What to Expect During Your Cabinet Replacement

Fancy appliances, beautiful countertops, and dazzling lighting will be overlooked in a kitchen with outdated cabinetry. Taking up so much space, cabinets can become an eyesore that’s hard to overlook. Thankfully, replacing your kitchen cabinets can be both affordable and done in just a matter or days. They’re a great investment to make in the kitchen, and best of all, it can be done in a matter of days. However, what can you expect with kitchen cabinet installation? Read on to prepare!

Replacement Options

Even with something as simple as choosing new cabinets, there are a number of ways you can go about this. Even more cost-effective ways of updating your cabinets can look just as good as a brand-new installation.

Replacing: If you’re ready to say goodbye to your entire cabinetry set, the replacement option means ripping out all the cabinets and starting from scratch. You can seek out new cabinets from big-box home improvement stores or go to kitchen design companies and contractors who will build them custom. 

Resurfacing: If your cabinets are in good shape but are just unsightly — or it’s not in your budget to do a demo job — you can resurface them. This could mean re-staining or repairing the current wood, changing out the hardware, or replacing the doors entirely. This requires no permitting, no messing with plumbing, and can be done in a few days’ time.

The Planning Process

There’s a lot of work to be done before any contractor steps foot in your home:

• Decide what cabinets you want. Get inspired and look at different kitchen cabinetry to see what speaks to you. Order samples to see how the colors and materials will look when they’re in your kitchen. You may also consider hiring a kitchen designer to help you with the design process.
• Find and vet a reputable contractor. Ask friends and family who have had their kitchens redone for recommendations as well as searching online for local companies. Get quotes from multiple contractors to find one that meets your budget and can handle the project the way you want it. Be sure to view the contract thoroughly before signing. If any permits are needed, the contractor should be able to take care of this for you.
• Order the cabinets. The timeline on this will vary, depending on if you’re ordering custom-made cabinetry or ones that are already in stock. Custom cabinets can take many weeks to build and ship! When they arrive, give them a good inspection to make sure they’re exactly as you ordered and that there was no damage during shipping. 

Preparing for the Project

Now that you have your cabinetry, your contractor has been hired, and the design is ready, it’s time to get your home ready for the construction. 

• Clear out the kitchen. Unlike a complete kitchen remodel, you’re only having the cabinets redone, but you will have to move things around for the project. Empty out your cabinets of all your kitchen utensils, small appliances, cooking supplies, and more. You can also talk to your contractor about what they can work around and what needs to be moved.
• Protect your belongings. Lay down drop cloths over the counters and large appliances. You may also want to consider laying down old area rugs and drop cloths on the floor in areas that will be in heavy use during the cabinet installation.
• Make plans for the family. If you have small children or pets who might be bothered by the noise, or may get in the way during installation, make plans to have them stay elsewhere to be entertained.

During the Installation

An exact timeline for this process will vary, depending on how many workers are on the site, the size of your kitchen, and the complexity of the project. The process will include taking off the doors or the entire cabinet box, depending on the end goal, and installation of the new pieces. Overall, putting in new kitchen cabinets should take about three to five days.

After the Installation

Before anyone leaves, ask the contractor to walk you through their work to see what was done. Have them explain any issues they may have run into and how they overcame them. This is your chance to ask questions.