Kitchen Cabinet Installation: What to Expect, Step by Step
Published •8 min read
New cabinets change a kitchen more than almost any other single upgrade, and the installation itself is usually quicker than people expect. For most mid-size kitchens, the cabinets go in over a few days. Most of the waiting happens before that: measuring, choosing and ordering.
Here's what happens at each stage, how long each step typically takes, what you can do to prepare, and what to ask before you book.
The Process at a Glance
| Stage | What happens | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Measure and design | The kitchen is measured and a layout is drawn showing every cabinet, filler and appliance opening | Varies with the project |
| 2. Choose and order | You pick the cabinet line, door style and finish; the order is placed | Stock is usually quickest; custom cabinets take about 6 to 12 weeks to build (Fixr) |
| 3. Prepare the kitchen | The kitchen is cleared, old cabinets come out, utilities are disconnected where needed | Usually right before installation |
| 4. Installation | Cabinets are set, leveled, fastened and trimmed | About 1 to 3 days for most mid-size kitchens; up to a week for complex layouts (Fixr) |
| 5. Countertops | Stone tops are templated once the base cabinets are in, then fabricated and installed | About 2 to 3 weeks from templating for granite (Fixr) |
| 6. Finishing | Hardware, final adjustments and a walkthrough | Usually the last day of work |
Step 1: Measuring and Design
Everything depends on accurate measurements. The installer or designer measures each wall, the ceiling height, and the position of windows, doors, plumbing, outlets and vents. Walls and floors are rarely perfectly straight or level, so a good measurement notes those too.
The result is a layout showing where every cabinet goes, plus the fillers and panels that make a run fit the room exactly. Before you approve it, check:
- appliance openings match the exact models you're keeping or buying
- doors and drawers clear each other, especially in corners and next to the dishwasher and range
- the sink base lines up with your window and plumbing
- tall cabinets and wall cabinets work with your ceiling height
You can get a feel for door styles and colors on our Colors page and browse cabinets in our shop before this step.
Step 2: Ordering and Lead Times
Lead time depends mainly on the cabinet grade. Stock cabinets are pre-made and generally the quickest to get. Semi-custom cabinets offer more choice and take longer. Fully custom cabinets are built to order, and Fixr puts that build time at about 6 to 12 weeks. When the cabinets arrive, they should be checked against the order for damage or missing pieces before installation day.
For how cabinet grade affects price, see our guide to kitchen cabinet installation cost.
Step 3: Preparing Your Kitchen
A little preparation makes installation days faster and less stressful:
- Empty the cabinets and counters completely, including the space under the sink.
- Set up a temporary kitchen somewhere else, such as a microwave, a kettle and a few dishes, because the sink and range may be out of service for a while.
- Clear a path and a work area. Installers need room to bring in boxes and somewhere nearby to stage and cut.
- Plan for parking and access, especially in a townhome community or a condo building, and check any HOA or building rules about work hours.
- Keep pets and children away from the work area.
- Confirm who handles plumbing and electrical disconnection and reconnection, and whether any outlets or lines need to move.
Step 4: Installation Day
On installation day, the old cabinets are removed if that hasn't been done already. Then the new cabinets go in. Because floors and walls are rarely perfectly level or straight, installers use shims, fillers and scribing to make the cabinets sit level and tight to the wall. Each cabinet is fastened securely to the wall framing and to the cabinets beside it, so the run behaves as one solid unit.
Doors and drawers are then adjusted so the gaps are even and everything opens and closes cleanly. Trim such as crown molding, light rail, toe kicks and finished end panels completes the look. Fixr puts the installation itself at about 1 to 3 days for most mid-size kitchens, and up to a week for a complex layout or when other work is happening at the same time.
Expect noise and some dust, and expect the sink and some appliances to be disconnected for part of the time.
Step 5: Countertops
If you're adding stone countertops, they come next, and they can't be rushed. The countertops are templated (precisely measured) only after the base cabinets are installed and level, because the stone has to fit the cabinets as they actually are. Fixr puts the time from templating to installation at about 2 to 3 weeks for granite. That means a gap between cabinet installation and a working kitchen, so plan around it. Our guide to the countertop installation process walks through each step.
Choosing a stone? Compare options in quartz vs. granite and quartzite vs. quartz.
Step 6: The Final Walkthrough
Before the job is signed off, walk through the kitchen with the installer and check:
- every door and drawer opens, closes and lines up evenly
- soft-close hinges and drawer glides work smoothly, if you ordered them
- cabinets are level and tight to the walls, with no visible gaps at fillers or panels
- finishes are free of chips and scratches
- hardware is straight and secure
- appliances fit their openings
If anything needs adjusting, point it out while the installer is still there.
Questions to Ask Before You Book
- Who measures the kitchen, and who checks the layout before ordering?
- Is the quote itemized, and does it include removal of old cabinets, hardware, trim and fillers?
- Who disconnects and reconnects the sink, dishwasher and other appliances?
- What happens if a cabinet arrives damaged or the wrong size?
- How long will installation take, and how much of the kitchen will be out of service?
- If I'm adding countertops, how are the two jobs scheduled?
- Is the company licensed and insured for this work, and can I see proof?
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does kitchen cabinet installation take?
Fixr puts the installation itself at about 1 to 3 days for most mid-size kitchens, and up to a week for complex layouts or when other work is happening at the same time. Ordering and, if you add stone countertops, templating and fabrication add time before and after.
Can I use my kitchen during cabinet installation?
Only partly. The sink and some appliances are usually disconnected during installation, and if you're adding stone countertops, the kitchen won't be fully usable until they're installed. Setting up a temporary kitchen elsewhere in the house helps.
Do I need to empty my cabinets before installation?
Yes. Empty all cabinets and counters, including under the sink, and clear a path for the installers to bring in the new cabinets.
When are countertops installed?
After the base cabinets are in place and level. Stone countertops are templated at that point, then cut and installed. Fixr puts that at about 2 to 3 weeks from templating for granite.
What should I check at the end of the job?
Check that doors and drawers open, close and line up evenly, that cabinets are level and tight to the walls, that finishes are free of damage, and that appliances fit their openings.
Planning New Cabinets? Get a Quote from Mega Solutions
Mega Solutions sells and installs kitchen cabinets, and we can also install your countertops in granite, quartz, quartzite or marble, so cabinets and countertops can be planned and scheduled together. Request a personalized quote based on your measurements, the cabinets you like and your project details.
Before requesting your quote, it helps to have:
- Approximate measurements of your cabinet walls, or a simple sketch of the layout
- Photos of your existing kitchen
- The cabinet styles and colors you like
- Whether old cabinets need to be removed
- Whether you're also replacing countertops
- Any access details, such as stairs, parking limits or HOA and building rules
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Ready to start your kitchen project?
Get a free, no-obligation quote from Mega Solutions. We'll walk through your space and put together a plan that fits your budget.