Outdoor kitchen masonry in Athens GA - a block kitchen built on solid ground
Tired of rolling the grill out every time you cook? We build block and stone kitchens that fit your grill and stay put.
What goes into building an outdoor kitchen in Athens?
Outdoor kitchen masonry in Athens means building your grill island and counters on a frame of concrete block, then facing that block with stone veneer, brick or stucco so it suits your house and patio. The block carries the structure and you pick the outside, so you end up with a cooking area that's built in place and made to last.
Most people who call us are cooking on a grill on wheels and want something that looks like it belongs with the house. The price moves with how long the counters run, which finish you choose, whether there's already a sound slab or we pour one, and how many openings you want for a grill, sink or fridge. The schedule turns on how long the mortar needs to cure, the weather and any permit the job needs, and the estimate I write after seeing your yard gives you your own figure and plan.
What happens when you call about an outdoor kitchen in Athens?
Call or send the form
Call (706) 395-0746 or send the form, whether you're in Athens or one of the cities around it like Commerce, Jefferson, Monroe or Winder, and we'll set a time for me to see your yard. If you've already picked a grill, have the model ready for the visit.
I look at your yard
I come out myself, walk the spot with you, listen to what you have in mind and answer your questions. Then I write up an estimate that says what we'll build, what it's made of and why, so you know what you're paying for before anything starts.
We handle permits and build
Once you say yes, we take care of any permit the job needs with the city or county office for your address, and in Athens-Clarke County a completed application is typically issued the next business day after the building inspections department gets it. If your home sits in a local historic district, I'll raise it early so that review fits your plans, and then I work alongside our crew through the build.
Walk the finished kitchen together
When the last joint is finished and the patio is cleaned up, we walk the kitchen with you and go over anything you want to look at. It's work you can stand back and look at, and I want you to feel good doing it.
How we build outdoor kitchen masonry, and the work around it
A block and stone kitchen is heavy, so I plan it on a concrete slab on the ground rather than on a deck, because block, stone veneer and granite counters weigh far more than a home deck is built to carry. Early on I ask for your grill model, since each grill maker sets how much room its grill needs at the sides, above the cooking surface and from anything that can burn, and sizing the counter openings to those numbers before the block goes up costs far less than changing them afterward. With the slab ready and the openings laid out, our crew lays the block frame one layer at a time and gives the mortar time to cure between layers, then we put on the finish you picked, set the counters and clean up before we leave.
A kitchen gets used more when it's easy to reach, so a lot of folks pair it with walkway construction from the back door, which keeps you off wet grass with a plate in each hand. If you'd like the space to feel more closed in, brick wall installation can add a low seat wall or screen that matches the kitchen's finish.
Get a written plan and estimate for your outdoor kitchen
We reply to every call and form within one business day to set a time for me to come out. The estimate is free, done at your home and comes with no obligation, so you can take it, think it over and ask me the same question twice if you need to.
Outdoor kitchen questions from Athens homeowners
How much does an outdoor kitchen cost in Athens, GA?
It comes down to size, finish and what's already in your yard, so the honest answer is a written estimate after I've seen the spot. A long counter with stone veneer and several appliance openings costs more than a short grill island faced in stucco, and pouring a new slab adds to the job when there isn't a sound one already in place. Call (706) 395-0746 and I'll come out and price your version.
How long does it take to build a masonry outdoor kitchen?
A block masonry build typically runs 4 to 8 weeks, because the mortar needs time to cure between layers of block. Cold weather matters too, since one veneer installation guide says fresh work should be protected from temperatures below 40 degrees F, so if you're planning a winter build, ask me how we'd protect the work during a cold spell. If you want it ready for a spring cookout, pick your start date with that span in mind.
Who handles the permit for an outdoor kitchen in Athens-Clarke County?
We take care of the permit application and inspections for our work when the job needs a permit, and the county asks each subcontractor on the job to apply for their own permits and show their Georgia licensing credentials. The county's building permits and inspections department enforces the building codes for new structures and changes to a property, and trade permits have to be on file before the rough-in inspections, the early checks of lines before they're covered, are requested. So if someone is running a gas line or power to your kitchen, their permit needs to be in before then.
Does my outdoor kitchen contractor need a Georgia license?
Yes, if the work costs $2,500 or more, because Athens-Clarke County notes that a license from the state of Georgia is required to practice contracting at that level. We're fully licensed and insured, and you're welcome to ask about it when I come out.
How do I keep water from damaging the base of an outdoor kitchen?
Plan for it before the block goes up, because rain, sprinkler water and patio splash reach the bottom of an outdoor kitchen all the time. One masonry guide calls for a waterproof barrier under the block, flashing at ground level to shed water away from the joint, and a waterproof coating on the lower block. I'll talk through how water moves around your spot when I come out.
What upkeep does a stone or brick outdoor kitchen need each year?
Once a year, check the mortar joints for cracks, check the countertop seal, make sure the gas connections are tight and clean the stone or brick. Stone sealer goes back on every 2 to 3 years. Our work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
Other work that goes with an outdoor kitchen
Walkway construction
A solid path between your back door and the grill keeps muddy shoes off the patio and gives you steady footing when you're carrying hot food after dark.
Brick wall installation
A low brick wall can close in your cooking area, give guests a place to sit, and tie the kitchen to the brick on your house.
Send your yard photos and grill model
Call (706) 395-0746 or send the form with a few photos of the spot, and I'll come out with a head start on where the slab and grill openings could go.