Building an outdoor kitchen costs an average of $16,480. Simple designs can cost as little as $6,348 whereas high-end, complex kitchens can range up to $26,903.
An outdoor kitchen costs anywhere from $6,348 to add a simple cooking area to an existing patio up to $26,903 to build a large, deluxe, customized kitchen from the ground up. Most homeowners, however, spend an average of $16,480 on the cost to build an outdoor kitchen.
Don’t have a big budget? Not to worry. You can still create a beautiful and functional outdoor kitchen area with a modest budget. Building an outdoor kitchen can extend your living space and add value to your home. To help you plan out your project, read on for insights into what you can get for your budget.
Building an outdoor kitchen costs between $33 and $130 per square foot. Most outdoor kitchens are 100 to 400 square feet to accommodate a cooking, prep, and dining area. In general, the larger your outdoor kitchen’s footprint, the more it will cost.
| Outdoor Kitchen Size (Square Feet) | Cost |
|---|---|
| 100 | $3,300-$13,000 |
| 200 | $6,600–$26,000 |
| 300 | $9,900-$39,000 |
| 400 | $13,200-$52,000 |
With all the various elements of an outdoor kitchen, it can be tricky to see the big picture. Imagine, instead, the cost of an outdoor kitchen by its average size.
An outdoor kitchenette costs between $3,200 and $10,000 on average and measure about 100 square feet or less. Unlike a full outdoor kitchen, you'll just pay for a grill, a small counter area, and perhaps a simple sink.
Small outdoor kitchens range anywhere from 100 to 200 square feet and cost between $3,200 and $30,000. The wider scope accounts for what you choose to do with the extra space. There is now room for large counters, appliances such as a dishwasher, and a larger range.
For between $8,000 and $50,000, picture an outdoor kitchen area between 200 and 400 square feet. The most expansive space can fit a U-shaped or curved countertop, a bar, multiple appliances, and a mid-sized dining area. You'll pay a bit more for additional framing, flooring, and finishing materials in the larger kitchen prep area.
Outdoor kitchens over 400 square feet are considered quite large and cost upwards of $16,000 at a minimum. Make way for more cabinetry, a large grill, a countertop prep space, and plenty of room for a dining setup. Add a pergola or similar covering over part or all of the area to use in any weather.
Your outdoor kitchen contractor may charge a daily rate of $300 to $500 per day or a total of $3,300 to $6,400 in labor fees for the project. In addition to the contractor, you may need to hire an electrician to set up wiring to your kitchen. Expect to pay an electrician $50 to $150 per hour, or $350 to $2,000 in total.
| Location | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Boston, MA | $10,000 |
| New York, NY | $11,200 |
| Miami, FL | $12,500 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $19,700 |
| Houston, TX | $17,300 |
| Chicago, IL | $20,000 |
As we noted in the chart above, where you live will play a role in the cost of your outdoor kitchen installation. The cost of living, availability of materials, and general demand for local contractors affect the price.
Additionally, location can affect the price depending on where you place the kitchen itself. The closer the kitchen sits to your home and all its helpful hookups, the less it will cost. For example, an average outdoor kitchen attached to the perimeter of your home will cost between $90 and $120 per square foot, whereas a satellite kitchen of the same size will cost $110 to $130.
Many variables can raise or lower the price of your outdoor kitchen. Everything from framework to flooring and countertop materials can affect your budget by thousands.
Adding an outdoor kitchen—while not contained by the four walls of your home—still requires a framework, including:
Surrounding walls or overhead enclosure
Tiles or wood flooring
Countertop framework
Structural support for the appliances
Unlike your indoor kitchen, the foundational materials must stand up against the elements. When choosing the framework, you have the option of prefab and modular outdoor kitchens instead of a custom design. While similar, prefabricated kitchen framing costs between $200 and $500 per linear foot, depending on the material used. For a bit more money, you can also purchase modular kitchen kits that are built of engineered concrete, are easy to install yourself, and can hold traditional finishing materials.
Frameworks are made of wood, steel, or aluminum and cost between $200 and $800 per linear foot. Within each category, you'll have budget-friendly options such as prefabricated wood framing and pricier options such as highly durable steel.
| Material | Price Range (by Linear Foot) |
|---|---|
| Wood | $200 – $600 |
| Aluminum | $200 – $600 |
| Steel | $300 – $800 |
While many homeowners place their outdoor kitchens on existing porches and patios, you may need to start from scratch. Both a traditional patio and a properly built deck can hold most outdoor kitchens. If you opt for decking, the design must be able to bear the weight of the kitchen and hold up against the heat of the grill.
Whichever you choose, here are some common per-square-foot patio prices and the cost to build a deck.
| Material | Cost (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Gravel | $1 – $4 |
| Concrete | $3 – $8 |
| Brick pavers | $8 – $25 |
| Natural stone | $3 – $35 |
| Permeable pavers | $10 – $30 |
| Decking | $30 – $60 |
Don't forget that you'll need a spot to lay out the burgers and shuck the corn on the cob. You may also choose to install countertops for a bartop dining area. There are only a few restrictions on the type of countertop material you can use outdoors. Marble, laminate, and quartz are not ideal when exposed to the elements, so it is best to avoid those materials. You may also need to seal certain countertop types, such as granite and wood, to protect them from rain, sun, and general outdoor wear and tear.
