If you love to bask in the warm sunshine in your backyard, cooking mouthwatering delicacies, then an outdoor kitchen will help you a long way. If you are planning to build an outdoor kitchen, this article will be helpful. Here, we have provided a detailed breakdown of the different costs of building an outdoor kitchen. Besides this, you will also learn about different factors that can influence the total cost of building an outdoor kitchen in your backyard. 

How much does an Outdoor Kitchen cost?

The overall cost of building an outdoor kitchen can vary greatly. At the low-end, you can get an outdoor kitchen built for as low as USD 3,000 or less. However, if you choose to install luxurious setups then the overall cost of building an outdoor kitchen can be as high as USD 40,000. In reality, the only limit on cost is imposed by your imagination and your budget. 

Let’s take a look at the different ways you can calculate the total cost of building an outdoor kitchen:

By Size of Area:

The size of the proposed outdoor kitchen is the biggest factor that will influence the overall cost of constructing it. So, plan the kitchen’s size to accommodate the number of people you usually entertain.

For instance, the average cost of building an outdoor kitchen according to size is anywhere between USD 32.50 and USD 100 per square feet. So, on an average, the cost of building an outdoor kitchen according to size can be around:

• Small yard (100 sq. ft.) = USD 3,250 to USD 10,000 
• Medium yard (300 sq. ft.) = USD 9,750 to USD 30,000 
• Large yard (400 sq. ft.) = USD 13,000 to USD 40,000

By Materials used:

Finishing, framing and countertops are the three main elements of an outdoor kitchen. You will need to choose these according to the theme or style, depending on the climate and your budget. Here is a breakdown of the different materials used in constructing outdoor kitchen and how these can affect the overall budget. 

Framing can by bought pre-fabricated or as DIY. Pre-fab is less expensive. While aluminum and wooden framing can cost around USD 400 per linear foot, the cost of steel framing is around USD 550 per linear foot. 

Finishing costs depend on the individual materials used. Here’s a breakdown of the average cost of different finishing materials for an outdoor kitchen:

• Brick veneer = USD 9 to USD 15 per sq. ft. 
• Stucco = USD 5 to USD 7.50 per sq. ft.
• Natural stone = USD 20 to USD 37.50 per sq. ft. 
• Manufactured stone = USD 15 to USD 25 per sq. ft. 

Countertops are essential to complete the style and functioning of an outdoor kitchen. Make sure to choose a material that suits your region’s climate. Here’s a short breakdown of the costs of different materials for countertops in outdoor kitchens:

• Ceramic tile countertop = USD 5.62 to USD 46.30 per sq. ft. 
• Concrete countertop = USD 60 to USD 93 per sq. ft. 
• Granite countertop = USD 65 to USD 75 per sq. ft.
• Stainless Steel countertop = USD 72.59 to USD 97.76 per sq. ft. 

The Grill is another essential and expensive item you will need to install in your new outdoor kitchen. The average cost can be between USD 175 and USD 8,375 for an outdoor grill. The best way to choose a grill is to consider the number of people you entertain at a time and choose a good-quality model that will last long. 

Location is another factor that can affect the overall budget of building an outdoor kitchen. Landscaping experts, such as Eden, advise people to choose a spot for an outdoor kitchen in the backyard which is significantly close to the house. This way, you will not have to pay extra charges to run utility lines to the setup from a longer distance. You can also leave out the sink, fridge and side burner as these would be easily accessible in the house. Besides this, you should also consider the cost of new electric, gas and water lines which add to the overall cost of building an outdoor kitchen. 

Additional Expenses for Building an Outdoor Kitchen

There are other factors that can affect the overall cost of building an outdoor kitchen, such as:

Landscaping is a significantly essential part of building an outdoor kitchen in your backyard. The reason is that no outdoor eating area is complete without color and greenery. If you choose to go with a Tropical theme or a Mediterranean theme, then you will need to buy dwarf citrus trees in oversized glazed pots or may be a hanging herb or kitchen garden close-by. The average cost of landscaping around the outdoor kitchen is between USD 5 and USD 24 per square foot. 

Pergola is highly recommended to be installed above your outdoor kitchen for shade and serving as trellis for flowering vines. The overall cost of installing a pergola in your outdoor kitchen is around USD 2,215 and USD 8,959. 

Lighting is another essential aspect of building an outdoor kitchen in your backyard. Every outdoor area should have sufficient lighting, especially outdoor areas. The average cost of installing light fixtures in an outdoor kitchen is around USD 250 per light, or between USD 1,820 and USD 5,333 to install landscape lighting around the outdoor kitchen. 

DIY is an option that many people choose over hiring professional to build an outdoor kitchen. According to some estimates, the labor costs in outdoor kitchen building tend to comprise around 70% of the total bill. With this in mind, you should expect to pay around USD 3,950 to build a DIY outdoor kitchen in the backyard. 

Conclusion

The typical range for building an outdoor kitchen is between USD 5,057 and USD 17,276, while the national average is around USD 13,176. The most inexpensive and affordable outdoor kitchen can be built for around USD 2,875 while luxurious setups can cost around USD 40,000 or more.