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Restaurant Renovation

5,200 sqft Restaurant Renovation
in Katy, TX

Complete commercial restaurant transformation — from commercial kitchen overhaul and hood systems to dining area redesign, bar construction, and outdoor patio. Delivered in 6 weeks, on budget, fully code compliant.

5,200
Square Feet
6 Weeks
Duration
2024
Year Completed
5.0 ★
Client Rating
Project Overview

A Complete Restaurant Transformation in the Heart of Katy

When Mason's Kitchen approached Tell Projects TX, they had a vision: transform a dated, underperforming dining space into a thriving upscale casual destination that could compete in Katy's growing food scene. The 5,200 sqft space required a comprehensive overhaul — every square foot touched.

Our team coordinated commercial kitchen contractors, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and finish carpentry simultaneously to compress the timeline to just 6 weeks. The result: a fully code-compliant, beautifully designed restaurant that reopened to packed reservations on day one.

From grease trap installation and Type I hood systems to custom bar millwork and a 800 sqft outdoor patio, every element was designed to maximize revenue per square foot while meeting the strict requirements of the Harris County Health Department.

Project At a Glance

Cuisine Type
Upscale Casual
Dining Seating Capacity
120 Seats
Kitchen Stations
6 Commercial Stations
Bar Seating
18 Bar Seats
Outdoor Patio
800 sqft Covered Patio
Project Duration
6 Weeks (Jan–Feb 2024)
Location
Katy, TX 77494
Health Inspection
Passed First Attempt
Project Gallery

Before & After: See the Transformation

Every detail of this 5,200 sqft restaurant renovation captured — from raw demo to grand reopening.

Scope of Work

8 Major Work Categories Delivered

Every trade coordinated under one general contractor — no handoffs, no finger-pointing, on-time delivery.

Commercial Kitchen

Full demo and rebuild of the kitchen with commercial-grade equipment installation, stainless steel surfaces, and 6 dedicated cooking stations optimized for high-volume service.

Hood & Ventilation

Type I grease hood installation, exhaust fan systems, make-up air units, and fire suppression system (NFPA 96 compliant). Full balancing and commissioning included.

Dining Area Design

Complete interior redesign including booths, tables, pendant lighting, decorative wall treatments, and an updated color palette that reinforces the upscale casual brand identity.

Bar Construction

Full-service bar buildout including custom millwork back bar, 18-seat bar rail, under-bar refrigeration, three-compartment sink, bottle storage, and draft beer system rough-in.

Outdoor Patio

800 sqft covered outdoor dining patio with concrete slab, structural steel pergola, outdoor lighting, ceiling fans, and weather-resistant seating for 30 additional covers.

Plumbing & Grease Trap

New grease trap sized for peak FOG output, floor drain reconfiguration, hand sinks at all required locations, mop sink, and complete hot and cold water distribution re-pipe.

Health Code Compliance

End-to-end coordination with Harris County Public Health: surface materials, food contact zones, hand washing stations, employee restroom compliance, and final food establishment inspection.

Fire Suppression

Kitchen fire suppression system installation per NFPA 96, integration with the hood system, manual pull station, and coordination with Katy fire marshal for final approval and certificate of occupancy.

Project Challenges

How We Solved Complex Problems

Every commercial kitchen project presents unique obstacles. Here is how Tell Projects TX turned each challenge into a successful outcome.

Health Department Regulations

Harris County's food establishment rules required specific surface materials, hand sink placements, and equipment spacing. We engaged a health compliance consultant early and pre-inspected before the official review — resulting in a first-attempt pass.

Resolved: First-attempt inspection pass

Grease Trap Sizing

The existing grease interceptor was undersized for the expanded menu and kitchen capacity. We designed and installed a correctly rated external grease trap per TCEQ guidelines, coordinating city utility permits without delaying the overall schedule.

Resolved: TCEQ-compliant grease interceptor installed

Ventilation Requirements

Expanding from a 2-station to a 6-station kitchen required a completely new exhaust and make-up air system. We coordinated structural roof penetrations and mechanical engineering to achieve proper air balance and prevent negative pressure in the dining area.

