Restaurant construction represents the highest cost-per-square-foot build-out category in Texas commercial real estate. Balancing Type 1 grease exhaust hoods, balanced tempered make-up air, heavy electrical service, and exterior gravity grease interceptors requires tight trade coordination between general contractors, plumbers, and mechanical subs.
Commercial Kitchen Mechanical & Exhaust Scoping
Every commercial cooking appliance producing grease-laden vapors (fryers, griddles, charbroilers, woks) mandates a Type 1 Commercial Exhaust Hood meeting NFPA 96 and International Mechanical Code (IMC) standards:
- Grease Duct Construction: Continuous liquid-tight welded 16-gauge carbon steel or 18-gauge stainless steel ductwork with cleanout doors every 10 to 12 feet.
- Make-Up Air (MAU) Balancing: Kitchen exhaust creates massive negative pressure. A dedicated rooftop make-up air unit must supply 80% to 90% of exhausted air, pre-tempered to prevent sweating ceiling tiles and cooling collapse in dining rooms during 100°F+ Texas summers.
- UL 300 Fire Suppression: Wet chemical fire suppression nozzles positioned over each cooktop surface with automatic gas solenoid shutoff interlocks.
Underground Grease Interceptor Sizing in Texas
Most Texas municipalities (Houston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Worth) enforce plumbing codes requiring a minimum 1,000 to 2,000-gallon exterior precast concrete gravity grease interceptor set in the drive aisle or parking apron. Indoor hydro-mechanical under-sink traps are rarely permitted for full-service commercial kitchens.
| Equipment / Scope Item | Typical Specifications | Installed Cost Benchmark (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Type 1 Exhaust Hood (12-16 ft) | Stainless steel, grease baffles, factory lights | $18,000 - $32,000 |
| Rooftop Upblast Exhaust Fan & Curb | UL 762 grease rated with grease collection box | $6,500 - $11,000 |
| Direct-Fired Make-Up Air Unit (MAU) | 80% balanced CFM with gas burner & cooling | $22,000 - $42,000 |
| 1,500 Gallon Concrete Grease Trap | TCEQ compliant, traffic-rated H-20 manhole ring/cover | $16,000 - $28,000 (installed) |
| Kitchen Quarry Tile Flooring | 6x6 abrasive grit quarry tile with epoxy grout | $14 - $22 / SF installed |