OUTDOOR
Outdoor Kitchen Estimate Checklist
Contractor checklist for quoting outdoor kitchens: size, appliances, countertops, MEP and finishes.
Outdoor kitchen quotes get eaten by the plumbing, the electrical and the countertop nobody priced until the last minute. This checklist keeps the estimate complete.
THE SHORT ANSWER
What should an outdoor kitchen estimate include?
Measure the run, lock the appliance list, then price structure, exterior-rated countertops, plumbing, electrical and labor separately. Many installed projects fall around $6,000-$27,000, with a much wider full range.
Measure the run and the zone
Measure the countertop run in feet and confirm the patio base. A 10 ft run is a different job from a 16 ft run — size drives structure, appliances and labor.
Lock the appliance list
Grill, fridge, sink, burners, ice maker — each appliance is a line item with its own price tier. Mid-range adds 15%, premium 50%. Confirm the list in writing; an 'outdoor kitchen' can mean $8,000 or $40,000.
Price countertop and MEP
Concrete countertops ~$60/sq ft, stone ~$80, quartz ~$100. Use quartz only when its manufacturer approves exterior UV exposure. Plumbing ~$2,500 if there is a sink; electrical ~$1,800 for specified lighting and outlets. Use the Outdoor Kitchen Cost Calculator to build the full quote.
Add the structural base
The frame, the masonry or the cabinetry under the counters is real money. Walk the site, check the base, and add site prep if the patio is uneven.