If you’ve encountered any pricing for an RTA outdoor kitchen online… your initial reaction may have been sticker shock.
“Why are RTA outdoor kitchens so expensive?!”
You’re not the only one to be surprised by how much an RTA BBQ island costs! It can be confusing, and quite frankly… a little frustrating to discover.
As the sole providers of RTA outdoor kitchens, we have unique insight into why our products cost what they do. (Or in other words, why they’re so expensive!)
In this article, you will learn about the primary factors that influence RTA pricing and whether the cost is worth it for you. By the end, you’ll have a good understanding of why RTA outdoor kitchens are so expensive… and if this investment is right for you.
4 Factors that Influence RTA Pricing
When it comes to RTA outdoor kitchen cost… there are 4 primary areas that influence the final pricing.
Kitchen Appliances are Heavy-Duty & Included in the Cost
Appliances make up approximately 40% of the cost of your outdoor kitchen… and many companies don’t factor that into their pricing.
This is one of the biggest reasons why RTA outdoor kitchens can appear excessively expensive.
Every RTA island comes with premium, 304 stainless steel outdoor kitchen appliances from Coyote Outdoor Living… and the pricing of these appliances is included in the cost.
So if RTA pricing is about 40% higher than another outdoor kitchen brand you’re considering… it may be because the cost of appliances are not included.
That said, the appliances themselves are not cheap! Coyote’s premium appliances come backed with a lifetime warranty… and the 304 grade stainless steel is durable enough to provide you with years of worry-free use.
RTA Uses High-Grade, Weatherproof Materials
The use of exceptionally high-quality materials is a major reason why RTA islands are so expensive.
RTA’s structural panels are made with ultra high performance concrete. This may not sound like much to you… but here’s a quick comparison.
Traditional concrete you’ll find used in sidewalks and the like is typically rated around 2,500-4,000 PSI. RTA’s concrete formula is rated for 17,000 PSI.
Which means, RTA outdoor kitchens are made from a concrete that is nearly 3x stronger than traditional formulas! This means you won’t have to deal with cracking and discoloration which is common with poor quality concrete.
RTA’s concrete countertops use this same formula, but are further reinforced with composite rebar. Granite countertops are also offered… which has a long-standing tradition of being a durable and spendy material.
RTA Outdoor Kitchens are Custom Made for You
There’s no other way to cut it: customization adds cost.
While we don’t have the exact numbers… it’s not exaggerating to say that around 99% of RTA customers order a personalized island.
Custom outdoor kitchens will need personalized panel molds, cutouts, and other details that require specific attention.
Although we don’t charge anything extra for customers who order a customized island… all this additional production time does affect the price.
Modular outdoor kitchen brands that can offer pre-designed, off-the-shelf models will be cheaper… because they have the benefit of economies of scale. They can produce hundreds or thousands of the same outdoor kitchen design at once.
RTA outdoor kitchens require more craftsmanship and individualized attention… which yes, does impact how expensive they are!
RTA Islands are Engineered with Safety in Mind
Lastly, RTA outdoor kitchens are engineered with safety in mind.
It’s not frequently discussed… but if your outdoor kitchen isn’t properly designed or made with the right materials, it can pose a significant fire and
explosion hazard.
This is why fully non-combustible materials are used in RTA outdoor kitchens. These high-end materials cost more… but will not catch flame in the unfortunate event that a grill fire breaks out.
Additionally, every RTA outdoor kitchen has ventilation in
7 unique locations. This takes more time in production (and therefore money)… but it ensures that natural gas, liquid propane, and heat can effectively flush out of your island and prevent an explosion.
Wondering What Your RTA Outdoor Kitchen Might Cost?
Is it Worth Paying More for an RTA Outdoor Kitchen? 4 Questions to Ask Yourself
Now that you know the reasons why RTA is so expensive, here comes the next question: Is the price tag worth it?
1. How Important is Longevity to You?
How long do you expect a high-quality outdoor kitchen to last? Do you want to be grilling problem-free for decades or more?
We’ve had many customers approach us over the years because their existing outdoor kitchen failed… and they wanted a more durable option to last the long haul.
