Cabinet installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What cabinet installation is

Cabinet installation assembles and mounts base and wall cabinets, levels and secures them to studs, aligns doors and drawers, and scribes the units to walls and ceilings for a tight fit. People need it for a new kitchen, a bathroom vanity, a laundry or a built-in storage wall.

Signs you need it

  • The old cabinets are damaged, water-stained or no longer fit the room's layout
  • You are planning a kitchen or bath remodel and the new cabinets must be set level and square
  • The wall or floor is out of plumb or level, and the cabinets need shimming to sit right
  • You want wall cabinets that will hold heavy dishes and appliances, which need solid anchoring
  • The room has a built-in or a special layout, such as a corner unit or a pantry tall unit

What the pro does

  • Check the walls, floor and ceiling for level and plumb, and mark the cabinet layout with the appliances and the sink location
  • Find the studs and snap a level line for the bottom of the wall cabinets, then mark the anchor locations
  • Set the base cabinets level, shim them as needed and fasten them to each other and to the wall studs
  • Hang the wall cabinets on a ledger or cleat, drive the anchors into studs and check them with a level in both directions
  • Install the countertop support, the filler strips and the scribe pieces, then align the doors and drawers
  • Fit the hardware, adjust the hinges and drawer slides, and clean the interior before handing over the room

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number of base and wall cabinets, the tall units and the corner pieces in the layout
  • Cabinet box construction and the hardware chosen, such as soft-close hinges and full-extension slides
  • Condition of the walls and floor, including how much shimming and leveling is needed
  • Whether the cabinets are assembled on site or arrive pre-assembled, which changes the time required
  • Scribing and filler work to fit the cabinets to uneven walls and ceilings
  • Removal and disposal of the old cabinets and any changes to the plumbing or electrical that the new layout needs

What a written quote should spell out

  • Cabinet count by type, with the tall units and corners listed separately
  • Installation steps named, including leveling, anchoring, the countertop support and the scribing
  • Hardware types and the number of hinges, pulls and drawer slides included
  • Removal and disposal of the old cabinets, with the method stated
  • Filler, trim and any extra panels included, and the warranty on the install

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How do you check the walls and floor before you set the cabinets?
  • How do you anchor the wall cabinets, and do you hit studs every time?
  • Who installs the countertop support, and how is the countertop kept level?
  • How do you handle an out-of-square corner or a wall that is not plumb?
  • Who connects the sink and dishwasher, and who runs the outlets for the appliances?
  • Can you show me a cabinet install you did in a room with a similar layout?

Red flags

  • The pro hangs wall cabinets on drywall with no stud or ledger support
  • The pro sets the base cabinets without checking the floor for level
  • The pro leaves doors and drawers out of line and says they will settle
  • The pro says the countertop support is not needed for a long run of base cabinets

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can clear the room, remove the old cabinets and handle the hardware on a unit that is already installed. Leveling, anchoring into studs and aligning a full run should be done by an experienced installer, because heavy wall cabinets that fail can injure people and damage the wall.

Licenses and permits

Cabinet installation commonly does not need a license, but plumbing and electrical hookups often need licensed trades, and some areas require a permit for a kitchen remodel. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department.

Cabinet installation questions

Should I buy the cabinets before the install?

Confirm the cabinet sizes, the appliance openings and the wall conditions first. Measure the room after the old cabinets are removed, since the walls often differ from the plan.

How long does a cabinet install take?

It depends on the number of cabinets, the layout and the wall conditions. Ask for a schedule that shows the install days separately from the countertop templating and the hookups.

Can cabinets go over uneven floors?

Yes, with shimming and leveling, but a floor that is far out of level may need leveling work first. Ask the pro to check the floor and to name the shimming method.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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