How hard would it be to install base and wall cabinets?

Question

Ok guys. Let me know. I'm an intermediate DIYer. I have replaced sink pipes, shut off valves, toilets and closet flanges, sink vanities and things of that sort. I want to tackle my kitchen and put in my own new cabinets, nothing fancy, no lazy susans or built in spice racks, just cabinets with a new sink and countertop. Think I could tackle it?

Answer 1

bless you....where have you been all my life

Answer 2

I've replaced all the base cabinets in my kitchen. I just jacked up (using my car tire jack) the countertop slightly - first one side of the sink space, then the other. Then I took a sledge hammer and knocked all the old carpenter in-place cabinets. After cleaning out the new space, I slid the new cabinets - from a kitchen cabinet supplier into place - this did take a little careful measuring to see that the new cabinets would fit into the space. I screwed the cabinets to each other according to the directions. I then lowered the jack and screwed the tops of the cabinets into the underside of the countertop according to the directions. One of the new base cabinets did include a corner base lazy susan cabinet.
I also re-fitted a pair of the upper cabinets to make a small corner lazy susan cabinet.
PS: I am 73 years old!

Answer 3

Ive been a kitchen installer for 30 years ,,,,,,ok you lay out on the wall all cabinets , mark on the walls, starting in the corner. what the cabinet is and its size. mark where it starts and ends from the print . mark all filler strips and there sizes,, again on the wall. Make a plumb line where your stove will be, based on your upper cabinet . install all your upper cabinets plumb level and even across the top . then install your lower cabinets .the bottom of your upper cabinets should be 54 inches from the finished floor line or tops should align at 84 inches above the floor for 30 inch uppers and 90 inches for 36 inch cabs . cabinet installation is more than most people can do even seasoned carpenters will give this job to a " cabinet man " we install for 50 bucks per cabinet and 125 for utilty cabinets . moldings are 75 a stick . if your in the state of mass. let me know if you need help with this project .

Answer 4

I know that you said OK guys, but here is a gal. I actually made cabinets (overhang) and installed them. It really is not that difficult, follow and read the self help books, they really help, by the way, I made the actual cupboards out of pine, I cut, stained, and varnished. Make sure they are level, bottom or top cupboards. Make sure they are screwed into the studs on the wall. A new countertop is basically the same it has to be level. Make sure your structure will hold the type of countertop. Different materials are different weight. For the sink, if you are putting it in the same spot and if it is the same size, draw a template of the existing one. I hope this helps. Best of luck.

Answer 5

aright a quick quiz before I say yea or now are your kitchen corners square, are they plumb, is the floor level is there electrical running thur any of the cabinets in there now, how much plumbing is running thru then just under the sink or it is running along the wall for any distance. What counter tops are you going to get etc etc you can do this but you have to pay attention to details there is a book at home depot and Loews and other places that is simple and can show you step by step how to tackle this it can be done but if it gets screwed up it can also be a mess to deal with and very expensive to fix so get the book and check out the answers to the questions I first asked then if you are no intimidated go for I love a woman who have what it take to get it done..good luck in the new year and be proud of our kitchen because something tells me you ARE going to do it regardless.

Answer 6

I've finished do just that. The hardest part is preparing your area. Layout is also extremely important. Spend a lot of time getting the space right and making sure your area is level and square. I started with the wall cabnets, usuing a level line and "straping to hold up the cabnets so they are all at the same level. Shiming and rechecking requires another pair of hands. Bases are a little easier. But make sure you start at the highest point of the floor so that you shim all the bases up to that unit.

Answer 7

Using what the other guys said, you can also measure the hight you want them and cut a couple of 2x4's and use them to set the cabinets on above your counters. You can even attach them together with another board so they don't fall over.

Answer 8

Little ruff but you should beable to do it.See what you want at lowes or any cabinet shop. Measure what you want and what type cabinet,two door,1 door,drawers.single row double row.Floor type,and hang type.If you do same as you have its easier.Then tops come in all kitchen color,short,long straight ,curved.Make a layout and what you want and go looking.Just be sure to find studs to hang the upper one's to.That's wall stud's,not guy stud's.Good luck.

Answer 9

easiest way to do it, mark a level horizontal line on the wall for the wall cabinets to sit on. Locate the studs, mark them above and below the cabinets (so you can see them with cabs in place). screw a 1x2 along the line set your cabs on top of that. Screw cabs to studs, remove 1x2, set bases. Done!

Answer 10

it's easy. all you have to do is make sure they are level... i did my kitchen alone... i hung the wall cabinets and it was a piece of cake. locate and mark your studs, make sure you have shims and good screws...

Answer 11

no sorry, i've done this before and its not fun. also depends on the quality of your cabinets, if its from ikea then by all means DIY