Cost to build a home bar

A home bar is a great way to create new entertaining space in your home – or outside it. If you’re a social type who loves to have friends and family round, this will quickly become your favourite spot to hang out. In this guide, we’ll look at the average cost to build a home bar.

In this guide, we’ll look at the average cost to build a home bar. We’ll cover indoor bars and outdoor ones too, perfect for those summer months.

Cost provided item	Unit	Cost - low	Cost - high	Average cost
Carpenter	Per hour	£20	£30	£25
Interior designer	Per hour	£50	£150	£100
Mural painter	Per day	£150	£230	£190
Downlight supply and installation	Per downlight	£30	£65	£47.50
Laminate worktop	Per m2	£25	£75	£50
Granite worktop	Per m2	£250	£500	£375
Quartz worktop	Per m2	£400	£700	£550
MDF	Per m2	£8	-	£8+
Pool table	Per item	£1,000	£5,000	£3,000
Two door under counter fridge	Per item	£150	£700	£425
Cellar conversion cost	Per m2	£1,000	£1,800	£1,400
Cost to excavate a new cellar and underpinning	Per m2	£1,920	£2,640	£2,280

Our costs are ballpark averages – get a local tradesperson to quote now

How much does it cost to build a home bar?

The cost of building a bar at home will depend firstly on where you decide to build it. The size and style will also affect the total budget, along with where you live (for example, building costs are often more expensive in London). And of course, you’ll need to save some cash to stock up your new bar with drinks, glassware and snacks.

Let’s take a look at a breakdown of the different home bar costs involved:

Cost of building a bar

For the actual bar itself, you can hire a cabinet maker at around £20 to £30 an hour. They can assemble a flat-pack bar or build something bespoke just for you. In terms of materials, MDF is usually cheaper than hardwood at around £8 per m2.

To finish your new bar, you’ll need the right worktop. Here are just a few of your options, all perfect for slinging drinks like a pro:

Laminate worktop – £25 to £75 per m2
Granite worktop – £250 to £500 per m2
Quartz worktop – £400 to £700 per m2

Seating

You can pick up bar stools from as little as £15 per bar stool, an affordable way to give your friends and family somewhere comfortable to sit.

Bar fridge

A 2-door under counter fridge is the perfect choice for your home bar, costing around £150 to £700 depending on the make and model.

Lighting

Downlights are the ideal choice for an atmospheric home bar. On average, the cost to install downlights is around £47.50 per downlight, including supply and installation

Games

No home bar is complete without some entertainment. So, if you have the budget, splash out on a pool table for between £1,000 and £5,000 if bought new. However, you can find some great bargains online for second-hand pool tables.

Decor

To get your new home bar looking ship-shape, you can bring in a professional decorator. The average day rate for a painter and decorator is £180 to £200. To make it really quirky, why not consider a mural wall? This costs a little more, at £150 to £230 per day.

If you’re going all out, consult an interior designer at a cost of around £50 to £150 per hour.

Cost of building a bar in the basement

An unused basement is an ideal choice for a home bar. Before you can start mixing martinis though, you’ll need to convert the space.

Cellar conversion costs around £1,400 per square metre. But if you need to create a new cellar, you’ll pay much more at around £2,280 per square metre for excavation and underpinning.

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FAQs

Do I need planning permission for a home bar?

If you’re building a home bar in the garden, you shouldn’t need planning permission as long as you meet conditions relating to the size and height of the structure. However, you will still need to meet all the relevant Building Regulations.