Home Services Guidelines and Best Practices
Kitchen Cabinet Installation
Kitchen Cabinet Installation guidelines, FAQs and unit pricing information
January 2017
Are you looking for independent, trustworthy advice about Kitchen Cabinet Installation? Do you need to understand common installation options? If your project calls for Kitchen Cabinet Installation work, the following guidelines and best practices will help you understand: Is a subcontractor really necessary for Kitchen Cabinet Installation work? Will a permit be required? What are common problem areas? How much will Kitchen Cabinet Installation labor cost? What are the important Kitchen Cabinet Installation quality checks that should be included in the work requirements?
Kitchen Cabinet Installation - Frequently Asked Questions
| What is a fair price for Kitchen Cabinet Installation? | Costs vary with project size, job quality and time of year. For typical Kitchen Cabinet Installation expect to pay between $53.25 to $93.19 per linear foot. Additional fees are typically charged for small projects or rush jobs. |
| Is a permit needed for Kitchen Cabinet Installation work? | Design approval and permits from your local building authority are usually not required for Kitchen Cabinet Installation. If your home is subject to homeowner association covenants, you should verify that the Kitchen Cabinet Installation complies with association guidelines. |
| Is it worth using a professional to perform Kitchen Cabinet Installation work? | The appearance, functionality and useful life of the kitchen cabinets may be compromised by poor installation. Hire the service provider carefully and tie payment milestones to appropriate quality checks (use the list below). |
| Is Kitchen Cabinet Installation something that I can do myself? | The typical Kitchen Cabinet Installation project involves tasks that are best performed by experienced professionals. Good quality Kitchen Cabinet Installation requires considerable experience, skill and attention to detail. Do it yourself mistakes are noticeable, may be difficulty to remedy and may actually reduce the market value of the project and your home. |
| How many days are typically required to complete the Kitchen Cabinet Installation work? | This work can be completed in 1 to 2 days. |
Kitchen Cabinet Installation - Options, Quality Checks and Important Details
Use the list below to document your expectations for level of detail and finish quality for Kitchen Cabinet Installation. Make sure that relevant information is included in any written contracts or work orders on your project. Before any Kitchen Cabinet Installation work begins, review the checklist with the service provider. Tie payments to satisfactory completion of this checklist.
- The layout, location, style and finish appearance of ALL materials used in Kitchen Cabinet Installation will be approved by owner, before any work begins
- A detailed kitchen cabinet layout - showing material placement and all joints/seams - will be reviewed and approved before work begins
- Horizontal and vertical edges of adjacent kitchen cabinets will be aligned to within 1/16 inch
- There will be a uniform gap of (choose one): __1/16 inch __1/8 inch __other_____ between the cabinet door and its kitchen cabinet opening
- There will be no gap of more than 1/16 inch wide where the kitchen cabinet meets adjacent surfaces; a gap (in no cases wider that 1/16 inch) can be hidden by: __scribing __a smooth bead of caulk __ appropriately finished molding
- Vertical edges of kitchen cabinets will be plumb to within 1/16 inch in 6 feet
- Installed kitchen cabinets will be level to within 1/64 inch in any 2 foot direction
- The kitchen cabinet surface and surface finish will be free of surface defects, irregularities and any physical damage
- The kitchen cabinets will be solidly attached and not slide, rock, twist or move when used
- The kitchen cabinets will be securely anchored to structural framing
- Each cabinet door will open from the side indicated in the project plan; each cabinet door will open and close smoothly with light effort and will not bind, rub or squeak
- Each cabinet door will remain open at any position it is placed
Kitchen Cabinet Installation - Work Milestones and Project Reminders
The following list summarizes work tasks commonly performed during Kitchen Cabinet Installation. These tasks help ensure proper completion of the kitchen cabinets work and compliance with common manufacturer and vendor warranty requirements. Make sure that either you or your service provider takes responsibility for each of these tasks. All service provider task responsiblities should be clearly called out in the written contract or work orders.
- Verify that planned Kitchen Cabinet Installation will comply with home owner association requirements
- Complete written contract, including scope of work, quality checks, warranty, timing and payment terms; ensure that contract is signed before work begins
- Review and approve detailed layout / plan that shows location, orientation and placement of kitchen cabinets, before any work begins
- Select, specify and order kitchen cabinets; verify that type, grade, finish, size, color, any options, and quantity are clearly identified in the order; make sure that delivery date, terms and damage provisions are included in the order
- Manage delivery of kitchen cabinets; verify that delivered model #, grade, finish, size, options, and quantity match the order precisely; thoroughly inspect all items for damage and proper operation; make or authorize final payment only after complete order is delivered
- Store kitchen cabinets in a secure, dry location that is fully protected from the elements prior to installation
- Acclimate kitchen cabinets to typical indoor temperature and humidity for no less than 3 days prior to installation
- Confirm date (and time) for project start with subcontractor - one week and two days prior to project start
- Scribe edges to match contour of mounting surface
- Install kitchen cabinets using wood screws (not sheet rock screws), in compliance manufacturer recommendations and applicable local building code(s)
- Inspect Kitchen Cabinet Installation and verify that all quality requirements and punch list items are completed correctly
- Cover and adequately protect the installed kitchen cabinets from damage during completion of additional work
- Submit final payment; pay with a check to ensure expense can be verified for tax purposes
