When Your Need to Install Custom Kitchen Cabinets

Installing a custom kitchen cabinet system is a labor-intensive project that requires the help of a second person to assist with the lifting and placement of cabinets. A 2-person team is better able to keep the cabinets level and in place while you are affixing them to the wall.

Pre-drill the Upper Unit Face Frame

To begin, pre-drill holes in the face frames of the cabinets and drive deck or wood screws into the adjoining cabinet unit's face frame. Using clamps help to hold the cabinets together while driving the screws in between the cabinets. You will need to have some scrap wood available for the end pieces of the end units to keep them from moving prior to installation.

Prepare the Wall for the Upper Cabinets

Before placement, use a level to draw a plum line across where the cabinets will be hung. In addition, if there is any electrical that needs to be drawn into the cabinet, like lighting, drill holes to pull the wiring through as you prepare to mount the upper unit. Nail a 2x4 temporary support stud across the length of the wall that is where the bottom lip of the cabinet will rest. This will provide some relief for your assistant and help you keep the installation square.

It is easier to work with the cabinet doors off since it makes the upper unit lighter. If you do not have the assistance of another person, a hydraulic jack lift may do the trick but installation will take longer. While the assistance helps to align and hold the upper unit in place, you need to drive screws into the wall studs in order to properly hand the cabinets. Use a level to make sure that you are constantly flush and square with the wall; otherwise your unit could become unbalanced and eventually give way.

After installing and checking the level of the top unit, you can remove the clamps holding the individual units together. You should also be able to remove the temporary support that you used to help support the unit as you attached it to the wall. The resulting holes in the drywall can be patched with drywall mud, sanded and painted to restore it to its original use.

Install the Lower Cabinets

With the upper cabinets in place, you can turn your focus on the bottom cabinets. Start with the corner unit piece and using shims to achieve level, screw the piece into the wall studs. You should use 3½-inch deck or wood screws to attach the cabinets and under no circumstances should you use nails.

From the corner unit, attach the remaining units in the same manner as you assembled the upper cabinet pieces. First attach the unit to the cornet unit (once you line it up) and screw the piece into the wall using the wood screws. You will continue this process until all pieces have been set and attached securely to the wall.

Attach the Doors

Attach the cabinet doors to the hinges and place any drawers into their glides. Clean-up and your cabinet installation is complete.