How Much Should an Outdoor Kitchen Cost with 6 Examples

Want to install an outdoor kitchen and curious about the costs? An outdoor kitchen can be a perfect spot to entertain friends and family and upgrade any backyard.

But, between appliances, countertops, cabinets, and labor, there are many variables when it comes to estimates.

On average, outdoor kitchen installations cost anywhere between $5000-$30,000.

Having an idea of the scope of your job can be a good starting point. How large will the outdoor kitchen be? Where will the outdoor kitchen be located? Will you need to run electricity, water lines, and or gas lines to the location?

Even the most basic prefab outdoor kitchens can run $3,000-$5,000 dollars. Here are some examples of costs encountered and what you should expect to pay.

Outdoor Kitchen Flooring

A standard feature of almost any outdoor kitchen is the flooring. When it comes to styles and materials, there is quite a bit to choose from. Keep safety in mind when choosing flooring options.

Some styles that can be slippery, like glazed tile, should be avoided. Additionally, some types of tiles are more prone to damage. So, factor in repairs. 

When it comes to materials, costs can vary heavily.  Here are some popular options and what your should expect to pay:

• Poured Concrete Slab Patio—A professionally poured concrete slab can be installed for around $5-$25 per square foot.
• Stone Paver Patio—Durable stone can run you around $20-30 per square foot. 
• Wood Deck-Building a deck to house your outdoor kitchen can cost between $30-$60 per square foot.

Outdoor Kitchen Grills

The centerpiece of any outdoor kitchen is a grill. For most outdoor cooking areas, the grill gets the most use and attention. This is an area you don’t want to be cheap on.

If your grill isn’t easy to use, you may not use the outdoor kitchen much at all. Grills come in different sizes, so consider your family size and how often you will be entertaining. Don’t get a very large grill if you rarely have company over.

There are many different grill options for outdoor spaces and it can be overwhelming at first. You obviously have the choice between charcoal, electric, or propane as your heat source. But, you may also consider:

• Smokers
• Upright grills
• Barrel grills
• Outdoor Griddles

Additionally, you may opt for either a standalone grill or a built-in/drop-in grill. While costs for the grills themselves are similar—around $1,000 to $3,000—labor and installation for the drop-in style should be considered. This can be an additional $500 or more if it needs to be hooked up to electric or gas lines.

Built-in grills have the advantage of working with your kitchen design more seamlessly and making your outdoor kitchen look fabulous.

Standalone grills have the advantage of not only being cheaper but also easier to install. They have the capacity to be moved when necessary. Additionally, you may not need to run gas or electric lines to a standalone grill, offsetting a lot of the built-in grill’s costs.

Outdoor Kitchen Cabinet Frames

Outdoor kitchen frames are most commonly made from the three materials below. Each has its pros and cons but each is chosen for to the overall aesthetic the homeowner wants.

• Wood Framing– $5 – $30 per linear foot
• Metal framework – $45- $45 per linear foot
• Masonry framework – $6-30 per square foot, Stone veneer lowest, natural stone highest

Polymer is another option, although not as common as the other three listed above. 

Each material provides for beautiful designs that adhere to your styles and tastes. Choosing which one is best for you will be the hardest part. From there, you will be able to create your unique kitchen. Here is more information about each to help you ease your decision.

Outdoor Kitchen Counters

Countertops for your outdoor kitchen will boil down to aesthetics and budget.

Make considerations for food prep areas, space for appliances, and room for things like sinks. Keep in mind that counters can really bring the feel of a kitchen to an outdoor space.

Much like flooring, the average cost of countertops varies based on material and area covered.

Here are some popular kitchen counter options:

• Granite – $60-$80 per square foot
• Stone (bluestone or soapstone) – $250 per linear foot
• Tile – $10-$25
• Concrete – $50-$60 professionally installed, DIY concrete counter $200-$500 total.

Some materials are more durable than others. When dealing with a high-trafficked area, you should also consider repair costs down the line. Things like tile can be replaced quite easily, granite on the other hand can be more costly to repair. 

Sinks

If you opt to have a sink installed, expect to tack on another $200-$1000. Costs vary so much because plumbing (water and drain line) can be challenging to run for an outdoor kitchen sink. Especially so if the area is far removed from the nearest point in your house.

