Outdoor kitchen masonry in Lakewood CA - an island built around your grill
You've got a bare patio and a grill on wheels. We build a block island with stone and counters that fits your appliances.
- Sized to your appliances Block laid around the real sizes of your grill and sink.
- Room for other trades Space left for grill vents and gas, water and electric runs.
- Work that isn't rushed Careful block work meant to hold up for years, not days.
- Straight answers I'd rather tell you what you don't need than oversell.
- Licensed and fully insured.
- Free quotes on site.
- Replies within 1 business day.
How do you know it's time to build an outdoor kitchen?
Most outdoor kitchens start with a small annoyance or an old island that's tired. Catching these early keeps a simple build from turning into tearing out and starting over.
The grill cart is rusting
The wheels squeal and the shelf sags. It usually means the cart's done, and putting off a built-in just means buying another cart to rust.
Running plates back inside
You walk to the kitchen for every plate and knife. It usually means you need counter space by the grill, and each cookout until then means more trips.
Cracks in an old island
Cracks run through the stucco or grout. Usually the base has shifted or water's getting in, and the damage spreads the longer it sits.
Stone coming loose
A few stones on the island sound hollow or have dropped off. The bond behind them has usually let go, and more follow once water gets behind the face.
A counter that's cracked
A crack runs across the countertop or one end has dipped. It usually means the top isn't supported well underneath, and a cracked counter gets worse with weight on it.
New grill won't fit the opening
The replacement grill doesn't match the old opening. That usually means rebuilding the opening to the new grill's real size, which beats forcing it in and blocking its vents.
How we build outdoor kitchen masonry in Lakewood
Every outdoor kitchen we build in Lakewood starts with your appliance list, so pick your appliances before we lay block, because we build the island around their real sizes and a grill that won't fit its opening means tearing block back out. Our crew sets the concrete block frame on your slab with openings for the grill, sink and fridge, and we leave room for the grill's vents. With the block up, the gas, water and electric get run into place before any stone goes on, so we keep that window open for the other trades to do their part. Then the outside gets its finish. Stucco over the block is the cheapest way to finish it and stone veneer costs more, so if the budget's tight I'd put the money into the frame and the counter and go with stucco, because a solid frame outlasts a pretty face. The countertop goes on last. The size of the island, the finish, the counter and how many appliances you want move the price most, the schedule mostly turns on the other trades and how long the counter takes to make, and I'll give you your own figure on site.
An island looks a little lost at the end of a cracked path, so a lot of owners have us do walkway construction at the same time to tie the kitchen to the back door. If you want the cooking area closed in, given a backdrop or fitted with a place for guests to sit, a brick wall installation built alongside it keeps all the masonry matching.
What happens when you call about an outdoor kitchen in Lakewood?
From your first call to the last swept patio, here's how an outdoor kitchen job runs with us.
Call, email or send the form
Call (562) 249-2437, email hi@lakewoodconcreteandmasonry.com or send the form. I come out to see your patio and hear what you want to cook on.
Go over your estimate
I give you the estimate on site, priced around your appliance list, the finish you pick and the size of the island.
Permit, then the build
We find out which office handles permits for your address and get one first if your job needs it. Then our crew builds the island.
Walk it with you
When the counter's set and the patio's swept, we walk the island with you and check each opening against your appliances.
Why Lakewood homeowners call Caliber Lakewood Concrete and Masonry
The owner sees your patio
I look at the job myself and work alongside the crew that builds it, so what we discussed is what gets built.
Laying block since 2017
I learned under older masons and started this business in 2017. Nine years in, we still don't rush a wall.
Licensed and fully insured
We're licensed and fully insured, which matters when a crew is lifting block and cutting stone in your backyard.
Built for year-round cooking
With mild winters and long dry seasons, many Lakewood owners cook outside every month, so we build it for steady use.
Get an outdoor kitchen estimate built around your appliances
Tell us your appliance list and the size of your patio, and we'll get back to you within one business day. Then I come out, look at the space and give you a free estimate with no obligation.
Outdoor kitchens worth a look
Scroll through these examples of block islands, stone faces and counters to get a feel for the size and finish you'd like.
Outdoor kitchen questions we hear
These are the questions people ask most when they're planning an island. If yours isn't here, call or send the form and ask about your own patio.
How much does a built-in grill island cost in Lakewood, CA?
An installed built-in grill island across the US usually costs about $3,000 to $10,000 per job. That figure usually assumes your patio and utility lines are already in place, so new gas, water or electric runs come on top, and a kitchen with a sink, fridge and stone counters costs more than a grill alone. I'll give you your own figure when I come out and see the space.
How long does it take to build an outdoor kitchen island?
As a general guide, the masonry for a standard L-shaped outdoor kitchen takes about 7 to 12 working days. On top of that, plan for the other trades to fit into the schedule and for a countertop that takes 2 to 3 weeks to be fabricated.
Who can legally build an outdoor kitchen island in California?
A licensed masonry or landscaping contractor. The state contractor license board puts installing block and natural or manufactured stone in its C-29 Masonry class, and its guidance says a masonry wall needs either a landscaping or a C-29 Masonry contractor. Ask anyone who bids your island which license they hold.
Can I ask who the subcontractors are on my outdoor kitchen job?
Yes. In California, if you ask, the contractor has to tell you about any subcontractors on your home improvement contract, with each one's name, contact information, license number and classification. On an outdoor kitchen the gas, water and electric work is often another trade, so it's a fair thing to ask.
Can stone veneer go directly on concrete block?
Often it can, and one stone maker's install guide says its veneer may go straight onto concrete block that's clean, sound and not painted or sealed. Each maker sets its own rules, so the guide for the stone you choose decides it.
What is the best way to vent a built-in grill island?
Follow the install guide for your grill, because the vent rules come from the maker. One grill maker's guide requires at least two vents in the island, whether it's built of combustible or non-combustible material. Have your grill picked and its model handy when I come out.
Cities we build outdoor kitchens in
We're based in Lakewood and work across the cities around it, from Long Beach up to Fullerton and out to Costa Mesa. Pick yours below or give us a call.
Start planning your outdoor kitchen island today
Send your appliance list and patio details with the form or a call, knowing the work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.