The Cost of an Outdoor Living Space [2025 Data]

Normal Range: $1,500 - $20,000

Building an outdoor living space costs $1,500 to $20,000 depending on the type and size of the space, but it averages $7,800. Your contractor can outline and estimate the project.

How we get this data
A guest house with a patio and a small pool
Photo: AJ_Watt / E+ / Getty Images
A guest house with a patio and a small pool
Photo: AJ_Watt / E+ / Getty Images

Your outdoor space presents a world of new opportunities for sipping your morning coffee, afternoon barbecues, and late-night hangs around a warm, crackling fire. The average cost for an outdoor living space is $7,800, but costs range widely from $1,500 to $180,000. If you’re looking to upgrade that collection of folding lawn chairs, here’s what you can expect to budget for some of the most popular setups.

Outdoor Living Space Cost Breakdown

Labor can take up 50% or more of your total project cost, though the materials you use will certainly impact the total price. Aside from that, getting the permits and land prep done will tack on extra to your budget. You’ll also pay more based on the size of the foundation or structure, as well as how you furnish and accessorize.

Outdoor Room TypeAverage Cost for MaterialsAverage Labor Costs
Patio$1–$35 per square foot$5–$15 per square foot
Deck$20–$45 per square foot$15–$35 per square foot
Gazebo$2,000–$8,500Kit assembly: $300–$800; Custom build: $1,500 – $9,000
Sunroom$3,000–$60,000$2,000–$25,000
Pool or Guest House$14,000–$112,000$34,000–$70,000

Size

The cost of your outdoor room’s foundation will go up depending on the size of the build. Use these ballpark figures to plan your budget accordingly.

Outdoor Room TypeAverage Cost (Per Square Foot)
Deck$30–$60
Sunroom $150–$300
Patio$10–$50
Pool or Guest House$60–$600

Materials 

Materials can significantly impact your cost, covering a wide range of $1 to $45 per square foot, or upward of $100,000 for major builds like pools or guest houses.

Labor

Labor can make up a significant chunk of your project cost, coming in at anywhere between $15 and $35 per hour or more. Many contractors will also charge by the project, so get in touch with a contractor in your area for the most accurate estimate.

Land Prep

If your land isn’t clear or level, you may need to budget anywhere from $500 to $6,000 or more to prep it for building. Your main cost factors are the number of trees, plants, and debris to remove, as well as the size of the plot that you’re looking to prep.

Permits

Many new constructions outside the home require extra permits. Depending on the project and where you live, plan to invest about $400 to $1,500.

Accessibility 

To construct your outdoor living area, your contractor may need to transport large equipment and machinery to the location. This can be a challenge if you’re building in a fenced-in backyard or a neighborhood without a lot of space between homes. Getting the equipment in place can increase the cost if they need to remove a section of fence or otherwise modify and then repair the property to make room for their equipment.

Deck or Patio Covers, Furniture, Add-Ons, and Accessories

If you need to protect your outdoor room from the elements, the cost to add a deck or patio cover ranges from $3,000 to $10,000. Or, if you want to occasionally work on your tan, a retractable awning costs between $1,500 and $3,500.

From there, you can accessorize and transform your outdoor room into your dream hangout spot. Here are a few ballpark cost estimates to factor into your budget:

  • Patio furniture chat set (four chairs and a low table): $350–$5,000+

  • Patio table and chairs: $100–$5,000+

  • Hammocks: $40–$200+

  • Privacy curtains: $15–$400+

  • Outdoor kitchen cost: $1,000–$60,000+

  • Outdoor bar: $5,000–$20,000

  • In-ground pool cost: $45,000–$88,000+

  • Fire pit cost: $200–$3,000 

  • Heater: $100–$300

  • Propane fireplace: $300–$700

  • Lighting fixtures: $8–$30+ each

  • Outdoor TV or home theater system: $550+

Cost of Outdoor Living Space to Build an Outdoor Room by Type or Foundation

Your main expense in building an outdoor room is choosing the type of foundation you want. Patios and pre-build gazebos can be fairly budget-friendly, while major builds like a pool house will cost significantly more.

