Outdoor kitchen with a stone island, stainless-steel grill, preparation counters and adjacent dining space

Outdoor kitchens · Design + build + remodel

Outdoor Kitchen Building & Remodeling in Kirkland, Bellevue & Seattle

Cook outside. Stay part of the moment.

Bring dinner, conversation, and the people you love into the same outdoor space. LeviArs Design & Remodeling plans and builds outdoor kitchens with cooking, preparation, storage, and gathering areas that work together.

Outdoor kitchen with a stone island, stainless-steel grill, preparation counters and adjacent dining space

Service at a glance

Outdoor Kitchen Building & Remodeling by LeviArs

LeviArs helps homeowners across King and Snohomish Counties plan their outdoor kitchen building & remodeling project. Design, selections and construction are coordinated through our Kirkland Design Center.

Primary scope
New outdoor kitchens, Outdoor kitchen remodeling, Grill islands
Service area
King County and Snohomish County, Washington
Project delivery
One coordinated design-and-build process
First step
Consultation, site review and project priorities

Bring everyone to the table

An outdoor kitchen that fits the way you cook.

A great outdoor kitchen makes the everyday easier: somewhere to set a serving platter, room to prepare food without losing the conversation, storage for the essentials, and a comfortable place to gather.

From a compact grill island to a coordinated backyard kitchen, we help connect your layout, selected materials, appliances, and construction scope. Planning a refresh? We also review existing outdoor kitchens for new counters, storage, appliances, and layout improvements.

Start at our Kirkland Design Center. We serve Kirkland, Bellevue, Seattle, and surrounding King and Snohomish County communities.

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One coordinated project

Why plan your outdoor kitchen with LeviArs?

01

One coordinated plan

Connect the kitchen to the patio, deck, doors, and dining area rather than plan each element in isolation. We discuss circulation, utility access, and the way the finished space relates to your home.

02

Selections you can compare

Use the Kirkland Design Center to coordinate countertop tones, cabinet finishes, paving, and surrounding materials. Available samples and outdoor-approved product options are confirmed for your project; a display does not mean every pictured item is in stock.

03

A scope you can understand

Know which design services, materials, appliances, site preparation, installation, and trade work are included before approving the proposal. Optional features and additional work are identified separately.

04

Help beyond the product purchase

Cabinet dimensions, appliance cutouts, counter supports, maintenance access, and finish details need to work together. LeviArs coordinates those decisions within the agreed project rather than leaving you to assemble unrelated purchases.

Outdoor kitchen planning

Outdoor Kitchen Building & Remodeling Services

Start with a useful cooking station or plan a connected outdoor kitchen. Each proposal defines the features and work included.

01

New outdoor kitchen construction

Plan a new cooking area around the site, the equipment you intend to use, and your priorities for entertaining. The agreed project can bring together an island, outdoor-rated storage, countertops, appliances, utility coordination, and surrounding finishes. A paved area or deck must be reviewed for the proposed installation; an attractive location is not automatically a suitable base.

02

Outdoor kitchen remodeling

Refresh an existing kitchen with a more practical arrangement, new surfaces, updated cabinets, or a different appliance plan. We distinguish cosmetic changes from work involving structure, connections, ventilation, or a larger footprint. Components are retained only after their condition and compatibility with the proposed work are reviewed.

03

Built-in grill islands & compact cooking stations

Create a focused cooking area without assuming you need a full backyard rebuild. Plan a built-in appliance, landing space, tool storage, and useful preparation surface as one system. Built-in suitability is checked for the actual appliance; a freestanding grill is not automatically suitable to enclose in cabinetry.

04

Outdoor cabinets, counters & storage

Organize utensils, serving pieces, covers, and cleanup supplies around where they are used. Your proposal identifies the cabinet system, fronts, hardware, access panels, countertop material, and finishing components. Ordinary indoor cabinetry is not substituted for a system approved for the proposed outdoor exposure.

