How Much Does It Cost To Have an Outdoor Kitchen Installed?
Installing an outdoor kitchen can be a great choice to improve your backyard living space and entertainment options. However, it’s common to wonder what it costs to install an outdoor kitchen, if it’s worth the price, and what factors can add expenses. Most homeowners find that adding outdoor cooking space enhances both their lifestyle and property value.
How much does an outdoor kitchen cost? We’ve built this guide to help in your decision-making process. We’ll break down average costs, factors to consider, and tips to ensure your project is as successful as possible.
Average Outdoor Kitchen Installation Costs
First, let’s review the average outdoor kitchen costs to give you a ballpark range to expect.
What’s the National Average Cost for an Outdoor Kitchen?
National average costs for outdoor kitchens will vary quite a bit since there are so many different features that one can include. The overall national average range is between $5,000 and $100,000 or more. To give you a better estimate for different types of setups:
- Basic setups with simple grills and amenities often range between $5,000 and $15,000.
- Mid-range setups with better materials and a few extra features range between $15,000 and $30,000.
- High-end setups with luxury appliances and additional entertainment features range between $30,000 and $100,000+. For high-end finishes, materials like square foot natural stone or brick veneer significantly increase overall pricing.
How Much Should I Budget for an Outdoor Kitchen?
The budget you should set for an outdoor kitchen depends on the features you want and how much you have available to spend. It’s important to remember not to overextend your budget, but it’s worth investing in some higher-end amenities if you have the means to do so, since it’ll help you enjoy your space more and you’ll likely want to use it more often.
At Skyview USA, we offer affordable luxury options starting at $17.9K, and we can help work with your budget to find features and amenities that are best for you. We also offer financing options to help make the initial investment more manageable. You may even consider including features that mirror your indoor kitchen for a seamless aesthetic.
What Factors Affect Outdoor Kitchen Project Costs?
Several factors can influence the price to install an outdoor kitchen, including the size, complexity of the project, the outdoor appliances you want, and the materials used.
How Does Kitchen Size Impact the Price Per Square Foot?
Ultimately, larger outdoor kitchens will cost more to install since you need more materials, and it increases labor time. On average, costs per square foot are between $150 and $600. If you choose a more basic setup, it’ll be on the lower end of that range, whereas higher-end setups will be more costly per square foot. Using square foot brick pavers for the surrounding area can elevate aesthetics and add to total costs.
Perimeter Kitchen vs. Satellite Kitchen: Which Costs More?
Perimeter kitchens will typically cost less since they might use existing walls and coverings from the home (decreasing materials needed) and are closer to the home to make utility installations easier. Meanwhile, satellite kitchens will cost more since they’re completely separate from the house and require sturdy builds to ensure they can function self-sufficiently. Leveraging an existing patio can reduce construction time and material expenses.
Breaking Down Outdoor Kitchen Costs by Component
As mentioned, component costs can vary too, such as the outdoor appliances you want or the materials used.
How Much Do Outdoor Appliances Cost?
Average costs for common outdoor appliances are:
- Outdoor sink: The average outdoor sink costs between $215 and $630 to install, including costs to lay pipes and labor involved in installation.
- Built-in outdoor grill: Average costs for a built-in outdoor grill will range between $1,000 and $10,000. The price varies a lot depending on the size of the grill and the features it has. For example, a basic 30-inch grill will be on the lower end, while a huge 60-inch stainless steel grill will be on the high end.
- Pizza oven: The typical cost to install a high-end outdoor pizza oven is between $5,000 and $15,000, including the materials, labor, and costs to install utility connections (gas lines, electrical, etc.).
What Do Materials Cost per Square Foot? (Granite Countertops, Natural Stone, Brick Veneer)
Materials are also important to consider. It’s usually a good idea to invest in durable materials that will hold up against the outdoor elements and last longer. Some common options and their costs are:
- Granite countertops: Most granite countertops will cost $50 to $200 per square foot, with higher-end options being more expensive.
- Natural stone: Similar to granite, natural stone elements will cost around $40 to $200 per square foot.
- Brick veneer: Brick veneer is usually about $9 to $25 per square foot, but the associated labor costs can vary depending on the height of the walls you’re installing it on and the complexity of installation.
Hidden Costs When Building an Outdoor Kitchen
One of the significant hidden costs you may encounter when building an outdoor kitchen is installing utilities and connections. Installing gas lines, water lines, electrical lines, etc., all require skilled labor and detailed processes to ensure they’re done right. Installing each of those can cost $2,000 to $5,000 or more.
Those costs will typically increase the further away your kitchen is from your property, since the piping or electrical lines will need to be longer.
Do I Need a Permit for an Outdoor Kitchen?
In general, most areas will require permits for outdoor kitchen installations that involve structural, mechanical, or electrical work. There may be fees involved when applying for permits, and it’s important to submit detailed project plans to ensure the process goes smoothly.
Fortunately, professional installers such as our team at Skyview USA can make the process a lot easier by performing research on local permitting needs, submitting detailed project plans for you, and ensuring all local building codes are followed during installation.
Modular Outdoor Kitchens vs. Custom Built: Which Costs Less?
Modular outdoor kitchens using prefab components will usually be less expensive since there are fewer design needs and installation is generally less complex. However, it can be worth investing in custom builds if you have the means to do so, since it can help you achieve the exact design and layout you want for a more personalized experience.
Does an Outdoor Kitchen Increase House Value?
Adding a premium outdoor kitchen space can increase house value. Research from Zillow found that a basic outdoor kitchen can increase property values by about 1.7%, and when you add luxury features, it increases home values even more. Some examples of high-end features that are in demand include:
- Outdoor TVs (3.1% increase in property values)
- Matte black finishes (2.9% increase)
- Beverage center (2.4% increase)
- Pizza oven (1.9% increase)
- Quartz countertops (1.7% increase)
In total, adding several luxury features can increase property values by up to 10-15% providing a great return on investment.
Should You Hire an Experienced Contractor for Outdoor Kitchen Installation?
While you may consider doing a DIY home improvement project to reduce labor costs, it usually isn’t the best idea to take on a complex project like this on your own.
For example, installing walls or attaching structural components to your property could damage your home or lead to serious safety concerns if it’s done wrong. It can also make it hard to sell your home later on if the installation doesn’t meet proper building codes. So, anyone without a lot of carpentry or construction experience should avoid attempting this by themselves.
Working on other components, such as gas lines or electrical lines, also isn’t advisable for anyone who isn’t highly trained, since it’s a potentially dangerous task when done wrong.
It’s usually best for most people to have their outdoor kitchen professionally installed to ensure it’s safe, meets building codes, and gets done as efficiently as possible, so you can use your new outdoor space sooner.
What’s Included in Professional Installation?
When you work with our team at Skyview USA, we offer a complete stress-free experience when installing luxury outdoor kitchens. Our process includes:
- An initial consultation to learn about your needs and outdoor space
- Preparation of a personalized design that works within your budget
- Research on permitting requirements in your area and submission of project plans for approval
- Creating a full schedule of when the project will begin and how long it’ll take
- Construction performed with high-quality standards that adhere to all local building codes
- Detailed inspections to ensure safety
- Regular communication throughout the process to assist with any questions or concerns
Want to learn more about how Skyview Detroit can help? Contact us today to set up a consultation and see how we can help you design your dream outdoor space.
