How Much Does a Home Bar Cost?
Typical Range:
$500 - $22,500
Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.
Updated January 12, 2023
Written by HomeAdvisor.A home bar costs $8,000 on average, or between $500 to $22,500. Custom work runs around $5,000 to $20,000. Premade units run from $800 to $6,000, not including plumbing, outlets, or lighting. Labor and design fees range from $200 to $8,000.
Home bars come in two general categories: custom-made and premade. A custom bar is built on-site by a craftsperson to fit any style, use, and room size. It blends seamlessly into your home and uses space more efficiently than premade options. Premade versions come in all shapes, colors, material choices, and sizes to meet most needs. You’ll often still need to do partial assembly and wire or plumb in any electric or water options like sinks and lighting.
Average Cost to Build a Home Bar
| Average Cost | High Cost | Low Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $8,000 | $22,500 | $500 |
Top Factors That Affect Your Home Bar Cost
For a home bar project, what room that bar is located in and the materials needed to construct the bar make the most significant difference in your overall project total. Premade bars can be as simple as you want, while a custom basement bar may include new cabinets and shelving. The labor required to construct the bar of your dreams also affects project costs.
How Your Home Bar Cost Breaks Down
See the estimated average percentages your factors contribute to your total cost.
Room Location
40%
Materials
40%
Labor
20%
1. Room Location
Your home bar can be a bar cart you can tuck neatly away when the guests go home or a freestanding bar cabinet in your entertainment space or kitchen. But if you want a fully functional bar with seating in the basement or patio, it’ll impact material costs and labor fees. Patio bars tend to be less expensive than basement bars.
2. Materials
Depending on your budget, you can opt for something premade such as a bar cabinet. Prefabricated sit-down-style units are also an excellent way to enjoy a home bar without spending extravagantly. Or, if you want to go the high-end route, build a custom bar from scratch with built-in shelving, built-in cabinets and storage, and natural stone countertops for a luxurious feel.
3. Labor
Labor rates depend on how customized you want your bar to be, the location of your room, and whether that space has already existing elements. For example, your project total will rise if you need to remodel or demo the existing drywall in the basement to make space for your bar. The same goes if you need to rewire or add plumbing for a patio wet bar.
What Your Home Bar Budget Gets You
When planning a home bar, your budget will play a major role in determining how much you can get done. Whether you want to keep your home bar straightforward to house some of your favorite drinks or make it an all-inclusive staple of your home entertainment setup, select the cost range that best suits your needs to get started.
My budget is
Custom Home Bar Cost Estimator
Custom bars run $22,500 or more, not including any plumbing or wiring you’ll need to install in your home. They involve a wide range of professionals with costs for different installations.
| Custom Bar Feature | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Countertops | $200 – $1,000 |
| Cabinets/storage | $900 – $7,000 |
| Shelves | $200 – $700 |
| Lighting | $200 – $1,000 |
| Electrical wiring and outlets | $500 – $1,000 |
| Refrigeration system/mini fridge | $500 – $5,000 |
| Plumbing (wet bar only) | $300 – $1,800 |
| Sink (wet bar only) | $200 – $1,000 |
| Design fees | $2,000 – $4,000 |
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Construction
Your home bar can be as simple as a beautifully stained hardwood shelf with space for a few bottles and glasses, in which case you'll only have to pay for the cost of shelving. If you've already paid for the cost of built-in bookshelves ($200 to $700), you could repurpose these into a simple and discreet home bar.
Or you can build an elaborate affair with seating, plumbing, lighting, and plenty of storage. If you're going for a more substantial home bar, you'll need to account for the cost of countertops ($200 to $1,000), cabinets ($900 to $7,000), and potentially an interior designer.
If you're building a basement bar or it's a part of the price of building an outdoor kitchen, you need to consider how you'll floor it. Installing flooring costs anywhere from $3 to $25 per square foot, depending on whether you choose vinyl, wood, tile, or stone.
Electrical Installation
Installing light costs around $200 to $1,000, and installing electrical wiring and outlets costs about $500 to $1,000. If you need to install lighting or electrical outlets, you'll need to hire an electrician for that part of the build. Remember that most states have tight regulations around electrical work, and it generally has to be installed by a suitably qualified electrician.
Common home bar electrical work includes:
Light fixture installation cost: $150–910
Installing a new electrical outlet cost: $130–$300
Refrigeration and Appliances
Whether part of an outdoor kitchen, a bar in your basement, or a den, a fully equipped bar often includes appliances so you don't have to traipse to the kitchen for ice, cold drinks, or washing up. In addition to the appliances, adding plumbing for a wet bar costs around $300 to $1,800, while adding a sink for a wet bar costs about $200 to $1,000.
