Get matched with top outdoor kitchen pros in Sergeant Bluff, IA

Weatherproofing and winterizing your outdoor kitchen is extremely important, especially if you experience intense weather events. Make sure to choose weather-resistant furniture and waterproof containers to store ingredients. Also, go with a high-quality grill that’s built to last and protect your cabinets with sealant or varnish. Finally, invest in a covering of some kind for when it rains or snows.

Deciding whether to buy a prebuilt fireplace kit or build one from scratch comes down to aesthetics, available space, and budget. Many homeowners like the convenience and lower cost of prebuilt options—around $1,500—versus the involved planning and construction of a larger fireplace. Another bonus: you can usually move prebuilt units. Custom projects are more common when homeowners have access to a larger budget and more area in the yard to place the fireplace.

On average, installing a DIY outdoor kitchen costs between $4,550 and $19,000, which is about $1,500 to $6,000 less than having one professionally installed. Many variables factor into the cost of installing an outdoor kitchen, such as the type of material, accessibility to the job site, and the potential costs of hiring a professional electrician or plumber, as well as any necessary permits.

In most cases, yes, an outdoor living space adds value to your home. The trick to your best return on investment is to choose high-quality building materials that will look nice and durable without crossing the line into total luxury that becomes cost-ineffective. For example, there’s no need to install marble tiles around your pool, but a durable and aesthetically pleasing deck will go a long way.