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Our Story

Meridian Neighbors.
Outdoor Kitchen Builders.

We're not a national franchise. We're a local Meridian crew who's been building in Treasure Valley backyards since 2012 — and we know this market inside and out.

12+ Years in Business
400+ Projects Completed
5.0 Google Rating
80+ Five-Star Reviews
Meridian Outdoor Kitchens founder and team
2012 Founded in Meridian, ID

How We Started

Built From a Passion for
Backyard Living

We started in 2012 with a single concrete block and a Weber grill in a Meridian backyard. The homeowner wanted something more than a freestanding grill on a patio. They wanted a real outdoor kitchen. So we built one — and word spread from there.

Over the past 12 years, Meridian has grown from 60,000 people to over 130,000. We've grown with it. We've built outdoor kitchens in subdivisions that didn't exist yet — Paramount, Lochsa Falls, Ten Mile Crossing — and we know every neighborhood we work in.

We're still a local crew. No national franchise model. No crews flown in from out of state. Every person on our team lives in the Treasure Valley, knows the HOA restrictions in your neighborhood, and understands what Idaho winters do to materials that aren't specified correctly.

Our Team

The People Behind Every Build

Every person on our team is local to the Treasure Valley. No subcontractors flown in. No revolving door of unfamiliar faces. The people who bid your project are the people who build it.

RK
Ryan Kovacs
Owner & Lead Designer

Ryan founded Meridian Outdoor Kitchens in 2012 after 8 years in commercial masonry. Born in Boise, raised in Meridian. He designs every custom kitchen and oversees all structural builds personally.

Idaho RCE License #12345 · Since 2012
MT
Marcus Torres
Master Installer & Gas Tech

10 years with the company. Marcus leads all grill installations, gas line runs, and appliance hookups. He's a certified gas fitter and has installed over 300 built-in grills across the Treasure Valley.

Idaho Certified Gas Fitter · Ada County Licensed
SL
Sarah Lund
Project Manager & Client Lead

Sarah coordinates every project from first estimate through final walkthrough. She's the person you'll hear from when your build is scheduled, when materials arrive, and when we're done. Meridian native, 6 years with us.

Ada County Project Coordination · 6 Years
DJ
Derek Jensen
Lead Mason & Tile Specialist

Derek handles all stone veneer, tile cladding, and countertop work. He's our detail guy — responsible for the finish quality that shows up in every project photo. 8 years in the trades, 4 years with us.

Journeyman Mason · Tile Council of North America

How We Work

What We Believe About Building

These aren't marketing words. They're the decisions that come up on every single job — and how we make them.

🏛️

Permits Are Non-Negotiable

Every build we do is fully permitted through Ada County. We never suggest skipping permits to save time. A permitted build protects your home's resale value and your family's safety — period.

🌡️

Materials Specified for Idaho

Meridian gets hard freezes. We spec every material with that in mind. Freeze-thaw rated block, sealed stone, powder-coated hardware. Nothing that will crack or fail after your first Idaho winter.

📋

Written Estimates. No Surprises.

Every project starts with a detailed written estimate. Line items for materials, labor, appliances, and permits. We don't do ballpark quotes. You know the number before we break ground.

📞

You Always Have a Direct Number

You'll have Sarah's direct line from day one. Not a call center. Not a ticket system. One point of contact who knows your project, your yard, and your name.

🔨

Our Crew Does the Work

We don't subcontract the build to whoever is available that week. The crew that bids your job is the crew that builds it. Same faces from day one to final walkthrough.

✅

We Stand Behind the Work

Every build comes with a 2-year workmanship warranty. If something we built fails in the first two years — we fix it. No runaround, no cost to you.

Licensing & Credentials

Licensed, Insured & Certified

Every credential we hold exists to protect you as a homeowner. Here's what we carry on every job in Meridian.

🏛️
Idaho Contractor License
RCE-12345 · Active & Current
🔥
Certified Gas Fitter
Natural gas & propane · Ada County
🛡️
General Liability Insurance
$2M coverage · Certificate on request
👷
Workers' Compensation
All crew members covered · Idaho compliant
🏠
Ada County Permit Filer
Registered permit applicant on file
⭐
5.0 Google Business Rating
80+ verified customer reviews

Our History

12 Years Growing
with Meridian

We started when Meridian was half its current size. We've built through the housing boom, the new subdivision wave, and everything in between.

12
2012

Founded in Meridian

Ryan Kovacs completes his first custom outdoor kitchen in South Meridian. Word spreads through the neighborhood — three more calls come in that same month.

15
2015

First Full-Time Crew

Marcus Torres joins as lead installer. The business grows to serve Lochsa Falls, Paramount, and Ten Mile Crossing as those subdivisions begin developing.

18
2018

100th Completed Project

Milestone 100 project — a full L-shaped outdoor kitchen with stone veneer in Tuscany subdivision. Sarah Lund joins as project manager.

21
2021

Expanded to Full Outdoor Living

Added full patio construction and pergola builds to our service list. Settlers Bridge and the newer Meridian subdivisions drive a surge in full backyard transformations.

26
2026

400+ Projects. Same Local Team.

Still based in Meridian. Still the same crew. Now with 80+ five-star reviews and a 5.0 Google rating — building outdoor kitchens for a city that never stops growing.

Ready to Work with a Team
You Can Actually Trust?

Free on-site estimate for all Meridian homeowners. We'll come to your yard, listen to what you want, and put together a plan that actually fits your life.

Schedule Your Free Estimate
Or call Ryan directly: (208) 555-0123