Here are some common appliance installation costs for your bar:
Dishwasher installation: $370–$1,500
Ice maker installation cost: $300–$420
Refrigerator installation cost: $500–$5,000
Design
Designing your bar doesn't need to be complicated. Even if you're planning an elaborate bar to entertain large groups of friends, an interior designer near you, kitchen designer, or hardscape designer can help. Design fees are around $2,000 to $4,000.
Things to think about when it comes to designing your bar include:
Size
Ergonomic features
Ample storage
Ease of use
Distance between the bar and entertaining area
Space to comfortably move around
Appliances
Electrics and plumbing
Childproofing
Wet Bar Cost
A full wet bar costs around $6,000 to $22,500 or more. Wet bar prices include a sink ($200 to $1,000) and plumbing ($300 to $1,800), providing at least cold water and a drain. You can put a wet bar anywhere you can plumb a line in. Freestanding bars tend to cost a little more since you'll need to pay for the labor to run a line to the unit, often through the wall and floor.
Wet Bar Installation Costs
Wet bar installations cost around $600 to $2,400 for the plumbing and sink alone, or about 10% to 25% of the total. To make it “wet” requires at least a waterline and sink.
Plumbing installation: $300–$1,800
Sink installation cost: $200–$1,000
Cost to Build a Bar in a Basement
A basement wet bar costs around $500 to $20,000 or more. Some variables to consider include:
Wet bar or dry bar: Adding plumbing increases the price by around $1,000–$5,000, especially in a basement where tying into drains can be tough.
Finished basement or unfinished: If it’s finished, you’ll need to tie into existing walls, electrical circuits, and any plumbing as required. Unfinished basements not only cost less because you don’t need to demo, but it also gives you more design options.
Building a basement bar can involve putting together a prefabricated home bar kit and attaching it to the wall, using old shelves, and plugging in a mini fridge. Or, you can splurge on the cost of a basement remodel and create a great entertaining space with a full-on wet bar to serve your guests.
Cost to Build a Patio Bar
Building a patio bar costs approximately $1,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on whether it’s a wet bar. Putting a simple bar with a tabletop on it might cost $1,000 or less for the handy DIY-er. On the other hand, putting in a full outdoor wet bar complete with lighting, a sink, refrigerator, plumbing, and electrical might cost $10,000, depending on the material quality.
You’ll want to match material choices to your patio or deck. For example, if you have a stone patio, try including stone in the bar build. Likewise, if you have a standard pressure-treated deck, installing an expensive teak bar with granite countertops may not add more value.
Patio material prices: $1–$45 per sq. ft.
Deck material: $20–$45 per sq. ft.
Prefab Bar Prices
A premade home bar price is around $800 to $6,500, and add about $200 to $500 more for shipping and professional installation. These prefabricated unit prices don’t include adding a sink or electrical outlets.
You’ll have a few choices when it comes to prefabricated units:
Bar cart: $150–$1,000
Freestanding bar cabinet: $150–$2,000
Built-in wall bar (cabinets): $900–$2,500
Sit-down style bar: $1,200–$6,500
DIY Wet Bar Installation vs. Hire a Pro
If you’re adding a prefabricated unit with minimal assembly, the DIY solution makes the most sense. For custom work, you’ll want to hire a remodeling contractor near you or start with an interior designer or architect:
Architect fees: $2,000–$8,500
Interior designer fees: $2,000–$5,000
Finish carpenter: $50–$100 per hour
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does a wet bar add value to a home?
A wet bar can potentially add value to your home, with a quality wet bar having a return on investment of 70%. If the bar is part of a larger setup, like an outdoor kitchen or finished basement, then all of these elements will add value to your home, including the wet bar being a nice little extra.
What’s the difference between a wet bar and a dry bar?
A wet bar has a sink and running water, while a dry bar doesn't. Often, wet bars also include features like soda guns and lighting and can have appliances like ice makers, dishwashers, and refrigerators. Dry bars are the most common type of prefab unit and can be stationary in the form of a set of shelves and a mini fridge or mobile in the form of a bar cart.
How do I make a home bar on a budget?
You can make a home bar on a budget by repurposing what you already have. For example, you can stain or paint old shelving, reinstall it at an appropriate height for comfortably serving drinks, and use that as the bar top. Beneath this, you could add a second shelf for storage and keep your items tastefully hidden by attaching a curtain to the shelf above.
How much does it cost to install a wine cellar or cabinet?
A custom wine cabinet costs around $500 to $5,000, while a full wine cellar installation costs $40,000 on average. You can buy small prefab wine cabinets or wine bottle holders for as little as $50 if you're on a tight budget and only have a small space for your budding wine collection.
What is a good size for a home bar?
A home bar can be any size that's large enough to hold a few bottles and glasses. However, if you want to serve your guests at the bar, you ideally need at least 2 feet per person. For example, if you're serving three buddies, you'll need a 6-foot bar to accommodate at least three barstools.
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