Resolved: Balanced MUA/exhaust system with test & balance report

Fast Turnaround for Reopening

The owner had a lease payment gap of just 6 weeks before rent resumed on the updated space. We used overlapping trade scheduling, pre-ordered long-lead equipment, and ran two shift crews during the kitchen rough-in phase to meet the hard deadline.

Resolved: Grand reopening on day 42 — exactly on schedule
Materials & Specifications

Premium Materials Built to Last

We specify commercial-grade materials that meet health codes, resist heavy use, and deliver the aesthetic the brand demands.

Commercial-Grade Stainless Steel

304-grade stainless steel for all kitchen surfaces, prep tables, shelving, and equipment stands. NSF-certified to meet food safety standards and withstand daily sanitization with commercial chemicals.

Non-Slip Quarry Tile

Commercial quarry tile flooring throughout the kitchen and service areas. Slip-coefficient rated for wet kitchen conditions, grout sealed with epoxy for grease resistance and easy cleaning.

Fire-Rated Hood Systems

UL 710 listed Type I exhaust hoods with integral grease gutter, removable filters, and Ansul R-102 pre-engineered fire suppression system. Listed for use over all cooking equipment types.

Energy Star Refrigeration

ENERGY STAR-certified walk-in cooler and freezer with anti-sweat heater controls, digital monitoring, and CFC-free refrigerant. Reduces energy costs by up to 30% versus standard commercial refrigeration.

Decorative LED Lighting

Custom pendant fixtures over dining booths, LED track lighting for accent walls, and dimmable circuits throughout the dining area. Tunable white LEDs enable ambiance shift from lunch service to dinner setting.

Weather-Resistant Patio Materials

Powder-coated steel pergola structure, porcelain paver deck, outdoor-rated ceiling fans, and marine-grade teak furniture. Polycarbonate roof panels allow natural light while protecting guests from Texas rain.

NSF-Certified Surfaces UL 710 Listed Hoods ENERGY STAR Rated NFPA 96 Compliant ADA Accessible Harris County Approved TCEQ Grease Trap IBC 2021 Compliant
Project Timeline

6 Weeks from Demo to Grand Opening

Tight schedule, zero compromises on quality. Each phase was engineered to overlap wherever code-safe, compressing weeks from the standard renovation timeline.

1

Permits & Design Finalization

Week 1

City of Katy building permit, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical permit submissions. Concurrent health department pre-plan review. Equipment delivery scheduling and subcontractor mobilization.

Building Permit Mechanical Permit Health Pre-Plan Review
2

Full Demolition

Week 2

Complete demo of existing kitchen, bar, and dining finishes. Removal of old grease trap, non-compliant equipment, outdated electrical panels, and substandard plumbing. Structural assessment of roof for new hood penetrations.

Kitchen Demo Plumbing Rough-Out Structural Assessment
3

Kitchen & Infrastructure Build

Weeks 3–4

Commercial kitchen installation (equipment, hood, fire suppression), grease trap installation, plumbing re-pipe, electrical panel upgrade and distribution, HVAC duct reconfiguration, and patio slab pour. Parallel work across all trades using two-shift scheduling.

Kitchen Install Hood & Suppression Electrical Upgrade Grease Trap
4

Dining Area, Bar & Finish Work

Weeks 5–6

Bar millwork fabrication and install, dining area flooring (quarry tile kitchen, hardwood dining), paint, decorative lighting, patio structure and cover, final inspections, punch list, health department walkthrough, and grand reopening day.

Bar Install Flooring Lighting Final Inspections
Client Testimonial
"Tell Projects TX completely transformed our space in just 6 weeks — which honestly I didn't believe was possible. The commercial kitchen is a game-changer: our line runs smoother, our tickets are faster, and our cooks actually have room to work. The new bar and patio added 48 seats we never had before. We saw a 50% revenue increase in the first three months after reopening. The health inspection passed on the first try, which never happens around here. I've already referred them to two other restaurant owners."
M
Marcus T.
Owner & Head Chef — Mason's Kitchen Katy
Katy, TX 77494 • Completed February 2024
Measurable Results

Real Outcomes That Drive Revenue

A great renovation is not just beautiful — it delivers a financial return. Here are the results Mason's Kitchen achieved within 90 days of reopening.

