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How Long Does It Take To Install Kitchen Cabinets: Timeline
How long does it take to install kitchen cabinets? The timeframe for kitchen cabinet installation varies greatly depending on many things, but most simple kitchen cabinet installations can be finished in 1 to 3 days by professionals. Installing cabinets is a big part of a kitchen remodel cabinet installation time. It needs careful planning and work. Knowing the typical timeline for kitchen cabinet replacement or a new install helps you plan your project. Getting an estimate for cabinet installation time is wise. Let’s look at what affects the time it takes.
The Cabinet Installation Timeline Explained
Putting in kitchen cabinets is a key step in making a kitchen. It is not a super-fast job. The time needed can be short or long. It depends on the job size and how complex it is. A small kitchen with basic cabinets goes fast. A large kitchen with custom cabinets and tricky corners takes longer. The average time to install kitchen cabinets often falls within a few days for a standard project handled by pros. DIY cabinet installation duration will almost always take more time.
Elements Shaping Cabinet Installation Time
Many things change how long cabinet install takes. These are factors affecting cabinet install time. Knowing these factors influencing cabinet installation duration helps you guess the time needed.
Cabinet Type and Style
The kind of cabinets you pick matters a lot.
* Ready-to-Assemble (RTA): These come flat-packed. You must build them first. This step adds time before you even hang them. Building RTA cabinets can take hours, even days, depending on how many you have and your skill level.
* Stock Cabinets: These are pre-built. They come in standard sizes and styles. Installers can put them in right away. This saves the build time needed for RTA.
* Semi-Custom or Custom Cabinets: These are built for your space. They fit perfectly. They might have special parts or shapes. This can make install a bit more complex. It might take longer to make sure they fit just right. Their quality often means they hang easier, but special fits take time.
* Framed vs. Frameless: Frameless cabinets (like European style) often fit together tightly. They need very precise install. Framed cabinets have a face frame. They can be a little more forgiving during install. This small difference can affect time.
Simple, pre-built cabinets are the quickest to install. Custom or RTA cabinets add time before or during the install phase.
Kitchen Size and Layout
This is a major factor influencing cabinet installation duration.
* Small Kitchen: Less cabinets mean less work. A galley kitchen or a small L-shaped kitchen goes faster.
* Medium Kitchen: A typical L-shape or U-shape kitchen has more cabinets. It takes a normal amount of time.
* Large Kitchen: A big kitchen with an island or multiple walls of cabinets needs more time. More cabinets mean more measuring, lifting, securing, and leveling.
* Complex Layouts: Kitchens with many corners, angles, or uneven walls slow things down. Fitting cabinets into tricky spaces needs careful work and extra cuts or shims. An island installation adds steps. It needs securing to the floor and often running utility lines to it.
More cabinets and a less simple kitchen shape always increase the timeframe for kitchen cabinet installation.
Wall Condition
Are your walls flat, straight, and strong? Good walls help install go smoothly.
* Flat and Straight Walls: Cabinets sit flush and are easy to level.
* Uneven or Damaged Walls: Walls that bow or are not flat need fixing. Installers must use shims. Shims are small pieces of wood or plastic. They fill gaps behind the cabinet. This makes the cabinet sit straight and level. Adding shims for many cabinets takes extra time.
* Weak Walls: Walls must hold heavy cabinets, especially upper ones. Installers must find wall studs (strong wooden beams inside the wall). Cabinets must screw into these studs. If studs are hard to find or walls are weak, finding solid spots takes time. Sometimes, extra blocking is needed in the wall. This is a bigger job and adds time.
Poor wall condition is a big factor affecting cabinet install time.
Skill Level and Experience
Who is doing the work? This is a key factor affecting cabinet install time.
* Experienced Professional: A pro installer knows the best ways to work. They have the right tools. They solve problems quickly. They can often install cabinets in a day or two for a standard kitchen. Their work is usually faster and higher quality. This leads to a quicker professional cabinet installation timeline.
* DIYer (Do-It-Yourself): If you do it yourself, it will likely take longer. You might be learning as you go. You might not have all the best tools. Solving problems takes more thought and time. Measure twice, cut once still means measuring. A DIY cabinet installation duration can be days or even weeks, working evenings and weekends. Mistakes can happen. Fixing them adds even more time and cost.
Skill greatly changes the estimate for cabinet installation time.
Number of Installers
How many people are working?
* One Person: One person can install cabinets. But it is slow. Lifting heavy cabinets, especially upper ones, is hard alone. It needs special tools like cabinet jacks.
