Outdoor Kitchen Budget Guide - 5 Things to Consider
Budget is arguably the most important aspect to consider when planning your outdoor kitchen. It determines the size of your kitchen, how many guests you can host, how many appliances you can buy…everything comes back to your budget!
We’ll go over what your kitchen might look like for three different budgets:
- Less than $10,000
- $10,000 - $30,000
- $30,000+
Then we’ll give you some advice on how to account for all your expenses and conduct a smooth outdoor kitchen project.
How much are you willing to spend?
The first thing you need to do is decide how much you want to spend. From there, you can unpack the costs of material, appliances, labor, and the like.
Keep in mind that the values provided in this article are estimates. The exact price depends on where you live, material quality, and the quality and availability of contractors in your area, among other factors.
You can use the values in this article to get a rough estimate of your outdoor kitchen cost. But be sure to determine the exact price for labor, materials, appliances, and the like for your specific outdoor project. Then run your numbers again.
Less than $10,000 - 100 square feet or less
Outdoor Kitchen Costs (not including labor)
- Outdoor range hood - $1,500-$3,000
- Built-in outdoor gas grill - $1,000-$3,000
- Granite countertops - $40-$60 per square foot
In small-budget outdoor kitchens, you’ll typically have a one-wall kitchen. That is you have one counter with your grill and hood along with some space to prep food.
Most counters are 24 inches or two feet deep. In a <$10k kitchen with the above furnishings, you might have eight feet of counter space.
8 ft. * 2 ft. = 16 square feet. $50 per square foot * 16 square feet = $800.
Depending on the exact budget, some people may be able to afford one extra feature, like a sink, side burner, or mini-fridge.
Labor Costs
- Range hood: $300-$500, not including ductwork
- Outdoor gas grill: $150-$450, built-in may be slightly higher around $300-$600
- Granite countertops: $35-$85 per hour, about $200-$400 total depending on the project
$10,000 - $30,000 - 100 to 400 square feet
Mid-tier outdoor kitchens can be one-wall, L, or U-shaped. They aren’t quite as decked out as $30,000+ outdoor kitchens but create a functional and beautiful space.
Outdoor Kitchen Costs (not including labor)
- Outdoor range hood - $1,500-$3,000
- Built-in outdoor gas grill - $1,000-$3,000
- Granite countertops - $40-$60 per square foot ($1,000 to $2,000 depending on how much space you want)
- Stone veneer - $5-$10 per square foot
- Outdoor sink - around $100 for a small stainless steel sink, $225 to $600 including labor
- Ceramic or porcelain tile backsplash - $2-$3 per square foot
- Outdoor refrigerator - $300 to $3,000
- Stainless steel cabinets - $500 to $5,000
Labor Costs
- Range hood: $300-$500, not including ductwork
- Outdoor gas grill: $150-$450, built-in may be slightly higher around $300-$600
- Granite countertops: $35-$85 per hour, about $200-$400 total depending on the project
- Stone veneer - about $4 to $10 per square foot depending on the contractor
- Outdoor sink - about $200 to $400
- Tile backsplash - $40 to $60 per hour, $500 to $800 depending on the project
- Outdoor refrigerator - $100 to $300, often included with delivery. Built-in fridges can cost $500 to $1,000 to install
- Stainless steel cabinets - $100 to $500 depending on the size of the cabinet set
$30,000+ - 400 square feet
Outdoor Kitchen Costs (not including labor)
With $30,000+, you can consider a quality outdoor cover, natural stone siding, and high-end appliances like stainless steel pizza ovens. And of course, your kitchen can be quite larger to accommodate more guests.
