Liberty Hill lots are bigger than most in the Austin area, which gives you room for a full outdoor kitchen but also means longer runs for gas, power, and water. Kitchens here range from $8,000 grill islands to $50,000 to $85,000 complete kitchens. Our shop is in Liberty Hill, so these projects are close to home for us.
Some Liberty Hill properties, especially on acreage outside town, have no natural gas line and run on a propane tank. The grill and burners must be ordered for propane, and the line from the tank to the island has to be sized for the total burner output.
Homes on septic need care with a sink. Kitchen wastewater cannot just drain to the yard, and a drain line has to stay clear of the septic field. On a big lot, the island may be 80 feet or more from the house, and every foot of trench adds cost. We price the trench separately so you can see it.
Inside Liberty Hill city limits, the city requires permits through MyPermitNow for any construction that changes or adds structures, and builds to the 2021 IRC. Outside city limits, unincorporated Williamson County does not issue residential building permits, though floodplain permits apply near the 100 year floodplain. We still build gas, electrical, and plumbing to code either way.
Near creeks and low ground, check the floodplain before choosing the kitchen spot. Building appliances and electrical in a flood-prone part of the yard risks the whole investment. We look at the lot's drainage at the estimate.
With room to spread out, many Liberty Hill clients put the kitchen under its own freestanding cover near the pool or fire pit instead of against the house. A large cedar pergola of 14x20 runs $22,000 to $35,000, and a solid roof keeps rain off appliances better than open rafters. Paired with an L-shaped kitchen at $30,000 to $50,000, it makes a standalone cooking and dining room.
Open lots here see steady wind. We turn the grill so smoke goes downwind of the seating, and we put the refrigerator on the shaded side.
Chopped limestone veneer suits the ranch and Hill Country homes common around Liberty Hill, and it hides dust well. For countertops, granite and concrete both handle heat and sun; lighter colors stay cooler to the touch.
Open lots bring dust, pollen, and the occasional wasp nest. Stainless access doors and drawers with good seals keep the inside of the island cleaner than open shelving. A grill cover and a cover over the whole kitchen do the most to extend appliance life.
A complete outdoor kitchen with a full appliance suite runs $50,000 to $85,000, and the long utility runs on bigger lots are itemized on top.
Our shop is at 2401 Co Rd 258 in Liberty Hill, so this is home ground. Liberty Hill mixes big master-planned communities like Santa Rita Ranch with acreage and older homes outside city limits, and which of those you live in decides who permits your project. We build decks, covered patios, pergolas, gazebos, screened porches and outdoor kitchens across Liberty Hill.
Permits, HOAs, soil and local building tips for Liberty Hill
"Out here the ground is mostly rock with a little dirt on top. That changes the math. A big ground-level patio can cost less than a tall deck, because every footing on a deck means drilling into limestone. And if you've got a view to the west, we'll talk about shade before we talk about boards."
- Mark Toomey
Texans spend more time outdoors than almost anywhere else in the country. An outdoor kitchen keeps you with your guests instead of running back inside, extends your entertaining space, and can significantly increase your home's value. Studies show outdoor kitchens return 100-200% of their cost in added home value in desirable markets.
Stay with your guests while cooking instead of disappearing inside. Your outdoor kitchen becomes the social hub of every gathering.
Keep your home cooler in summer by cooking outside. Your AC will thank you during Texas summers.
Outdoor kitchens are highly desirable features that can return 100-200% of their cost when you sell, especially in Austin's competitive market.
From basic grills to full kitchens with smokers, pizza ovens, and woks, we design around how you actually cook and entertain.