Outdoor Kitchen On A Budget (15 Money Saving Tips)

Warm weather is coming, which means that outdoor entertaining will become a priority for many families. You don’t have to spend a fortune or give up a lot of quality time together to entertain, but you do need to plan ahead and make smart purchases. If you don’t have time to keep track of all the new and used items that are available at yard sales, buy and sell sites and garage sales, then this post is for you.

If you have a patio or deck, you can turn it into a functional outdoor kitchen without a lot of money and effort. Here are 15 money saving tips on how to do it on a budget.

As the weather warms, some people get excited about creating their own outdoor kitchen, but many people find it expensive and stressful. For those looking to spend a lot of money on a home outdoor kitchen, think again. Our article provides 15 money saving tips and ideas, giving you a blueprint to create a successful outdoor kitchen.. Read more about diy weatherproof outdoor kitchen and let us know what you think.

The 15 greatest budget-friendly suggestions for building an outdoor kitchen, which is a great resource for home renovation and kitchen ideas.

An indoor kitchen is more than simply a place to cook, eat, and prepare food. In fact, it’s also a gathering spot for friends and family to enjoy one other’s company.

If you have the additional room and money, you may want to consider constructing an outdoor kitchen, which is a wonderful place to eat delectable cuisine while enjoying the warmth of nature and good company. 

Furthermore, an outdoor kitchen increases the value of your property. If you’re still concerned about the expense of adding one to your house, don’t wait any longer since an outdoor kitchen on a budget may be the ideal answer for you.

How to Make a Budget-Friendly Outdoor Kitchen

Here are a few pointers on how to construct a low-cost outdoor kitchen that is both practical and attractive. 

Construct Next to the House 

To begin with, constructing an outdoor kitchen next to your home is usually more convenient. The more time you save on meal preparation, the closer your indoor kitchen is to your outdoor kitchen.

Second, there is no need to construct new infrastructure. If you construct an outdoor kitchen near to your house, it will have a natural, built-in shelter. 

Instead of constructing a separate roof for your outdoor kitchen, you may want to explore extending the roof overhang or just attaching a contemporary pergola, large awning, or other structure to your home’s roof.

As a consequence, depending on the size of the region, you might save anywhere from $300 to $20,000.

Finally, you may make use of available floor space. If you already have a deck or porch outside your house, you may construct your own outdoor kitchen on top of it to save having to install flooring.

Utility lines should not be installed.

Plumbing installations cost between $350 and $1700 on average, while electrical installations cost between $450 and 750. Meanwhile, 20” gas lines cost about $400.

The shorter your utility lines are, the less they will cost, which can come in handy if you’re trying to stick to a budget for an outdoor kitchen.

This is another another reason why you should situate your outdoor kitchen as near to your house as feasible. You can simply connect to your home’s existing utility lines, saving time and money.

Invest on a Propane Grill.

Consider utilizing a propane grill instead of a gas grill if you want to construct an outdoor kitchen on a budget. Propane grills use propane tanks to function, which saves you money on gas line installation if you prefer a gas grill.

Furthermore, gas barbecues are costly, with a 20′ line costing about $1,000. In most locations, a gas permit is also required to run gas lines.

Instead of building a larger outdoor kitchen, use a portable cart.

Countertops are necessary in every kitchen, even an outdoor kitchen, but they may add to your budget allocation without being necessary.

Instead, as an alternative to your sturdy kitchen countertop, you may want to explore an outdoor kitchen cart, which will offer you with both workstation and storage space at a much cheaper cost.

It’s also more handy since you can move the cart wherever and whenever you want, freeing up extra floor space in the process.

Furthermore, a portable kitchen cart makes it easier to carry things from your house to your outdoor kitchen. Here are some additional options for outdoor kitchen surfaces.

Make Use of Low-Cost Finishes

Using low-cost outdoor kitchen finishes may help you save money in the long term. While stone finishes are popular and long-lasting, they may be very costly.

Stucco is an excellent alternative to stone. Stucco is a long-lasting and beautiful material that comes in a wide range of colors and textures. 

Furthermore, stucco complements a wide variety of house architectural types and is inexpensive, costing between $3 and $6 per square foot.  

Choose multi-tasking appliances.

For your outdoor kitchen, use equipment that can be used for many purposes. As a result, you’ll be able to decrease the number of appliances in your area, lowering your energy usage and reducing the amount of utility lines you’ll need to install.

Furthermore, if you choose to design a kitchen with fewer equipment, you may be able to save a lot of money on building expenses. 