05

Sinks, refrigeration & utility coordination

Discuss the convenience of a prep sink, beverage cooling, or additional cooking appliance. Water supply, approved drainage, power, fuel, ventilation, and service access are assessed before those features are confirmed. Appliance purchasing, delivery, connections, and commissioning responsibilities are assigned in the written scope.

06

Outdoor dining & connected backyard improvements

Position seating, serving space, lighting, and paths so guests can relax without moving through the cooking zone. A patio, deck, privacy feature, shade structure, or larger outdoor-living plan can be separately coordinated. Covers, fire features, major landscaping, and structural work are not automatically included with a kitchen island.

Covered outdoor kitchen with a stone island, stainless-steel grill, broad hood and bar seating
Stone island, stainless-steel grill and bar seating beneath a wood ceiling.

Cooking, serving & gathering

Make room for the whole evening.

A useful kitchen connects the cooking area with places to prepare food, set down serving dishes and spend time together. Start with the functions you will use most, then coordinate the equipment and finishes around them.

Discuss your outdoor kitchen

Plan how you move

Find the layout that fits your space.

Consider cooking, preparation, serving, storage and seating together.

Straight-run kitchen

A linear run can keep preparation, cooking, and storage organized along one zone. Plan appliance openings and door swings before cabinet sizes are approved. An installation near a wall still needs the selected appliance’s placement, heat, and ventilation review.

L-shaped kitchen

An L-shaped arrangement can separate preparation from serving and define the edge of a patio. Corner storage, circulation, utility routes, and appliance access determine whether the layout is practical. Do not add a return solely to fill unused space.

Island with a separate gathering edge

An island can make the kitchen part of the conversation. Seating belongs where the design provides suitable separation from hot surfaces and working space. Countertop overhangs and supports are reviewed rather than copied from an inspiration image.

Compact or phased outdoor kitchen

Start with the functions that matter most, then discuss future additions before construction. Reserve space or compatible routes only where practical. Phasing does not automatically save money: later changes can require opening finishes or revising an approved design.

Covered outdoor kitchen with a stone-faced island, woven bar stools, and a slatted roof.
Stone textures and island seating beneath a slatted roof.
Outdoor kitchen island with a sink, woven bar stools, and warm lighting beneath a slatted roof.
An island sink, bar seating, and warm overhead lighting.

Materials & details

Outdoor cabinets, countertops & finishes.

Compare the look, outdoor suitability and care requirements of each selected product.

Outdoor-rated stainless-steel cabinetry

Stainless cabinetry can provide a coordinated cabinet and appliance appearance. Compare the actual grade, coating, hardware, drainage details, care requirements, and suitability for the site. Stainless steel still needs cleaning and maintenance; grade and exposure matter. Product availability and warranty terms are confirmed for the selected line.

Powder-coated metal & approved polymer systems

Outdoor cabinet systems can offer color choices beyond bare stainless steel. Review the complete assembly, including doors, drawer parts, fasteners, coatings, and exposure limits. Polymer or other combustible components must not be treated as automatically suitable beside a hot appliance; the appliance and enclosure design govern permitted arrangements.

Outdoor-approved porcelain & sintered surfaces

Selected slabs can create a clean, continuous-looking countertop or island cladding. Confirm exterior approval, fabrication rules, thickness, cutouts, supports, edge details, and handling before purchase. Heat resistance is not permission to ignore appliance clearances or the surface manufacturer’s care instructions.

Granite & selected natural stone

Natural stone can bring mineral variation and texture to the design. Suitability depends on the actual stone, finish, fabrication, exposure, and maintenance expectations. Discuss sealing where recommended, stain sensitivity, joints, and edge protection. A general stone name does not guarantee a particular outdoor application.

Quartz: only a specifically approved outdoor product

Do not choose standard indoor quartz on the assumption that a roof makes it outdoor-rated. Some manufacturers offer dedicated outdoor quartz products, while other collections are not approved. Verify the exact collection and its installation and warranty conditions before specifying quartz outside.