* Two or More People: A team works much faster. One person can hold or measure. The other can drill or secure. Lifting is easier and safer. Two pros can often cut the install time in half compared to one.
More hands make lighter work and a faster timeframe for kitchen cabinet installation.
Site Preparation
Is the kitchen ready for cabinets?
* Old Cabinets Removed: If you are replacing cabinets, the old ones must be gone. This needs to be done before new ones arrive. Removing old cabinets takes time itself.
* Walls Clean and Clear: Are there old screws, plaster bits, or baseboards in the way? Walls must be smooth where cabinets go.
* Flooring and Layout Marked: Is the floor installed? Are lines marked on the wall showing where cabinets go? Proper layout marking saves huge time later.
* Utilities (Plumbing, Electrical) Moved: Are pipes and wires where they should be for the new layout? This must be done before cabinets go in.
* Appliances Out of the Way: Big things like the fridge and stove need to be moved.
Doing all prep work before install day starts saves a lot of time. Bad prep is a major factor affecting cabinet install time.
Unexpected Issues
Sometimes things go wrong.
* Finding Hidden Problems: Opening walls might show bad plumbing, old wiring, or mold. These must be fixed. This stops cabinet work.
* Damaged Cabinets: Cabinets might arrive with damage. Replacing them causes delays.
* Wrong Parts: Missing screws, hinges, or even a whole cabinet can stop the job until parts arrive.
These problems are hard to plan for. But they happen. They always add to the timeframe for kitchen cabinet installation.
The Step-by-Step Process and Time Needed
Let’s break down the steps. This helps show how long does hanging cabinets take and the whole job. The actual time for each step varies.
Removal (if needed)
- What it is: Taking out old cabinets, counters, and sometimes flooring.
- Time: 4 to 8 hours for a small to medium kitchen. A large kitchen or very old, stubborn cabinets can take longer. Removing counters, especially stone, adds time and needs care.
Wall Preparation
- What it is: Fixing walls, patching holes, maybe adding blocking for screws, cleaning surfaces.
- Time: 4 to 12 hours, maybe more. Depends a lot on wall condition. Simple patching is fast. Major wall repair takes much longer.
Finding Studs and Layout Marking
- What it is: Locating the wooden studs in the wall using a stud finder. Drawing level lines on the wall showing the top and bottom of cabinets. Marking where each cabinet will go.
- Time: 2 to 6 hours. Good layout is vital. Rushing this step causes big problems later. Finding studs in old or non-standard walls takes more time.
Installing Base Cabinets
- What it is: Setting the lower cabinets in place. Leveling them front-to-back and side-to-side. Securing them to the wall studs and to each other.
- Time: This often takes more time than uppers. Base cabinets must be perfectly level for the countertop. This requires careful shimming. Installing maybe 10-15 linear feet of base cabinets could take 4 to 8 hours for pros. Complex layouts, corner cabinets, or installing an island add time.
Hanging Upper Cabinets
- What it is: Lifting the top cabinets onto the wall. Securing them to the wall studs and to each other.
- Time: Often a bit faster per cabinet than base cabinets once the layout is marked. But they are heavy and high up. This needs two people or special tools. Hanging maybe 10-15 linear feet of upper cabinets could take 3 to 7 hours for pros. Tricky corners or different height cabinets add time. This is a big part of “how long does hanging cabinets take.”
Leveling and Securing
- What it is: Final checks for level and plumb. Adding more screws to make sure cabinets are very secure. Making sure doors and drawers open right.
- Time: 2 to 5 hours. This step is key for a good look and function. It involves small adjustments that take focus.
Adding Hardware and Finishing Touches
- What it is: Putting on cabinet doors and drawers (if not already on). Installing knobs or pulls. Cleaning up.
- Time: 3 to 8 hours. Installing hardware seems simple. But drilling holes accurately for dozens of knobs or pulls takes care and time.
Adding up these steps gives you a picture of the total time. This breakdown helps form an estimate for cabinet installation time.
Comparing DIY vs. Professional Installation Time
Who does the work changes the timeframe for kitchen cabinet installation a lot.
Professional Cabinet Installation Timeline
Pros do this every day. They have the tools, skills, and team.
* Small Kitchen (10-15 cabinets total): 1 to 2 days.
* Medium Kitchen (15-25 cabinets total): 2 to 3 days.
* Large or Complex Kitchen (25+ cabinets, island, tricky layout): 3 to 5+ days.
These times assume the kitchen is fully prepped. Old cabinets are out. Walls are okay. New cabinets are on site and ready. Pros work full days.
DIY Cabinet Installation Duration
If you do it yourself, plan for more time.
