Preparing for Kitchen Cabinet Installation: Everything You Need to Know

Expert Kitchen Cabinet Installation

New cabinets mark one of the most exciting milestones of any kitchen remodel - the moment your space finally starts to look like the kitchen you've been dreaming of. But a smooth cabinet installation doesn't start on install day. It starts weeks earlier, with the right preparation. Taking a few key steps ahead of time helps prevent delays, protects your home, and allows your installation team to work quickly and efficiently. At Cabinet Design Sales, we work closely with homeowners throughout the entire kitchen cabinet installation process, from your first design appointment to the final hardware install, so you always know what to expect next.

Make Sure Every Detail Is Approved

Before your custom kitchen cabinets ever arrive at your home, take one more look at every detail of your order. Confirm your:

• Cabinet layout
• Finish and color
• Hardware selections
•  Appliance specifications
• Crown molding and trim

Changes made after cabinets are built and delivered can add weeks to your project, so this final review is one of the most valuable steps you can take in preparing for cabinet installation.

Remove Everything from Cabinets and Countertops

Once your install date is set, clean out your existing cabinets and remove all items from countertops completely prior to the install team arriving. Make room for:

• Dishes
• Pantry items
• Cookware
• Small appliances
•  Decorations

It also helps to remove any backsplash tile and take out any leftover screws or nails from your old cabinets, so the walls are clean and ready for the new installation. Keep large appliances onsite but out of the immediate workspace, ideally in another room, so your installation crew has plenty of room to work.

Pro tip: Setting up a simple temporary kitchen, such as a folding table, microwave, and mini-fridge, keeps your household running smoothly while the real transformation happens.

Prepare Your Home for Dust and Construction Traffic

Cabinet installation is a hands-on process, and a little planning goes a long way toward protecting your home. To prep your home, sweep and vacuum the space beforehand. Remove rugs or other tripping hazards, lay down floor protection, move furniture out of the work zone, cover nearby belongings, and clear a straight pathway from your front door to the kitchen. The easier you make it for installers to move materials in and out, the faster and cleaner the job goes. An experienced installer can help you cover all the bases.

Coordinate Plumbing, Electrical & Appliances

Before installation begins, sink plumbing, gas appliances, and certain electrical connections typically need to be disconnected by a licensed contractor. Scheduling these tasks in advance, rather than the week of installation, keeps your project moving on schedule and helps you avoid costly delays waiting on another contractor's calendar.

If you are working with your own plumber, pass along these specs so everything is ready for a clean installation: 

• Drain lines should be stubbed out close to the wall
• Water lines coming up from the floor should extend at least ten inches
• All water lines should be capped rather than fitted with shutoff valves. 
• Leave a smaller hole in the back of the sink cabinet. 

Sharing these details ahead of time helps your contractor and our installation team stay on the same page.