Stone or brick veneer, tile & concrete finishes

Veneer, brick, exterior-rated tile, and appropriately specified concrete can define the island’s appearance. The supporting assembly, moisture management, movement, setting materials, joints, and appliance enclosure still matter. A stone-looking surface does not prove that the hidden structure is noncombustible or suitable for a grill.

Patio surfaces, deck interfaces & transitions

Coordinate the kitchen with paving, a patio, or an existing deck so drainage, cleanable surfaces, access, and elevation changes are addressed together. Heavy islands or masonry over a deck need a load and support review. Outdoor-rated floor products and their installation methods are selected for the actual site.

Explore tile installation →

Equipment & everyday use

Plan the appliances before the openings.

Select the equipment early so cabinetry, preparation areas and service access can work together.

Grills, griddles & side burners

Choose the exact models and fuel types before cutouts and cabinetry are finalized. Requirements for enclosures, openings, clearances, insulation jackets where permitted or required, and service access are model-specific. Product supply is included only when listed in your proposal.

Pizza ovens & smokers

These are optional equipment choices, not interchangeable drop-ins for a grill opening. Weight, supporting surfaces, exhaust, fuel, operating clearances, and the surrounding use must be evaluated for the selected model.

Outdoor refrigerators & beverage storage

An indoor mini-fridge is not automatically appropriate outdoors. Review outdoor approval, built-in versus freestanding use, airflow, power, operating temperature range, and seasonal care for the actual appliance.

Prep sinks & faucets

A sink needs an agreed supply, drainage, and protection plan, not simply a hole in the counter. Winter preparation, shutoffs, access, and the permitted connection are discussed with the appropriate trades. Do not assume discharge can be routed into a garden or storm drain.

Lighting & convenience features

Task lighting helps the preparation area; separate ambient lighting can support dining. Outdoor suitability, controls, protected electrical connections, and service access are coordinated within the scope. Heaters, audio, and other added equipment need separate review.

Covers, hoods & sheltered spaces

A pergola or patio cover does not automatically make an appliance installation acceptable. The actual overhead and side construction, ventilation, appliance instructions, and local requirements determine whether the proposed arrangement works. A hood cannot make an otherwise prohibited installation acceptable by itself.

Compact stone grill island with a stainless-steel barbecue, cabinet storage and garden planting
Stone grill island with stainless-steel cabinets and garden planting.
L-shaped outdoor preparation counter with a sink, stainless-steel drawers and cabinet doors
Outdoor sink, preparation counter and stainless-steel storage.

Practical decisions first

Plan for your site and the seasons.

Location & circulation

Review doors, windows, paths, seating, boundaries, overhead elements, and the intended cooking equipment together. Keep the design usable for daily life and accessible for maintenance.

Heat & ventilation

Check the actual appliance manuals and approved enclosure details. Decorative cladding does not change the fire characteristics of everything behind it. Clearances and covered locations are reviewed for the selected equipment and surrounding construction.

Utilities & approvals

Identify gas or electrical capacity, water and drainage routes, trenching, required permits, and inspection responsibilities before committing to a layout. Licensed trades handle work that requires their qualifications.

Rain, frost & seasonal care

Plan exposed materials, drainage, joints, covers, and any water-bearing equipment for the installed products and site. Outdoor-rated equipment can still have seasonal shutdown or temperature restrictions.

Access & delivery

Review gates, stairs, slab handling, fabrication measurements, delivery routes, and protection of retained surfaces. Agree how the home and yard can be used during construction.

A safe handover

Confirm applicable inspections, trade checks, manufacturer instructions, and return-to-use conditions before operation. Keep the approved drawings and equipment instructions available for future maintenance.

Review Kirkland permit guidance and discuss the approvals that apply to your location and scope.

From the first idea

Our new outdoor kitchen building process.

Connect the layout, selections and construction before work begins.

Explore the 10 building stages
  1. Describe your outdoor cooking plans

    Tell us how you cook, how many people you usually host, what you want to keep, and whether you want an island or a fuller kitchen. Share your project city and priorities; drawings and exact dimensions are not required for the first inquiry.

