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The quick answer
- Simple DIY station: roughly £500–£2,000 including a good grill.
- Modular flat-pack kitchen: roughly £2,000–£8,000.
- Custom-built, professionally installed: often £10,000–£30,000+.
- Biggest cost drivers: the grill, worktops, shelter, and any gas, water or electrics.
- Best saving: start small and add later. A good grill plus worktop space covers 90% of what most people need.
Outdoor kitchen prices vary more than almost anything else in the garden. You can spend a few hundred pounds or the price of a car. These ranges are rough guides gathered from typical UK retail prices and published trade estimates, not quotes, so use them to plan a budget and then get real quotes for your space.
Typical costs by type
| Type | Typical UK range | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Grill + prep table | £300–£1,500 | A freestanding BBQ with a sturdy outdoor table or trolley alongside |
| DIY block-built island | £800–£3,000 | A built station with worktops either side; grill extra |
| Modular / flat-pack kitchen | £2,000–£8,000 | Stainless or composite units, often with a built-in grill and sink option |
| Custom build, installed | £10,000–£30,000+ | Bespoke design, premium worktops, shelter, utilities, lighting |
Prices vary by region, supplier and specification. Treat these as ballpark figures.
Where the money goes
The cooker
- Charcoal kettle: around £100–£450 (my Weber Master-Touch sits in this range)
- Freestanding gas BBQ: around £200–£1,500+
- Built-in gas grill head: around £600–£3,000+
- Kamado: around £300–£2,000+ (are they worth it?)
- Pizza oven: around £250–£500 for a portable model (our picks), £1,000+ for built-in
Structure and worktops
- Blocks, mortar and render for a DIY island: a few hundred pounds
- Worktops: from about £100 for slabs to £1,000+ for granite or sintered stone
- Stainless steel doors and drawers: around £80–£400 each
Shelter
- Pop-up gazebo: under £200
- Timber pergola kit: around £400–£2,000
- Aluminium louvred pergola: often £3,000–£10,000+ installed
Utilities
- Electrics: an outdoor socket or lighting circuit by a qualified electrician is often a few hundred pounds, more for longer cable runs.
- Gas: bottled gas costs nothing to install. A fixed supply must be fitted by a Gas Safe registered engineer and can add several hundred pounds or more.
- Water: an outdoor sink with plumbing and drainage is one of the most expensive extras. Many people skip it and carry things inside instead.
Where to save (and where not to)
Save on
- Do the labour yourself where you're confident: groundwork, block work, cladding. See how to build a BBQ island.
- Skip the sink. It's expensive and often barely used.
- Use a freestanding grill in a recess rather than a built-in grill head. It's cheaper, and easy to replace later.
- Buy in the sales. BBQs and pizza ovens are often discounted at the end of summer and on Black Friday.
- Phase it. Build the island this year, add the pergola next year.
Don't cut corners on
- The base. A poor foundation will crack everything above it.
- Gas and electrics. Use qualified, registered professionals.
- Weatherproof materials. Indoor units and untreated wood won't survive British winters.
Low-cost starting points
- BBQ coverProtects whatever grill you choose from British weatherView on Amazon
- Garden gazeboCheap shelter while you save for a pergolaView on Amazon
- Outdoor prep trolleyExtra worktop space without building anythingView on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Three example budgets
| Starter (~£1,000) | Mid-range (~£5,000) | Premium (~£15,000+) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooker | Charcoal kettle or mid gas BBQ | Quality gas BBQ + pizza oven | Built-in grill + kamado + pizza oven |
| Structure | Outdoor table or trolley | DIY block island or modular units | Bespoke, professionally built |
| Worktop | Table top | Concrete or porcelain | Granite or sintered stone |
| Shelter | Parasol or gazebo | Timber pergola | Louvred aluminium pergola |
| Utilities | Bottled gas only | Outdoor socket + lighting | Gas, power, water, fridge |
Planning your own? Our planning guide's budget section and the free outdoor kitchen planner will help you put real numbers against each part.
Frequently asked questions
Does an outdoor kitchen add value to a house?
It can make a garden more appealing to buyers, but it's rarely a pound-for-pound return. Build one because you'll use it, not as an investment.
Do I need planning permission for an outdoor kitchen?
Usually not, but large pergolas, structures close to boundaries, listed buildings and conservation areas can need permission. Check with your local council if unsure.
What's the cheapest way to get an outdoor kitchen?
A good freestanding BBQ plus a sturdy weatherproof prep table or trolley. You get most of the benefit for a fraction of the cost.
How long do outdoor kitchens last?
A well-built block island with a stone worktop can last decades. Grills and appliances usually need replacing sooner, which is a good reason to choose a design that makes swapping them easy.
Home cook, keen DIYer and long-time website builder, writing practical outdoor cooking guides for UK gardens. More about me.