Kitchen Installation Guide: What’s Included and What to Expect

You ever see those before and after photos of kitchens and think, “How in the world does that transformation happen?” My kid Gideon once said watching our kitchen get redone was cooler than any superhero movie. Trust me, there’s a bit of chaos, a lot of mess—and when it’s done right, you’ve got a space that makes dinner feel like an event. Most people don’t realize how much goes into kitchen installation until cabinets are torn out and their favorite mug is missing. So what does kitchen installation include? Get ready: it’s more than just screwing cabinets to a wall.

Pre-Installation: Planning, Measuring, and Demolition

Every good renovation story starts way before anyone swings a hammer. Pre-installation is the part nobody brags about on social media, but get this wrong and your fridge might end up blocking the window forever. First comes the design—often with kitchen design software that lets you see what those sleek new cabinets or that swanky island will look like. Don’t just guess measurements. Pros use laser levels and measuring tapes so accurate you’d think NASA had a hand in it. You want to double check every inch because even a tiny mistake here—like forgetting about outlet placement or the arc of a cabinet door—can mess up the finished look or even force you to reorder parts.

Now comes the demolition. This is the dusty, noisy, occasionally satisfying part where the old kitchen comes out. Floors get covered for protection, and contractors set up dust barriers. It’s not just ripping out cabinets. Appliances are disconnected—always safely, especially the gas stove. Water lines for sinks, dishwashers, and fridges need careful removal to avoid leaks and water damage. Don’t forget: Some old kitchens hide electrical or plumbing surprises behind the walls. Sometimes, you’ll spot old pipes or mystery wires tucked behind your cabinets. Here’s where having a pro pays off.

If you want to save time down the road, get rid of everything that won’t be reused before installation day. Some folks donate old cabinets (Habitat for Humanity ReStores love them), or you might decide to sell or recycle them. Just don’t leave anything in the way—that can grind installation to a halt.

Structural Updates and Utilities: Electrical, Plumbing, and Walls

The best-looking kitchen won’t do you much good if you have to run extension cords for the microwave or can’t hook up your dishwasher. Once your kitchen is bare, now’s the time to tackle the bones: plumbing, electrical, and even the walls. Many kitchen renovations include updating worn-out wiring to meet code, especially if your house is older. Want to add pendant lights over the island or tuck outlets into drawers? This is when those changes happen. Trust me, you want a licensed electrician for this one—there’s no room for DIY shortcuts around wiring. Faulty wiring can be dangerous and might trip up inspection later.

Plumbing is next. If you’re moving your sink or swapping an old appliance for a fancy pot-filler or ice-making fridge, lines may have to be rerouted. Licensed plumbers cut, reroute, and install pipes to handle sinks, dishwashers, and fridges. Sometimes they’ll add shutoff valves, which come in handy when you notice a leak at 7 AM and haven’t had coffee yet. Pro tip: Always ask if new water lines are needed for the fridge’s ice maker or if old water shut-offs need replacing.

Don’t forget about the walls. New kitchens often mean patching drywall or even shifting walls to open up space. You might have support beams or columns that can’t be moved. Professionals tackle these changes, make sure everything is up to code, and add blocking between the studs—that means extra wood so heavy cabinets have something solid to hang on. This is right after demolition and before the next step: flooring and cabinets.

Cabinet and Countertop Installation

This is the part everyone’s waiting for—the moment a tired shell of a room turns into a real kitchen. Cabinet installation might sound simple, but it’s a game of precision. Installers start by finding the highest point in your kitchen floor (no house is ever perfectly level) and work from there. Upper cabinets usually go in first. Why? That way you’re not leaning over base cabinets and risking dings or scratches. Each cabinet gets leveled and anchored securely to wall studs. Ask your installer about using cabinet screws versus regular wood screws—especially for heavy-duty cabinetry. Trust me, there’s nothing worse than a sagging upper cabinet full of dishes.

