Outdoor Kitchens in Central Florida
Built-in outdoor kitchens for Marion County and Sumter County homes. Full scope from frame through gas, electrical, and appliances.
Call (352) 356-5036 for a free estimate.
Florida Legacy Construction builds outdoor kitchens throughout Marion County, Sumter County, and Central Florida. We help homeowners plan outdoor kitchen layouts, structural bases, countertops, appliances, plumbing, electrical, gas line coordination, and finish details based on the property and project scope. Travis Strickland, licensed building contractor CBC1268994, leads the company’s standards, planning, and project oversight. When plumbing, gas, electrical, permits, or inspections are required, our team helps coordinate the proper licensed trades and local building department process.
Outdoor Kitchen Scope Levels
Basic Outdoor Kitchen
$12,000 to $22,000Built-in gas grill, countertop, and base cabinet storage. Gas line stub-out included. No sink. Single electrical circuit for grill ignition and under-counter lighting. Good starting point for most homeowners.
Mid-Range Outdoor Kitchen
$22,000 to $38,000Gas grill, side burner, refrigerator, and sink with hot and cold water. Includes 10 to 15 linear feet of countertop with base cabinets. Multiple electrical circuits. Gas line to grill and side burner. Most popular scope in Marion County.
Full Outdoor Kitchen
$38,000 to $55,000+Full grill station, pizza oven or smoker, full refrigerator, ice maker, sink, dishwasher, and bar seating. 20 to 30 linear feet of countertop. Multiple gas and electrical circuits. Often paired with a covered patio or louvered pergola.
Grill Island Only
$6,000 to $12,000Single grill island with a built-in gas grill and minimal countertop. No sink or refrigerator. A good option for homeowners who want a built-in grill without the full kitchen scope.
Frame and Base Options
The structural base of an outdoor kitchen must be non-combustible in Florida. This eliminates wood framing as a base material. The two standard options are concrete block (CMU) and steel stud framing.
| Frame Type | Pros | Cons | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete block (CMU) | Extremely durable; no movement; traditional look under stucco or tile finish | Heavy; limited to straight layouts; more labor to modify later | Permanent rectangular kitchen configurations |
| Steel stud frame | Lighter weight; allows curved and angled layouts; faster to build | Requires cement board sheathing before finish; slightly less durable than CMU | L-shape and custom layouts; faster build timeline |
| Pre-built modular cabinet | Fastest installation; lower labor cost | Less durable in Florida humidity; limited custom options | Budget grill islands; smaller configurations |
Appliances and Features for Outdoor Kitchens
- Built-in gas grill: The centerpiece of most outdoor kitchens. Common sizes: 30-inch (3 burner), 36-inch (4 burner), 42-inch (5 burner). Brands popular in Marion County include Blaze, Bull, and Lynx. All require a gas line stub-out and an outdoor-rated gas shutoff valve.
- Side burner: One or two additional burners next to the grill for pots and pans. Requires the same gas line as the grill.
- Outdoor refrigerator: Must be outdoor-rated. Standard indoor refrigerators fail in the heat and humidity within one to two seasons. Stainless steel outdoor-rated units from brands like Bull or Perlick are standard. Requires a dedicated 20-amp electrical circuit.
- Sink: Requires a water supply line and drain line. If the outdoor kitchen is near the home, a simple connection to the home's plumbing is possible. Remote locations may need a longer run. All plumbing requires a permit in Marion County.
- Pizza oven: Wood-fired or gas pizza ovens are popular add-ons for full outdoor kitchen builds. Wood-fired ovens require a masonry base and chimney. Gas ovens connect to the same gas line as the grill.
- Outdoor-rated lighting: LED strip lighting under countertops and inside cabinet doors. Requires waterproof wiring and GFCI-protected outlets in all outdoor locations.
Countertop Options for Outdoor Kitchens
Not every countertop material works outdoors in Central Florida. Heat, UV exposure, and rain affect materials differently.
- Porcelain tile: Best overall for Florida. Handles heat, UV, and moisture. Easy to clean. Most popular outdoor kitchen countertop in Marion County.
- Natural stone (granite, quartzite): Durable and attractive. Granite handles heat well. Quartzite is harder than granite. Both require sealing outdoors to prevent staining from rain and organic material.
