Custom Outdoor Kitchens in San Jose, Saratoga and Los Gatos
- Since 1987
- Yelp 4.6 (46 reviews)
- Google 5.0 (8 reviews)
- Fully insured
In brief
We build custom masonry outdoor kitchens with built-in grills, counters, sinks, storage, bar seating and fire features on paver or concrete patios across San Jose, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Los Altos, Monte Sereno, Monterey and Carmel. Saratoga: from about $15,000 to $50,000+ with appliances. A plumber does the gas, an electrician the electrical. Fully insured. Free on-site estimate.
Updated October 2026
What goes into an outdoor kitchen
Start with the built-in grill and the counter space you need beside it. A sink, storage, refrigeration and bar seating change both the island layout and the utility connections. Choose the appliances before finalizing the frame layout so it allows for the openings, ventilation and access they need. If you want a pizza oven or fire feature, include it in the layout and plan where people will sit.
| Element | Options | What to decide |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Masonry or steel-stud frame | Match the frame layout to appliance openings and utility access. |
| Veneer | Stone or stucco | Choose a finish that works with the house and patio. |
| Counters | Granite, concrete, porcelain or tile | Plan preparation space beside the grill and serving space near the seats. |
| Grill | Built-in grill | Follow the grill maker's requirements for clearance from combustible materials and for island ventilation. |
| Sink and water | Sink with a water line and drain | Plan the water and drain connections before enclosing the island. |
| Refrigeration | Outdoor refrigerator | Allow for its opening, door swing, ventilation and electrical supply. |
| Storage | Cabinets and drawers | Keep utensils close to the cooking area without blocking utility access. |
| Seating | Bar seating or a separate dining area | Leave enough room to walk past the grill and chairs when people are seated. |
| Cover or pergola | Roof, pergola or an open layout | Consider shade and the grill maker's clearance requirements together. |
| Lighting | Counter, seating and path lighting | Light the cooking surface and the route back to the house. |
Outdoor kitchen budgets: Saratoga price examples and what affects your estimate
Saratoga outdoor kitchen projects typically start around $15,000 and can reach $50,000 or more with appliances. For a kitchen in Los Gatos or San Jose, we base the estimate on your layout and site conditions. Landscape Associates provides an itemized estimate showing what your project includes.
Inside our published Saratoga range of about $15,000 to $50,000+ with appliances, the price moves with the appliances you choose, the counter material, how far the gas and electrical runs are, whether a new patio goes in around the kitchen, and any roof or shade structure.
The price depends on your appliances, counter material and the length of the gas, water and electrical lines from the house. Building a new patio adds work compared with using a suitable existing one. A roof also changes the scope. For help budgeting for the rest of your yard, see our Saratoga cost guide and San Jose cost guide.
Planning gas, power and water connections for your outdoor kitchen
We have a licensed plumber do the gas and a licensed electrician do the electrical (110 and 220). Landscape Associates builds the patio and masonry. The electrician plans the power supply and GFCI outlets for your appliances. The plumber handles the gas connections.
A sink needs a water line and a drain, with routes planned before the patio and island are finished. Gas and electrical connections are usually permitted work; ask us about permits for your address.
For Peninsula homes, an outdoor kitchen sink may not need an MPWMD water permit. We confirm the requirement with the District. MPWMD Rule 24 (checked October 2026) does not make clear whether its outdoor-sink exemption covers a kitchen sink. This water-district rule is not a building or plumbing permit exemption.
Designing the kitchen around the patio
When placing the grill and preparation counter, consider how you will carry food out from your indoor kitchen. Keep the route to the dining table clear of open cabinet doors and bar stools. On an existing patio, check the island's size and position to make sure there is enough room to move around it.
Consider wind at the grill and shade over the seating. Plan any roof or pergola to meet the grill maker's clearance requirements for combustible materials. When adding stone or stucco veneer, leave the ventilation openings the equipment needs.
We use Belgard, Techo-Bloc, Calstone and Basalite for paver patios. Pavers carry a lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship. If you prefer a continuous patio surface, ask about concrete when planning the island. Choose the paving and veneer together so the kitchen fits the surrounding yard.
Volt, FX Luminaire and Kichler are options for the landscape lighting around the kitchen. Plan lighting over the counter, around the seating and along the path back to the house. Choose these locations before the electrical work begins.
How an outdoor kitchen project runs
Site visit and estimate
During the free on-site estimate visit, we look at your patio, access from the house and where you want the kitchen. We discuss your built-in grill, seating and budget before outlining the work.
Layout and appliance list
Choose the grill, sink, storage and any refrigeration or pizza oven. The layout allows for appliance openings, counter space, ventilation and the route between cooking and seating.
Prepare the patio and begin gas and electrical work
Landscape Associates prepares the patio area. The plumber and the electrician install the gas and electrical lines before the frame and paving close off access. The sink's water line and drain are also planned at this stage.
Build the kitchen island and add its stone or stucco finish
We build the masonry or steel-stud frame to the agreed layout and finish it with stone or stucco veneer. We leave the openings and ventilation the appliances need.
Counters, appliances and lighting
Next come the counters, appliances and lighting. The plumber handles gas connections and the electrician handles electrical connections, including power for refrigeration and outlets.
Review the finished kitchen and patio with you
We walk through the finished patio and kitchen with you, checking the work against your itemized estimate. Before finishing the project, we review the counter layout, storage access, seating and lighting.
Your outdoor kitchen contractor in San Jose, Saratoga and Los Gatos
David Muhoberac founded Landscape Associates of CA in 1987. The company is fully insured. We build outdoor kitchens in San Jose, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Los Altos, Monte Sereno, Monterey and Carmel. We handle the patio and masonry work. The plumber handles the gas and the electrician the electrical work.
