Outdoor kitchen installation: cost & ROI
Building an outdoor kitchen — typically a built-in grill, countertops, storage and sometimes a sink or bar — as a permanent outdoor entertaining station. It's a lifestyle upgrade that returns modestly on a national average, but in warm-climate markets where outdoor living is year-round the payback climbs significantly.
Worth knowing: National ROI sits at roughly 50–65% (midrange ≈ 55%), but it's heavily climate-dependent: in Sun Belt states (FL, TX, AZ, Southern CA) and coastal Australian markets, outdoor kitchens can recoup 70–100%+ and are among the most-requested features. In cold-climate markets with short outdoor seasons, the return drops well below 50%. The US outdoor kitchen market reached ~$10B in 2026, growing 8–9% annually.
“Net cost after resale” = project cost − resale value added. It's the part you don't recoup at sale, not a loss — most renovations cost more than they return, with the difference buying you the use and enjoyment of the upgrade.
What an outdoor kitchen installation typically includes
- Base structure (masonry, block or prefab frame)
- Built-in grill and appliances
- Countertops (granite, concrete or tile)
- Sink, plumbing and electrical
- Roofing or pergola cover (optional)
Pro tip: Keep the layout simple and the appliance spec reasonable — a quality built-in grill with counter space and storage is the sweet spot. Fully plumbed outdoor bars and pizza ovens look great but rarely recoup the premium.
How outdoor kitchen installation compares
Ranked by share of cost recouped at resale, outdoor kitchen installation is #37 of 45 projects we track.
Outdoor kitchen installation cost by region
Costs vary by market. These are the same US benchmark adjusted by a per-city cost multiplier and shown in local currency — not independently sourced local data (see methodology) — so always confirm with local quotes.
Full cost-by-location table (with ROI)
| Location | Estimated cost | Recouped |
|---|---|---|
| US National Average | $18,000 | 55% |
| New York, NY | $23,400 | 55% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $22,000 | 55% |
| Chicago, IL | $19,800 | 55% |
| Houston, TX | $17,600 | 55% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $17,500 | 55% |
| Miami, FL | $19,400 | 55% |
| Seattle, WA | $22,000 | 55% |
| Denver, CO | $19,400 | 55% |
| Atlanta, GA | $17,600 | 55% |
| Boston, MA | $22,700 | 55% |
| San Francisco, CA | $24,800 | 55% |
| London, UK | £14,900 | 55% |
| Manchester, UK | £12,800 | 55% |
| Birmingham, UK | £12,500 | 55% |
| Edinburgh, UK | £13,900 | 55% |
| Dublin, IE | €17,900 | 55% |
| Toronto, CA | C$25,900 | 55% |
| Vancouver, CA | C$27,600 | 55% |
| Sydney, AU | A$30,100 | 55% |
| Melbourne, AU | A$27,900 | 55% |
| Auckland, NZ | NZ$32,100 | 55% |
| Washington, DC | $20,300 | 55% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $20,700 | 55% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $19,300 | 55% |
| Austin, TX | $16,000 | 55% |
| Dallas, TX | $15,700 | 55% |
| Glasgow, UK | £12,700 | 55% |
| Bristol, UK | £13,500 | 55% |
| Calgary, CA | C$23,900 | 55% |
| Montreal, CA | C$22,200 | 55% |
| Brisbane, AU | A$28,700 | 55% |
| San Diego, CA | $21,200 | 55% |
| Portland, OR | $20,300 | 55% |
| Nashville, TN | $17,100 | 55% |
| Charlotte, NC | $16,600 | 55% |
| Tampa, FL | $17,600 | 55% |
| Leeds, UK | £12,500 | 55% |
| Perth, AU | A$29,300 | 55% |
| Adelaide, AU | A$24,600 | 55% |
| Wellington, NZ | NZ$30,600 | 55% |
| Christchurch, NZ | NZ$28,800 | 55% |
| San Antonio, TX | $15,800 | 55% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $17,100 | 55% |
| Orlando, FL | $17,100 | 55% |
| Raleigh, NC | $16,700 | 55% |
| Detroit, MI | $16,200 | 55% |
| Liverpool, UK | £12,100 | 55% |
| Cardiff, UK | £11,800 | 55% |
| Ottawa, CA | C$21,700 | 55% |
| Gold Coast, AU | A$29,000 | 55% |
| Canberra, AU | A$27,400 | 55% |
Before you spend
- Get 3 written quotes from licensed local contractors before committing
- Match finishes to what's normal for your neighbourhood, not above it
- Keep a 10–15% contingency for surprises once work starts
- Avoid overcapitalising — check what comparable homes nearby actually sell for
- If you're selling soon, weigh resale timing against how long the project will take
The bottom line on outdoor kitchen installation
At $18,000 with a 55% resale recoup, outdoor kitchen installation recovers a solid share of its cost and adds $9,900 in value — leaving a net cost of about $8,100 after resale. It ranks #37 of 45 projects we track, making it a lower-tier performer in the renovation ROI table. The project is worth considering both for the improvement itself and for its effect on resale value — especially if the existing condition is dated or deteriorating, which is when buyers penalise the home most.
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Methodology
Figures are national midrange “Cost vs. Value” averages adjusted for finish, scope and region. They are planning estimates, not quotes or appraisals, and lean toward US/UK/Canada/Australia mid-markets. Reviewed June 2026. See our full methodology →
Source: BBQ Authority / Opendoor 2026 / NARI. Cost and market-size data from BBQ Authority; the 50–65% national ROI range comes from Opendoor and NARI. See the full source register.
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See how the outdoor kitchen installation stacks up against 44 other renovations, or take the numbers with you.