One. Does the overall kitchen installation require modification of the existing water pipes?
Before designing a complete kitchen cabinet, a comprehensive measurement of the kitchen will be taken. Generally, the design will be based on the existing conditions. If the homeowner has specific design requirements that involve modifications to existing plumbing, the entire kitchen will not be altered. Instead, the homeowner will need to hire a plumber to modify the plumbing.
Of course, there is also the possibility of paying extra to have modifications made, which should be clarified before signing the contract.
Two. important installation considerations for overall kitchen cabinets
1、Ground floor
Before installing the kitchen cabinet, the workers should clean the kitchen floor to accurately measure its level. During installation, if the cabinet and floor are not level, the gaps between the cabinet doors will not be balanced. The installers should measure both the floor and the wall using a level to determine the floor's level, and then adjust the cabinet accordingly.
2、Cabinets
once the base cabinets are installed, the upper cabinets can be installed. When installing the upper cabinets, to ensure the levelness of the expansion bolts, a horizontal line should be drawn on the wall. Typically, the distance between the horizontal line and the countertop is 650mm. We can request the installer to adjust the distance between the base and upper cabinets based on our height, to facilitate future use.
3、Countertop
Due to changes in kitchen renovations, the dimensions on the original cabinet layout may be inaccurate. To minimize these errors, it is generally recommended to install the countertop after the base and upper cabinets are installed, which ensures greater accuracy in the cabinet installation data. Additionally, during countertop grinding and polishing, dust and odors are common, and they can persist for a long time, making thorough cleaning difficult. Therefore, it is advisable to perform this countertop preparation work in a well-ventilated area to ensure a clean and odor-free kitchen.
4、Hardware
The sink, faucet, and pull-out drawer are key components of a kitchen cabinet. When installing hanging cabinets and countertops, use a covering to protect the pull-out drawer track and prevent wood shavings from entering, which could affect future use.
5、Cooktop appliances
Installing embedded appliances within cabinets only requires drilling a power outlet on-site. However, the power outlet should not be too small, as this may make future repairs and disassembly difficult. Some homeowners request that plumbers cover their water and gas meters for aesthetic reasons. However, covering these meters can cause problems during future maintenance, and this is also prohibited by relevant national standards.
6、 Cabinet doors
The final step in installing cabinets is adjusting the door panels to ensure even gaps and proper alignment, with standard cabinet depths of 550mm for base cabinets and 300mm for hanging cabinets. These dimensions can be adjusted to suit specific needs. After adjusting the door panels, the installer should also clean up any debris left from the installation, ensuring a clean kitchen for the homeowner.