How Much Does a Kitchen Bump-Out Cost?

Gary Evans
by Gary Evans

Once decide to invest in your home kitchen, it’s easy to go overboard with your purchases. By the time you realize that your kitchen may already be too cramped to move around in. Of course, you can always get around that problem by paying to bump out your kitchen.

A kitchen bump-out can add the space you desperately need so you can move around better while cooking. You can also make use of that new space to improve your kitchen layout and décor. So, how much will building that useful home addition cost?

Homeowners pay an average of $21,000 for a new kitchen bump-out. You’re paying $140 per square foot of new space in that scenario and that is big enough for a sizable addition. Costs will fluctuate depending on which elements you want. If you want new plumbing and electrical fixtures in the bump-out, you will have to pay more.

Improving your home kitchen by adding more space to it can prove to be a wise move on your part. It’s an investment that can pay off handsomely in the long run. Find out how much that new addition you want will cost by reading on.

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What is a Bump Out?

A bump-out simply refers to a small edition to a home’s existing room, such as a bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen. They are not as expensive nor as time-consuming or labor-intensive as full room editions. For this reason, bump outs are an excellent solution for homeowners that want to add a little more space on a budget.

Also called “micro additions,” a bump out could be as small as two feet or as extensive as 10 to 15 feet beyond the existing structure.

Cost to Bump Out Your Kitchen

Kitchen Bump-Out SizeCost
100 Square Feet Addition$14,000
150 Square Feet Addition$21,000
200 Square Feet Addition$28,000

The price tag of your new kitchen bump-out is going to depend in large part on its size. For a bump-out that measures 150 square feet, you’re looking at a price tag of $21,000.

A kitchen bump-out of that size is ideal if you want to upgrade that part of your home. With all that extra space, you can finally accommodate the appliances that you’ve wanted to add for years.

You can also make use of the space to create some additional storage units or working areas. Add a new set of cabinets so you can stay better organized or kitchen islands so multiple can cook simultaneously.

A smaller kitchen bump-out that measures 100 square feet will cost you $14,000. Adding that bump-out will make it easier to work inside your new kitchen.

You should probably avoid adding too many new features though. Doing so could lead to your kitchen just becoming cramped all over again.

Homeowners also have the option of adding a 200 square foot kitchen bump-out at the cost of $28,000. A bump-out of that size can double as a second kitchen.

Cost by Square Foot

Type of Work DoneCost per Square Foot
No Additional Work, Easy Building$100
Electrical and Plumbing Fixtures Added, Easy Building$140
Electrical and Plumbing Fixtures Added, Difficult Building$200

The average cost per square foot of building a kitchen bump-out is $140. However, that price point assumes that certain things are true about your project.

First off, it assumes that building the bump-out will be a relatively straightforward undertaking. Building out is more affordable because it’s often easier than building an addition over an existing room. You also have to worry about disrupting existing wiring and plumbing connections when building up.

Also, the $140 price tag applies if you want some new electrical and plumbing fixtures added. You may want a new kitchen sink and some outlets added to the bump-out and those will cost extra.

If you just want the extra space and you don’t need any additional fixtures, the cost per square foot drops significantly. You’re looking at a rate of $100 per square foot in that scenario. This also assumes that you’re building out the addition instead of constructing it on top of a room.

Building up to accommodate a kitchen bump-out that’s loaded with new fixtures will be expensive. You may be asked to pay $200 per square foot for that kind of home addition.

Reasons to Add a Bump-Out Kitchen to Your Home

Why do you need a kitchen bump-out in the first place? Considering the cost of a new bump-out, maybe rearranging your kitchen is the smarter course of action.

Kitchen bump-outs can be expensive, but they can also be well worth the money. The reasons listed below highlight the value of building a kitchen bump-out.

  • Upgrade Your Kitchen – Create a more functional kitchen with all the new space at your disposal. Add new storage units and fixtures to make your kitchen more functional.
  • Maximize Your Available Space – Instead of letting the extra space in your yard go unused, turn it into additional space for your revamped kitchen.
  • Add a Small Dining Area to Your Kitchen – The bump-out you just added can serve as a small dining area. Use it for entertaining or enjoying a quick meal in the morning.
  • Make Room for an Open Concept Kitchen – Open concept kitchens have become more popular especially in modern homes. Build one of your own after adding the bump-out.
  • Create a New Entryway into Your Home – After investing in your redesigned kitchen, you may want to show it off. You can do that by creating a new entryway that leads directly into your kitchen. Creating that entryway also makes sense if you have a garden nearby that you can pick vegetables and herbs from.

Kitchen Bump-Out Pros and Cons

Is paying for a new kitchen bump-out the best use of your money? Check out the pros and cons of building a kitchen bump-out listed below and find your answer to that question.

The Pros:

  • Value Purchases – Kitchen bump-outs are more affordable than home additions.
  • Comfortable Working Space – The additional space provided by the bump-out allows you to feel more comfortable while cooking.
  • Improved Kitchen Safety – You’re less likely to have an accident when you have room to move inside your kitchen.
  • Redesign Possibilities – Adding a bump-out opens up the design possibilities for your kitchen. Try layouts that weren’t possible before when you were starving for space.
  • Increase Home Value – As long as it’s well-built, the new bump-out area will increase the value of your home.

