When most people buy a new kitchen they employ professionals to undertake the installation for them. Some people enjoy DIY and elect to do it themselves. Then there are those on a budget that means they will fit the kitchen themselves even though they lack experience. This guide to fitting kitchen base units is directed at the last group of people.
At Kent Home Improvements the most common issues we face when installing or templating for worktops are poorly fitted base units, either not level, not square or not securely fastened to the wall. Often this incurs additional cost for the homeowner, so follow these steps when fitting your kitchen to avoid any extra cost or delays. Visit http://www.hikent.co.uk/kitchen_fitting.html if you need further advice or want to view details of our kitchen fitting service.
Fitting Kitchen Base Units - Step 1.
When you take delivery of your new kitchen if possible store it somewhere in the house or garage which will leave space to work in the actual kitchen. Separate the base units, wall units and accessories. Using a combination of your receipt, kitchen plan, delivery manifest and the codes on the unit cartons check that you have the correct units and the right number of units. Carefully inspect for any signs of damage, if any is found take a photo and contact your supplier immediately to resolve.
Establish levels and mark up the walls.
If you have had new flooring fitted wall to wall and are confident it is level ignore the next point - you will simply need to mark a datum line around the room at the equivalent height of the top of your base units usually 870mm and then another above this equal to the thickness of your worksurface, usually between 20mm and 40mm above the 870mm line.
If your new flooring is going to be fitted after your kitchen cabinets have been installed and your existing floor is obviously far from level you should consider screed or using self levelling compound to tackle the issue at this point. it will save you a whole load of grief later in your project.
Next, using a spirit or laser level, mark a datum line around the room at a height of 870mm and then using a piece of timber at 870mm length establish the both high and low point of the floor. If the difference between the high and low point is a few millimetres then you can use either point and adjust your datum line accordingly.
If the difference is more than this you are best to start at the low point to avoid the possibility of a visible gap between to bottom of your units and the top of the plinth. As above adjust your datum line accordingly, this time add the thickness of your new flooring to the 870mm so you can set your plinth height to accommodate this. Above this new datum line mark another that includes the thickness of your kitchen worktop.
Once you have completed the above using your kitchen plan and a spirit level or plumb line mark vertical lines down the wall indicating the position of each unit. Unless you have a galley kitchen start from the corner and ensure each line is perpendicular.
Install the kitchen cabinets.
Position each cabinet in its designated position and using the adjustable legs and or shims ensure that it is aligned exactly to your datum lines and is level from left to right and front to back. Once this is achieved clamp all the units of each wall together, reposition and adjust accordingly. This done, screw all cabinets together using the dobbing supplied or with screws hidden behind hinge plates and shelves.
Finally secure each run of cabinets to the wall using fittings appropriate to your wall material.
Professional kitchen fitters will have all the tools and years of experience and will complete this process to the highest of standards in a relatively short period of time but if you take it slow and steady and have adequate equipment then you should achieve a satisfactory conclusion to your home improvement project.
