If you’re considering an outdoor kitchen from RTA along with several other brands… you might be wondering if an RTA outdoor kitchen will be cheaper than other options, because it is ready to assemble.
It’s a fair question! You’ll be doing some of the assembly work yourself, so does that mean you’re getting a break on the price?
As the sole manufacturer of RTA outdoor kitchens, we can answer this question with complete confidence. In this article, you will learn whether or not RTA outdoor kitchens are less expensive because they are ready to assemble… and reasons why they may not cost less after all.
Is an RTA Outdoor Kitchen Cheaper because it’s Ready to Assemble?
While it may seem like an RTA outdoor kitchen should cost less because of the DIY assembly process… they are not cheaper than most other outdoor kitchen brands on the market. That said, if you’re building a super customized outdoor kitchen with a high-level contractor or mason, RTA outdoor kitchens will usually be less expensive.
Why Aren’t Ready to Assemble Outdoor Kitchens a More Affordable Option?
Despite the DIY assembly process, there are several reasons why an RTA outdoor kitchen isn’t always budget friendly: material quality, customization, difficulty of production, and level of service.
Material Quality
Many DIY projects have a reputation for a lower price point because lesser quality materials are used. In the case of RTA outdoor kitchens, this couldn’t be further from the truth! Our outdoor kitchens have a DIY component and they are made with industry-best materials. This investment into high-quality materials is the biggest reason why RTA outdoor kitchens aren’t the cheapest option.
RTA uses non-combustible, high-performance concrete for the panels and countertops. This concrete is rated for 100 years and is virtually weatherproof. It will not get damaged from high humidity, moisture absorption, snow, ice, rain, hail, high winds, or flooding. It cannot rust, corrode, or rot, either.
Dying to Know What an RTA Outdoor Kitchen Truly Costs?
Customization
Most other DIY outdoor kitchen brands don’t allow for customization.. and if they do, the options are extremely limited. This allows for mass-production of outdoor kitchen units, keeping the cost to a minimum.
At RTA, every outdoor kitchen is made to order, and the vast majority of our orders are custom. Therefore, nearly every outdoor kitchen that comes out of RTA’s manufacturing facility will never be produced the same exact way again. This additional production time factors into the final price of an RTA outdoor kitchen.
It’s also worth mentioning that RTA Outdoor Living invests a lot of time on the front end to make sure your outdoor kitchen is customized to your desires. You’ll have several conversations with a Design Expert, Blueprint Liaison, and Project Success Manager… all of which have to be compensated for their time and expertise. The result is a perfectly personalized outdoor kitchen, but that does mean RTA outdoor kitchens will cost more!
Difficulty of Production
Due to the nature of high-performance concrete and our emphasis on customization, RTA outdoor kitchens are laborious to produce. Every step of the manufacturing process requires a human touch and exceptional attention to detail.
From start to finish, an RTA outdoor kitchen will take 7-10 days to be produced. With this level of care and attention devoted to each individual order, this does mean that RTA outdoor kitchens won’t be the cheapest option… even though they’re ready to assemble.
Level of Service
Most DIY outdoor kitchen brands follow a self-serve model. You either buy the kitchen online or at a local store without speaking to anyone. You also won’t get any support for the install, apart from whatever is written in the instruction manual.
RTA Outdoor Living takes the polar opposite approach. Instead of leaving you to your own devices to figure out the assembly… you work with a dedicated team member at every stage of the project:
- Design Expert: Makes sure your outdoor kitchen design is perfectly optimized for your needs
- Blueprint Liaison: Double checks the specs and makes sure your outdoor kitchen will be produced correctly
- Project Success Manager: Prepares you for both the delivery and installation of your outdoor kitchen. Your PSM is readily available to guide you through the assembly process on the day of your install.
Your Project Success Manager will ensure your outdoor kitchen assembly goes as smoothly as possible… and will provide whatever support you need. This service is part-and-parcel of the RTA experience, and it does mean an RTA outdoor kitchen will cost more than other DIY solutions.
What does an RTA Outdoor Kitchen Actually Cost?
At this point, you should have a solid understanding of why RTA outdoor kitchens aren’t cheaper even though they’re ready to assemble… and the reasons behind it.
But, of course, this may leave you with an even bigger question: “What does an RTA outdoor kitchen actually cost, then?”
Lucky for you, we’ve answered the question in full elsewhere on our blog. Check it out here and learn what an RTA outdoor kitchen truly costs in today’s dollars.