- Concrete: Can be cast in place or precast. Handles heat and outdoor conditions well. Requires sealing. Allows custom shapes and integral drains.
- Quartz composite: Not recommended for outdoor use in Florida. UV exposure causes fading and the resin binder degrades in direct sun over several years.
Permit Requirements for Outdoor Kitchens in Marion County
Outdoor kitchens with gas connections require a plumbing permit in Marion County. Outdoor kitchens with electrical connections require an electrical permit. A structural base that includes a roof attachment may also require a building permit. Florida Legacy Construction pulls all required permits and coordinates all trade inspections. We do not start any outdoor kitchen project without confirming which permits are needed for your specific scope.
Outdoor Kitchen Cost Guide: Marion County 2025
| Component | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| CMU or steel frame base | $2,500 to $6,000 |
| Stucco or tile exterior finish | $800 to $2,500 |
| Countertop (porcelain tile) | $600 to $1,800 |
| Countertop (natural stone) | $1,200 to $3,500 |
| Built-in gas grill (36-inch) | $1,800 to $4,500 |
| Outdoor refrigerator | $800 to $2,500 |
| Sink with faucet | $600 to $1,800 |
| Gas line rough-in | $800 to $2,000 |
| Electrical rough-in (multiple circuits) | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Permits (plumbing and electrical) | $300 to $800 |
A complete mid-range outdoor kitchen in Marion County runs $22,000 to $38,000. Veterans may use a VA renovation loan to fund outdoor kitchen construction as part of a home purchase or refinance.
Screened Enclosures
An outdoor kitchen inside a screened enclosure is one of the most popular configurations in Marion County. See the screen enclosure guide.
Screened Enclosure GuideOutdoor Living Cost Guide
See all outdoor kitchen costs alongside screened enclosures and pergolas for Marion County in 2025.
View Cost GuideFrequently Asked Questions
How much does an outdoor kitchen cost in Marion County?
A basic outdoor kitchen with a built-in grill, countertop, and storage runs $12,000 to $22,000. A mid-range kitchen with grill, refrigerator, sink, and side burner runs $22,000 to $38,000. A full outdoor kitchen with all appliances, bar seating, and premium countertops runs $38,000 to $55,000 or more. All prices include permits. Florida Legacy Construction gives a fixed written price after visiting the property and scoping the project.
Does an outdoor kitchen require permits in Marion County?
Yes. Outdoor kitchens with gas connections require a plumbing permit. Electrical connections require an electrical permit. The structural base may also require a building permit depending on the configuration. Florida Legacy Construction confirms which permits apply to your scope and handles all applications before any work starts.
What frame material is best for an outdoor kitchen in Florida?
CMU and steel stud framing are the two non-combustible options accepted by Florida Building Code for outdoor kitchen bases. Wood framing is not permitted. CMU is more durable and commonly used for permanent rectangular configurations. Steel stud framing allows L-shaped and angled layouts and builds faster. Florida Legacy Construction advises on the right frame type for your layout at the estimate visit.
What countertop works best for an outdoor kitchen in Florida?
Porcelain tile is the best choice for outdoor kitchens in Central Florida. It handles heat, UV, moisture, and the cleaning demands of an outdoor cooking surface. Natural stone (granite and quartzite) is a good premium option but requires outdoor sealing. Quartz composite is not recommended for outdoor use because UV exposure causes fading and resin degradation over time.
Do I need a gas line for a built-in outdoor grill?
Yes. Built-in gas grills require a dedicated gas line stub-out with an outdoor-rated shutoff valve. This requires a plumbing permit in Marion County. Florida Legacy Construction coordinates the gas line installation as part of the outdoor kitchen scope. The gas line is run and tested before the grill is set and the permit is inspected.
Can an outdoor kitchen be added to an existing screened enclosure?
Yes. An outdoor kitchen inside a screened enclosure is one of the most popular configurations in Marion County. The enclosure provides insect protection and keeps cooking smells from drifting into the home's open windows. The kitchen must be on an exterior wall or in an area with ventilation to meet gas appliance clearance requirements. Florida Legacy Construction can scope and price a combined screen enclosure and outdoor kitchen project together.