Outdoor kitchen planning · Melbourne & Sydney
Outdoor kitchen costs in Melbourne and Sydney
Quotes rarely come down to a neat per-metre rate. Gas, power, slab work, cabinetry, stone and cover all land in different trades — and the order you build them matters. Below is what usually shifts the number on typical suburban blocks.
Broad cost ranges to plan around
Figures vary with structure, appliances and how much of the backyard is rebuilt at the same time. Treat these as planning bands — firm pricing needs a site walk and services check.
- Compact BBQ station Built-in BBQ, modest bench run, services roughed in and standard cladding — often roughly $15,000–$30,000 depending on stone, gas route length and whether you need new power from the switchboard.
- Full outdoor kitchen Longer L- or U-shaped layout, sink, fridge niche, storage, better stone and integrated lighting — commonly $30,000–$60,000+ once slab, drainage, cover and paving around the kitchen are in scope.
- Kitchen with structure and paving Pergola or roof, new paving, retaining or level changes, and coordinated planting — totals can move past $60,000–$100,000+ when the kitchen is part of a wider backyard rebuild.
What actually moves the quote
- Services distance Gas meter and switchboard location set trenching length, trenching through paving, and whether you need an upgrade. A kitchen at the back fence costs more to service than one on the rear wall.
- Slab and drainage Benchtops need level, stable substrate with falls away from the house. Cutting into existing paving, tying into stormwater, or building over fill all add civil work before cabinetry arrives.
- Appliances and cut-outs Fridge cavities, sink bowls, warming drawers and pizza ovens each need exact rough-in dimensions and ventilation clearance. Changing appliance spec after cabinets are drawn is expensive.
- Materials Porcelain slab, natural stone and rendered block sit at different price points — and different installation tolerances. See our materials guide for trade-offs.
- Cover and structure A simple pergola is not the same cost as a lined roof with downlights and an extraction path for smoke. Covered kitchens add engineering, permits and waterproofing — covered in the covered kitchens guide.
- Access and timing Narrow side paths, steps, crane hire for heavy stone, and coordinating multiple trades on a small site all show up in labour — not just materials.
How to compare quotes fairly
Two “outdoor kitchens” on paper can include very different scope. Line these up before you pick on price alone.
- Gas: new line or extension, regulator location, trenching and reinstatement
- Power: dedicated circuits for BBQ ignition, fridge, lighting and any induction
- Water and waste: sink rough-in, drainage connection, hot water if required
- Substrate: new slab, paver reset, waterproofing and falls
- Cabinetry: frame material, doors, hardware rated for outdoor exposure
- Benchtops: stone type, thickness, cut-outs and sealing
- Cover: pergola only vs roofed structure with lining and fans
- Paving and edges around the kitchen — often quoted separately
Common outdoor kitchen mistakes
- Comparing a cabinet quote to a full build — Services, slab and cover may sit with other trades or be omitted entirely.
- Allowing no contingency for services — Trenching through existing paving and board upgrades are common surprises on older homes.
- Locking appliances after layout is drawn — Fridge depth and BBQ hood height drive cabinet dimensions; late swaps mean rework.
- Ignoring Melbourne vs Sydney permit paths — Roofed structures and gas work trigger different checks in each city; allow time and fees.
When it helps to bring in Made By Mobbs
Made By Mobbs Landscapes designs and builds outdoor spaces in Melbourne — paving, planting, structure and the services that sit underneath.
An outdoor kitchen works when bench levels, cover, drainage and appliance access are sorted before stone and cladding go on. That coordination is easier when one team is looking at the whole backyard, not just the BBQ cabinet.
This page is a guide only: practical ranges and checklist thinking before you commit. Firm pricing needs a walk-through of access, existing structures, gas and power routes, and how you cook and store on site.
Questions we hear on site
- How much does a basic outdoor kitchen cost in Melbourne?
- A compact built-in BBQ with a short bench run and services often lands in the mid-teens to high twenties in thousands, depending on gas route, stone and whether the slab is new. Firm numbers need a site visit.
- Is outdoor kitchen cost per linear metre useful?
- Only as a rough sanity check. Corners, appliances, services and cover change the maths faster than bench length. Compare quoted scope line by line instead.
- Does a covered outdoor kitchen cost much more?
- Usually yes — structure, roofing, drainage, lighting and smoke management add labour and engineering. A pergola is cheaper than a lined, weatherproof roof with extraction considered.
- Are Sydney outdoor kitchens more expensive than Melbourne?
- Labour rates, stone supply and permit processes differ between cities. The bigger swing is usually your site: access, existing paving, and how far services must travel.
Gas lines, slab falls and cover height are not details you add after the bench is drawn — they decide whether the kitchen is usable in winter and safe in summer.
Planning an outdoor kitchen in Melbourne?
Talk through layout, services and structure with a team that builds the paving and garden around the kitchen — not just the cabinet in isolation.
Speak with Made By Mobbs Landscapes