50%
Revenue Increase

Measured over 90 days post-reopening versus same period prior year. Driven by higher covers, new bar revenue, and patio seats.

45%
More Seating

Bar seating (18) and outdoor patio (30) added 48 net new covers to the original 82-seat interior layout — a 45% increase in total capacity.

100%
Health Code Pass

Harris County Health Department inspection passed on the first attempt with zero deficiencies — a direct result of our compliance-first construction approach.

30%
Energy Reduction

ENERGY STAR refrigeration, LED lighting, and properly balanced HVAC reduced monthly utility costs by approximately 30% compared to the previous equipment.

Our Process

From Vision to Grand Reopening

Our proven 4-step restaurant renovation process eliminates surprises and keeps your project on time, on budget, and code-compliant from day one.

1

Menu-Driven Design

We start with your menu — not a floor plan. Understanding your cooking methods, ticket times, and service style informs every kitchen layout decision. Form follows function in every Tell Projects renovation.

2

Code Compliance Review

Before a single tool is swung, we conduct a full code gap analysis: building code, fire code, health department rules, ADA, and mechanical requirements. Issues are solved on paper — where they are cheap — not during construction.

3

Multi-Trade Construction

All trades under one GC means zero scheduling conflicts. We orchestrate plumbing, electrical, HVAC, carpentry, and specialty contractors with daily coordination calls and a shared project management platform.

4

Grand Reopening Support

We stay through the finish line — final inspections, punch list resolution, health department walkthrough, and a 30-day post-opening warranty period covering any material or workmanship issues that surface during your first weeks of service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Restaurant Renovation Questions Answered

Common questions from Katy-area restaurant owners considering a renovation. Don't see yours? Call us at (832) 639-6473.

A typical restaurant renovation in Katy, TX takes 4–8 weeks depending on scope. Our 5,200 sqft project at Mason's Kitchen was completed in 6 weeks, covering permits, demolition, commercial kitchen installation, dining area buildout, bar construction, outdoor patio, and final inspections. We plan meticulously to minimize downtime so you can reopen quickly and start generating revenue.
Restaurant renovations in Katy, TX typically require a commercial building permit, mechanical permit for hood and HVAC systems, plumbing permit for grease trap and drain lines, electrical permit, and a health department pre-inspection approval from Harris County Public Health. For projects involving the outdoor patio structure, a separate structural permit is often required. Tell Projects TX handles all permit acquisition as part of our full-service renovation package — you never have to step foot in a permit office.
Commercial restaurant renovation costs in Katy, TX range from $85 to $250 per square foot depending on scope, finish level, and kitchen complexity. A cosmetic refresh (paint, flooring, fixtures) may run $85–$120/sqft. A full gut-and-rebuild with commercial kitchen, hood systems, bar construction, and outdoor patio — like the Mason's Kitchen project — typically falls between $150–$250/sqft. Contact Tell Projects TX for a free, no-obligation site visit and detailed estimate.
Yes. Tell Projects TX specializes in health code compliant restaurant renovations in Katy and the Greater Houston area. We coordinate directly with the Harris County Public Health department and City of Katy inspectors to ensure all surfaces, ventilation, plumbing, grease management, and food prep areas meet current Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER). Our compliance-first approach means pre-plan reviews happen before construction begins — dramatically increasing first-inspection pass rates.
Absolutely. We coordinate and install Type I commercial hood systems, Ansul R-102 and equivalent pre-engineered fire suppression systems, make-up air units, and exhaust fans as part of our complete restaurant renovation service in Katy, TX. All installations meet NFPA 96 standards and pass local fire marshal inspections. We also handle the annual fire suppression service documentation to keep you in compliance post-opening.
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Ready to Renovate Your Restaurant in Katy, TX?

Get a free on-site consultation and detailed renovation estimate from Katy's commercial construction experts. We've helped restaurants achieve 50%+ revenue increases — let's build yours next.

Licensed
TX Contractor
Insured
Full Coverage
15+ Yrs
In Business
5.0 Stars
500+ Reviews