There are few things better than being able to spend time outdoors in your garden, kicking back with your friends and family while enjoying good food and having a few drinks.
You can do this with a basic barbeque in your backyard, or you can level up your garden with an outdoor kitchen.
Unfortunately, outdoor kitchens can quickly become very expensive to build.
Thankfully, we have a few helpful tips and tricks to help you build a stunning outdoor kitchen on a budget.
What Is The Average Cost Of Building An Outdoor Kitchen?
As with any construction or renovation project in your home, the overall cost is dependent on the finishes, size, and amount of appliances that you add to your design.
The average cost of building an outdoor kitchen is around $13,000.
However, don’t panic if this is way outside of your budget as prices can range from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on the size and finish of the kitchen.
For a more accurate estimate of the cost of the outdoor kitchen that you are planning, the average cost per square foot ranges from $32.50 to $100.
You can use this to create a more accurate budget for your kitchen.
It is important to remember that appliances are often the most expensive part of building an outdoor kitchen.
Basic Components Necessary For An Outdoor Kitchen
There are a few basic components that need to be incorporated into your kitchen design in order for it to be fully functional and a comfortable space to cook and hang out in.
Below are some basic things that you should consider when creating your plan for your kitchen.
Utilities
In order to elevate your outdoor cooking space from a simple barbeque area to an outdoor kitchen, you are going to need to hook up some utilities.
Water and electricity are always going to be must-haves to provide you with an area to wash your dishes and food, and with the ability to use plug-in appliances and lights.
If you are going to have appliances that require gas, such as a gas barbeque, you will also need a gas connection.
This is something that must be done by a professional due to the safety risks of working with gas.
The same should be applied to electric hookups.
This is one of the biggest costs associated with building an outdoor kitchen but it isn’t worth scrimping on having it done properly.
Flooring
Once you have sorted the utilities that are required for your kitchen, you may need to lay some flooring.
At the very least, you will need to repair the areas that were dug up to connect the utilities.
If you are building your kitchen in an area of your garden that already benefits from a smooth, nice floor, you can leave it as it is.
Although you don’t have to go all out with special flooring for your outdoor kitchen, it is a good idea to make sure that the floor is flat and smooth to minimize the risk of trips and falls around hot appliances.
Coverings
Having a cover over your outdoor kitchen is another area that can significantly contribute to the building costs.
If you live in a wetter area, you might want to consider spending money covering the entire area including seating so that you can use the kitchen all year round.
However, if you live somewhere with very little wet weather, you can opt for cheaper covering options such as parasols and awnings to provide shade rather than a permanent structure.
Storage And Surfaces
The storage and surfaces that you opt for are what really turn it from a barbeque into a full outdoor kitchen.
You will want to think carefully about the type of surface you have for your countertops.
The more hardwearing, the more expensive it will be, but this can be a worthwhile investment in the long run.
You will also need some good storage areas to keep your utensils, crockery, and food and drink.
Incorporating a refrigerator into your kitchen is a good idea to avoid having to go back and forth for ingredients.
Cooking Appliances
An outdoor kitchen isn’t complete without at least one cooking appliance.
For many people, the basic requirement is a high-quality barbecue. You can also put in ovens, pizza ovens, hobs, and hot plates.
The more appliances you have, the more expensive your outdoor kitchen build will be.
Washing Area
Having a sink in your outdoor kitchen is a great idea although it isn’t strictly necessary.
This gives you a place to wash your dishes and utensils and you can even use it to prepare vegetables when you cook. Installing a sink isn’t too costly either.
Where To Cut Costs And Avoid Overspending
Now that we have covered the basic necessities for an outdoor kitchen, it is important to take a look at the areas where you can save significant money.
Unnecessary Appliances
When you are planning your outdoor kitchen, it can be easy to get carried away with all the different appliances that you can add for convenience.
In an ideal world, you would have a separate drinks fridge and food fridge, an outdoor TV to watch big games with your friends, a fire pit for the evening, smart speakers, and anything else that you can think of to create the ultimate entertainment experience.
However, none of this is strictly necessary and it is very expensive. Chances are, you wouldn’t even use all of those things most of the time.
Excessive Cooking Appliances
The same applies to the cooking appliances that you incorporate into the kitchen.
For most people, a decent barbeque grill will suffice, at most you might want to add a pizza oven.
However, adding hot plates, ovens, and smokers is an unnecessary expense.
Expensive Surfaces
Having a stunning granite or marble countertop might be the ideal aesthetic for your outdoor kitchen but it is extremely expensive (see also “What Is Cultured Marble?“).
Instead, opting for a hardwearing, easy-to-maintain material like stainless steel can still provide a functional and aesthetically pleasing area.
Final Thoughts
Building an outdoor kitchen is a great way to elevate your outdoor space and add value to your home (see also “How To Build A Home Bar On A Budget“).
Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be a super expensive venture if you know where to keep costs down.
Hey! My name is Luke. I am the Co-founder of PowellCustomHomes.com, it’s great to have you here at our site. With a combined 20 years of experience, we can help you build the home that you want, specific to your requirements and lifestyle.
No task is too small. We can guide you and offer advice, no matter if you are filling in gaps in the wall, hiding cords, or simply fixing up construction mistakes. We love to help, and strive to do so in any way that we can.
