Kitchen Cabinet Installation

Tool, Material and Supply Checklist

The following supplies, materials, and tools may be necessary for your successful cabinet installation. Depending on the type of cabinets that you are installing, you may need all or most of the following:

1. new cabinets
2. hammer
3. pry bar
4. Phillips screwdriver
5. screwdriver
6. flathead screwdriver
7. level
8. tape measure
9. straight edge screw driver
10. drill
11. saw
12. 3/16^th inch drill bit
13. pencil
14. wood screws
15. finish nails
16. clamps (c-style)
17. wood shims
18. miter box
19. stud finder

Preparing Your Area

Before installing your kitchen cabinets, you will need to prepare the area where you are planning to install them. Typically, this involves removing the existing kitchen cabinets from the area, unless you are dealing with a new construction.

You will need to shut off the water supply to the area, as well as the power to the area (if you are unsure about the procedure for disconnecting the power, call a professional to do so for you).

Move out the stove, refrigerator, and other appliances to allow for easier access to your work area.

Next, remove the old cabinets and existing countertops.

Detach and discard molding from the walls around the cabinets.

Check for uneven areas in the installation area that might affect proper installation. In many cases, you will be able to sand down plaster or shim the area with wood in order to make the installation area plumb and square.

Getting Started With Your Kitchen Cabinet Installation

Your next step will be to locate the studs in the walls around the installation area.

If you don't have a stud finder, you can tap on the walls until you hear a solid sound that indicates a stud is behind the wall. Drive a small finishing nail into the stud to verify its location in an area that will be covered by your cabinets. Make the studs with a pencil.

Begin by installing corner cabinets, and work your way from the corner and out. Measure from the corner to the first marked stud and use your pencil to record the measurement inside of the cabinet that will be installed in that spot. This should be done for every cabinet. Follow around the room in this pattern.

You will next install the fillers and valances for the cabinets. A filler is a cabinet that makes up for the odd space between the last cabinet and the wall. Fillers usually must be cut to size. If your valances must be cut to size, be sure to cut an equal length from each end to ensure that they are symmetrical. Install the base cabinets in the same fashion, working from the corner and out.

Countertops are the next part of your kitchen cabinet installation. Carefully install the new countertop onto the cabinet and attach them by screwing the cabinet corner braces in. Trim and molding will be installed next. Measure your trim carefully and use your miter box for proper cuts when you need a forty-five degree angle for moldings that join one another.

Finally, adjust the doors of the cabinets if they are misaligned; the same is true for drawers. Tighten all screws. Pat yourself on the back for your hard work, and congratulate yourself for using our Kitchen Cabinet Installation articles to save yourself a ton of money!

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