Are RTA outdoor kitchen materials expensive? Yes. But they will offer you superior durability and weather-resistance in the long run. They won’t get damaged by snow, rain, ice, wind, sub-zero temperatures, or salty coastal air.
In fact… the ultra-high-performance concrete used in RTA islands is rated for 100 years. (Now that’s a lifetime!)
The Verdict: If you value owning an outdoor kitchen that will last for years in all weather conditions… an RTA outdoor kitchen may be worth the additional cost. If just want something you can enjoy a year or two and you’re not concerned about longevity, RTA might not be worth the additional cost.
2. Do You Want a Low-Maintenance Outdoor Kitchen?
When you’re investing a large sum into a new outdoor kitchen, you probably don’t want to have to worry about maintaining it! While all outdoor kitchens will require some level of upkeep… RTA is among the lowest-maintenance outdoor kitchens available.
Outdoor kitchens made with stucco, tile, stone, or brick veneer finishes will be an ongoing point of maintenance. All of these finishes can crack and pop off… causing you to have to repair these eyesores every season. Since RTA finishes are made from concrete and are completely integrated into the structural panels… this problem is an impossibility with the RTA system.
Additionally, the interior of a wood or metal frame outdoor kitchen can deteriorate quicker than you’d think. You generally don’t inspect the inside of your outdoor kitchen on a regular basis… and so you’re likely to miss needed repairs until the damage is too far gone. (RTA’s solid concrete panels don’t run into this issue.)
The Verdict: If you want to enjoy an outdoor kitchen that requires a minimal amount of upkeep and you don’t want to be bothered with potential repairs… RTA may be worth the additional cost. If you don’t mind replacing and fixing parts when they fail, the additional cost might not appeal to you.
3. Does the Look of an RTA Island Appeal to You?
How important are aesthetics? It’s no secret that RTA outdoor kitchens have a certain look about them… and if it’s something that appeals to you, you’ll be hard-pressed to find it elsewhere.
Traditional outdoor kitchens, like concrete block or ready-to-finish, require a hand-applied finish. It’s extremely difficult to get a fully consistent, polished-looking finish… and oftentimes, the results can look a bit clunky or unprofessional. If a sleek-looking finish is important to you, RTA could be worth the additional cost.
The Verdict: If you’re strongly attracted to the RTA aesthetic and nothing else appeals to you… then this project is likely worth the additional expense. If RTA’s unique aesthetic doesn’t do much heavy lifting for you, the extra cost might not be worth it to you.
4. How Important is an Easy Assembly to You?
Whether you DIY the install or hire someone else to handle it… RTA will involve far less backyard disturbance and mess than other outdoor kitchen solutions.
If you’re excited about the idea of putting your personal stamp on the project… you’ll get the satisfaction of a job well done without all of the added headaches. There’s no months-long timeline of juggling between vendors, sourcing materials, and dealing with unexpected problems.
It’s true. RTA outdoor kitchens are more expensive than you might expect for a DIY outdoor kitchen. If you value the convenience of working with a company that’s done 95% of the heavy lifting for you… the time savings is worth its weight in gold! (or steaks?)
The Verdict: If you value an easy assembly process with plenty of flexibility, the additional cost of an RTA island might be worth it to you. If you’re an avid DIYer and feel confident with your construction skills, the convenience cost may not be worth it.
Bottom Line: THIS is Why RTA is So Expensive
Hopefully, now you have an understanding of why RTA outdoor kitchens are so expensive. It’s not just markup! There’s a great deal of consideration that goes into how RTA islands are designed and constructed… which flows into the final price you ultimately pay.
To recap, the additional cost of an RTA outdoor kitchen will be worth it for you if:
- You value the longevity of your project
- You want a low-maintenance outdoor kitchen solution
- The aesthetics of RTA outdoor kitchens appeal to you
- You want an easy assembly process
If you find yourself nodding along in agreement to all of these points… why not schedule a free call with a Design Expert?
They’ll be able to shepherd you through the process of designing and assembling your RTA outdoor kitchen… and answer any lingering questions you may have.
Or perhaps, you’d rather get an estimated cost before jumping right into a design call. If this sounds more your speed, RTA’s cost calculator is a great way to get a quick estimate on what your outdoor kitchen might cost!