Patio project review: “Honest work, no hidden costs, no surprises.” Irene K., Cupertino, CA, Nov 2025.
To plan an outdoor kitchen, call or text (408) 207-5545. Free on-site estimate; we reply within 24 hours.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Reviews from Yelp and Google, with the reviewer's city and date
David and Obed were great from start to finish. They gave us solid advice on design choices and made sure our vision drove the project. They took a backyard full of dirt and turned it into our family's dream outdoor space. Highly recommend!
San Francisco, CA
David's team did a beautiful job transforming my yard into a gorgeous patio. They worked closely with me to bring my design to life and went the extra mile to make sure everything was right. Honest work, no hidden costs, no surprises.
Cupertino, CA
I cannot recommend this company enough. David turned my backyard, basically a giant hill of dirt and weeds, into a gorgeous oasis of fruit trees, plants, flowers, and retaining walls. Working with him was a real pleasure and the pricing was very fair.
San Francisco, CA
Great communication throughout and they walked us through every step. The paver patio and driveway are flawlessly integrated. We would absolutely hire them again. In fact I was already texting David about redoing the entire front yard.
San Jose, CA
Big job: stump removal, full irrigation replacement, new sod, paver driveway, retaining walls, and lighting. It turned out more beautiful than we imagined. We liked the results so much we had them redo the front yard a few months later.
San Jose, CA
This was our second time using Landscape Associates, at a different property. David, Obed, and the crew added new paver stones, a planter, and expanded our irrigation. They even took care of drainage issues the original home builders had left behind.
San Jose, CA
Landscape Associates did a full remodel of my front and back yards. David understood exactly what I had in mind, delivered the yard I hoped for, and somehow made it even better. He kept in touch through every step and his crew was respectful of my property.
San Jose, CA
If I could give more stars I would. Workers showed up every single day at 8:30am sharp. David was always easy to reach and when I had changes mid-project, they accommodated every one without complaint. The customer service really set them apart.
Milpitas, CA
We are very happy with the results. David installed a new front lawn and side yard plantings and the whole project wrapped up in a week. We were impressed that they renewed our entire irrigation system as part of the job. Would recommend to anyone in the area.
San Jose, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Call (408) 207-5545How much does an outdoor kitchen cost?
Saratoga outdoor kitchen projects typically start around $15,000 and can reach $50,000 or more with appliances. The appliance list, counter material, utility runs, patio work and any roof affect the total. Landscape Associates provides an itemized estimate for your kitchen. We also provide estimates for projects in Los Gatos and San Jose.
What changes the price of an outdoor kitchen?
Our published Saratoga guide puts outdoor kitchens from about $15,000 to $50,000+ with appliances. Within that range the price moves with the appliances, the counter material, the length of the gas and electrical runs, whether a new patio is built around the kitchen, and any roof or shade structure. Your itemized estimate lists each of those parts.
Who runs the gas line for an outdoor kitchen?
We have a licensed plumber do the gas and a licensed electrician do the electrical (110 and 220). Landscape Associates builds the patio and masonry. Set the grill and appliance locations before the utility work so the connections, openings and island ventilation match the planned equipment.
Do I need a permit for an outdoor kitchen?
Gas and electrical connections are usually permitted work; ask us about permits for your address. Discuss the grill, sink, electrical supply and any roof when asking about permits for your address. For a sink at a Peninsula home, check MPWMD's water-permit requirements separately from building and plumbing permits.
Can you build an outdoor kitchen on my existing patio?
We need to inspect your existing paver or concrete patio during the free on-site estimate visit to see whether it is suitable. There must be room for the island, utility lines and people walking past the seating. The lower-budget example assumes you can keep the existing patio.
What countertop materials can I use for an outdoor kitchen?
Granite, concrete, porcelain and tile are options for an outdoor kitchen counter. Choose a counter finish that complements the stone or stucco veneer. Then discuss how that material would work with your kitchen layout. Plan preparation space beside the built-in grill and a serving area that does not block the cook.
Do you build pizza ovens and fire pits?
Yes. We can include a pizza oven or fire pit in your outdoor kitchen and patio plan. Before finalizing the layout, plan its connections and position in relation to the grill, bar seating and paths. Include it in the appliance and feature list so these details can be discussed together.
Can I add an outdoor kitchen sink on the Monterey Peninsula, and might it need a water-district permit?
Yes, a sink can be included with a water line and drain. For Peninsula homes, an outdoor kitchen sink may not need an MPWMD water permit. We confirm the requirement with the District. MPWMD Rule 24 (checked October 2026) does not make clear whether its outdoor-sink exemption covers a kitchen sink. This is a water-district rule, not a building or plumbing permit exemption.
What affects how long an outdoor kitchen takes to build?
The schedule depends on the kitchen layout, appliance and counter choices, utility work and whether the patio is new or existing. Adding a roof or pergola also affects the schedule. At the site visit, discuss the schedule for your planned grill, sink, lighting and seating. Build time varies by project.
Where do you build outdoor kitchens?
Landscape Associates of CA builds outdoor kitchens in San Jose, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Los Altos, Monte Sereno, Monterey and Carmel. The service area also takes in Los Altos Hills, Carmel Valley, Pebble Beach, Campbell, Cupertino and Sunnyvale. Call or text (408) 207-5545 to start planning your kitchen; free on-site estimate, reply within 24 hours.
Get a Free Quote
Call us, send the estimate form, or email us. We reply within 24 hours to book a free site visit. Call or text (408) 207-5545.
- (408) 207-5545
- david@landscapeassociatesca.com
- Mailing address: 125 Surf Way #443, Monterey, CA 93940
- Mon - Fri: 8:00-5:00 · Closed on weekends