The outdoor space of a house is an area waiting to be utilized! While it could be the perfect space for garden-lovers to flaunt their skills, if that’s not the case with your client, there are many ways to shape it better, and one of them is setting up an outdoor kitchen.
An outdoor kitchen is a space where one can cook and entertain their family or friends, all while enjoying the fresh air. According to a survey by CNN Money, the outdoor kitchen market’s annual worth is $6 billion. Undeniably, there’s a huge potential here for your home improvement business. But have you thought of how to go about it? What to know and keep in mind? Let’s go over some important points.
The ‘When’
One of the things you need to ask your clients is their preference. Many people wish to have an outdoor kitchen for those barbeque nights in winters with their loved ones.
Depending on their requirements, the project completion time can vary between 3 weeks to even 5 months. Encourage your clients to let you start the work approximately 6 months in advance so that you don’t have to rush through it and can finish the project to perfection.
The Design
A kitchen may require woodwork, electrical line, etc. If you feel that any task lies out of your area of expertise, you can find a subcontractor for that task. Check out these points on what to look out for while hiring one.
The design needs to take into consideration the electricity and water outlets. The pool (if present) should also be taken into account. The grill, fridge and other appliances should be placed in a way to make the space work-efficient.
The Materials
Do remember that the outdoor kitchen will be a lot different from its indoor counterpart. Study the climate & other factors of the place before you narrow down your materials required. For instance, avoid using tile countertops in place with high weather fluctuations as they are susceptible to cracking.
Likewise, steel should be avoided in warm areas due to its tendency to bend in extreme heat.
The Appliances
The major part of making this idea a huge hit is choosing the right appliances for this area. You can go with fewer cabinets than an indoor kitchen as less cutlery is required there.
The one thing that almost everyone asks for is a grill. Appliances like the grill, fridge, etc., need to be more durable to withstand the harsh outdoor conditions. The addition of heaters is also advised for places where the temperature can get low.
The Lighting
There are many things to do once an outdoor kitchen is set up. Birthday parties, pool parties, a movie night, this space has huge potential.
Ask and understand your client’s needs and choose the lighting to match. If it is to be used often for parties, then you need to set up strong lighting which can result in great photographs!
The Budget
The budget depends on the things your client wants for their outdoor kitchen. Appliances like grills have many options and so do flooring and countertops. Plus, the cost of your services which will include plumbing, electricity setup, apart from the obvious ones. Present them an estimated cost that fits their budget. However, do not compromise on quality for this purpose.
Such projects can be a little expensive but also add value to your client’s house. If you feel that your client’s budget is holding you back from delivering quality work, we have the perfect solution.
We at CustomFin have helped multiple home improvement businesses finance their clients. You can too.
