Outdoor kitchens built for Houston weather, not catalog photos.
Stainless that won't rust through. Counters that won't crack. Plumbing that won't freeze. Cooks that will work in August.
Houston is a brutal climate to build outdoor in. 100°F summers and humidity that would corrode anything not rated for marine use. Hard freezes a couple times a winter that crack uncovered plumbing. Hurricanes. Mold. Constant UV.
Most outdoor kitchen builds you see online are built somewhere with mild weather. They don’t survive a Texas summer, much less a Texas decade. We’ve been building outdoor kitchens in this market long enough to know what holds up and what doesn’t.
What we build
- Covered outdoor kitchens — under existing or new pergolas, covered patios, screened porches
- Built-in grills — natural gas or propane, ventilated correctly
- Refrigerators & freezer drawers — outdoor-rated only (regular indoor units don't last)
- Sinks & faucets — outdoor-rated, freeze-protection plumbing
- Counters — granite, weather-rated quartz, or sealed concrete (NOT regular kitchen quartz, which fails in UV)
- Storage — stainless or marine-grade cabinetry
- Lighting — under-counter, ambient, task
- Side burners, kegerators, ice makers, smokers — anything you'd want in an indoor kitchen, in outdoor-rated versions
Process
- 1
On-site visit
We look at the location, the existing cover or roof, gas line access, electrical, plumbing access, prevailing wind, and shade. Outdoor kitchen design is mostly about constraints you can't see in a Pinterest photo. - 2
Design
Layout drawn, appliance placements confirmed, gas/electrical/plumbing routes planned. We talk through the cover situation honestly — "covered" is the difference between a kitchen that lasts 15 years and one that lasts 5. - 3
Permits & coordination
Most outdoor kitchens with gas, electrical, and plumbing need permits. We handle that. - 4
Foundation & framing
Concrete pad if needed, framing for the cabinet bases, blocking for appliances and counters. - 5
Plumbing & electrical rough-in
Gas line run with proper sizing, freeze-protected water supply, dedicated GFCI circuits for outlets and appliances. - 6
Cabinetry & counters
Outdoor-rated cabinets installed, counters templated and installed. - 7
Appliance install & test
Grill, fridge, sink, side burner — all installed, all tested, all you sign off on.
Timeline & Investment
- Real outdoor kitchen build4 to 8 weeks$25,000 to $80,000+
If you’re seeing outdoor kitchen prices under $15,000 that include a grill, fridge, sink, and counters — those builds are not made for Houston, and you’ll be replacing the appliances within 5 years.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an outdoor kitchen cost in Houston?
A real outdoor kitchen build runs $25,000 to $80,000+ depending on appliance count, cover, and plumbing/electrical complexity. If you're seeing prices under $15,000 that include a grill, fridge, sink, and counters — those builds aren't made for Houston weather and you'll be replacing the appliances within 5 years.
Why can't I use regular kitchen quartz outside?
Regular kitchen quartz fails in UV — the resin breaks down, color shifts, and the surface degrades within a few years of direct sun exposure. Outdoor counters need to be granite, weather-rated quartz specifically formulated for outdoor use, or sealed concrete. We'll spec the right material based on your cover situation.
Do I need a covered patio for an outdoor kitchen?
Strongly recommended. The difference between a covered outdoor kitchen and an uncovered one is the difference between a build that lasts 15 years and one that lasts 5. Direct rain, hail, and constant UV are brutal on appliances and finishes. If you don't have a cover, we can build one as part of the project (pergola, covered patio extension).
Will my outdoor kitchen survive Texas summers?
Yes — when it's built for Texas. We use marine-grade or 304-grade stainless steel for cabinets, weather-rated counters, freeze-protected plumbing for the winter cold snaps, and outdoor-rated appliances only (regular indoor refrigerators don't last). The materials cost more upfront but are the difference between a kitchen that holds up and one that rots.
Are permits required?
Most outdoor kitchens with gas, electrical, and plumbing need permits. We pull whichever applies — most cities in our service area, or unincorporated Harris/Montgomery County for areas outside city limits. Permit timelines and inspection cycles are factored into the schedule upfront.
Can you tie into my existing gas line?
Usually yes, but it depends on the existing line's sizing. Outdoor kitchens with side burners or larger grills can exceed the capacity of an existing gas line meant for a single appliance. We measure existing line size at the on-site visit and quote any upsizing as part of the scope, so there are no surprises mid-project.
Schedule an on-site visit.
We'll look at your space, talk through what you actually want to cook out there, and give you a real number.
Free in-home estimates in The Woodlands area. For projects outside that area, a travel fee applies.