* Small Kitchen (10-15 cabinets total): 3 to 7 days (working full time). Or 1 to 3 weeks (working evenings/weekends).
* Medium Kitchen (15-25 cabinets total): 5 to 10 days (full time). Or 2 to 4 weeks (evenings/weekends).
* Large or Complex Kitchen (25+ cabinets, island, tricky layout): 7 to 14+ days (full time). Or 3 to 6+ weeks (evenings/weekends).
DIY takes longer because you are learning. You might need to buy or rent tools. Problems take longer to figure out. Lifting uppers alone is slow and risky. Mistakes happen and need fixing. The DIY cabinet installation duration is very flexible. It depends on your free time and how fast you learn.
Here is a simple look at the time difference:
| Project Size | Professional Time | DIY Time (Full Time) | DIY Time (Part Time) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Kitchen | 1-2 days | 3-7 days | 1-3 weeks |
| Medium Kitchen | 2-3 days | 5-10 days | 2-4 weeks |
| Large/Complex Kit. | 3-5+ days | 7-14+ days | 3-6+ weeks |
This table shows a clear difference in the estimate for cabinet installation time based on who does it.
Average Time to Install Kitchen Cabinets
Based on the points above, we can give some average times. These are based on a standard kitchen with pre-built stock or semi-custom cabinets.
* Small Kitchen: 1.5 days (professional). 5 days (DIY, full time).
* Medium Kitchen: 2.5 days (professional). 8 days (DIY, full time).
* Large Kitchen: 4 days (professional). 12 days (DIY, full time).
Remember, these are averages. Your specific project could be faster or slower. Factors affecting cabinet install time are key.
Kitchen Remodel Cabinet Installation Time
When you remodel, cabinet installation is part of a bigger project. The kitchen remodel cabinet installation time includes more than just putting in the new boxes. It includes:
1. Demolition: Taking out old cabinets, counters, possibly flooring, maybe even walls. (1-3 days)
2. Rough Work: New plumbing, electrical, maybe HVAC work inside walls. (1-3 days)
3. Wall Repair: Fixing drywall after rough work, making walls smooth. (1-2 days)
4. Flooring (sometimes): Installing new floor before cabinets go in. (1-3 days)
5. Cabinet Installation: Putting the new cabinets in. (1-5+ days, see above)
6. Countertop Templating: Measuring for the new counters. (Part of a day)
7. Countertop Install: Putting in the new counters. (1-2 days, happens later)
8. Backsplash Install: Putting tile or other material on the walls. (1-3 days)
9. Plumbing and Electrical Trim: Putting in sinks, faucets, lights, outlets. (1-2 days)
10. Appliance Install: Putting in the stove, fridge, dishwasher, etc. (1 day)
11. Final Punch List: Small fixes, cleaning. (1 day)
So, the typical timeline for kitchen cabinet replacement within a full remodel means cabinet install is just one part. The total remodel takes much longer than just the cabinets. Cabinet installation often happens in the middle of the remodel process. It is a big step that must be right before counters go on.
A full kitchen remodel with typical timeline for kitchen cabinet replacement could take 4 weeks to several months. The cabinet installation itself fits into that timeframe, usually lasting a few days to a week.
Estimating Your Cabinet Installation Time
To get an estimate for cabinet installation time for your project, think about these points:
* How many cabinets? Count base cabinets and upper cabinets. Count wall sections.
* What kind of cabinets? RTA, stock, custom?
* How complex is your kitchen shape? Simple straight runs? Many corners? Island?
* How are the walls? Old and uneven? New drywall?
* Who is doing the work? Pros or you?
* Is the site fully prepped? Old stuff gone? Walls ready?
Use these points with the time ranges given earlier.
Simple Kitchen Estimate
- Small kitchen, straight walls.
- Stock or simple semi-custom cabinets.
- Professionals doing the work.
- Estimate: 1 to 2 full days.
Medium Kitchen Estimate
- Medium kitchen, maybe an L-shape or U-shape.
- Stock or semi-custom cabinets.
- Professionals doing the work.
- Estimate: 2 to 3 full days.
Large or Complex Kitchen Estimate
- Large kitchen, island, many cabinets, tricky layout.
- Maybe some custom pieces.
- Professionals doing the work.
- Estimate: 3 to 5+ full days.
If you are doing it yourself, multiply these times by 3 or more, depending on your skill and time available.
This gives a rough estimate for cabinet installation time. Getting quotes from actual installers is the best way to know for sure. They will look at your specific kitchen.
Tips to Speed Up Cabinet Installation
While you should not rush good work, some things can help.
