DIY Network

"Mess Hall" Kitchen Update, Pt. 1: Installing Cabinets Nearly every room in the Martz's turn-of-the-century house is updated — except their galley kitchen. Their do-it-yourself remodel includes new cabinets, hardwood flooring and a net equity return-on-investment of around $13,000. From "Sweat Equity" episode DSEQ-203

	Before
	After

Because the Ted and Jennifer Martz went a little over budget on cabinets they decide to save some money and do the installation themselves. Contractor Ken Haverman helps show them how to take away an unnecessary learning curve.

Below is a summary of the basic steps in this installation, as well as a list of materials and tools used and some installation tips.

Materials:

cabinets
2x4 lumber
plywood
framing nailer
miter saw
cordless power drill (w/drill bit and phillips head screwdriver attachment)
hole saw
tape measure
speed square
level
screws
shims
carpenter's pencil
clamps

Safety Alert: Always wear safety glasses when working with power tools.

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Kitchen Cabinets Installation

Tips:

• Mark your studs before you get started.

• It's a good idea to work in pairs with this project, as cabinets can be heavy.

• Hang your upper cabinets first so the lower ones won't be in the way during installation.
  

  	Figure A
  	Figure B
  	Figure C
  	Figure D
  	Figure E

  
  

• Use a ledger board to hang help hang the upper cabinets and keep them strait. A level ledger board can help you install upper cabinets, keeping the weight distributed evenly.

• On base cabinets, installing your corner cabinet first is the best way to stay level through the rest of the installation.

Steps:

• When the cabinet is in place, check level and plumb. Attach the cabinet to the wall with screws directly into the stud (figure A).

• Once the first cabinet is in place the second one can be installed by clamping it to the adjacent cabinet. Secure the cabinet to the wall first and then to its neighboring cabinet (figure B)

• Tip: Pre-drilling pilot holes will save the cabinets from splintering or marring.

• Repeat these steps and finish the hanging the upper cabinets (figure C) before starting on the base cabinets.

• Begin on the sink cabinet using shims where necessary to adjust for level. Measure the wall for the plumbing fixtures (figure D).

• Transfer those measurements to the sink cabinet and using a hole saw, cut holes for the plumbing cutting from the inside of the cabinet (figure E).

• Once level, secure the cabinet to the wall by screwing into the studs. Continue installing base cabinets in the same fashion using shims, clamps and securing the cabinets to the studs as well as the adjacent cabinets.

• When all the cabinets are in place attach the doors and install drawers and desired hardware.

RESOURCES :

Resources for Sweat Equity, episode 203:

MacDonald Hardwoods
www.macwoods.com

Daltile
www.daltile.com

Breville USA
www.brevilleusa.com

Builders Outlet
Denver, CO
Phone: 303-789-0808

Guests:

Ken Haverman, contractor
Haverman Construction