If you find yourself seriously considering an RTA outdoor kitchen install… there’s one big question you’ll surely be asking yourself:
“How long is this all going to take?”
It’s a fair question. And perhaps surprisingly… it’s a tough question to get to the bottom of. There are many factors that affect how long it will take to get an RTA outdoor kitchen installed.
Luckily, we have experience on our side. Our team has installed thousands of RTA islands over the years, with both experienced professionals and novice homeowners alike.
As a result, we have a keen view into the time it takes to assemble an RTA outdoor kitchen.
In this blog, you’ll gain a complete understanding of how long an RTA install takes. And by the end, you’ll know exactly how much time to set aside for this project should you decide to take it on!
Quick Links:
- How Long Does it Take to Assemble RTA Outdoor Kitchen Panels?
- How Long Does it Take to Install RTA Countertops?
- How Long Does it Take to Install the Appliances?
- How Long Does it Take to Install an RTA Outdoor Kitchen from Start to Finish?
- 4 Additional Factors that will Increase RTA Install Time
- See for Yourself How Long it Takes to Assemble an RTA Outdoor Kitchen
How Long Does it Take to Assemble RTA Outdoor Kitchen Panels?
For most projects, it will take in the neighborhood of 30 minutes to an hour to assemble a single set of 4 island panels. Every RTA outdoor kitchen island will involve bolting 4 panels together using L-brackets that are provided with the kit.
So if your design is a single linear island… that’s how long it will take to assemble the panels.
If you have an L-shaped or galley island, you can estimate around 1-2 hours for the job. And for a U-shaped layout with 3 islands to assemble… this will take you 1.5-3 hours.
If you have an island panel with a split back or front, this process could take longer than the above estimate.
Please note: This time estimate is only for the 4 panels that form the exterior of your outdoor kitchen! This does not include how long it takes to install the countertops or appliances, which will be discussed below.
How Long Does it Take to Install RTA Countertops?
It can take anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes or more to install an RTA outdoor kitchen countertop.
Why such a wide variance?
The time it takes to install your RTA countertop depends on whether it is seamed or unseamed.
If you have an unseamed countertop… this simply means that your countertop is long enough to cover the full length of your island. You just place them carefully, and you’re done! Generally speaking, it will take 10-15 minutes to put an unseamed countertop into place.
If you have a particularly long island, you may need two countertop pieces in order to match the length required. In this scenario, you’ll need to seam the two countertops together.
For a seamed countertop, this can take 30 minutes or more. The extra time is required to make sure the two countertops are lined up properly… and it’ll take a little time to apply silicone between the seam lines.
Of course, the amount of time will increase with each countertop you have to install. An L-shaped island with unseamed countertops will take 20-30 minutes to complete… and so on and so forth.
How Long Does it Take to Install the Appliances?
Each appliance will take somewhere around 5-15 minutes to unpack, remove protective films, and install handles if applicable. (It’s like Christmas morning!)
You can expect to spend an additional 10-15 minutes putting each appliance into place, depending on the unit.
Fridges, for instance, will easily slide right into place… whereas doors and drawers will require drilling some pilot holes and screwing them into place.
All in all, expect to set aside 15-30 minutes for each appliance.
What’s the Total Time Needed to Install an RTA Outdoor Kitchen?
If everything runs smoothly, you can expect an RTA outdoor kitchen install to take:
- 4-6 hours for a standard 7’ linear grill island
- 6-8 hours for an L-shaped layout (once the first island is installed, the second one goes much quicker!)
- A full day or more for a U-shaped layout, depending on how complex they are
No matter which outdoor kitchen layout you have… it’s good to set aside a full day for this project.
Now, what are some other things that will impact how long your assembly takes?
4 Additional Factors that Will Make Your Installation Take Longer
Assembling your new outdoor kitchen is an exciting prospect, indeed! But as you know… there’s probably a little more involved than you’re thinking of.
So what are some of these hidden factors that will add time to your assembly?
Is Your Installation Location Properly Prepared?
The biggest factor that can make your BBQ island installation take longer than expected is pitch.
If your patio isn’t properly leveled… you’ll need to shim your outdoor kitchen in order to get it properly leveled. It seems simple enough, but you’d be surprised how much extra time this step can add!
Another consideration is whether you have utility lines that need to be connected. If you have many appliances that need to be hooked up to gas, water, and electric lines… this will add time.
How Far You Have to Carry Your Panels
As you know, RTA panels are made from durable materials, and with that comes the fact that they’re heavy!
Depending on where your delivery team drops off your shipment… you might find yourself having to travel a long distance to get your panels into place. The closer your panels are to the assembly location, the faster this step will be.
This is also true if you are installing an outdoor kitchen on a second-story balcony or deck. It will take some extra time to carry your panels up the stairs. (Be sure not to skip leg day!)
Do You Have Enough Helpers?
The more help you have, the quicker your RTA outdoor kitchen install will be. Many hands make light work, as they say!
At a minimum, we generally recommend getting 2-3 people to help you out on assembly day.
Your Skill Level with Home Improvement Projects
While you don’t need dedicated DIY outdoor kitchen experience… your RTA assembly will go a lot smoother if you have experience with home improvement projects and a general understanding of power tools.
If you know your way around some basic home improvement tools, and have completed some simple projects like building a shelf… you’re on the right track.
See for Yourself How Long it Takes to Assemble an RTA Outdoor Kitchen
You can read about how long it takes to install one of our outdoor kitchens, like you’ve done here… but it’s another thing to see the entire process visually.
The video displayed above is a full-time-lapse of a massive, U-shaped RTA kitchen install.
You’ll see how long it takes for 3 Pro Installers to handle assembly from start to finish. (Pro Installers are specifically trained to assemble RTA islands!)
Watching this time-lapse will give you an excellent insight into how long it actually takes to install an RTA kitchen.
So give the video a watch… and if you have any questions, we are always happy to assist!
FAQ
What Material is Best for an Outdoor Kitchen?
While there are several suitable materials for an outdoor kitchen project… in terms of long term durability and weather resistance, concrete is the best material choice by a wide margin! This material is non-combustible, won’t rust, corrode, rot, or get damaged by insects, like wood termites.
What are the Essential Features to Look for in the Best Outdoor Kitchen?
The essential features to look for in the best outdoor kitchen for you are:
- Material Quality (are these outdoor kitchens built to last?)
- Customization options (are these outdoor kitchens able to be personalized to your needs?)
- Customer Support (will the company or builder back you if something goes wrong?)
What is the Best Countertop Material for an Outdoor Kitchen?
The best countertop material for an outdoor kitchen would be either concrete or granite. Both of these materials are completely weatherproof… and your choice between the two purely comes down to personal preference with aesthetics.
