Installing kitchen cabinets is a major project. However, with clear instructions, enough time, and standard tools, you really can do it yourself. Follow this step-by-step guide to getting started on the right track and admire a job well done when you're finished.
Learning how to install kitchen cabinets might seem like a big task, but with some common tools and general do-it-yourself know-how, you won't need to hire a pro to do the work. Calm any fear of the job by thinking of it as simply attaching some boxes next to each other along your wall and floor.
Learning how to install kitchen cabinets may seem intimidating, but the techniques are really quite simple. Think of it as screwing a series of boxes to the wall and to one another in the proper sequence. If your cabinet plan is correct, your main job is to find the best starting point and keep everything level.
Alternatively, putting up cabinets on your own can save you money on installation fees. While you'll still have to budget for the cabinets themselves and any worksite conditions, the cost should be much more affordable.
The key to hanging upper cabinets by yourself is to support them from underneath. You can attach a ledger board to the wall to prop up the back edge, but this still requires two people to hold and screw the cabinet into place. Plus, you have to patch the holes left behind when you remove the ledger board!
On average, cabinet installers will charge between $70 and $200 per hour, or between $105 and $300 per cabinet. For handymen, the averages are $50 to $100 per hour and $100 to $200 per cabinet.
The cabinets should always be screwed into the studs, not just the wallboard. You may decide to cut away some of the wallboard and nail blocking in place between some studs. Replace the pieces of drywall. You don't have to finish the seams with tape and compound, as they are hidden behind the cabinets.
Labor charges for kitchen cabinets do not only pertain to construction expenses if you opt for a custom job, but it also includes installation costs. Although setting up cabinets looks easy, a lot of laborers undergo special training and require a lead safety certification to become qualified to be cabinet installers.
The cost of Lowes cabinet installation depends on personal requirements. However, it typically costs $50 to $260 per linear square foot. That translates to about $80 to $200 per cabinet.
Building your own kitchen cabinets is only a feasible plan if you have plenty of time, a shop full of tools, and intermediate woodworking skills. While building your own cabinets saves about 66%, the cost of tools and time eats into this significantly for someone who is not an experienced woodworker.
On average, kitchen cabinet installation will be completed between 2-3 days. Depending on the size of the home and extent of customization being done, larger kitchens may require an additional 1-2 days.
Attach the cabinets to the studs with at least two screws in each mounting rail, while attaching the cabinets to each other with at least four drywall screws. Once all cabinets are securely in place, trim off the exposed shims with a utility knife.
The cabinet installation process typically takes about a week no matter if your cabinets are stock or custom. However, if you order custom or semi-custom cabinets, the process will take longer in order for your new cabinets to be manufactured and delivered to you, typically a 4-12 week timespan.
While it's true that it does take a bit of skill, some time, and a couple pairs of helpful hands, it's totally possible for even first-time homeowners to DIY a kitchen cabinet installation. Here's a complete guide to installing kitchen cabinets, including pro tips and tricks to get it right the first time!
Base cabinets rest solidly on the floor (they are shimmed, if necessary, to ensure levelness), but are also attached to wall studs with screws or nails driven through a nailing strip in the back of the cabinet.
How long does it take to have new cabinets installed? It can take four to nine weeks from purchase to installation, depending on whether cabinets are stock or custom and the availability of Special Order items.
Cost-Efficient: RTA cabinets come in a variety of options, but since you do the assembly, the cost is lower than traditional cabinets. Quality Construction: Most RTA cabinets are solid wood with dovetail drawers.
Ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets arrive flat-packed in cardboard boxes with the hardware needed for assembly. Because homeowners handle building them, and they cost the manufacturer less to transport and store, RTA cabinets can be half the price of factory-assembled versions.
Base cabinets are significantly more expensive than wall cabinets due to the extra size and extra costs for drawer boxes and hardware. Replacing the doors and drawer fronts save money, and labor for removal and installation. Also, new base cabinets may not have the same dimensions as the old ones.
It is cheaper to paint kitchen cabinets than it is to replace them. On average, you'll spend $775 to paint your kitchen cabinets, but replacing them can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $25,000.
Custom versus stock
As to average prices: Stock cabinets: $100 to $300 per linear foot installed. Semi-custom cabinets: $150 to $650 per linear foot installed. Custom cabinets: $500 to $1,200 per linear foot installed.
Plywood and pocket-hole screws make for a clean, sturdy installation. It's always a good idea to have solid blocking behind drywall for fastening upper and lower cabinets.
Traditionally hardwood flooring is more commonly installed prior to the cabinets and sanded and finished as one of the last steps, but with the increasing popularity of prefinished hardwood flooring the risks of damage during installation becomes greater.