You can choose between:

• Undermount sinks
• Top-mount sinks

Both sinks will cost between $150-$400. The difference in costs are how they are installed.

A top mounted sink is simply dropped in a hole cut into the countertop. An undermount sink has to be attached underneath the countertop and requires a finished countertop edge on top. Finishing a countertop sink hole, such as granite, requires more labor than an unfinished cut hole.

Keep in mind costs like labor, water lines, and plumbing need to be added to the cost of installing the sink. 

Other Appliances

If you’re planning an outdoor kitchen that has more than a grill and sink, think about what kind of features you want from your outdoor space. Consider what kinds of meals you want to cook outside. Will you need a fridge? Outdoor pot burner? Each piece will add to the overall cost of your outdoor kitchen.

A refrigerator is undoubtedly a standard piece of an outdoor kitchen. Having ice cold beverages at hand and not going back and forth in the house to get ingredients for the grill is two of the biggest pros for an outdoor fridge.

Some kitchen spaces even have more than one fridge.

Fridges will vary in size and price:

• Small mini-fridge(under 3 cu. ft.)—$300-$700
• Larger outdoor fridge (5 cu. ft.+)—$600+

You also may want to add a few burners to your kitchen. Adding an outdoor stovetop can help expand your cooking space and allow for more meals to be prepared outside. Generally, one and two burner units are used in outdoor spaces.

You may also consider full-size ranges or specialty items like a flat top griddle which is all the rage now. For one and two burner units, prices range from $500-$3,000.

Power, Gas, and Water

In addition to the costs of appliances, flooring, and countertops, you’ll need to consider providing gas, power, and water to your kitchen.

These costs will be upfront in your outdoor kitchen construction, as well as the added consumption to your utility bills. You may be able to get away without utilities for a basic outdoor kitchen, but that will leave you with very little choices.

Here are some averages when it comes to adding utilities:

• Plumbing—Plumbing will be necessary if you intend to install a sink or other appliances that need water to function. Average costs for plumbing range between $350-$1700.
• Electricity—You will need to find a licensed electrician to handle your electrical work. At an average of around $70 per hour, a quality electrical contractor can finish an outdoor kitchen in around 10 hours. Dependant on how far he has to extend the electrical lines.
• Gas lines—Running new gas lines will run your $15-$35 per linear foot if you already have gas service to your house.

You will also need to factor in the cost of the general contractor. They take care of things like installing brickwork and flooring and handle all the necessary permitting. Contractors generally charge per project. You should expect to pay $3,000-$10,000 for an outdoor kitchen. 

For specialty jobs, you will need to find quality electricians and plumbers. This kind of work tends to be the source of headaches down the line.

Because this is an outdoor space and subject to the elements, quality work is necessary for longevity.

Outdoor Kitchen Enclosures

Technically you don’t need an enclosure to build an outdoor kitchen, but, keeping your kitchen out of the elements will enhance your usage and longevity of the materials.

Here in Florida, there’s simply no way we can enjoy using our outdoor kitchen without a pergola to hide us from the brutal sun. When it’s rainy, we can still use our space without worrying about getting drenched.

As with all the other costs, the type of enclosure you choose will dictate how expensive it will be. Here are a few of the most popular outdoor kitchen enclosures. Each of the items listed below can be made with wood, aluminum, vinyl or metal.

• Shade Sail – lowest cost $100-$500 but not water resistant
• Retractable Awning – between $1k-$5k but limited in size
• Lean-To-Roof – $1k to $3k based on size but also limited by roof angle if attached to house
• Gable Roof – $3k-$15k
• Pergola – $1k-$6k but not water resistant without a solid covering
• Louvered Roof – $4k-$20k with movable louvers to be water resistant when closed.

Wrapping Up

Prices for an outdoor kitchen can vary. You will need to consider appliance costs and factor in contractor and specialist work. Location can also play a role in how much your kitchen will cost.

Picking an area close to a wall is your best bet to save money. Regardless of how elaborate your outdoor kitchen you want, you can expect plenty of nights outside enjoying your new space.