  2. Review the site & feasibility

    Assess the proposed location, visible site conditions, available base, access, drainage, nearby construction, and utility options. Heavy installations or work on a deck may need additional structural review. Concealed conditions are not guaranteed to be discovered in a visual visit.

  3. Develop the layout & select equipment

    Coordinate cooking, preparation, storage, serving, and dining zones. Identify actual appliance models early so cutouts, fuel type, ventilation, supports, and clearances can be checked. Drawings or renderings are included only when specified in the agreed design scope.

  4. Compare materials & define the proposal

    Review outdoor-approved cabinet systems, surfaces, cladding, hardware, and lighting. The proposal separates design, materials, equipment, site work, installation, utility work, allowances, and exclusions. Agree on who purchases appliances and who receives and stores deliveries.

  5. Arrange approvals & preconstruction details

    Determine applicable approvals and assign application, inspection, and fee responsibilities. Finalize site access, schedules, required utility locating before excavation, staging, protection, and expected interruptions. Ordering and construction depend on the approved scope and product availability.

  6. Prepare the site & coordinate rough services

    Complete agreed removal, groundwork, supporting base, and utility preparation in the required sequence. Confirm corrections and inspected work before concealing it. Excavation, slab work, and connections are performed for the specified design, using the approved project drawings and specifications.

  7. Install the island & cabinet assembly

    Build or set the approved structure and outdoor cabinetry, including access panels and required enclosure details. Confirm dimensions against the equipment and countertop plan. Retain ventilation and service openings rather than covering them with decorative finishes.

  8. Template, fabricate & complete surfaces

    Confirm installed dimensions before final fabrication where required. Complete counters, cladding, tile, edges, and agreed transitions with supports, joints, and setting or sealing products suited to the application. Respect product curing and handling requirements.

  9. Set equipment & complete trade checks

    Coordinate installation, authorized connections, testing, and any required inspections for the selected equipment. Confirm that ventilation, access, electrical and fuel arrangements follow the approved installation and current manufacturer instructions before use.

  10. Walk through, explain care & hand over

    Review the installed scope, adjustments, cleaning, controls, shutoffs, care, and seasonal instructions. Identify applicable workmanship and product coverage in the project documents. The team confirms any remaining restrictions before you begin using the kitchen.

Make more of what is there

Our outdoor kitchen remodeling process.

Review what can stay, what needs attention and what you would like to change.

Explore the 8 remodeling stages
  1. Review the existing kitchen

    Discuss age, past repairs, leaks, movement, corrosion, equipment concerns, and what is no longer working for you. Record the intended upgrade and the visible condition of surfaces, cabinets, supporting structure, and connections.

  2. Decide what may stay

    Separate appearance updates from changes that affect supports, enclosures, clearances, utilities, or the footprint. Existing parts are retained only when their condition and compatibility support the new scope. An appliance that fits an opening is not automatically an approved replacement.

  3. Plan the revised layout & specifications

    Review replacement models, cabinet sizes, counter seams, finishes, access, and utility implications. Evaluate a targeted refresh against a more complete rebuild before ordering. Confirm whether existing slabs, doors, or hardware can realistically be reused.

  4. Approve the scope, schedule & responsibilities

    Define removal, disposal, retained components, protection, repair allowances, new work, and approvals. Discuss outdoor-kitchen downtime and any effects on a patio, deck, landscaping, or indoor utilities. Changes are reviewed for price and schedule before proceeding.

  5. Disconnect safely & remove selectively

    Arrange appropriate trade disconnection and protect the home and retained outdoor features. Remove agreed appliances, counters, cabinetry, or cladding in a controlled sequence. The customer is not expected to disconnect gas or electrical equipment.

  6. Inspect exposed conditions & correct the base

    Review newly accessible supports, moisture damage, connections, and hidden conditions. Document necessary corrections and obtain approval for changes before covering the work. Do not place new finishes over a known unsuitable structure or unresolved problem.

