[pdlpwr]

I'm looking for ideas for an overhead structure for an outdoor kitchen. I like the heavy beam, open air pergola idea, but would like something with a solid top so the kitchen can be used year-round. I would also like to be able to mount some can lights and a ceiling fan. My challenge is to come up with something that looks high quality, but not too imposing. I dont want the roof to look too "heavy" if that makes any sense. It will probably be painted. Size is around 10' X 8'.

[Stonehenge]

I'm moving this to the homeowner forum.

I'd suggest contacting our California members for design ideas - our most recent member of the year, Bill Schwab, has done some fantastic work.

[Bill Schwab]

Thanks Jeff!

First, what part of Ca. are you from? Anytime you incorporate a solid roof structure, you have to follow the same building codes of any tract house. That said, where is your budget sitting at? For a roofed structure over a BBQ, it is pretty easy to invest $10,000.00, we did one a few years ago that pushed $75,000.00 because of restrictions and requirements. Now, I'll give you that it looked like the Del Coronado Hotel roof line when done, but, it was what it was.

Is your home in a PRD? (Planned Residential Development) If so, you will be required to submit not only to your HOA first, but also to get municiple building permits you will be required to have a stamped architectural drawing, or the drawing with a letter from the architect stating they will stamp the drawing after final revisions from the city are made.
Is your home in a designated fire zone? This will dictate what materials you are allowed to use in construction which will drive price.


I know this all sounds nuts, but, it is what it is. If you can give me some guidelines here, I can help you better than I can with the info provided.

[HardDaysKnight]

Wow Bill! I am learning so much from you about the drastic
red-tape and restrictions you contractors have in CA.
It's incredible. You must have no problems with unlicensed
pirates stealing work with those guidelines in tact.

[Bill Schwab]

Harddays,

As a matter of fact, there are tons of illegal businesses, and illegal aliens stealing work from most of all, the homeowner who cannot see the forest for the trees when it comes to proper building. If they can save a buck, there are those who care not about the codes, or even why they are here, rather, what they can put in their pockets from the equity in their home. The worst offenders of hiring illegal aliens are not contractors, rather, homeowners who pick them up from street corners and make themselves an illegal contractor simply by paying the $10.00 an hour cash the illegals command. Anyway, sidetracked here...

We have some seriously overregulated rules here, and if you watched the horror in Laguna Beach, there are clearly reasons for the red tape.

[pdlpwr]

I'm in Fresno...'no' on the planned development, no fire zone, no homeowners association. It's my understanding (I've always been told this by a variety of people) that as long as the structure is not attached to the house, no permit is required. I had a cover for an RV pad built a while back by a general contractor that told me this too.

Budget-wise? It's kind of open at this point. I was almost thinking of a palapa top over a wood frame. Just not sure about materials or design. The palapa kits are running about $3000 bucks. That's reasonable to me, just not sure if the 'structure' part is what I want. Most of the framing in the kits are built with either lodgepoles or peeler core type lumber. I was thinking about something a little more substantial, but the kit may wind up being the way I go. Just looking for ideas right now to see what my options are...

[Bill Schwab]

Aslong as the structure is under 300 square feet in area, (it may be 400 up in your area) you are correct. No permits required.

Palapas are an inexpensively good way to, but you just need to be aware that they have a life expectancy of 5-7 years before the fronds become weathered and need work. I'm also not too sure as to how dry they would keep things because I've never had any feedback after we have installed them

[pdlpwr]

From what I'm being told, they will shed water pretty well, enough to still cook in the rain. As long as the thatch panels are double layered...single layer isn't enough. And yes, I had considered the life expactancy - and that concerns me a little. I guess they don't do too well in moist climates - something I don't have to worry much about in this pizza oven I live in! Warm claimates are better, but as you said, 5 to 7 years is what I can expect.

[Bill Schwab]

We have a supplier down in San Diego we buy from, and it seemed your price was right in there with ours as well. Fresno hot? I've only been through it on my way to San Fran. Heat does not really nother me but my wife is the girly girl, she has to live near the coast for the mild climates, so, here I sit.

Let us know what you are going to do with your BBQ roof.

[pdlpwr]

Is Palapa Kings your supplier? Found them on the Internet...seemed to have their act together...probably the way I will go. Still in the planning stages.

Regarding Fresno - I call it the city of two seasons...Hot and cold. We have mild temperatures in the spring and the fall for about a week- It's cold, and then it's hot - immediately. 100 plus temps in the summer are the norm. People start to complain when it hits around 107!

[HardDaysKnight]

Bill, I can cleary see the need for the red tape but I'm kind of
surprised that homeowners would not use a lic/ins professional
and take a risk on thier investment. Construction in your area
has these codes in place for good reason. Anyway, good luck
to you, Johnny.

[Bill Schwab]

Yes, Palapa King is the place. They even have a few custom ones in rectangle shapes. Those are more than the typical round however. We have not done business with them in 2 years, but had a pretty nice product when we used them.

Johnny;

Yes, codes are in force for a reason. What people are trying to do is save a buck to keep up with the "stuff" needs. The ones hiring them are usually the flippers, (people who buy a home, sit in it for 2 years after it doubles it's money, then sell) because they don't care about quality. they just want stuff so the house when it sells will be salable. Typically, we don't work for too many flippers. There are a few questions I ask in the prescreen interview which if answered certain ways tell me if that is what is up their sleeves.