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We are excited to announce that a long time Master Craftsman of our business is now the proud new owner; please join us in congratulating Earl Swader as the new owner of Handyman Connection of Blue Ash.  Earl has previous business ownership already under his belt and is looking forward to continuing to serve the Blue Ash community as the proud owner.

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Uncategorized  /  March 27, 2024

Installation kitchen DIY vs hiring a professional help

A beautiful, functional kitchen is a great asset for any home. Homeowners who want to upgrade their kitchens often have to make a difficult decision. We are happy to help here at Handyman Connection.

Hiring a contractor for kitchen renovation may seem more reliable. On the other hand, tackling the kitchen cabinet installation on your own can save you a certain amount of money. Therefore it’s important to take into account all the possible pitfalls of a DIY kitchen installation compared to a kitchen handyman hiring. 

DIY cabinet installation pros and cons

Purchasing and installing modular cabinets is a great way to save money, as long as no additional work is needed. A kitchen design and timeline are completely under your control. If you are skilled enough to complete the project, you will feel a sense of accomplishment when you finish it.

At the same time, pay attention that kitchen installation is a long and complicated process. This requires specialised knowledge of cabinetry, plumbing (to connect the sink to the drain and the faucet to the water supply) and electrical work (to provide under-cabinet lighting for cabinets and connect all the appliances). 

You’ll have to spend time searching through kitchen suppliers for the best materials and equipment. If you don’t know how to measure your space or have no experience to tell which item is right, you may end up spending a lot of money buying items that are not compatible. 

DIY installation of cabinets for the kitchen may not be completed to the same standard as those done by a professional contractor, which could affect your home’s worth if you decide to sell the house in future.

The stress of renovating a home can be overwhelming. Even an insignificant kitchen makeover can be stressful. You may have to make design decisions or deal with unexpected issues while installing cabinets. Not to mention,  Not to mention that moving heavy appliances and cabinets can be tough work.

Professional cabinet installation

You can access kitchen design and installation expertise by hiring a kitchen contractor. They can provide advice and offer warranties and post-installation assistance (or they may not – check the contract). Professionals are equipped with the tools and know-how to complete the task quickly.

You save yourself from little issues you didn’t even know about by hiring an experienced handyman. While it is true that you might not be in complete control of some design features or timeline, with a professional kitchen installation. 

But this does not free you from searching for reliable contractors and drawing up contracts with every if and then. Lack of research when choosing a kitchen installer can lead to failure in an entire project. A poor cabinet installation can make your kitchen renovation a frustrating, disappointing experience that leads to subpar results or future issues. 

Kitchen installation techniques

There are generally two types of cabinets in terms of installation, custom ones and ready-to-install kitchen cabinets. You will need to tailor the installation if you have unique or custom-designed cabinets. They require expertise to manage complex cabinet configurations. If you work on ready-made cabinets, that would be easier. Knockdown units are much more friendly to DIYers. 

Whether you choose DIY or contractor hiring, you should know what’s involved in the process of hanging kitchen cabinets. To learn this, we will briefly go through all the main points.

Preparation stage

Make sure you include everything you need in your kitchen before starting the actual work of installing your kitchen. This is essential to ensure your kitchen will turn out functional and attractive. You’ll want to think about several things during the design stage, including the precise sizes, storage capacity, and arrangement of appliances, as well as your work habits and your needs.

Gather all the necessary tools before installing your kitchen. Cover everything, from measuring tapes and power drills. A well-prepared project will be efficient, smooth and seamless. This will ultimately save you time and frustration.

Take everything out of your kitchen. This will allow you to work with the space easily and provide a platform for your next steps in the kitchen installation. It is important to remove old kitchen units before you can install your new kitchen. Finally, check the space to ensure there are no obstacles that could cause danger.

Installation process

Base units are the first thing to install in a kitchen. They are the base cabinets and drawers that rest on your floor. As a foundation of the kitchen, they must be perfectly levelled and securely attached to the wall. Cut countertops according to your kitchen’s layout. Install them using steel angles to anchor the top, and seal according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Decide where you want your upper cabinets to sit. A recommended height is 600mm above the countertop. Measure and mark the height. Hold the cabinets to make sure they are well levelled. Mark on the cabinet the position of the studs located in the wall. Drill through the rear panel of the cabinet to the studs. Then, secure the cabinets on the wall using large screws.

During the installation, you may encounter some things that you might not expect, such as:

  1. Crown molding, filler strips, kickboards – all must be accurately cut and attached.
  2. Attaching and adjusting the door hinges properly.
  3. Hardware must be centralized and installed with precision.
  4. The edges, seams, and nail holes must be filled or caulked.

The last step, place appliances (such as dishwashers, microwaves and refrigerators) where they belong. Connect them as required to the electrical system and plumbing.

Finishing touches

Click the hinges on the plates to attach the cabinet doors. You can adjust the position of the cupboard doors by using the internal screws on the hinges. You can adjust the height, depth and angles with a screwdriver. 

Add final touches, like faucets, cabinet hardware and lighting fixtures to the installation. This will enhance the aesthetic appeal.

Project budgeting considerations

Replacing the cabinets can transform the appearance of your entire kitchen without the need for major renovations. Budgeting for a kitchen renovation should include several key factors that could affect overall costs beyond labor expenses alone. While labor will play a significant part in your budget, much more may go toward purchasing cabinets themselves and various key considerations will impact this cost:

  • Kitchen layout;
  • Cabinet finishes;
  • Material quality;
  • Kitchen cabinet style;
  • Benchtop;
  • Appliances type (freestanding or built-in);

Careful consideration and setting an appropriate budget are two essential parts of the kitchen makeover. You want to stay within your financial means while still creating the desired appearance and functionality of the new space.

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