Patio service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Outdoor living space construction costs $1,500 to $180,000 on average, based on your room size and materials.
Your outdoor room type drives your budget, with patios priced below decks and sunrooms or pool houses highest.
You should budget $400 to $1,500 for building permits and $500 to $6,000 for land preparation work before your construction begins.
Hiring a local general contractor ensures your outdoor living space is structurally sound and helps support your home’s resale value.
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.
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 Type | Average Cost for Materials | Average 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–$8,500 | Kit 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 |
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 Type | Average Cost (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Deck | $30–$60 |
| Sunroom | $150–$300 |
| Patio | $10–$50 |
| Pool or Guest House | $60–$600 |
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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+
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 Type | Average 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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 Type | DIY Cost | Hiring 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 |
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.
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.
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