Outdoor living is a must have for most people here in our area – we are able to spend just about every day outside without too much trouble – it does get a little hot in the summer, but with the right design and ample shade even the summer heat can be beat.  So get ready to start planning for your outdoor living space.

A Covered Patio – Freestanding or Attached

How big of an area is considered ample? Whether you are wanting a covered patio, a pergola, a sunroom or a screened in porch about 300-400 square feet is average.  If you go much smaller than that, you will feel cramped and will not have enough room for both a dining area and a sitting area. The cost for something that size would start in the range of $40,000 to $70,000 – Sunrooms and screened porches would be more due to additional material finishes for knee walls, screen, windows and interior walls, plus any cost to condition the space or upgrade the foundation.

What are items that would affect this budget?

• Type and configuration of your home – 1 Story homes usually run more because the roof tie-in is more complicated and requires more material/labor.
• Do you have concrete already? Having an existing patio or other flat surface will lower your cost… unless you want something more than a standard brushed concrete surface.  Upgraded surfaces – stamped concrete, tile, travertine, stone pavers means your cost will increase.
• Type of columns – do you have any existing columns on your home? If so, you may want to match them – are they brick or stone?  That will be an added cost because a standard column is wrapped with hardie board and painted to match your home’s paint color. 
• Ceiling finish – Like the columns a standard ceiling is just hadie plank painted to match your home’s soffit.  If you want a different look, you can go with stained wood tongue and groove, which will add some to your budget.
• Electrical matters  – a basic project does include running electricity for recessed lights and ceiling fans as well as wiring for a TV and sound system. 

A larger square footage, and upgraded finishes will put the project on the higher end of the range above.

Adding an Outdoor Kitchen

What if I want to add an outdoor kitchen?  Several things need to occur …

*Size of the space – to have adequate space to accommodate the added kitchen area, we suggest an area that is closer to 400 SF.  So, that is an added cost to build your covered area.

*A basic kitchen – this is a tough question – you can have a small, very functional outdoor kitchen area, or grilling station, that is in the 8 – 10 linear foot area.  To get lots of prep and serving space, you may want to consider something that is closer to the 14-15 linear foot option.  Our kitchens typically include the following:

• A custom built, welded kitchen frame with hardiebacker sheathing that is designed to last the life of your home. Built from non-expansive and non-conductive tubular steel, you won’t have the expansion and fire risk that is common to many outdoor kitchens.
• A fascia for the kitchen that is finished with stone, brick, stucco, tile or hardwood which complements the finishes on the home and throughout the new outdoor living space.
• Counters are almost always finished with durable 3cm granite which can withstand Houston weather. Many kitchens have a raised or countertop bar for seating and entertaining.
• All selections for the project (tile, stone, granite, etc.) are chosen by the homeowner, with help from TCP’s own in-house design consultant.
• Stainless steel appliances, such as a gas grill, refrigerator, flat-top grill/griddle, icemaker, storage doors/drawers, and other accessories, like a sink or ceramic grill can be chosen by the homeowner from our preferred local vendor – Cunningham Living. 

Depending on the cost of finishes, The 8-10 linear foot kitchens would start around $15-20K, while a larger kitchen that is 12-15 linear feet would start around $20-25K.  The kitchen is custom-designed and built, so it can be whatever you dream of – size, appliances, counter-space, and seating can all be modified to suit your needs.

Adding a Fire Feature

As with an outdoor kitchen, there are many fire feature options to fit different price points. From a simple fire pit, to an all-masonry wood-burning fireplace with gas starter and chimney, there are even several options in the middle.

A fire pit – round or square – can be added for as little as $4K, but keep in mind the additional concrete and finishes that may be required to establish a space for the fire pit and for seating around it. Running gas to the fire pit will require additional cost depending on the complexity and distance to a gas source.

A fireplace – whether wood burning or natural gas – will generally add about 15-30K to your project. Your choice of stone, is there going to be a mantle, and  how big will the hearth be all play key roles in the cost of the fireplace. The least expensive option is either an elevated firepit that is finished like a fireplace – our website has many examples, or gas fireplace with a direct-vent insert. Neither of these options require a chimney. The most expensive option is an all-masonry, wood-burning fireplace with a gas starter. The cost will depend on the height of the ceiling and size of the hearth as these will dictate the amount of stone material and masonry labor. Almost every project with a covered space, fireplace, and outdoor kitchen is more than $100K. We hope this information is helpful for your planning!