What this covers
Cabinet installation is where the drawings meet the real room. The installer finds the high point of the floor and sets a level line, locates studs, hangs the upper cabinets on a ledger, sets and shims the base cabinets, scribes the edges to uneven walls, fastens everything to the studs, joins the boxes, and adjusts every door and drawer. Countertops are templated only after the bases are set.
When to call
- New cabinets delivered and ready to go in.
- A kitchen rebuild after a loss where the boxes are being replaced.
- A single run of cabinets in a laundry room, pantry or bath.
What to expect
- Lay outWalls and floor are checked, the level line set and stud locations marked.
- UppersUpper cabinets are hung first, from a ledger, and fastened to the studs.
- BasesBase cabinets are set to the line, shimmed level, scribed and fastened.
- AdjustDoors and drawers are aligned, fillers and panels fitted, and the countertop template scheduled.
Get a certified company
Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.
Questions people ask
Why do uppers go in first?
So the installer can work below them without reaching over the base cabinets, and so the bases are not damaged while the uppers are lifted.
What is scribing?
Trimming a cabinet edge or filler to follow a wall that is not straight, so there is no gap.
When is the countertop measured?
After the bases are set and fastened. Templating earlier risks a counter that does not fit.
Related: Semi-custom cabinets · Countertop templating and fabrication · Cabinet hardware installation · All cabinets and countertops
This page describes what the service involves. The company you hire sets the scope, the schedule and the price, and your contract is with that company. We verify credentials and collect reviews from real jobs. We do not guarantee any company's workmanship. Safety steps are general guidance. When in doubt, leave the home and call 911.