Page Contents
Quick Answer
An L shaped outdoor kitchen typically costs between $5,000 and $20,000. The exact cost depends on the size, materials, appliances, and features included. Basic L shaped outdoor kitchens with a grill, small sink, and cabinetry can cost as low as $5,000. More elaborate designs with high-end finishes, appliances, and amenities like a pizza oven can cost $15,000 to $20,000 or more. The average cost is around $10,000.
What affects the cost of an L shaped outdoor kitchen?
Several factors affect the total cost of an L shaped outdoor kitchen:
Size and footprint
Larger outdoor kitchens with more counter space, cabinetry, and appliances cost more. A basic 10 x 10 foot L shape is cheaper than a 20 x 20 foot entertainer’s outdoor kitchen.
Materials
Using higher end materials like stainless steel, tile, natural stone, and high grade wood increases costs over cheaper materials like laminate and painted wood.
Appliances and features
The more cooking appliances (grill, smoker, pizza oven, burner, fridge) and other amenities (sink, storage, lighting, sound system) included, the higher the price. A basic grill setup is cheaper than a fully loaded outdoor kitchen.
Custom vs prefabricated
Fully custom designed and built outdoor kitchens are generally more expensive than prefabricated kits. However, prefab kits still require professional installation.
Contractor fees
If hiring a contractor to install and build the outdoor kitchen, labor, fees, permitting costs will all add to the total price. DIY installations are cheaper but require more work.
Location
Construction and contractor costs are usually higher in expensive urban areas like Los Angeles or New York City compared to more rural locations.
Cost breakdown of items
Here is a breakdown of approximate costs for common elements in an L shaped outdoor kitchen:
Countertops
| Laminate | $20-$50 per sq.ft installed |
| Tile | $40-$100 per sq.ft installed |
| Concrete | $50-$120 per sq.ft installed |
| Natural stone | $80-$200 per sq.ft installed |
| Stainless steel | $100-$300 per sq.ft installed |
An L shaped outdoor kitchen may require around 50-100 sq.ft of counter space, depending on size. At $100 per sq.ft for stone counters, that’s a cost of $5,000 – $10,000 for just the counters.
Cabinets
Outdoor kitchen cabinets cost around $100-$500 per linear foot installed. For a typical 10×10 L shape needing around 20-30 linear feet of cabinets, that’s a cost of $2,000 – $15,000 depending on materials.
Grill
| Basic gas grill | $500-$2000 |
| High end gas grill | $3000-$8000 |
| Built-in masonry grill | $2500-$5000 |
| Smokers and pizza ovens | $2000-$7000 |
Expect to spend $3000-$5000 for a nice built-in gas grill in an outdoor kitchen. High end grills with multiple burners may cost up to $8000. Adding speciality items like a smoker or brick pizza oven can run $2000-$5000.
Sinks and plumbing
An outdoor kitchen sink with faucet costs $200-$1000. Running plumbing and water lines can cost $500-$2000 depending on length. Total costs for adding a sink often run $1000-$3000.
Appliances
Typical costs include:
| Mini fridge | $700-$2000 |
| Wine cooler | $1500-$3000 |
| Trash compactor | $2000-$3000 |
| Ice maker | $1500-$3000 |
| Storage drawers | $300-$1000 |
Having a mini fridge, wine cooler, ice maker or other appliances can each add several hundred to several thousand dollars to the costs.
Ventilation
Proper ventilation should be installed and can cost:
– Hood vent over grill – $500-$1000
– Standalone exhaust fan – $200-$500
Ventilation is important for proper airflow and preventing fires.
Lighting
Outdoor lighting typically costs:
– String lights – $100-$300
– Under cabinet lighting – $300-$500
– Overhead pendant lights – $50-$200 each
– Landscape lighting – $200-$1000
Proper outdoor lighting can cost $1000-$2000.
Permits
Building permits for constructing an outdoor kitchen cost $200-$500 in most areas. Permits ensure proper codes and safety requirements are met.
Labor and installation
For professional installation, laborers charge around $50 per hour and contractors charge $65-$100 per hour. Expect to pay $1000-$4000 in labor costs for a professionally installed outdoor kitchen.
DIY vs hiring a contractor
One way to save money on your outdoor kitchen is to do some or all of the work yourself as a DIY project. However, there are some downsides to be aware of:
– DIY projects take a lot more time and effort vs hiring a pro. Make sure you can fully commit.
– You need expertise in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and sometimes masonry for the best results.
– Mistakes made during DIY work can end up costing more down the line.
– Permits need to be pulled and codes followed, which you must research.
– Health and safety risks are increased doing construction yourself.
Hiring a professional avoids these risks but costs more upfront. For the 10 x 10 foot L shaped outdoor kitchen used as an example here, you might expect the following costs:
| DIY build cost | $3000-$8000 |
| Professional installation cost | $8000-$20000 |
As a general rule of thumb, you can save 30%-50% building it yourself but take on more responsibility.
Many homeowners do a hybrid approach – doing the groundwork like laying the foundation themselves, then hiring a pro for the major construction.
Factors that increase cost
Several factors can increase the cost of an L shaped outdoor kitchen over the typical price range of $5000-$20000:
– Large size with ample counter space and storage – more materials needed
– Lots of high end appliances – costs add up quickly
– Premium materials like granite counters – pricier than concrete
– Intricate details like tile backsplashes and accent lighting – time and labor intensive
– Fully customized cabinetry and features – vs prefab options
– Adding a sink, running plumbing and electrical – requires professional help
– Extensive landscaping and patio work around the kitchen – grading, plants, paths
– Complex permits for gas, electrical, plumbing – can take time and fees to acquire
Carefully decide which features are must-haves vs optional extras. Prioritize functional elements over decorative additions to save money. Get quotes from several providers to find the best deal.
Cost saving tips
Ways to save money on your L shaped outdoor kitchen include:
– Shop for sales and closeouts, especially seasonally. Buy materials in off seasons.
– Consider lower cost materials like concrete vs natural stone counters.
– Buy a prefab kit vs fully custom build – less labor involved.
– Stick to a simple grill and sink vs multiple appliances.
– Skip fancy extras like sound systems and specialty lighting.
– Do demo and prep work yourself – remove old patios, layout groundwork.
– Hire professional for specialized work only – like gas and electrical.
– Get multiple bids and negotiate pricing – be open to alternatives.
– Use big box store appliances vs high end brands – often large markups.
– Consider smaller size, less features if budget is very tight.
– Build in phases – start with necessities like grill and prep space.
Conclusion
An L shaped outdoor kitchen is a great addition for entertaining and outdoor cooking. With smart planning and strategic cost-cutting, an affordable outdoor cooking space can be achieved. Typical costs range from $5000 for a simple DIY grill setup to $15,000 or more for a fully decked out entertainer’s kitchen installed by a contractor. Carefully weigh the features you need against your budget and be open to creative solutions to get the ideal outdoor cooking space at a price you can afford.