Next, base cabinets get set into place. This is where level is everything. Even a small tilt now means headaches later when countertops don’t fit or drawers slide open by themselves. Lots of installers use shims—thin, adjustable wooden wedges—to get everything perfect. They’ll cut out space for sinks, appliances, or lazy Susans to fit as planned. Drawers and doors get adjusted, so those soft-close hinges actually work like they’re supposed to. Need a tip? Keep the extra screws and hardware; you’d be amazed how often you’ll need one six months from now.

Once all cabinets are set, countertops come in. If you’re using laminate, installation can sometimes happen the same day. But most stone counters (granite, quartz, marble) are measured, cut, and polished off-site, using a template made to fit your exact cabinets. Installers cut holes for sinks and faucets right in your driveway—ask to watch, it’s oddly satisfying. Heavy countertops are lifted in by hand, and seams are joined with special adhesives. Don’t try this step on your own. Each slab can weigh hundreds of pounds. Seams are made nearly invisible, and sinks or cooktops get dropped into place. Silicone or caulk seals everything up, so no water sneaks underneath.

Appliance Fitting and Final Touches

Big moment—those shiny new appliances are finally moving in. But it’s not just a matter of plugging things in. Dishwashers, ovens, cooktops, and fridges all need precise positioning and safe hookups. Most installers slide the appliances into place after the countertops, using careful measurements so nothing sticks out or leaves gaps. It’s all about function and style. The oven’s hood gets mounted and connected, and exhaust vents may need routing outside.

Gas stoves call for certified gas fitters—don’t let just anyone mess with your gas lines. Fridges with water and ice dispensers need proper water supply lines, often requiring drilling through cabinets. Some high-end gadgets—think built-in coffee machines or wine fridges—may need special wiring or plumbing. If you’re adding smart-home gear, like app-controlled ovens or fridges, Wi-Fi and extra Bluetooth modules are set up now.

Sinks and faucets are installed—sometimes with cool extras like touch or motion sensors. Garbage disposals get hooked up to power and plumbing. Each connection gets leak-tested before installers call it done. Here’s a quick insider tip: Always ask about anti-tip brackets for ranges, especially if you have curious kids like my son, Gideon. These tiny brackets stop a stove from tipping forward if someone climbs on the door. One other detail almost everyone skips—cabinet lighting. LED strips or puck lights under cabinets make food prep easier and help show off your shiny new backsplash.

Next, backsplashes go in, whether it’s classic subway tile, quirky mosaic, or sleek glass. Grout dries, and then the area gets professionally caulked to seal out splashes. Trim and moldings around cabinets, crown moldings, toe kicks, and panels get added last. Installers even add filler strips where cabinets meet the wall for a seamless look. This attention to detail makes the difference between “looks good” and “wow.”

Clean-Up, Inspection, and Handover

At this point, your kitchen might look photo-ready, but the best pros go through a checklist before they hand over the keys. First up: debris and dust removal. Good installers vacuum up sawdust, haul away old materials, and wipe down every surface. Floors are protected until all work is truly finished to avoid last-minute scratches.

Then comes a walk-through inspection. Installers test cabinet doors and drawers to check for smooth function, make sure counters are level, and run all appliances—so nothing surprises you on your first dinner in the new space. Sinks are checked for leaks, and faucets get flushed to clear out any debris from installation. If you had plumbing or electrical updates, city inspectors may do a final check to close out permits. Don’t skip this—it makes selling your house down the line way easier.

After that, installers hand over info about warranties, appliance manuals, and care instructions. Want your kitchen to keep looking sharp? Most granite counters need sealing once a year. Some brands of cabinets recommend special cleaners to prevent finish damage. Smart appliances might need software updates—keep the info handy. Last tip: Take lots of photos now that everything’s spotless. Not just for bragging rights, but because insurance companies love having records when you renew policies.

Installing a kitchen takes planning, muscle, and more patience than you’d think, but when it comes together—wow, it really does change how you feel about home. If you ever catch your kid showing off the soft-close cabinet to their friends, you’ll know it was worth every minute.