Before getting into the fun parts of building an outdoor kitchen (hello, pizza oven), you’ll need to plan for the practical essential components, starting with the foundation. Some of the factors that can influence the need for a foundation include:
- Building materials: Heavy construction materials like concrete or stone may require a more robust foundation to support their weight. Adding multiple elements, such as side burners and countertops, increase the weight of the overall space.
- Ground conditions: Is the ground in the area where you want to put your outdoor kitchen uneven or prone to shifting? Both can increase the necessity of a foundation.
- Local building codes: It’s critical that you obtain your local building codes to ensure your project satisfies safety and compliance. This is an especially important reason we recommend using a professional outdoor kitchen designer and installer, rather than going the DIY route. If you don’t meet the requirements, a local inspector can require you to remove the outdoor kitchen entirely and start over — completely from scratch.
