-shape costs more but greatly improves functionality
  • A cover structure extends usable months by 2–3
Outdoor kitchen island framing
What Goes In It

Appliances & Component Costs

The appliances you choose are the biggest single cost variable. Here's what each component adds — installed, including any required utility work.

Built-in Gas Grill

The centerpiece. Stainless steel, multiple burners, island-mount. We work with Blaze, Napoleon, Coyote, and Bull — all outdoor-rated.

$1,500–$15,000

Pizza Oven

Wood-fired or gas. Reaches 700°F+ for authentic results. Needs dedicated space, ventilation clearance, and its own gas line.

$4,000–$12,000

Outdoor Refrigerator

Purpose-built for temp swings and humidity. Indoor units fail outdoors. Under-counter or full-height options available.

$2,200–$6,000

Sink & Running Water

Transforms a grill station into a real kitchen. Requires water supply, drain, and rough-in tied into home plumbing.

$2,500–$7,000

Side Burners

Single or double burner, flush-mounted in the countertop. Lets you boil or sauté while the grill runs.

$500–$4,000

Ice Maker

Under-counter outdoor units, built to handle the elements. Essential for serious entertainers with a bar setup.

$2,000–$5,000

Cabinetry & Storage

Stainless or powder-coated aluminum drawers, doors, and access panels. Modular systems that pair cleanly with grill lines.

$1,500–$18,000

Warming Drawer

Keeps cooked food at serving temp while the rest finishes on the grill. Popular for larger gatherings with multiple courses.

$1,500–$4,000

Cocktail Rail / Bar Counter

Raised bar surface along the island for seating. Ties in naturally with TimberTech Cocktail Rail on the deck.

$1,500–$6,000
Real Projects

Outdoor Kitchen Inspiration

Every outdoor kitchen we build is different. Here's a look at recent projects across northern Illinois — from a covered porch kitchenette to a full $175K deck + kitchen + pergola build.

Our Partners

Brands We Work With

Blaze Outdoor Products Napoleon Grills Kamado Joe Challenger Designs
What Moves the Number

Eight Factors That Drive Your Cost

Two kitchens that look similar on paper can be $30,000 apart. These eight variables are why.

Size & Layout

Straight run vs. L-shape or U-shape changes framing, countertop footage, and cabinetry cost significantly.

L/U-shape: +$5K–$20K

Island Framing

Steel stud or retaining wall block — no wood framing outdoors. Steel resists rot, pests, and moisture for the life of the kitchen.

Steel or retaing wall block only

Countertop Material

Granite, concrete, and quartz are popular.Granite adds luxury.

$40–$120/sqft

Appliance Brands

The single biggest variable. One upgrade from entry to Blaze or Napoleon can add $3K–$12K alone.

+$1.5K–$12K each

Utility Connections

Gas line, electrical and water supply costs vary by distance from the home. Non-negotiable for a functional kitchen.

Rough-in: $2.5K–$8K

Cover Structure

A kitchen under a porch or pergola is far more functional. A dedicated cover adds major cost — and major value.

Pergola: +$8K–$50K+

Exterior Cladding

Stone veneer, retaining wall block, or composite decking each changes the look and cost of the island exterior.

Stone vs. composite: $2,000–$12K

Lighting & Electrical

Task lighting, accent lighting, outlet placement, and dedicated circuits for refrigeration and ice makers.

Basic $1500 · Full $3K–$7K
Common Questions

Outdoor Kitchen FAQs

What does a typical outdoor kitchen cost from Decked Out Builders?
Most of our full outdoor kitchen builds run $25,000–$60,000 for the kitchen itself — not including the deck or porch base. A Challengers Designs kitchenette added to a covered porch starts around $7,000–$20,000. Premium custom kitchens with multiple appliances, dedicated cover structures, and high-end finishes run $60,000–$100,000+. Combined deck + porch + kitchen projects typically range $65,000–$200,000+ depending on full scope.
Do I need a permit for an outdoor kitchen?
It depends on scope. A modular kitchenette added to an existing porch typically doesn't require a separate permit. A built-in kitchen with gas line, plumbing, and electrical work requires mechanical and electrical permits. When we build a kitchen as part of a larger deck or porch project, all required permits are handled in that scope — we handle everything and manage inspections.
What brands do you work with?
We work with Blaze, Napoleon, Kamado Joe, and Challenger Designs — all purpose-built for outdoor use with stainless construction and outdoor-rated warranties. We'll help you choose the brand and configuration that fits how you cook and what you want to spend.
Can I use an outdoor kitchen year-round in Illinois?
With the right setup — yes. An outdoor kitchen under a covered or screened porch is comfortably usable from early spring through late fall. Add a gas fireplace or radiant heater and you push that further. The appliances are rated for outdoor use and handle Illinois winters without issue when properly covered during the off-season.
Does an outdoor kitchen increase home value?
Yes — consistently. Outdoor kitchens recover 100–130% of cost at resale for well-built installations. In the northwest Chicago suburbs, outdoor entertaining spaces are highly desirable among buyers. A fully equipped outdoor kitchen paired with a quality composite deck strongly differentiates your home in the market.
Can you add an outdoor kitchen to an existing deck?
Sometimes — it depends on the structural capacity of the existing deck, whether utilities can be run to the location, and how the layout integrates with the existing structure. We evaluate every existing deck individually. In some cases, a deck rebuild is the better long-term decision if the structure is aging or undersized for the added weight and utility loads.
What's the difference between a kitchenette and a full outdoor kitchen?
A kitchenette (like a Monti Alpi unit) is a pre-engineered, self-contained station — installs with minimal site work and typically includes a grill, countertop, and/or refridgerator. A full outdoor kitchen is custom-built from scratch with a framed island, multiple appliances, utility connections, countertops, cabinetry, and finished exterior cladding. Kitchenettes are faster and less expensive; full kitchens offer more functionality and a fully custom look that integrates with your deck and porch design.

An outdoor kitchen is one of the highest-impact upgrades you can make to your outdoor living space — but it's also one of the most complex to price accurately. The variables are significant: appliance brands, utility rough-ins, island size and layout, cover structures, and how everything integrates with the deck or porch beneath it.

At Decked Out Builders, we approach every outdoor kitchen as part of a complete outdoor living design. We'll help you understand the real cost, make smart choices about where to invest, and build something you'll use and love for years. Our crew is in-house only — no subcontractors.