  7. Install upgrades & coordinate reconnection

    Complete the agreed structure, cabinets, surfaces, equipment, utilities, and lighting. Recheck openings and clearances for the new models. Required testing, inspections, and operating approvals occur before the remodeled kitchen is returned to use.

  8. Finish, review & explain maintenance

    Complete scoped adjustments and cleanup, review the final installation, and explain changed controls, access points, care, and seasonal requirements. Separate the coverage on new workmanship and products from retained equipment or work outside the agreement.

Dining deck with dark railings, wide illuminated steps and a paved garden seating area at dusk
Dining deck and illuminated steps connecting to a garden patio.

A connected backyard

Bring the rest of outside together.

Coordinate the kitchen with dining, a patio or deck, garden access and privacy. A shared plan helps each improvement work with the next.

Confidence before construction

Estimate, timing & project responsibilities.

What your estimate should make clear

Your proposal identifies the planned kitchen, layout and design deliverables, preparation, supports, cabinetry, surfaces, equipment supply, installation, utilities, and finishing work. Permits, inspection fees, allowances, delivery, removal, disposal, and exclusions are identified where applicable. Appliance purchase, setup, commissioning, and warranty responsibilities should not be left to assumption.

What changes the investment

Size is only one factor. Utility distance and capacity, site access, existing conditions, equipment selection, cabinet construction, slab fabrication, a supporting patio or deck, and any cover can substantially change the scope. We prepare a project-specific estimate rather than promise the same price for every outdoor kitchen.

Plan the sequence, not just a completion date

Design, approvals, ordering, fabrication, installation, and return-to-use are different stages. Weather, material lead times, inspection availability, and site findings may affect the schedule. We discuss access, shared paths, protection, and any planned utility interruptions before construction.

Fees, changes & coverage

Any applicable consultation, site-visit, design, or testing fee is explained before that service is scheduled. Extra work or changed selections are reviewed for cost and timing before proceeding. The written agreement identifies applicable workmanship coverage; equipment and material warranties have their own conditions and exclusions.

Clear answers before you start

Outdoor kitchen questions.

What is included in an outdoor kitchen project?

The agreed scope may include design, an island or cabinet system, countertops, selected appliances, storage, and utility coordination. A sink, refrigerator, seating, patio, cover, or lighting package is not automatically included. Your proposal identifies what LeviArs supplies, installs, or coordinates and what remains outside the work.

Can you build a small grill island instead of a full outdoor kitchen?

Yes, a focused grill-island project can be reviewed separately. Tell us which functions matter most and how the area will be used. Site suitability, the selected appliance, access, preparation, and utility needs still determine the agreed project.

Can you remodel my existing outdoor kitchen?

We review the present structure, surfaces, equipment, and connections before recommending a refresh, selective replacement, or more extensive rebuild. Reuse depends on condition and compatibility. The quote distinguishes new work from equipment or finishes that remain.

Can I supply my own grill or appliances?

Discuss the exact models before purchasing. We review built-in approval, dimensions, fuel or power requirements, accessories, and condition. The proposal assigns responsibility for ordering, delivery, shortages, connection, testing, and warranty service. Customer-supplied equipment is not accepted automatically.

Can an ordinary indoor cabinet or refrigerator be used outside?

Do not assume indoor products are suitable because a patio has a roof. Cabinets and equipment must be approved for their exposure and installation. Product manuals may include operating temperature, ventilation, clearance, seasonal storage, and maintenance requirements.

Which countertop is best for an outdoor kitchen?

The right surface depends on exposure, appearance, fabrication, support, heat, and care expectations. Consider suitable natural stone, outdoor-approved porcelain or sintered surfaces, and specifically approved outdoor quartz where available. Verify the actual product; not every stone, porcelain, or quartz collection is suitable.

Can the grill sit under a pergola or patio cover?

Only when the selected appliance, overhead construction, ventilation arrangement, and applicable requirements allow it. Covered or partially enclosed locations require a specific review. A generic hood, a stone surround, or an attractive inspiration photo does not establish that the installation is acceptable.