- 10x10 outdoor cover: pergola, gazebo, roof extension, etc. - $2000-$6000
- Covers can cost up to $30,000 depending on the size and material
- Marble or stainless steel tile backsplash - $7-$20 per square foot
- Outdoor range hood - $1,500-$3,000
- High-end built-in outdoor gas grill - $3,000-$10,000
- Granite countertops - $40-$60 per square foot
- Natural stone siding - $30-$50 per square foot
- OR custom cabinetry - $500-$1,500 per linear foot
- Outdoor sink - around $200 to $500 for a mid-size sink
- Outdoor refrigerator - $300 to $3,000
- Stainless steel pizza oven - $1,000-$5,000
Labor Costs
- Range hood: $300-$500, not including ductwork
- Outdoor gas grill: $150-$450, built-in may be slightly higher around $300-$600
- Granite countertops: $35-$85 per hour, about $200-$400 total depending on the project
- Stone veneer - about $4 to $10 per square foot depending on the contractor
- Outdoor sink - about $200 to $400
- Tile backsplash - $40 to $60 per hour, $500 to $800 depending on the project
- Outdoor refrigerator - $100 to $300, often included with delivery. Built-in fridges can cost $500 to $1,000 to install
- Stainless steel cabinets - $100 to $500 depending on the size of the cabinet set
- Natural stone siding: $500 to $1,000 depending on the size of the project
- Custom cabinets - $80-$190 per cabinet depending on the size, material, and contractor’s rates
Account for all expenses.
When calculating your budget, you don’t want to leave out any expenses. You could end up in a tough spot if you don’t have enough funds to finish your project. Your budget will differ depending on your area and the contractors you have available. Here are some general pricing guidelines for all your potential outdoor kitchen expenses.
Outdoor Cover
The price of your outdoor cover varies depending on the type of cover you want. Gazebos and pergolas are pretty similar, at around $3,000-$6,000 for a 10x10 foot cover. Large covers can reach up to $30k. Awnings are a little cheaper than pergolas at around $1,000 to $3,000.
Countertops
Countertop prices vary widely depending on the material. Laminate, granite, and ceramic porcelain are on the cheaper end, while stainless steel and marble are more expensive. Here’s a full breakdown of countertop material pricing.
Cabinets
Cabinets fall under three main pricing categories. The cheapest are ready-to-assemble cabinets. These range between about $100 and $500 per linear foot. The next tier is semi-custom cabinets, which can range from about $100 to $1,000 per linear foot. Fully custom cabinets round out this list. They range from $500 to $1,500 per linear foot.
Furniture
You might consider buying couches, chairs, and tables for your outdoor kitchen. A small kitchen might invest just a couple hundred dollars, while larger kitchens may spend $1,000 or more.
Appliances
You have a wide range of options for appliances in your outdoor kitchen. Popular appliances include refrigerators, freezers, and pizza ovens. Remember to account for the cost of the appliance as well as the installation. Check out the lists at the beginning of this article for more information on budgeting for specific appliances.
Landscaping
Depending on your setup, you might want to consider some landscaping. Something like a garden or just a few plants to add some color to your outdoor space. Unless you’re going after something ambitious, you can do the landscaping yourself.
Light fixtures, wall decor, and other small items - other finishing touches
Depending on how you want to decorate your space, you might invest a little money into lighting and wall decor. Don’t skip out on accounting for these items – even though they are small!
Labor
If you need a professional for delivery or installation services, this falls under your labor costs. Labor can be a significant percentage of your overall budget, so we encourage you to figure out what you can do yourself. More on that later!
Utilities
If you want water, gas, or electricity in your outdoor space, you might need to hire a professional to install access to these utilities. You’ll get natural gas if you install a gas grill, and water if you have a sink installed. Electricity will be tricky, especially if your outdoor kitchen is far away from your house. But you can always call up an electrician and talk to them about your plan.
You might want electricity to hook up your TV or run some electric appliances like griddles or blenders.
Related: Building an Outdoor Kitchen: What You Need to Know Before You Start
How much work will you do yourself?
If you’re on a tight budget, a great way to save money is to do more of the work yourself. When working with gas or electricity, it’s recommended that you hire a professional. If you’re not trained, you can get hurt. But painting and some appliance installations like your fridge or range hood can be done yourself.
Set aside an additional 10% of your budget for additional materials, potential emergencies, or setbacks.
Every project can have its setbacks. To reduce your stress in those situations, set aside extra money for emergencies or additional materials. It will give you peace of mind when a problem or two inevitably comes up.
Hopefully you have the tools to determine your outdoor kitchen budget. Did you find some inspiration in our kitchen photos?
Good luck with your project. Remember, you can never be too prepared when it comes to crunching numbers for your budget!
For more outdoor kitchen guidance, check out the articles below!