A common thing I hear: "I love the idea of an outdoor kitchen, but I have no idea where to start." Honestly, that's completely reasonable. Most people have never bought one before. There's no template for it. You can't just pop into a retail park and pick one off the shelf.
The truth is, a bespoke outdoor kitchen isn't a product you buy, it's a project you build and like any project worth doing, the process matters just as much as the finished result. Get it right, and you end up with an outdoor kitchen that fits your garden, your lifestyle, and your budget perfectly. Rush it, and you end up with something that looks great in a brochure but doesn't work in real life.
So here's exactly what happens when you work with Barbacoa Outdoor Living, from the very first conversation to the moment you light the grill for the first time.
Step 1: The Initial Conversation
Every outdoor kitchen project starts with a conversation, not a sales pitch. Whether you call us, email, fill in a form on our website, or walk into our showroom in Devon, the first thing we want to understand is what you're actually looking for.
This isn't about picking products yet. It's about understanding your garden, your lifestyle, and what you want your outdoor space to do. We'll ask things like:
How do you currently use your garden? How often do you entertain? Do you want a full cooking setup or something more focused on grilling? Have you thought about shelter, a bioclimatic pergola, a canopy, or something else? What's your rough budget?
Some people come to us with a crystal-clear vision. Others come with nothing more than "I saw one on Instagram and thought it looked brilliant." Both are perfectly fine. The initial conversation is about getting on the same page.
If you're anywhere near Exeter, I'd always recommend visiting the showroom. Seeing an outdoor kitchen in person, touching the materials, opening the drawers, standing next to a Napoleon grill gives you a feel for quality that photos simply can't replicate.
Step 2: The Site Visit
Once we've had that initial chat and you're keen to explore things further, we'll arrange a site visit. This is where the project starts to get real.
One of our designers will come to your property and spend time in your garden, not just measuring, but observing. We look at things most people don't think about: where the sun tracks across your space through the day, prevailing wind direction, sight lines from inside the house, proximity to utilities (gas, water, electricity), and how the outdoor kitchen will sit within the overall flow of your garden.
This is one of the things that separates a bespoke outdoor kitchen from a modular one you assemble yourself. We're not just placing a unit, we're designing an outdoor living space that works with your specific garden.
We'll also talk through practical considerations at this stage: access for delivery and installation, any existing landscaping that might need adjusting, drainage, and whether your current utility connections are in the right place or need extending.
Step 3: The Design Phase
This is where the magic happens and where patience pays off.
Based on everything we've discussed and observed during the site visit, our design team creates a detailed proposal. For most projects, this includes a full 3D render so you can see exactly what your outdoor kitchen will look like in your space before a single thing is ordered.
The design phase covers everything: layout and configuration (linear, L-shaped, island, U-shaped), appliance selection and positioning, worktop materials (Dekton, granite, porcelain), cabinetry finishes and colours, shelter options (if you're considering a pergola or louvred roof), lighting, and any integrated features like sinks, fridges, or storage.
The design phase usually involves at least a couple of rounds of refinement. You might want to swap out a side burner for a pizza oven, or adjust the layout to keep a particular sight line open. That's completely normal and exactly why we do this stage properly rather than rushing to order.
Step 4: The Quote and Sign-Off
Once the design is finalised, we provide a detailed, itemised quote. No hidden costs, no vague "plus installation" add-ons. The quote covers everything: products, materials, groundwork, installation, utility connections, and any structural work needed.
We'll walk you through the quote in detail so you understand exactly what you're paying for. If the total needs adjusting, we can discuss which elements to prioritise and which can be phased in later, there's always flexibility. Some clients choose to install the core kitchen now and add a pergola down the line.
Once you're happy, we take a deposit to secure your order and lock in your installation slot.
Step 5: Lead Time and Preparation
Here's something most people don't expect: there's a lead time between signing off and installation. For most bespoke outdoor kitchen projects, you're looking at 4 to 8 weeks depending on the complexity of the build and the products involved. Some premium items, particularly from European manufacturers like Cubic Outdoor Living, can take longer.
This isn't dead time, though. During this period, we coordinate everything behind the scenes: ordering products, scheduling trades (gas, electrical, plumbing), organising groundwork if needed, and confirming your installation dates.
If your project requires groundwork, a new patio base, drainage, or utility trenching, this is usually completed before the main installation begins. We either handle this directly or work alongside your existing landscaper or builder, depending on your preference.
Step 6: Installation Day (and Beyond)
Installation day is where it all comes together. For a straightforward outdoor kitchen installation, you're typically looking at 1 to 3 days on site. More complex projects, especially those involving a bioclimatic pergola, integrated lighting, and full utility connections, might take 4 to 5 days.
Our installation team handles everything: positioning and levelling the units, fitting worktops, connecting gas (via a Gas Safe registered engineer), plumbing sinks and drainage, wiring lighting and sockets (via a qualified electrician), and making sure every drawer, door, and burner works exactly as it should.
We don't leave site until you've had a full walkthrough. That means firing up every appliance, opening every drawer, running the sink, and checking the lighting. We'll talk you through maintenance and care for each component, and make sure you have all the documentation, warranties, gas safety certificates, electrical certificates, in one place.
Step 7: Aftercare
The relationship doesn't end when we drive away. We're here for the long haul.
If something needs attention, a burner that's not lighting right, a question about cleaning your worktop, a replacement part, you can call us directly. We're a family-run business based in Devon, not a faceless distributor. When you ring Barbacoa, you speak to someone who knows your project.
We also offer guidance on seasonal maintenance, including how to prepare your outdoor kitchen for winter and how to recommission it in spring. A well-maintained outdoor kitchen will last decades, and we want yours to look as good in year ten as it does on day one.
How Long Does the Whole Process Take?
From first enquiry to cooking your first meal, most projects take between 8 and 16 weeks. Here's a rough breakdown:
Initial conversation and site visit: 1–2 weeks. Design and refinement: 2–4 weeks. Quote sign-off and ordering: 1 week. Lead time for products: 4–8 weeks. Installation: 1–5 days.
If you're planning an outdoor kitchen for summer entertaining, the best time to start the conversation is late winter or early spring. That said, we work year-round, there's no bad time to begin the design process.
Why the Process Matters
I've seen what happens when people skip the process, when they buy a flat-pack outdoor kitchen online, position it without thinking about wind or sun, and connect the gas themselves. It rarely ends well.
A proper outdoor kitchen design process exists to protect you. It ensures your kitchen works in your specific garden, uses the right materials for the UK climate, meets all safety regulations, and delivers something you'll genuinely use, not just something that looks impressive for one summer.
At Barbacoa, we've built our reputation on getting this right. Every outdoor kitchen we install is designed for that specific garden, that specific client, and that specific way of living outdoors. That's what bespoke means and it's why the process matters.
