Outdoor Kitchens · McLennan County, TX
Outdoor Kitchens in Waco, Texas
A grill island alone starts around $12,000. A full stone kitchen with sink, fridge, and bar seating runs $12,000-$60,000+, built to handle gas, water, and power the right way.
The Build-Out Details That Matter
An outdoor kitchen is a construction project with gas, water, and power running through it, not a fancy grill cart. Here's what we get right so it works for years.
Appliances Built for Outside
A grill that says "outdoor" on the box isn't automatically rated for it. We install stainless steel or manufacturer-certified outdoor appliances, grills, side burners, fridges, built to handle direct sun, humidity, and insects getting into the wiring. Indoor-rated units rust and short out within a season or two.
Stone, Stucco, or Brick
Stone veneer over a block core is what most Waco clients choose. It handles heat and weather well and reads as the upscale option. Stucco costs less but can crack over time with clay-soil movement. Full brick costs the most and lasts the longest. We build the core to code either way.
Gas and Electrical, Sized Right
Your grill's BTU rating determines gas line size, not a guess. We run a dedicated line with an accessible shutoff valve instead of one buried behind the island. Electrical for fridges, lighting, and outlets gets weatherproof in-use covers and GFCI protection, run and inspected before the stone goes up.
What Else Goes Around the Kitchen
A kitchen rarely gets built in isolation. Here's what usually comes with it.
Concrete Patios
An outdoor kitchen needs a real slab underneath it, level and properly reinforced for the weight of the island. See our concrete patio services.
Pergolas & Patio Covers
Cooking over a grill in direct July sun gets old fast. A lot of kitchen clients add shade over the whole cooking and dining area at the same time. See pergolas & patio covers.
Outdoor Living (Overview)
See how a kitchen fits alongside pergolas, patio covers, and pool deck hardscape as part of a full outdoor living build. See outdoor living.
One Project Manager, Real Trade Crews
Every project is run by a dedicated Pro Landscaping project manager and built by our vetted, insured Waco-area crews. A kitchen build needs a mason for the island, a licensed gas fitter for the line, and an electrician for circuits and lighting, in that order, not whoever's available that week.
Your project manager schedules those trades so the mason isn't closing up the island before the gas line is roughed in, which is how you end up with a shutoff valve you can't reach. That sequencing is the difference between a kitchen that works and one that needs a redo.
What a Kitchen Actually Costs
Typical Waco-area ranges — your itemized estimate is free.
| Build Type | Typical Range | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Grill Island Only | $12,000-$20,000 | Built-in grill, storage doors, countertop space. No sink or plumbing, gas and electrical for the grill only. |
| Full Kitchen | $20,000-$40,000 | Grill, sink, under-counter fridge, and bar seating. Full gas, water, and electrical rough-in. |
| Premium Kitchen | $40,000-$60,000+ | Everything in a full kitchen, plus a pizza oven, full stone veneer, and an extended bar with additional seating. |
Not sure which tier fits your space? Text us a few photos and we'll give you a rough range before we ever walk the property.
Outdoor Kitchen Questions Waco Homeowners Actually Ask
How much does an outdoor kitchen cost in Waco?
A grill-island-only build starts around $12,000. A full kitchen with grill, sink, fridge, and bar seating typically runs $12,000 to $35,000. Premium builds with a pizza oven and full stone veneer run up to $60,000 or more. Every estimate is itemized and free.
Do I need special appliances for an outdoor kitchen?
Yes. Indoor appliances aren't built for exterior humidity, insects, or temperature swings and fail fast outside. We spec stainless steel or manufacturer-rated outdoor appliances for every grill, fridge, and burner we install.
What's the gas line setup like for an outdoor kitchen?
Most grill islands run on a dedicated gas line sized for the BTU load of your appliances, with a shutoff valve placed for easy access, not buried behind the island. Undersized lines are the most common problem we see in kitchens other contractors built.
Stone veneer, stucco, or brick: what's the island actually built from?
Stone veneer over a concrete block core is our default. It holds up to heat and weather better than stucco, which can crack, and costs less than full brick. All three work; we'll walk you through the look and price difference on-site.
Do outdoor kitchens need a permit?
Yes, typically an electrical permit for circuits and lighting, and a gas or plumbing permit if you're running a new gas line or water line to the island. We pull both and schedule inspections as part of the build.
How long does an outdoor kitchen build take?
A grill-island-only build usually takes 1 to 2 weeks. A full kitchen with gas, water, and electrical rough-in runs 3 to 6 weeks depending on stone work and appliance lead times, which can run long on premium brands.
How do I keep an outdoor kitchen from falling apart in a few years?
Build it with rated appliances and a block or stone core from the start. After that, wipe down stainless surfaces to prevent rust streaking, and cover appliances in winter. Stone and stucco need almost no upkeep on their own.