Can you include a sink, hot water, or refrigerator?

Those options are reviewed with the proposed supply, drainage, power, access, and seasonal-care needs. Your proposal identifies the fixtures and equipment included and who completes the related trade work. Existing nearby utilities do not by themselves confirm suitability or capacity.

Can the kitchen be built on an existing deck or patio?

The support, condition, drainage, access, and intended loads must be reviewed first. Heavy masonry, counters, appliances, and people can change the demands on an existing structure. Repairs, engineering, additional support, or a different location may need separate consideration.

Who handles permits and inspections?

Requirements depend on the structure, utilities, location, and jurisdiction. The proposal identifies the required approvals, who handles each step, and related fees. Do not begin regulated construction or utility changes before the applicable approvals are in place.

How much does an outdoor kitchen cost?

A compact island and a fully equipped kitchen have different requirements. Materials, appliances, supports, utility work, access, and site conditions affect the estimate. Share your priorities and preferred scope so we can discuss the appropriate site review and prepare a project-specific proposal.

How long does construction take?

Planning and approvals, product lead times, fabrication, site preparation, and construction are separate stages. Weather, inspections, and findings during remodeling can affect the sequence. Your project schedule and use restrictions are discussed after the scope and site conditions are understood.

Will outdoor construction interrupt the house?

It can affect routes through the yard, patio or deck access, deliveries, and utilities. We discuss protection, work zones, occupied areas, and planned interruptions in advance. Continuous use of every outdoor area is not promised for every project.

Can the project be completed in phases?

A phased approach may be possible when future equipment and space needs are considered early. Layout, structure, utilities, and approvals must still suit each stage. The proposal explains what is included now and what would require a later agreement; phasing is not automatically cheaper.

What maintenance will the kitchen need?

Follow the instructions for the installed cabinetry, appliances, counters, seals, and fuel or water connections. Cleaning, ventilation openings, covers, water-system winterization, and seasonal equipment storage may be relevant. Outdoor-rated does not mean maintenance-free or unrestricted use in every condition.

What workmanship or product coverage applies?

Your project agreement identifies the workmanship coverage, duration, conditions, exclusions, and reporting procedure. Appliance, cabinet, and surface warranties are separate. Retained equipment and other contractors’ work are not automatically covered by a new remodeling agreement.

Do I need drawings before requesting an estimate?

No. Start with your city, intended use, and the best way to reach you. Photos, approximate dimensions, a wish list, and model information for equipment you want to keep are helpful but optional. Design deliverables and any applicable fees are agreed before that work begins.

Do you work near me?

LeviArs coordinates outdoor kitchen projects from its Kirkland Design Center for homeowners across King and Snohomish Counties. Send your project city and general scope so the team can confirm service availability and discuss the next step. Not every property or proposed installation is suitable for the same solution.

Start at our Kirkland Design Center

Outdoor kitchen projects across King & Snohomish Counties.

Bring your ideas, photos and preferred materials to discuss a plan for your home. Project scope, available products and service availability are confirmed for the specific location.

Plan a Design Center visit

Serving Kirkland, Bellevue, Seattle and nearby communities.

See the service-area communities

Kirkland, Bellevue, Seattle, Redmond, Sammamish, Issaquah, Mercer Island, Renton, Bothell, Kenmore, Shoreline, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Woodinville, Duvall, Monroe, Mill Creek, Everett, Mukilteo, Marysville, Snohomish, Arlington, Granite Falls, Sultan, Gold Bar.

Explore our service areas →

Start with your outdoor space

Request an Outdoor Kitchen Estimate

Tell us whether you are planning a new outdoor kitchen, remodeling an existing one, or updating a grill island. Share your project city and the best way to reach you. Photos, approximate dimensions, appliance information, timing, and budget details are helpful but optional. Our team will contact you to discuss the space and the appropriate next step.

Use the form below to describe your project and select your preferred appointment date and time. Our team will contact you to confirm the next step. Any consultation, site-visit or design fee is explained before scheduling.

Call (425) 248-7799 →
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