What to Expect During a Cabinet Installation

Most homeowners are surprised by how long a cabinet installation takes. A full kitchen — typically 20 to 30 linear feet of cabinetry — requires two to four days of installation work, not counting the preparation that precedes it. Before any cabinet touches a wall, the space must be cleared, the subfloor leveled if necessary, and reference lines established across every wall. In older Portland homes, this preparation phase often reveals surprises: walls that are out of plumb by half an inch or more, floors that slope toward a corner, or structural elements that weren't visible in the original plans.

The installation itself proceeds in a specific sequence. Upper cabinets are always hung first — working from a level reference line established at the correct height — before base cabinets are set. This sequence prevents the upper cabinets from being blocked by the base units and allows for easier adjustment. Each cabinet is shimmed, leveled, and screwed to wall studs before being fastened to its neighbors. The goal is a perfectly level, plumb, and square run of cabinetry that will support countertops and appliances without any flex or movement.

Hardware installation and door adjustment happen last. With European concealed hinges, each door can be adjusted in height, depth, and lateral position after installation — a process that takes time but results in a perfectly aligned reveal across every door and drawer front. This final adjustment phase is where the quality of the installation becomes visible, and it's where we spend as much time as necessary to get it right.

Throughout the process, your home will be a construction site. Dust, noise, and limited kitchen access are unavoidable. We recommend planning for two weeks of disrupted kitchen use from the start of demolition to the completion of countertop installation. The result, however, is a kitchen that will serve your family for decades — and that makes every day of inconvenience worthwhile.