Outdoor Room TypeAverage Cost
Patio$1,900–$5,300
Deck$4,100–$11,220
Gazebo$3,100–$9,400
Sunroom $20,800–$72,600
Pool or Guest House$48,000–$180,000

Patio

The cost to build a patio ranges from $2,100 to $6,100 on average, or anywhere between $5 and $50 per square foot. Materials are the biggest cost factor for this project—inexpensive options like gravel or poured concrete go for as little as $1.50 to $6 per square foot, while high-end materials like granite cobblestone can run as much as $20 to $35 per square foot

Deck

The average cost of building a deck is $8,300, with most installations ranging between $4,400 and $12,600. Size, the type of deck materials, and labor are your biggest cost factors. 

You can build your own deck to save an average of $15 to $35 per square foot, but be sure to arm yourself with the proper tools and know-how to achieve a solid, level, and aesthetically appealing result. In many cases, it’s best to hire a licensed local deck builder

Gazebo

Building a gazebo costs $5,300 on average, with builds falling between $2,600 and $9,400. Premade gazebo kits from your local home improvement store will be the most affordable option, while pre-built professionally installed models can land on the mid-to-high end of the spectrum. If you want to go all out, custom builds can go for upward of $20,000 or more. 

Sunroom

The interior of a sunroom with a comfy couch
Photo: John Keeble / Moment / Getty Images

Sunrooms run anywhere from $20,800 to $72,600, or between $150 and $300 per square foot. However, you can pay as little as $5,000 if you build a small room yourself or purchase a prefab kit.

Pool or Guest House

Building a pool or guest house costs an average of $114,000, or between $48,000 and $180,000 for a 300-square-foot structure. To save major cash, consider a prefab model for around $27,000 and up.

DIY vs. Hiring a Contractor

DIY enthusiasts have many ways to save with this project, but it’s important to do your research beforehand to avoid structural issues and other hiccups. Pros can cost significantly more, but they offer guaranteed stability, longevity, and aesthetic appeal.

Outdoor Room TypeDIY CostHiring a Pro
Patio$80–$11,000$400–$14,400
Deck$1,200–$7,500$2,500–17,000
Gazebo$1,500–$8,500 $1,500–$9,000
Deck or Patio Cover$1,250–$3,500$3,000–$10,000
Sunroom$5,000–$20,000$21,000–$75,000
Pool or Guest House$5,000–$45,000+ (prefab structure; DIY builds by non-professionals not recommended)$27,000–$180,000

How to Save Money on Adding an Outdoor Living Space 

The more complicated the outdoor living space project is, the more it will cost. Saving money on adding an outdoor living space can be as simple as building a smaller structure or choosing less expensive materials. Here are a few other ways to save money on the outdoor living space cost:

  • Do your own landscaping: After the construction crew leaves, you can plant your own flowers and lay your own mulch, saving on the cost of landscaping.

  • Add string lights: Instead of installing expensive lighting fixtures, stick to a few basic lights and add string lights for ambiance.

  • Search for sales: If you’re adding seating or other accessories, search for sales that can reduce the cost.  

  • Go in stages: If you don’t have the budget to cover the entire cost of the outdoor living space, you can go in stages. For example, you can start by building the structure and having the lighting installed after a few months.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

Frequently Asked Questions

In most cases, yes, an outdoor living space adds value to your home. The trick to your best return on investment is to choose high-quality building materials that will look nice and durable without crossing the line into total luxury that becomes cost-ineffective. For example, there’s no need to install marble tiles around your pool, but a durable and aesthetically pleasing deck will go a long way.

Prefab kits like a small sunroom for around $20,000 or even a basic gazebo roof for as little as $60 can save you big over professional installation. However, you lose the option for customization, and these structures tend not to last nearly as long. As for bigger projects like a deck or patio, you shouldn’t go with the DIY route unless you’re fully prepped with the tools and know-how to get it done right. Mistakes can be frustrating and costly, so choose a pro if you’re looking to eliminate your risk of error.

Your maintenance needs revolve around the type of foundation you choose, as well as how you furnish or decorate it. Patios require little else other than the occasional hose-down, but decks and other wooden structures will require annual power washing and sealing. You may also need to restain the wood every two to three years.

Adding a solid roof rather than building a pergola or leaving the space open will make maintenance much easier. Without a roof, you will need to spend more time sweeping, washing, and covering your furniture to protect it from UV bleaching.

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