* Be Ready: Make sure the kitchen space is totally empty and clean on install day.
* Have Cabinets Ready: If using RTA, build them before install day. Check all boxes arrived and are not damaged.
* Clear a Path: Make it easy to bring cabinets from where they are stored to the kitchen.
* Have All Hardware: Make sure knobs, pulls, and any special screws are there.
* Good Lighting: Make sure the work area is well lit.
* Don’t Change Plans: Decide exactly where each cabinet goes before install starts. Changes during install cause delays.
* Have Power: Make sure outlets are working for tools.
Good planning and site prep are the best ways to ensure a smooth and faster timeframe for kitchen cabinet installation.
Final Thoughts on Your Project Timeframe
Installing kitchen cabinets is a big job. The timeframe for kitchen cabinet installation is not set in stone. It moves based on many things. From the type of cabinets to your kitchen’s shape and who is doing the work, many factors affect cabinet install time.
While the average time to install kitchen cabinets by pros is usually just a few days, DIY cabinet installation duration is much longer. In a full kitchen remodel, the kitchen remodel cabinet installation time is just one part of a longer project.
Getting an estimate for cabinet installation time needs thought about all these points. Knowing how long does hanging cabinets take within the whole process helps you plan your project better. Be patient. Focus on getting it right. Well-installed cabinets make your kitchen look good and work well for many years. Don’t rush quality for speed. But good planning can help everything go more smoothly and on time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
h4: Can I install kitchen cabinets myself?
Yes, you can install kitchen cabinets yourself. Many people do. It needs basic tool skills, patience, and help for lifting. Be ready for the DIY cabinet installation duration to be longer than a professional job. It is helpful to watch videos and read guides first.
h4: Do I need a helper to install cabinets?
Yes, strongly needed, especially for upper cabinets. Upper cabinets are heavy and must be held perfectly while you screw them to the wall. It is very hard and risky to do this alone. Even for base cabinets, a helper makes leveling and moving them much easier and faster.
h4: Should I install flooring before or after cabinets?
Most pros put cabinets in first. This is called “installing cabinets on the subfloor.” Then the finish flooring goes around the cabinets. This saves money on flooring material. It also makes installing dishwashers easier later. If you might change the layout much in the future, installing flooring under everything is better, but costs more now.
h4: Do cabinets need to be screwed into studs?
Yes, absolutely. This is critical for safety and strength. Wall studs are the strong wood parts of the wall frame. Cabinets, especially upper ones, are heavy, even empty. When filled with dishes, they are much heavier. Screws must go into studs to hold them securely. Relying only on drywall anchors is not safe. Finding studs is a key part of “how long does hanging cabinets take” and must be done right.
h4: How level do walls need to be for cabinets?
Walls don’t need to be perfectly flat. But they should be close. Cabinets must be installed level and plumb (straight up and down). If walls bow a lot or are not flat, installers use shims behind the cabinet where it touches the wall. This pushes the cabinet out so it is straight. Too many shims or very uneven walls slow down the process.
h4: How long after cabinet install can countertops be put on?
Countertop companies usually need to measure after base cabinets are fully installed and level. This measuring is called “templating.” After templating, it takes time to make the countertop (like granite or quartz). This usually takes 1 to 2 weeks. So, countertop install happens 1-2 weeks after cabinet install is done. Laminate counters can sometimes be measured before cabinets or cut on site, which can be faster.
h4: What happens on the first day of cabinet install?
If it’s a replacement, the first task is often removing old cabinets. Then, installers will clean the space and mark the layout on the walls. They will find and mark the wall studs. If it’s a new build or remodel with clean walls, they go straight to marking layout and finding studs. Sometimes, they might start setting base cabinets on the first day if prep goes fast.
h4: What adds the most time to cabinet installation?
Several things add big time:
* Uneven or bad walls needing lots of shimming.
* Finding hidden problems like bad pipes or wires.
* Complex kitchen layouts with many corners or angles.
* RTA cabinets that need full assembly.
* Doing the work yourself with little experience.
* Lack of good preparation before install day.
h4: Is cabinet installation messy?
Installing cabinets creates dust from drilling and cutting shims. If old cabinets are removed, that makes a lot of mess. Professional installers usually clean up wood dust and debris from their work. A full kitchen remodel involving demo is very messy.
h4: How does cabinet quality affect install time?
Higher quality cabinets (like custom or good semi-custom) are often built more square and sturdy. They fit together better. This can make installation smoother and sometimes faster because things line up correctly. Cheaper RTA or low-quality stock cabinets can be out of square. This requires more effort to make them look right and can add time.