Cabinet Installation (M01)

Cabinets define kitchen and bathroom functionality while dominating their aesthetics – but proper installation ensures doors align, drawers glide smoothly, and cabinets remain level for decades.

This BidScope guides you through cabinet types: stock cabinets (pre-made standard sizes, economical, limited options, big box stores), semi-custom (factory-made to order, more size options, various upgrades available), custom cabinets (built to exact specifications, unlimited options, premium cost), and ready-to-assemble (RTA – flat-pack cabinets, lowest cost, assembly required).

Learn construction quality: face frame cabinets (traditional, face frame adds strength, partial overlay or full overlay doors), frameless cabinets (European style, full access interior, modern look, box construction critical), cabinet box materials (plywood strongest and most durable, particleboard economical but moisture-sensitive, MDF good for painted finishes), and door construction (solid wood premium, wood veneer over engineered core, thermofoil wrapped MDF economical).

Understand door styles: shaker (recessed panel, most popular, transitional), raised panel (traditional formal), flat slab (modern contemporary, handleless option), beadboard (cottage style), glass doors (display cabinets, mullions or plain glass).

Master installation process: level base cabinets first (shim as needed for perfect level), attach to wall studs securely (3-inch screws into studs), install uppers after base (easier access, proper height 18 inches above counter typical), align all doors and drawer fronts (consistent reveals critical), install hardware last (pulls and knobs after doors adjusted).

Navigate kitchen layout considerations: work triangle (sink, stove, refrigerator relationship), adequate counter space (prep areas, landing areas near appliances), storage accessibility (base cabinets easier than uppers, drawer storage more accessible than shelves), corner solutions (lazy susans, pull-out shelves, magic corners maximize dead space).

Learn hardware and accessories: hinges (concealed European hinges most common, soft-close mechanism, full overlay or partial), drawer slides (undermount slides smooth and hidden, soft-close feature, full extension for access), pull-out organizers (spice racks, trash bins, cutting boards), lazy susans for corners, crown molding and light rail.

Understand finish options: painted (most popular, white and gray trending, multiple coats for durability), stained wood (shows grain, cherry, maple, oak traditional species), glazed (highlights details, antiqued look), distressed (rustic farmhouse style), two-tone kitchens (island different color than perimeter).

Know bathroom cabinet specifics: vanity cabinets (accommodate plumbing, toe-kick space, often shallower than kitchen 18-21 inches deep), medicine cabinets (recessed or surface mount, mirrored doors), linen cabinets (tall storage, adjustable shelves), sizing for bathroom layout.

Navigate material durability in Utah climate: low humidity less concern for moisture damage than humid climates, temperature swings in garages require quality construction, painted finishes more stable than stain (wood movement shows less).

Learn refacing versus replacement: refacing (new doors and drawer fronts on existing boxes, economical facelift, 2-5 day project), replacement (complete new cabinets, change layout possible, 1-2 week project), when refacing makes sense (boxes solid but style dated).

Calculate typical costs: stock cabinets $100-300 per linear foot, semi-custom $200-650 per linear foot, custom $500-1,500+ per linear foot, typical kitchen 25-30 linear feet, installation $50-150 per cabinet.

This tool ensures your cabinets are properly selected, installed, and finished for lasting beauty and function.

What’s Included:

• Cabinet types (stock, semi-custom, custom, RTA)
• Stock cabinets (pre-made standard sizes, economical, limited options)
• Standard increments (3-inch width increments typical)
• Big box store availability (Home Depot, Lowe’s)
• Semi-custom cabinets (factory-made to order, more sizes, upgrades)
• Order lead time (4-8 weeks typical)
• Custom cabinets (built to exact specs, unlimited options, premium)
• Local cabinet makers
• Ready-to-assemble RTA (flat-pack, lowest cost, assembly required)
• Construction quality (face frame, frameless, materials)
• Face frame cabinets (traditional, face frame adds strength)
• Partial overlay vs full overlay doors
• Frameless cabinets (European style, full access, modern)
• Box construction critical for frameless
• Cabinet box materials (plywood, particleboard, MDF)
• Plywood (strongest, most durable, moisture-resistant)
• Particleboard (economical, moisture-sensitive)
• MDF (medium-density fiberboard, good for paint)
• Door construction (solid wood, veneer, thermofoil)
• Solid wood doors (premium, all wood)
• Wood veneer over engineered core (stable, attractive)
• Thermofoil wrapped MDF (economical, limited colors)
• Door styles (shaker, raised panel, flat slab, beadboard, glass)
• Shaker (recessed panel, most popular, transitional)
• Raised panel (traditional formal)
• Flat slab (modern contemporary, handleless)
• Beadboard (cottage style)
• Glass doors (display, mullions or plain)
• Installation process (level, attach, align)
• Level base cabinets first (shim for perfect level)
• Attach to wall studs (3-inch screws)
• Install uppers after base (18 inches above counter typical)
• Align doors and drawer fronts (consistent reveals)
• Install hardware last (after adjustment)
• Kitchen layout considerations
• Work triangle (sink, stove, fridge relationship)
• Counter space (prep areas, appliance landing)
• Storage accessibility (drawers better than shelves)
• Corner solutions (lazy susan, pull-out, magic corner)
• Hardware and accessories (hinges, slides, organizers)
• Concealed European hinges (most common)
• Soft-close hinges
• Full overlay vs partial overlay
• Undermount drawer slides (smooth, hidden)
• Soft-close drawer slides
• Full extension slides (complete access)
• Pull-out organizers (spice racks, trash, cutting boards)
• Lazy susans for corners
• Crown molding and light rail
• Finish options (painted, stained, glazed, distressed)
• Painted (white, gray trending, durable)
• Stained wood (grain shows, cherry, maple, oak)
• Glazed (highlights details, antiqued)
• Distressed (rustic farmhouse)
• Two-tone kitchens (island different color)
• Bathroom cabinet specifics
• Vanity cabinets (plumbing accommodation, 18-21 inch depth)
• Medicine cabinets (recessed or surface, mirrored)
• Linen cabinets (tall storage, shelves)
• Sizing for bathroom layout
• Material durability in Utah climate
• Low humidity (less moisture damage concern)
• Temperature swings (garages need quality)
• Painted finishes more stable than stain
• Refacing vs replacement
• Refacing (new doors/drawer fronts, existing boxes, 2-5 days)
• Replacement (complete new, layout changes, 1-2 weeks)
• When refacing makes sense (boxes solid, style dated)
• Cost factors ($100-300/lf stock, $200-650/lf semi-custom, $500-1,500+/lf custom, 25-30 lf typical kitchen, $50-150/cabinet install)
• Finding qualified cabinet installers
• Experience with level and alignment
• Portfolio of completed kitchens
• Warranty on installation