Here's what you can expect from the cost of countertop materials ideal for the outdoors:
| Material | Cost (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Wood | $18 – $38 |
| Corian | $20 – $75 |
| Stainless Steel | $60 – $100 |
| Granite | $15 – $140 |
| Concrete | $70 – $140 |
| Soapstone | $60 – $185 |
When choosing appliances, the sky's the limit, as is how much you want to spend. Keep in mind that you'll pay for both the appliance itself and the cost to hook it up to new or existing utilities.
On average, you'll pay between $1,500 and $7,000 for all your appliances, but totals can range into the tens of thousands.
Grills cost anywhere from $100 to $5,000. Choose between a built-in or freestanding grill, a propane or natural gas grill, or those with special smoker capabilities.
Additional outdoor kitchen appliances include:
Refrigerator: $400–$4,000
Dishwasher: $400–$2,000
Wine cooler: $400–$2,000
Pizza oven: $800–$2,000
Garbage disposal: $100–$1,100
Ice maker: $300–$2,000
The cost to install a new sink in your outdoor kitchen will range from $215 to $630, depending on how far it is from the existing plumbing on your home. Included in this price is the cost to lay new pipes, which ranges from $0.50 to $8 per linear foot for the materials and an average of $330 an hour for labor. As you can imagine, installing an outdoor kitchen very far from the house can really increase the final price tag.
As you're considering an outdoor kitchen, remember that all these extra appliances and lighting fixtures will require access to dedicated outlets. Installing a new GFCI outlet, for example, costs between $75 and $500. However, outdoor outlets placed further away from your home can cost up to $1,400 to account for the extra waterproof safety equipment.
As the sun shifts and sudden afternoon rain showers threaten to break up your party, an awning or pergola can really come in handy. For an outdoor kitchen attached to the side of your home, the cost of installing an awning will add about $2,800 to your total. You can also build a more permanent structure for sun protection and a place to grow your favorite climbing plants. Pergolas cost between $2,100 and $6,100, depending on whether they are custom or pre-built.
It's nearly impossible to think of all the small upgrades you can add to your outdoor kitchen. In addition to the major players we listed above, consider the prices of these outdoor living space add-ons:
Dining furniture sets: $300–$5,000
Outdoor fireplace: $1,500–$20,000
Fire pit: $200–$3,000
Outdoor heater: $100–$300
Outdoor ceiling fan installation: $70–$4,000
Light up your kitchen by adding an average of $260 per outdoor light for professional installation to your budget. However, you can also save some money by installing a light fixture yourself. Budget between $500 and $3,000 for your full outdoor kitchen lighting design, depending on how much you plan to host outside in the evenings.
Several stages of the outdoor kitchen process may require the cost of local building permits. A deck or patio permit can cost between $220 and $500, for example, while plumbing permits range from $50 to $500. In general, outdoor projects add an average of $250 to $2,000 in total for permits alone.
When you opt for durable materials, maintaining your outdoor kitchen should be less of a headache. You may, for example, just need to reseal or clean your patio every two to three years for between $300 and $500. Or if you choose to install granite countertops, budget between $170 and $350 for the cost to seal the countertops.
However, keep in mind that most counter, flooring, and finishing materials will require more care than they would indoors. You must winterize your outdoor faucets, countertops, and seating area to protect them from snow, salt, and freezing temperatures.
By opting to DIY your outdoor kitchen, you can save 20% to 40% of the cost by not hiring a local outdoor kitchen contractor, which translates to $1,500 to $6,000 in labor fees.
While you’ll need to hire a local plumber, electrician near you, and appliance installer to run gas, water, and electrical lines and install appliances, you can put in shelving and tackle the kitchen framework if you have enough experience. You can also paint outdoor furniture yourself.
If you feel confident installing an outdoor kitchen yourself, include the cost of:
Materials
Tools and hardware
Safety equipment
Building permits
Necessary licensed contractors
If the average outdoor kitchen cost looks a bit daunting, keep in mind that this is a very versatile project. You can lower the costs of a new kitchen by:
Installing your kitchen on an existing porch or patio.
Placing the kitchen close to your house.
Consider prefab or modular kitchen framing.
DIYing portions of your installation (that do not require a licensed contractor)
Work with existing electrical, gas, and plumbing connections.
Hire a general contractor off-season, in the winter if weather permits.
Place your kitchen close to existing light fixtures.
One of the benefits of an outdoor kitchen is that it can add value to your home, increasing your home’s monetary value by between 60% and 100% of the money you put into it. That makes an outdoor kitchen one of the highest return on investment (ROI) home projects. However, since outdoor kitchens significantly redesign your backyard, be sure that you will use your outdoor kitchen on a regular basis to justify the short-term cost if you’re not planning to sell anytime soon.
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You can build an outdoor kitchen on a deck, but you should choose composite decking since it's more heat-resistant. Metal deck materials like steel and aluminum are also good choices because they're less flammable than wood. You should also consider the weight of the kitchen—make sure your deck can support it and any appliances you plan to use. You should consult a structural engineer to confirm exactly how much weight your deck can safely support when building an outdoor kitchen.
You don't always need a vent hood for an outdoor kitchen, although one is highly recommended if the outdoor kitchen is situated under a covered structure with a ceiling. Examples include pergolas, porches, or lanais. Smoke and grease should be vented away to avoid damaging the structure. However, if your outdoor kitchen is open to the elements, a vent hood is not necessary.
Yes, if you live in an area that gets cold during the winter. In the fall, turn off the gas to the grill, unplug and cover the appliances, shut off and drain the water lines, clean the sink, remove the faucet, and seal the cabinets. Consider these steps essential to maintaining your outdoor kitchen.
