Many Broken Arrow homeowners build their outdoor kitchen in phases — starting with a core outdoor kitchen and covered patio in phase one and adding a bar section, pizza oven, fire feature, or extended patio in a subsequent phase. Phase planning is a smart approach to outdoor kitchen investment because it allows the homeowner to begin using the outdoor kitchen while spreading the cost over multiple seasons and to make more informed expansion decisions after living with the phase one installation for a year. VistaScapes & Design builds outdoor kitchens with future expansion in mind when the homeowner communicates their phased approach at the design phase — this means roughing in gas, electrical, and water connections beyond what phase one requires so that phase two doesn’t require tearing into completed work. Failing to plan for phase two during phase one construction is the most common source of regret in phased outdoor kitchen projects.
What to Rough In During Phase One
The gas, electrical, and plumbing work that is most cost-effective to rough in during phase one for a planned phase two expansion: gas supply — if phase two will add a pizza oven, side burner, or outdoor fireplace, the gas supply line from the meter to the outdoor kitchen should be sized during phase one for the total BTU demand of both phases combined; running a larger pipe during phase one costs significantly less than excavating and replacing it for phase two. Electrical — if phase two will add a bar section with a refrigerator, ice maker, or kegerator, run empty conduit from the electrical panel to the phase two location during phase one, with pull wire inside so that wire can be pulled later without excavation. Water supply — if phase two will add an outdoor sink or ice maker, stub out a cold water supply line (and optionally a hot water line) to the phase two location and cap it during phase one; turning on the water supply for phase two is a simple connection rather than a new plumbing rough-in. These rough-ins add $500 to $1,500 to phase one costs but save $2,000 to $5,000 in phase two disruption and remediation.
Common Phase Two Additions
The most common phase two additions to a Broken Arrow outdoor kitchen after the core phase one installation: bar section addition — adding a bar counter to the outdoor kitchen’s end, with an undercounter refrigerator, ice maker, and possibly a kegerator, creating a dedicated beverage service area; pizza oven installation — a built-in wood-fired or gas-fired pizza oven installed adjacent to the masonry kitchen base, either in a masonry housing matching the original veneer or as a countertop unit; fire feature addition — a gas fire pit, fire table, or outdoor fireplace at the perimeter of the patio, creating an evening gathering focal point; and patio extension — expanding the concrete or paver surface of the outdoor living zone to accommodate a larger dining area or a lounge zone around the new fire feature. Each of these additions is significantly more affordable and less disruptive when the gas, electrical, and water rough-ins were planned during phase one construction.
Call VistaScapes & Design at (918) 779-1317 for a free outdoor kitchen consultation in Broken Arrow. We’ll design your phase one project with phase two in mind — roughing in the connections that make expansion seamless when you’re ready.
