When you purchase new cabinets, you will also be faced with the costs of installation. If you purchased your cabinets from home improvement stores you can easily learn how to install the cabinets yourself. If you do not have the right instructions or a helping hand, the process of installing kitchen cabinets can quickly become a very large project.
The first thing you should do when you begin this process is to establish a budget. This will help you to determine whether or not you can afford to replace your kitchen cabinets. You should measure the area where you plan to install the cabinets before you venture to a hardware store. This will help save you time and money on the cabinets, materials, and tools required. You can purchase unfinished kitchen cabinets from a local hardware store and then refinish them to your specifications and install them yourself. These are much less expensive than finished or custom designed cabinets.
In any case, once you have designed and purchased the cabinets you need to install them. You should have a friend or family member there to assist you in raising the cabinets to the wall. More effort will be required for the upper cabinets than for the lower cabinets. If you do not have anyone to help you then you should begin installing the lower cabinets first.
Before you install any cabinets you should use a line level to ensure that the cabinets are not installed askew. If you have a friend to help you then they can make a mark on the wall precisely where the cabinets should be placed. You can also use a stud finder to locate structurally sound points for attaching the cabinets. Prior to raising the cabinets you should remove all shelves, doors, and hardware to reduce the overall weight.
As you lift the cabinets and put them into place do so quickly and confidently to avoid causing any injuries. Use the screws to attach them to the wall and then connect your cabinets by drilling holes through the edge of each face frame.
Once this is done, repeat the process for each cabinet until you are finished. Be sure to use proper tools and safety equipment during this process. If you are staining or painting unfinished cabinets before installation be sure to wear a mask and gloves and allow the cabinets to dry thoroughly before you attempt to install them.