There are two ways in which you can successfully install new kitchen cabinets. You can hire a professional or you can do it yourself. The great thing about hiring a professional is that you have the assurance in knowing that the job will get done right the first time. Unfortunately it will cost you twice as much. Why not learn to do it yourself and save a great deal of money.
If you are replacing old cabinets in your kitchen than you need to remove each them all including the hinges, pulls, shelves, and drawers. When taking off the cabinets up top you need someone who will hold them for you while you unscrew them from the wall.
- First off you will need to use a level and pencil to draw a parallel line from the wall that is three inches from the floor. Measure down this line to the floor to determine what the high point of the floor will be and mark it. It is from that position you will measure 34 ½” and draw a level line across the wall. This will designate where the top of the base cabinets will be.
- Starting from the 34 ½” line, measure up 19 ½” and make a level line across the wall. This will designate the bottom of the wall cabinets. Make sure to mark the dimensions of the cabinets and place them on the wall where you can look over the layout of it all.
- To locate the studs use a stud finder. With a pencil mark above each stud and six inches below this mark for the bottom of the wall cabinets. Now draw a vertical line between the top and bottom marks you made to show where the center of the studs are.
- Use a 1 by 3 temporary support rail and screw it into the wall. The top edge of the rail needs to be aligned with the bottom edge of the wall cabinets. Secure it by using a three or four 2” screw that will go through the rail and into the stud.
- The corner wall cabinet needs to be installed first. Drill pilot holes through the back of the cabinet or the support rail and into the stud. Now screw the cabinet to the wall with two screws that are long and able to go 1 ½” through the stud. Find someone to hold the cabinet in place while you do this. Use a level to make sure the cabinet is even.
- Now you are ready to install the cabinets adjacent to this. Secure them all with a clamp and use the level to make sure that they are even. For the face frame cabinets you will want to use 1/8” pilot bolt holes and drill them into the shelf peg holes before bolting them both together.
- When the wall cabinets are installed you are ready for the corner and end base cabinets. Use shims to level the cabinets and install them. make sure that the uppoer edges are aligned with the line on the wall before you screw it into the studs.
- When installing the cabinet around a corner you need to push the adjoining cabinets in place and clamp the two together. Use a filler strop to give the doors clearance to open and close. Tap the shims underneath the cabinet and behind it to make it level.
- Drill the screws through the back of the cabinet and into the studs. Get rid of any extra material from the shims using a sharp knife. Keep installing the other cabinets in this way. Make sure that the upper cabinets are at the same place and are level with the base cabinets.