Here's How Much It Could Cost You To Add A Kitchen To Your Outdoor Living Space

One of the most popular backyard features around is an outdoor kitchen. Perfect for summer family gatherings and entertaining in the fresh air, these areas can range from a small 100-square-foot space with a grill to a huge backyard cooking and preparation area fully equipped with an oven and high-end stainless steel appliances.

The average cost to build an outdoor kitchen is $15,963, which can be pricey for a space that you may not use year-round. But there are outdoor kitchens available for smaller budgets as well. The total cost can range from as little as $3,200 to as much as $55,000, depending on many factors, including the type of flooring you select, appliances, and whether you do any of the work yourself. If you opt for luxury appliances and flooring, that will quickly drive up the cost. For most homeowners, however, the investment is worth it, as an outdoor kitchen can add to a home's value.

The first factor that goes into determining the cost of an outdoor kitchen is the size. Most range from 100 square feet to 400 square feet. It costs between $33 and $130 per square foot to construct an outdoor kitchen. Materials make up about 60-80% of the cost while labor is approximately 20-40%. The framework of the walls and ceiling of the outdoor kitchen cost between $200-$800 per linear foot. Wood is on the cheaper end while steel is more expensive.

Flooring runs anywhere from $1 per square foot for gravel to $60 a square foot for decking material. With medium to large-sized outdoor kitchens, you'll need countertops. These range from $18 a square foot for wood to $185 for natural soapstone. As far as labor costs, a general contractor will cost $50 to $150 an hour to install your kitchen. You can figure $45 to $150 an hour for a plumber, and an electrician will usually charge $50-$130 an hour. If you need a permit for your outdoor kitchen, you can figure on spending anywhere from $200-$600.

The total cost of your outdoor kitchen will depend on what features you add. Most outdoor kitchens feature a grill. These range from $150 to $6,000, depending on what type of grill you choose. A professional multi-burner grill will run on the higher end. Pizza ovens are becoming a popular outdoor kitchen feature as well. These add $800 to $2000 to the total cost of your kitchen. Another sought-after newer element is a wine cooler, which can cost between $400 and $2,000.

If you decide to add a fireplace or a fire pit to your outdoor kitchen, that will also drive up the cost. Firepits are the more affordable option and start at $300. But stylish stone firepits can cost much more. If you go with a fireplace, you are looking at anywhere from $1500 up to $20,000. As far as appliances go, if you add a refrigerator, figure on spending between $400 to $4000. A dishwasher is another convenient appliance to have in your outdoor kitchen, but range from $400 to $2000. A sink is yet another option, and you can figure on spending between $225 to $1700 for that. Just how well-equipped you want your outdoor kitchen to be will determine its final price tag.