Installing Kitchen Cabinets

Installing kitchen cabinets has gotten to be an easier process over the past few years. This is due to the advent of a new style of "modular" cabinets. What this basically means is that the cabinets have become more self-contained and that all you really need to be able to hang them on the walls of your kitchen is some simple tools, a friend and just a little bit of time and effort.

Materials and tools:

• New cabinets
• Stud finder
• Level (carpenter or laser)
• Cabinet Jack
• Drill and drill bits
• Screwdriver
• Screws
• Caulk
• Counter Top
• Circular saw
• Jigsaw

Steps:

1. Prepare. If you are going to be replacing your old cabinets with some completely new ones, then you want to make sure that you have as accurate of measurements as possible. By not having accurate information in this area you run the risk of having cabinets which don't fit properly, and end up making your kitchen look terrible. When you are not replacing the cabinets, but refinishing or repainting them then you need to make sure that you have the materials that you are going to need in order to do that (i.e. paint, primer, sealer, etc.).
2. Remove. Whether you are replacing your cabinets, or sprucing them up, you are going to need to remove them. If you are replacing them, then simply dispose of the old cabinets. If you are refinishing them then you should take them to your work area. At this time, if you are replacing the cabinets, then you should remove such appliances as your refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher and so on. You are going to need the room that these items take up in order to install the new items. Also, at this time you should take the time to thoroughly clean out the kitchen. Remove all the dirt and grime that tends to accumulate under such appliances.
3. Assemble. Begin assembling your new cabinets in your kitchen. Do not yet place the doors on the cabinets, as this can wait till after you have hung, and placed the cabinets. Simply follow the instructions that have come along with your new cabinets. In the event that you are refinishing your cabinets, just reassemble the cabinets where they were previously. You should begin with the upper cabinets, as this is going to minimize the chance of damaging any new countertops that you may plan on installing.
4. Fit. When you are installing your cabinets, before mounting them, make sure that they are going to fit in the location you want them to. Have another friend of yours help you out by holding them up, or moving them in to place. Also, at this time you are going to want to make sure that you have properly sized the countertop and other items. If everything matches up then you are ready to begin mounting. When mounting new cabinets, make sure that you are securing them to the studs in the wall (this is what the stud finder is for), and that everything is level (which is what the level is for) prior to actually finalizing any installation of the cabinets.
5. Install. Once everything has been mounted, and leveled you can begin installing your kitchen appliances. Hopefully you have gotten all the measurements right, or you are going to be faced with some more work to repair this little problem.
6. Finish. Congratulations, you have installed your kitchen cabinets, and all that you have left to do is clean up the mess that you made.