Outdoor Kitchen Costs

The final piece of your perfect outdoor living space could be an outdoor kitchen. A basic outdoor cooking area usually includes a grill, patio, and countertop for prep and workspace. Other features, materials, or appliances will increase the cost of this project, depending on what you want to include. A standard outdoor kitchen isn’t terribly expensive, but a custom luxury design may cost significantly more.

Hiring a designer to complete the look of your space will incur an additional charge, but it can make the best use of the space and give you more features that you can utilize in your outdoor living area. There are also other considerations involved in pricing an outdoor kitchen project, depending on what you have in mind.

Building an outdoor kitchen: components, materials, and labor costs for a basic outdoor kitchen.

Other considerations and costs

• If you already have an outdoor patio space and are only adding the counters and cooking equipment, your costs will be significantly lower than constructing an entire outdoor space.
• Taxes and permits are not included in this estimate. Permit requirements vary by location, so check with your municipality before beginning a project.
• Consider installing your outdoor kitchen closer to your home, and preferably near existing electrical or plumbing connections that you may need. This will significantly reduce your installation cost and need for additional work.
• Don’t forget to calculate the cost of added utilities for using the outdoor kitchen space. These monthly expenses should be minimal, but that depends on your frequency of use.
• You can upgrade your outdoor space with a television or entertainment system for a premium cost. Consult with technicians that are familiar with outdoor entertainment installation to ensure that you buy approved electronics and get things installed properly.
• If you don’t already have a fire pit in your backyard, a kitchen installation might be a good time to add one. You’re already having concrete or stonework done, in most cases, so adding the firepit won’t be as expensive as if you do it as a standalone project.

DIY considerations

• Building an entire outdoor kitchen is not a DIY project. Even basic designs require some type of concrete work or carpentry, and there is usually at least one utility to run to the new space.
• If you are on a tight budget, you may be able to invest in a grill, gazebo or awning, and a few basic outdoor shelves or tables to create your own outdoor kitchen space for a lot less.

References

• Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2019.
• Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
• Literature review of DIY Web sites.