This is a matching service, not a contractor. We do not build outdoor kitchens, run gas lines, pour slabs, sell appliances or inspect anyone's work. We take the details you give us, route them to licensed local outdoor kitchen professionals who work in your part of the Lowcountry, and leave the contract, the licence and the warranty with whoever you choose. It is 100 percent free to homeowners.
Step 1: describe the kitchen you want
It takes under two minutes to describe a project. Tell us the counter run length, the appliances you want, what the base is now, whether a gas line, a water line and a circuit already reach the patio, and whether a cover or pergola is part of the plan. Two minutes of accurate description is what lets a professional quote usefully instead of guessing.
Step 2: we route your request within one business day
Within one business day your request goes to up to three outdoor kitchen professionals who work in your area. Providers in our network are checked for state licensing and insurance coverage where that information is available, and their profiles carry a verification date. Routing matters in this trade because the rules are local: permits are issued by The City of Charleston issues residential structural (building), plumbing, electrical and fuel-gas permits through its Department of Development and Construction Services — Building Inspections Division, i.e. the Permit Center at 2 George Street, Charleston, SC 29401, phone 843-577-5550, with applications accepted in person and via the city's online Customer Self Service portal (https://www.charleston-sc.gov/856/Permit-Center). Properties in unincorporated Charleston County permit instead with Charleston County Building Inspection Services, and Mount Pleasant, Summerville, North Charleston and Goose Creek each operate their own building department — confirm which jurisdiction governs the parcel before filing., HOA approval runs separately through Three approval layers can apply before an outdoor kitchen is built in the Charleston area. (1) Private HOA covenants and architectural-review-committee rules: most Charleston-area planned communities require design sign-off before a permanent outdoor structure is built, so read the covenants first. (2) Historic-district review: in the City of Charleston's Old and Historic District and other local districts, any exterior work visible from the public right-of-way needs a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Board of Architectural Review before a building permit will issue (https://charleston-sc.gov/BAR). (3) Flood-zone compliance: in the Special Flood Hazard Area the City of Charleston requires new residential construction to be designed 2 feet above Base Flood Elevation and documented with a FEMA Elevation Certificate, and marsh-adjacent lots may also trigger SC OCRM critical-area review (https://www.charleston-sc.gov/1944/Floodplain-Management)., and a crew that builds in your jurisdiction knows the inspection sequence before anything is poured.
Step 3: compare itemised written quotes
Expect quotes to differ in what they include, not just in price. Compare them on the things that decide what the build costs to own:
- The counter run by material and rate per linear foot — from $200-350/lf for a framed island with a poured concrete counter to $450-900/lf for a kitchen under a pergola or patio cover
- Every appliance and add-on itemised and installed, not listed by model alone
- The written utility plan: gas line sizing, electrical circuit capacity, and water shutoff locations
- Whether trenching and the utility connection permits are in the price
- Who pulls the gas, electrical, and plumbing permits and who does the utility connections
- The countertop material, whether it is UV-stable, and whether it is sealed
- The base detail — a 4-inch reinforced concrete slab on compacted gravel is standard for masonry and stone
- Which cover or pergola is included, and whether the structure is anchored to the structure or footings, not just to the patio
- Workmanship, structure and appliance warranty terms, in writing
- The realistic timeline, against the published four to eight weeks from a signed agreement
Step 4: you choose, and the pro takes it from there
You decide who to call, what to ask and who to hire — or you hire nobody. Once you select your outdoor kitchen professional, they handle everything from permits to cleanup. You receive a detailed contract with scope of work, timeline, and payment schedule. Our role as an independent matching service ends when you choose your pro — we do not take commissions or mark up prices.
What we do not do
- We are not a contractor: we do not design, build, install or warrant outdoor kitchens of any kind
- We do not run gas, water or electrical lines, and we do not pour slabs or footings
- We do not sell appliances, stone, cabinetry or equipment
- We do not hold the contract for your job
- We do not guarantee a pro's work, price or timeline
- We do not charge homeowners a fee, and there is no obligation to accept any quote
- We do not sell or rent your details beyond the providers you are matched with
Frequently asked questions
Does the matching service cost me anything?
No. It is 100 percent free to homeowners, there is no fee to request quotes, and there is no obligation to accept any of them.
Do you build outdoor kitchens?
No. We are an independent matching service and we are not a contractor. The professional you choose holds the contract, the licence and the warranty for the work.
How many quotes should I get?
Up to three providers receive your request. Compare what each one includes rather than the headline number — a cheaper quote that leaves out the trenching, the permit or the countertop sealing is not cheaper, it is incomplete.
What if I only want advice, not a quote?
Everything on this site is readable without requesting anything. Start with the cost guide for the published bands, the FAQ for the technical questions, and the free tools for the calculators and checklists.
