Outdoor kitchen integration is one of the most common alfresco regret areas in Adelaide. Here's what good builders wish clients knew.
Plan services at the start
Gas line for BBQ/wok burner, cold water for sink, drainage for sink, electrical for fridge/lighting/fans - all need to be installed during construction. Adding them after the slab is poured and the structure is up costs 3-5x more.
Ventilation matters
BBQ smoke and pizza oven heat need a clear ventilation path. Plan the roof material and ceiling height with this in mind. Some insulated panels need oversized ventilation cut-outs.
Bench heights and prep space
Standard kitchen bench is 900mm. Outdoor BBQ areas often work better at 950-1000mm to suit standard BBQ frames. Allow at least 1200mm prep space either side of the BBQ.
Stone vs concrete vs cladding
Stone benchtops cost $4,000-$15,000 extra but last decades. Polished concrete or concrete-look cladding is $2,000-$6,000 cheaper and ages well.