You’re remodeling your kitchen and want to install some new cabinetry. It’s not the easiest DIY project out there, but if you have some experience using power tools such as a drill and screw gun, plus help from a family member or friend, with time and patience you can accomplish this advanced DIY. And of course, if all else fails, call the experts at any PARR Design Centers. They’ve got you covered.
Let’s focus on installing a base cabinet.
Tools
- Stud finder
- Pencil
- Makita Cordless Impact Driver
- Utility knife
- Tape measure
- Makita Cordless Drill
- Countersink pilot drill bit
- 3′-6′ Level
Materials
- Cabinet
- Masking tape
- Shims
- MVP Multipurpose #10 3″ wood screws
- Toggle bolts/drywall anchors (if you can’t screw into a stud location)
How To
- Remove cabinet drawers, doors and hardware and set aside.
- Locate the wall studs with a stud finder and then mark the center stud locations on the wall with a pencil. You’ll be screwing the cabinet into the studs. This will provide the strongest stay put location for your cabinet. Option is to use masking tape to mark the stud locations if you have already painted walls.
- Measure and mark the location on the wall where the cabinet will be fastened to it.
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Mark on the back of the cabinet (top and bottom) where it meets the studs and then drill a couple small pilot holes at the marked spots.
- Position the cabinet against the wall. Level and plumb the base by adding shims side to side and front to back.
TIP: “Place shims tightly between the cabinet and the wall above where you’ll screw the cabinet into the wall. This will prevent your cabinet from bowing.” Corey Valdez, PARR Contractor Sales and Co-Host of PARR’s Weekend Warriors Home improvement Show
- As you screw the cabinet to the wall, keep screws tight enough to hold it in place but loose enough so you can level and plumb as you go. Tighten completely when level and plumb.
- With a utility knife, score the shims where they meet the cabinet and then snap them off, so they are flush with the cabinet.
- Install drawers, doors, and hardware.
These are basic cabinet install instructions and kitchen remodels are expensive so if you’ve never installed cabinetry before, this might be too tough to tackle for your first time. No worries, PARR Design Center showroom locations are full of thousands of semi-custom and custom cabinet choices. Experienced designers are here for you to guide you through your kitchen design and remodeling process. Can’t make it in person? You also can go online and schedule a free consultation.
Want to watch how we did it? Watch Parr’s Weekend Warriors Home Improvement Show Series: REDO with Q. What are you building?
Shannon Quimby is an internationally acknowledged salvage designer, visit her website to find out more.
