Who Should You Hire to Install Kitchen Cabinets?

Protect your investment by hiring a pro

A contemporary kitchen with wooden cabinets
Photo: imaginima / E+ / Getty Images
A contemporary kitchen with wooden cabinets
Photo: imaginima / E+ / Getty Images
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Skilled DIYers and various professionals can handle kitchen cabinet installation, but achieving a precise and polished finish requires an expert with specialized tools and experience. Knowing who can install kitchen cabinets helps you balance cost, time, and quality to choose the best option.

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Kitchen Cabinet Installer

A local cabinet installer has specific experience that allows them to understand the intricacies of different cabinet types, materials, and mounting systems, ensuring a flawless installation.

Problem-Solving Skills

Kitchen cabinet installers can address and solve any unexpected issues that arise during the installation process. Whether dealing with uneven walls, tricky corners, or custom modifications, their problem-solving abilities ensure a smooth installation.

Access to Specialized Tools

Professional installers have specialized tools essential for a high-quality installation. These tools ensure that cabinets are securely mounted, doors and drawers operate smoothly, and everything works just right.

Knowledge of Building Codes and Regulations

These experts know local building codes and regulations. They ensure that your installation complies with these standards, which is particularly important for securing permits and passing inspections if required.

Warranty and Accountability

Many kitchen cabinet specialists offer warranties for their work. Their reputation and business depend on delivering satisfactory results, making them accountable for the quality of their work.

Can I DIY Install Kitchen Cabinets?

Whether to DIY install your kitchen cabinets is a decision you shouldn’t make lightly. While it can save on labor costs and provide personal satisfaction, it's important to be aware of the challenges.

DIY installation requires precise measurements, carpentry skills, and specialized tools. The process can be time-consuming, and there's a risk of misalignments and safety hazards when handling heavy cabinets and power tools. Remember, professionals ensure high-quality, efficient, and stress-free outcomes, making them worthwhile investments.

Can I Hire a General Contractor to Install Kitchen Cabinets?

A senior man installing kitchen cabinets
Photo: MoMo Productions / DigitalVision / Getty Images

Hiring a general contractor to install kitchen cabinets is smart, especially if your project involves more than cabinet installation, like a whole kitchen remodel with custom waterfall countertops and new appliances.

General contractors have extensive experience managing projects and can handle unexpected issues that may arise during installation. They also have access to subcontractors, including specialized kitchen cabinet installers, ensuring quality work. As with most professionals, general contractors will ensure your project complies with regulations.

Can I Hire a Carpenter to Install Kitchen Cabinets?

Carpenters have the woodworking skills to make precise measurements and custom adjustments. They can tackle different installation challenges, like dealing with uneven walls or making custom cabinet modifications, to ensure your cabinets fit perfectly and work smoothly. Overall, a skilled carpenter is a great option for simple to moderately complex kitchen cabinet installations. They are also ideal pros to hire to build custom cabinets

How Do Pros Install Cabinets?

Pros follow a systematic approach when installing kitchen cabinets to ensure precision and high-quality results. Here’s an overview of their process:

  1. Preparation and planning: Professionals begin by measuring the kitchen space and reviewing design plans for accuracy.

  2. Prepping the space: They will carefully remove the existing cabinets and prep the area by patching holes and leveling surfaces.

  3. Installing upper cabinets: Installation starts with upper cabinets using laser levels to mark positions, install a temporary ledger board for support, and mount the cabinets securely to wall studs.

  4. Installing base cabinets: Base cabinets are positioned and leveled using shims if needed and are attached to wall studs and each other, ensuring proper alignment and stability.

  5. Final adjustments: They will adjust the doors and drawers for proper alignment along with trim, molding, and other finishing touches

  6. Final inspection: After a thorough inspection to ensure quality, pros will clean the workspace, leaving the kitchen ready for use.

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