What Is The Average Cost Of An Outdoor Kitchen?

For those of you who love to cook outdoors, whether that's in a pizza oven, on the grill, or over an open pit then you might be interested in building your very own outdoor kitchen.

Not can an outdoor kitchen add value to your home, but it can also add genuine enjoyment to your life!

Think of all the wonderful summer events you can host from your outdoor kitchen with all your friends and family.

There are many considerations when it comes to building an outdoor kitchen that may impact the costs such as the appliances you have there, whether or not you need plumbing lines created, and how big of an outdoor kitchen you would like.

Luckily, in this article, we have done the work for you and have all the information you need regarding the cost of building an outdoor kitchen.

The Average Cost Of An Outdoor Kitchen

Research suggests that the national average cost for an outdoor kitchen is about $13,000, with prices ranging from $5,000 to $20,000+ depending on the specs and scope of the project.

It's important to note that the prices vary quite a bit based on a few different factors.

First of all, the number of appliances and accessories you wish to add to your set up is a huge driver of cost.  Obviously, a simple built-in grill and access door set up will cost quite a bit less than a fully integrated kitchen with a grill, side burner, trash drawer, storage drawers, etc.

Second, the brand name you choose to go with will also determine the price range of your kitchen.  Luxury outdoor kitchen brands that are made in the USA will cost more than mid-tier brands made overseas.

Finally, the area of the country you are in can determine how much your labor costs will be - contractors are more expensive in some areas than others.

How Big Does An Outdoor Kitchen Need To Be?

Planning is a key stage of getting the most from your money with an outdoor space such as this.

Considering how many people you expect to entertain with this space or how big of a meal you would usually cook is a great way to estimate how much space you’ll need for your ideal outdoor kitchen.

Another consideration you need to take into account is how much space you have in your backyard.

Are you willing to forfeit space usually marked for playtime or flowerbeds to get your new outdoor kitchen?

How Does Size Affect The Cost?

It’s not surprising that size is the biggest factor that influences the cost of an outdoor kitchen as this is typically true with many home improvements. The bigger something is, the more it usually will cost you.

To make it easier for you to understand what you can get for your money, we’ve broken down the average cost per square foot for different size backyards. These prices are based on lower-end and higher-end style kitchens.

• Small kitchen (100 square feet): $3,250-10,000
• Medium kitchen (300 square feet): $9,750-30,000
• Large kitchen (400 square feet): $13,000-40,000

Appliances

Chances are if you are looking to build an outdoor kitchen, you probably already own a grill. If you are starting from scratch then a grill, barbecue or oven is an essential element in your kitchen.

You need to figure out what kinds of things you’re going to be cooking and what you need from your outdoor cooking appliances.

Wood-fired pizza ovens have exploded in popularity over the last few years and are commonly found in outdoor kitchens.

Other appliances that are commonly found in outdoor kitchens include warming drawers, trash compactors, and refrigerators.

If you’re on a budget you might want to skip the warming drawer and focus on a refrigerator or wash station.

Countertops

It’s pretty obvious that you’re going to need some worktops to prepare your food, so they need to be functional.

Picking the right countertop for your climate is also essential.

Cabinets

Outdoor kitchens don’t necessarily need to be made up of cabinets as there are some steel bench options or removable modular concepts.

On the whole, concrete, stainless steel, corten steel, and vitreous enamel are heat and scratch-resistant, as well as being able to withstand all the elements.

Other Costs

Framing, finishing, and landscaping are all extra costs that you need to consider when building an outdoor kitchen.

Not every outdoor kitchen has framing especially if it’s small, but it can be a great way to define the space.

Landscaping can be done further down the line, but if there is room in your budget it can be a great way to finish off the space with some foliage and shrubbery that help to keep the kitchen space separate from the rest of the garden.

How To Build An Outdoor Kitchen On A Budget

If you’re working on a tight budget there are various things you can do to cut costs.

Modular and prefabricated outdoor kitchens have become increasingly popular in recent years - and for good reason!

While customization options are limited with these types of products, you can get quite a bit of functionality at a much cheaper cost than a fully custom outdoor kitchen.

Final Thoughts

Building an outdoor kitchen is a big task, but it is a reward that is well worth it. With the right planning, you can have the outdoor kitchen of your dreams no matter what your budget is.

Need help deciding which direction you want to go with your project?  Reach out to us and one of our experts will be happy to help!