When you begin your plans for constructing an outdoor kitchen, it can be more complicated than you may have initially thought. However, with careful planning and preparation, your project can go off without a hitch. These outdoor kitchens can be a beautiful addition that increases the value of your home and give you an area to enjoy family and friends.
When you begin your outdoor kitchen planning, you can avoid unnecessary problems if you simply take into account these four simple tips.
Drawings
Having a professional set of drawings done up for the kitchen can go a long way in avoiding sizing and construction problems. While it may seem like a good idea to wing it, it is incredibly important to have all your measurements done and your kitchen planned out appropriately before you begin construction. If you have a vision for your kitchen you want to put it down on paper to make sure you have appropriate space available. There is nothing worse than having a vision in your mind, making your purchases, and realizing that what you want to construct will not work within the bounds of the space you have available.
Another important reason to have your drawings ready is to ensure you follow any legalities regarding construction, especially if you are building a permanent structure, as you may be required to have construction permits and these require the submission of drawing to your local authority.
If you are not constructing anything permanent, and are installing temporary and portable structures, it is still a good idea to have all your measurements in place so you know exactly what items you will purchase to build and design your kitchen. Don’t allow a lack of measurements to affect your dream kitchen, having a solid plan in place with precise measurements will cure many headaches in your kitchen design.
Budgeting
Budgeting is incredibly important when it comes to your outdoor kitchen. Ensuring that your dream kitchen fits your available budget will keep you from going over budget, or not being able to complete your kitchen due to financial concerns. It is important to factor everything into your budget, from appliances to countertops, as differing costs and supplies can greatly affect your ability to finance your dream kitchen. You want to price out your outdoor furniture, appliances, and construction supplies before making your purchases, to ensure the process will not go over budget.
It is always a good idea to budget in an overage for any unforeseen circumstances, and if everything comes in under budget then you have an extra chunk of change to add in anything you so choose. It is always better to finalize things under budget than over budget, so make sure that when budgeting you make it realistic and do your pricing ahead of time. Impulse buying can be the death of any budget, so calculate what you have, and what you want, before making any purchases.
Underground Surveying
One of the most important things you can do before breaking ground on your construction is call in the experts to track the power, water, and gas lines that lie beneath your yard. Accidentally puncturing or damaging one of these lines can be incredibly expensive to repair, so you want to make sure your kitchen dream doesn’t turn into a nightmare.
Even if you are not constructing a permanent structure, and won’t be digging, it can still be a good idea to see where items lie beneath your yard, even driving a post into the ground can lead to disaster, so it is important to know where they lie to avoid any bad occurrences. Knowing where the lines are can also allow you to have gas, power, or water hookups figured into your kitchen, which can be a great convenience and time-saver for you.
There are no reasons not to know where your pipes and lines are underground, and too many good reasons to do so, so do not skip this important step when planning your outdoor kitchen.
Construction
Depending on the scope of your kitchen project, you may be planning on doing the majority of the work yourself, and that can lead to issues if you bite off more than you can chew. While you may be able to handle the finishing touches yourself, if you are planning on doing large jobs such as pouring concrete slabs or hooking up gas and power lines, then you want to make sure you have a construction professional that is well trusted and licensed to get the job done.
Imagine paying for your dream kitchen, only to find an issue with the gas hookups, or thinking you can handle the plumbing yourself and ending up with a serious leak or damage to your water systems. While you may think you are saving money by handling the installation yourself, that is not always the case. It can be a good idea to at least consult with an experienced contractor before beginning your construction so that you have the support and information you need to get the job done right the first time. Saving money is great, but not if it comes with expenses after the fact. Sometimes repairs can cost more than original construction, so make sure you think long and hard about what aspects you can do yourself, and which ones should be left to the professionals.
When you start to plan your outdoor kitchen, keeping these four important factors in mind can save you a ton of money, time, and hassles. Having a solid plan, with a coordinated budget can save you from unnecessary expenses when you begin to build your kitchen. An outdoor kitchen is a beautiful addition to any home, allowing you and your family to enjoy company and quality time outdoors, and if you plan it right from the start you will soon find yourself sitting under the stars, enjoying a beautiful meal with those closest to your heart, cooked in your dream patio kitchen. Don’t allow a lack of planning to derail this dream, follow this advice and begin your planning today!
