General Overview for Installing Kitchen Cabinets

Once upon a time you had to call the cabinet maker if you wanted to change the look of your kitchen cabinets. But with intermediate carpentry skills you can take your old cabinet down and "remake" the look of your kitchen with new cabinets. This involves some work, a lot of mess, and some time, but most homeowners welcome the improvement. If your cabinets are solid you could get by with simply "refacing" the cabinets. This means you would take the cabinet doors off and refinish them with new stain and varnish and possibly new hardware and accomplish a completely new look.

Basic tools that are needed to accomplish the job are a measuring tape, both flat head and Phillips screwdrivers, a hammer, a drill and drill bits, trim, and some finishing nails. One person can accomplish the “refacing” job, but it will take two people to actually hang new cabinets.

After you have decided to replace the entire cabinets be sure you carefully measure your space. This is where a roughly drawn plan will be beneficial. If you are going to have a range hood, be sure it will fit in the space you have allotted. After you have completed your plans, make a list of supplies you will need for your project. Assemble any parts needed leaving off the doors and hardware. At this point you are ready to install the cabinets on the wall. Using a stud finder will make locating studs easier to find inside the walls. Start on one end and work your way around to the last cabinet. After you have the cabinets hung properly, you are ready to install the doors and hardware.