Select a Low-Cost Countertop Option

Another cost-effective method to construct an outdoor kitchen is to use a low-cost countertop material.

Take note that “lower-cost” or “cheaper” doesn’t have to imply “unattractive” or “breakable,” since ceramic tile is one of the most pretty, durable, and inexpensive countertop materials for an outdoor kitchen.

Ceramic tile is a fantastic alternative to stone tile since it comes in a wide range of beautiful colors and designs and is reasonably inexpensive.

Outdoor-rated tile costs approximately $10 per square foot, whereas granite costs about $45 per square foot. Ceramic tiles with a granite appearance are also available, but at a 75 percent cheaper cost.

A concrete outdoor kitchen countertop is a fantastic option for a do-it-yourself project. In comparison to many other kinds of counter surfaces, they may be extremely cheap to construct.

Purchase a Prefabricated Outdoor Kitchen that has already been built.

Consider a prefabricated outdoor kitchen if you want to construct an outdoor kitchen on a budget. A prefabricated kitchen may be built to your specifications and delivered to your location.

Then, with or without the assistance of a professional installer, you just need to install the kitchen in your location.

Meanwhile, prefabricated outdoor kitchens are available in a range of designs and types. It may cost anywhere from $2,000 to $30,000, depending on the kind of prefabricated outdoor kitchen you choose. 

However, if you want to save money on an outdoor kitchen, consider purchasing a pre-owned prefab outdoor kitchen. You can get a pre-owned prefab for roughly half the price of a new one. 

If at all possible, avoid getting a house permit.

Before you begin your outdoor kitchen project, be sure to verify your municipality’s regulations on these buildings. Because building codes differ from town to town, you should check with your local building council for particular laws and restrictions.

Extra Appliances Should Be Avoided 

You may save both space and money if your outdoor kitchen is near to your indoor kitchen since you’ll be closer to key kitchen equipment like a refrigerator.

Installing a second outside refrigerator will cost between $2,000 and $3,000, depending on the type. There would also be the issue of utility wires to consider.

If you want to construct an outdoor kitchen on a budget, purchase just the most necessary small kitchen equipment.

Installing a Sink Isn’t Necessary

Another kitchen item you may want to skip in your outdoor kitchen is the sink. You won’t have to pay for a sink if you don’t install one, and you won’t have to pay for extra upkeep, such as plumbing. 

A sink will set you back about $300, while plumbing will set you back around $1,700.

Instead of a Structure, use a Low-Cost Shade, Umbrella, or Canopy.

It is essential to cover your outdoor kitchen, but it may be costly. As previously said, one reason to construct an outdoor kitchen adjacent to your house is to use existing structures to cover your kitchen, such as patios, roofs, pergolas, or even your roof overhang. 

If you want to save money, you could simply use a shade, a large umbrella, or a canopy to cover your outdoor kitchen from the weather.

A strategically positioned umbrella or sail shade may offer substantial covering while remaining cost-effective. Attaching an awning or canopy to your roof and extending it over your outdoor kitchen is also considerably less expensive than building a roof expansion.

Make Use of Task Lighting

The more lighting fixtures you purchase or install, the more money you’ll spend. This covers both the fixtures and the wires that link them to the power grid.

Using task lighting, you may reduce the amount of illumination you need. Make a careful plan and design for your outdoor kitchen so that task lighting is strategically placed to illuminate the places where it is most needed. 

Start constructing during the off-grilling season.

It may be more difficult to locate a competent, budget-friendly contractor during the grilling season. For any construction project, the rule of thumb is that a contractor will likely give a cheaper labor estimate during the off-season or when they don’t have as much work to perform.

As a result, the off-grilling season in fall or winter is ideal for building an outdoor kitchen. This might be 5% to 10% less than what they would charge during the “busy” grilling season.  

Obtain a number of contractor bids

If you’re searching for a contractor to build an outdoor kitchen, make sure you get multiple quotes before making a final choice. 

The cost of a general contractor should be between $1,500 and $6,000. Requesting quotes from contractors not just in your region but also in surrounding locations is one method to locate a contractor that fits your financial allocation. 

Your contractor may provide higher or cheaper costs for your outdoor kitchen project depending on the region where they operate.  

See our post on outdoor kitchen must-haves for more information.

So you’ve decided to transform your outdoor kitchen into a fully functional outdoor kitchen. After all, it’s summer and you can’t be spending all your time inside the house. Now that you’ve thought about it, how exactly do you plan to go about doing this?. Read more about rustic outdoor kitchen ideas on a budget and let us know what you think.

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