Expert Interview with Allison Heaney, Owner & CEO of Skaggs-Walsh

Allison Heaney serves as Owner and CEO of Skaggs-Walsh, the best home comfort services and heating oil provider in New York City and Long Island. We sat down with Allison to get her perspective on what drives homeowners to invest in their outdoor living spaces, and why retailers like BBQ Authority are well-positioned to serve that demand.

Q: Skaggs-Walsh works inside people's homes and properties every day. What do you notice about how homeowners are thinking about their outdoor spaces right now?

Allison Heaney: The outdoor living trend is real, and we see evidence of it on every job site. Homeowners who are investing in their properties aren't stopping at the back door. We're being called out to run gas lines for outdoor kitchens, install dedicated electrical circuits for outdoor refrigeration and lighting, and upgrade plumbing for outdoor sink setups. People want their backyard to function like an extension of their home, and that means the infrastructure has to match the ambition. When someone is dropping serious money on a built-in grill or a full outdoor kitchen island, they want it done right from the ground up.

Q: BBQ Authority carries premium outdoor cooking equipment, such as grills, smokers, pizza ovens, and full outdoor kitchen components from brands like Fire Magic, Napoleon, and Big Green Egg. Do you see customers who are investing at that level?

Allison Heaney: Absolutely, and more frequently than you might think. The customers we serve on Long Island and in the outer boroughs, especially since they have the space, they have the properties, and they've been investing in those properties steadily. Post-pandemic, the backyard became the entertaining space. People put real money into patios, pergolas, and outdoor kitchens, and once they've made that commitment, they're not going to put a bargain grill in the middle of it. They want equipment that matches the investment.

Q: From your perspective in home services, what do customers most often overlook when planning a major outdoor kitchen build?

Allison Heaney: The utility infrastructure, without question. Everyone focuses on the countertops and the grill they want, and almost nobody thinks ahead about what it takes to support it properly. A high-BTU built-in grill on natural gas needs a properly sized gas line, and that's not a DIY project. A full outdoor kitchen with refrigeration, an ice maker, and lighting needs dedicated electrical capacity and weatherproof installation that is up to code. We get called in after the fact more often than I'd like, once someone has already set up their dream outdoor kitchen and realizes nothing is connected properly. Planning those utility runs early, before the build, saves significant time and money.

Q: That sounds like a natural partnership opportunity: a home services company and a specialty outdoor equipment retailer.

Allison Heaney: It really is, and it's the kind of referral relationship that benefits the homeowner most. When a customer is purchasing a $4,000 built-in grill or spec'ing out a full outdoor kitchen through a retailer like BBQ Authority, they should also be talking to someone about what it takes to install it correctly. Gas, electrical, plumbing…all of it needs to be up to code and safely installed. We work with homeowners at every stage of a project, and the ones who have the smoothest experience are always the ones who brought in the right professionals early. The equipment is only as good as the installation behind it.

Q: What's your overall read on the outdoor living market heading into the summer season?

Allison Heaney: Strong, and I don't see it slowing down. Energy costs have made homeowners more thoughtful about where they spend time, and a well-equipped outdoor space is one of the best returns on investment a property can offer. We're already fielding calls about outdoor kitchen gas line runs and electrical upgrades for the season.

To learn more about Skaggs-Walsh and the services they provide to New York City and Long Island residents, including gas line installation, outdoor electrical, and plumbing services, visit skaggswalsh.com.