The Cons:

  • Permits May Be Required – Whether you’re building up or building out, a new permit may be required before you can proceed with the project.
  • Yard Space Lost – If you’ve decided to build out, you will have to sacrifice some portion of your backyard for your bump-out.

Cost Factors

How much will your kitchen bump-out cost? We’ve already mentioned the price points that you can expect to see. However, those can still change depending on certain factors.

In this section, we’ve highlighted the factors that will help determine the final price tag of your kitchen bump-out. Keep them in mind as you go about designing that new addition.

Kitchen Redesign Plans

After committing to building a bump-out, you may be compelled to pursue a kitchen redesign as well. There are numerous options to consider if you want to redesign your kitchen.

You can go relatively simple and use the bump-out to accommodate a pantry and some additional cabinets. A walk-in pantry can be a terrific addition if you’re always in need of storage space, but it will cost more.

Completely changing the layout of your kitchen is also a possibility. With the extra space available, you can transform your currently L-shaped kitchen into something more symmetrical. A U-shaped layout can work especially if you have an idea for a grand centerpiece.

When it comes to extending your kitchen, you may also need some new cabinetry to outfit the space. For materials and hardware, you’ll pay about $50 to $750 per linear foot, while the cost to install new kitchen cabinets (labor included) is between $100 and $300 per square foot for standard stock. Whereas, custom cabinets will cost you up to $1,200 per linear foot.

Accommodations for New Appliances

Use the bump-out space to accommodate appliances you’ve long wanted inside your kitchen. Make room for your new air fryer or new sous vide machine paired with an immersion circulator.

Designing the bump-out with those appliances in mind allows you to add new electrical fixtures if they are deemed necessary. You can also add bigger versions of appliances you currently have such as refrigerators and ovens.

Lighting Expenses

Your lighting setup will likely have to change as your kitchen increases in size. That necessary adjustment will tack on more expenses to your bill.

Expect to pay extra for the new wiring that will be required for the additional lights. You can also splurge on the light fixtures themselves if you want to pursue a specific look for your remodeled kitchen.

Flooring Options

There are countless flooring options to choose from for your kitchen bump-out. Unless you are replacing all of the flooring in your kitchen, you’ll want to bump-out flooring to match the existing space. The average cost to add new flooring is between $3 and $22 per square foot, depending on the type that you choose.

Decorating Expenses

In addition to the bump-out’s flooring, you’ll also want to dress the bare walls. Unless you want to update the look of your entire kitchen, your options will be limited to matching the walls in the existing space. To help put things in perspective, here are some common decorating expenses:

  • Applying a fresh coat of paint costs between $2 and $6 per square foot.
  • Wallpapering costs between $4 and $10 per square foot.
  • Installing wainscoting or beadboard costs between $7 and $40 per square foot.
  • Installing baseboard costs between $5 and $9 per linear foot.

Structural Support

Make sure the contractor inspects your kitchen first before you ask them for a cost estimate. While inspecting your kitchen, they may find that some load-bearing structures could get in the way of building the bump-out. They may have to change their plans because of that.

Also, added support may be needed for the appliances you want to use in the kitchen bump-out. Building those support structures will cost you extra.

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Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.


Related Questions

How Large Can Your Bump-Out Kitchen Be?

The only real limitations on the size of your bump-out kitchen are imposed by the laws in your area. Practically speaking though, you won’t need a bump-out kitchen that’s larger than 200 square feet.A bump-out kitchen in that size range is already large enough to serve as your secondary kitchen. Feel free to fill it with the same features that are found in most home kitchens.


Why Are Bump-Outs Cheaper than Full Additions?

Bump-outs are almost always cheaper than full home additions. So, why is that the case?For starters, bump-outs are often smaller. That means builders don’t need as many materials to construct them. Kitchen bump-outs can also be very simple. You don’t have to create new connections that will link the bump-out to the rest of your home. If you’re just after the additional space, bump-outs can be very cheap to build.


Do Bump Outs Need a Foundation?

Bump outs that are done on the first floor can either be cantilevered or have a simple foundation. This means they can be situated on a foundation walls or a concrete slab, resulting in a crawlspace. For upper-level bump outs, however, these are often small enough to simply be cantilevered from the second-floor’s framing.


Is Building a Kitchen Bump-Out Worth It?

Kitchen bump-outs can be pricey, but they are worth the money. Apart from the additional space, remember that the bump-out carries long-term value.Many home buyers look closely at the kitchen and they are willing to pay more for something well designed. You can also put forward a higher asking price since you have a coveted asset found inside your home.

Gary Evans
Gary Evans

Gary Evans is passionate about home improvement. He loves finding out how to make improvements in the easiest, most practical, and most affordable ways. Upgrading his home kitchen is one of his ongoing hobbies. Gary is also a long-time content creator and enjoys spending his free time tending to his hydroponic vegetable garden.

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