To be clear, there is no definitive, single answer to this question: how much does an outdoor kitchen in Tampa cost? An outdoor kitchen has many variables that affect pricing including gas, plumbing, electrical, roofing and masonry to name a few. While this might not apply to every scenario, at least one of those mentioned variables is applicable to the majority of outdoor kitchen builds. Another factor that affects giving a more concrete answer lies in client’s ideas of what they want in an outdoor kitchen. No, we don’t just mean appliances but the type of build from modular outdoor kitchens to custom outdoor kitchens.
As leaders in our region for more than two decades, the Just Grillin Outdoor Living team knows the market for outdoor kitchens very well. While we specialize in custom outdoor kitchens, we’ve had our experiences with modular and semi-custom outdoor kitchens offerings over the years. Our team has found many of the prefabricated options to be unattractive to most client’s. Not necessarily from a manufacturing standpoint, but more so a pricing and expectation viewpoint.
In this article, we’ll elaborate more on each tier of outdoor kitchens, what you can expect to be quoted and some of the pros and cons of each tier. Searching this topic online will give you a variety of wildly inaccurate answers that lead you to believe an outdoor kitchen is cheaper than what they actually are. Our purpose of putting this together is to help those in our area have a better understanding of what to expect, whether they are using Just Grillin Outdoor Living, or not, for their project.
Custom Outdoor Kitchens
This is Just Grillin Outdoor Living’s specialty. We’ve been creating custom outdoor kitchens for more than 22 years across the greater Tampa Bay region. Pricing for a custom outdoor kitchen should range widely based on many factors. At the starting end in Tampa, you should expect to pay a minimum of $20,000 for a custom outdoor kitchen. And for that starting price point, you should not expect something with many appliances, upgraded materials or requiring much gas, electrical, roofing or plumbing work to install.
On average, you should expect to pay closer to $35,000 – $45,000 range. If you want a custom outdoor kitchen that uses premium, or luxury, appliances, premium cabinetry, upgraded materials and cabinets, requires gas, electrical, roofing and plumbing and is larger than 8 linear feet, expect to be in the $45,000 to $70,000 range. Now, that figure can be more or less depending on all selections and work required. These are just averages figure based on what we see everyone in the outdoor kitchen market charge for projects. Some companies may charge a little less and others more.
An outdoor kitchen is a personal investment in your home and usually a project that is done because you plan to live at least 10+ years in your current home. Where we see homeowners go wrong is many get sticker shock at the cost and default to a company that is cheaper. Most companies in the area are priced relatively similar so choosing a company based on a lower price is a strategy that usually backfires on homeowners from what we see.
If you don’t see the quality of work or style of work that you expect in a companies portfolio, naturally their cost will be less because that’s the same “quality” you’ll be paying for. Most salespeople will tell you they can do “X,Y and Z” but that doesn’t mean their company is good at executing it or their quality will magically improve. Any company that’s worth something charges more because the finished result is worth more.
In construction, there never will be exact apples-to-apples quotes on cost. However, there is apples-to-apples comparing of portfolios. A construction company is only as good as the work they showcase and that is something you should always compare when choosing an outdoor kitchen builder in the Tampa area. You’ll never think twice about how much more you spent on something that you’re happy with. You will always remember how much you spent on something and aren’t happy with the finished result due to subpar work.
Semi-Custom Outdoor Kitchens
This option is not terribly different from modular outdoor kitchens. The materials and appliances will the same. However, rather than picking from a handful of predesigned options, you’re customizing the cabinets based on the layout you’re looking for. This allows you to customize something that is typically a stock item and make it a better fit for your outdoor space.
We have offered semi-custom options over the years from many different manufacturers. At Just Grillin Outdoor Living, we ONLY offer custom outdoor kitchens and do not build or install semi-custom options. That’s because the price expectation for this quality and tier of build is beyond what homeowners think. The price range you should expect for semi-custom outdoor kitchens is anywhere from $15,000 to $35,000. Though with all ranges things could be more or less. This is just a general average range.
The pricing range on this depends on three main aspects: the manufacturer of the cabinets, countertops and the appliances. Cabinets using better metals, and typically with cleaner appearances, tend to cost more due to the materials being better quality and the manufacturing process for the cabinets requiring more work. Some semi-custom configurations allow you to have your own countertop installed instead of a prefabricated one from the cabinet manufacturer. Appliances also play a large part in pricing as the amount of appliances and the brand selected can have vastly different price ranges.
Typically we find client’s interested in semi-custom outdoor kitchens are choosing appliances at value price points and picking based on price over features and quality. This isn’t everyone but a good majority. We do have over 22 years of data and experience to draw from after all. The disconnect in overall cost and finding an installer for this style of kitchen often leads to dissatisfaction and inaction on most homeowners exploring this option.
There are many manufacturers in this space. It has become crowded and many of these companies do not end up lasting because of the low volume of actual sales. In our experience, you’re better off making the jump to a true custom outdoor kitchen versus this option.
Modular Outdoor Kitchens
This is as stock as it gets. Modular options is picking from prefabricated layouts and choosing what fits your space as close to best or that you’re willing to pay. These options average from $5,000 to $15,000 in price. This is as cheap as it gets when it comes to having an outdoor kitchen.
Usually the materials and appliances for modular kitchens are low quality. Your options for colors, cabinet style or appliance upgrades are limited. This is usually a DIY option or something you will have to find a local handyman to come and install. Modular kitchens generally do not blend in or match the style of your home, regardless of region. For the modular options that do, you’re usually jumping into the semi-custom bucket tier to have something that matches the style of your home and patio better.
Just like semi-custom outdoor kitchens, we find that client’s pricing expectations and value for this product do not match reality. Yes, this route will be cheaper than a custom outdoor kitchen but we find most client’s that strictly are interested in this end up doing nothing. While always an option, it’s not one we recommend.
Why It’s Important To Hire Licensed Professionals
Outdoor kitchen projects tend to be more complicated projects than most homeowners think they are. Building permits for construction, gas, plumbing and electrical are usually required by most cities or counties in the greater Tampa Bay. Not to be lost in all of this is that the purpose of adding an outdoor kitchen is for you to enjoy it and do more with your patio. This tends to be a project most people do once or twice in their lifetime. When it comes to getting what you want and having it done right, hiring the right licensed, professional is always the best value, even if it costs more than these other tiers.
Would you like to know more about Just Grillin Outdoor Living’s design-build process and team? Our friendly, professionals can speak with you now about your project and help get things moving by scheduling an in-home paid consultation with our team. Get in touch with our team today to begin exploring how Just Grillin Outdoor Living can create an outdoor kitchen of your dreams.