What to Expect During a Full Kitchen Installation with Kitchens Direct
September 8, 2025
A full kitchen installation is one of the most exciting and transformative home improvement projects you can undertake. But it’s also one of the most complex. At Kitchens Direct in Hillsborough, NJ, we aim to make it as smooth, transparent, and satisfying as possible. Here’s what you can expect—from planning through to the final reveal—so you feel confident every step of the way.
1. Initial Consultation & Design Phase
Goals & Needs
When you first reach out, Kitchens Direct will set a meeting to talk about your goals: Are you after more storage? Better workflow? A modern update, or a classic look?
Discuss the style, finishes, color palettes, how appliances will fit, how you use your kitchen day‑to‑day, and what your budget looks like.
Measuring & Layout
We’ll take precise measurements of walls, windows, doors, ceiling height, plumbing and gas lines, electrical points, floor level, and more.
Discussing your current layout vs changes: is the sink staying put? Will you move gas lines or plumbing? Is flooring staying or being replaced?
Plan Approval & Material Selection
Choosing cabinetry style (custom, semi‑custom, or stock), cabinet finish, door designs, hardware.
Flooring selection: type (wood, tile, vinyl, etc.), finish, pattern.
All details finalized: doors, handles, hinges, special features (pull‑outs, soft‑close, lighting inside cabinets, etc.).
2. Preparation Before Installation
Before any physical work begins, there are several prep steps to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
Permits & Codes: Kitchens often involve plumbing, electrical, and sometimes gas work. Ensuring all local permit requirements in Somerset/Hillsborough are satisfied.
Old Kitchen Demo / Removal: Removing existing cabinets, countertops, flooring, any fixtures or appliances that are being replaced. Sometimes appliance removal must occur first.
Wall, Floor & Plumbing Prep: Patching walls, ensuring plumbing/gas/electrical are in proper locations, checking plumbing rough‐in and electrical boxes. Checking walls for plumb, floors for level, and fixing structural or moisture issues if needed.
Deliveries & Storage of Materials: Cabinets, countertops, flooring all need to arrive, be inspected for defects, and stored properly. Trying to avoid damage before installation.
Timeline Planning: Kitchens Direct will set a schedule: when demo begins, when cabinets go in, countertops, flooring, finishing, etc. Also buffer time for delays—material availability, weather, unexpected issues.
3. Cabinet Installation
The cabinetry installation is often the backbone of the project—it defines much of the layout, storage, and function.
Base Cabinets First, Then Wall Cabinets
Install the base cabinets: start from the highest point on the floor, shim low spots, ensure everything is level. This gives a reference baseline.
After base cabinets are in place and level and securely anchored to studs or appropriate supports, install the wall cabinets. Wall cabinets require strong anchoring, alignment with base cabinets, and sometimes use of ledger boards or temporary supports during installation.
Secure & Align Cabinets
Cabinets are fastened to wall studs (or alternate structure) using appropriate weight‑rated screws or brackets.
Adjacent cabinets are joined together and aligned to ensure consistency: doors swing properly, gaps are even.
Any filler strips or trim pieces installed to cover gaps between cabinets or walls, or around appliances/corners.
Doors, Drawers & Hardware
Once the boxes are installed and stable, cabinet doors, drawers, slides, hinges get installed. Adjustments made so that doors are level, gaps uniform, and drawers slide smoothly.
Hardware (knobs, pulls) attached. Check all operations: soft‑close or full‑extension drawers, zero reveal styles if applicable.
4. Countertop, Backsplash & Appliance Integration
After cabinetry is secured, it’s time to integrate the surfaces and functional work zones.
Countertop Template & Fabrication: Once base cabinets are stable, we template for the countertop—measure lip overhangs, appliance cut‑outs (sink, cooktop), edge finishes. Fabrication off‑site takes some time depending on the material.
Countertop Installation: Delivery of countertop, securing it in place, sealing seams, ensuring sinks/taps line up. Attach backsplash or wall tile behind countertops.
Appliances & Fixtures: Plumbing fixtures instal (sink, faucet), gas line connections (if applicable), electrical hookups, installation of range hood or microwave, dishwasher, etc. Ensuring everything fits the openings, is level, and aligns with cabinetry and finishes.
5. Flooring & Finishing Touches
While flooring can be done in conjunction with other work, often it’s installed mid‑to‑late in the process.
If replacing flooring, install once heavy cabinetry work is finished (in most cases) to avoid damage. Protect new flooring during other work.
Finish trims: baseboards, toe kicks under cabinets, molding, end panels. Touch up wall paint if needed. Seal edges where countertops meet walls.
Hardware final check: alignments, operate all doors and drawers. Finish any minor adjustments. Clean up. Remove debris, packaging, dust. Perform final inspection with homeowner to ensure satisfaction.
6. Timeline & What Delays Might Occur
A full kitchen installation typically runs several weeks from start to finish, depending on scope. Here are rough estimates and potential delays.
Phase
Typical Duration
Possible Delays or Issues
Design & Planning
1‑2 weeks
Waiting for material samples, decision delays, permit approval delays
Demo & Prep
1‑3 days
Hidden issues like water damage, uneven walls or floors, plumbing or electrical misalignment
Cabinet Installation
2‑4 days
Custom cabinet fabrication delays, delivery issues, walls or floor out of square
Countertops & Appliance Installation
2‑3 days
Countertop fabrication lead times, shipping damage, appliance fit issues
Delays may also arise due to weather (for exterior work or material deliveries), or supply chain issues especially for specialty materials. Kitchens Direct works to communicate any delays and adjust timelines with you.
7. Cost Expectations
Understanding cost aspects helps you plan budget and anticipate expenses.
Cabinetry tends to be a large portion of cost: custom vs semi‑custom vs stock makes big difference.
Countertops: material choices (granite, quartz, solid surface, laminate) vary widely in price, fabrication, and installation cost.
Flooring choices affect cost: tile, hardwood, luxury vinyl, etc.
Appliances, sinks, fixtures add to cost. Moving plumbing or gas lines can add substantially.
Labor for removal, installation, finishing, plumbing, electrical. If structural changes are needed (e.g. removing walls, rerouting plumbing), those costs increase.
Kitchens Direct being factory‑direct for cabinets and countertops often helps reduce material costs, but custom fabrication, specialized finishes, hardware, and labor will still contribute. We always encourage clients to have a buffer in budget (often 10‑15%) for unexpected expenses.
8. What Kitchens Direct Brings to Your Installation
Here are the advantages you get when working with Kitchens Direct, specifically in Hillsborough, NJ.
Factory‑direct cabinetry and countertop pricing: you avoid multiple markups.
Expert design help: staff help you with layout, styles, finishes, storage solutions.
Skilled installation teams familiar with local building codes in Somerset County, including plumbing, electrical, inspections.
Project management: coordinating deliveries, scheduling different trades, sequencing work to avoid damage to new pieces.
Quality oversight: inspecting pieces on delivery, ensuring proper joinery, alignment, finish, hardware operation, and handling of countertops and sensitive materials.
9. After Installation: Inspection and Care
Once everything is installed, there are a few steps to ensure your new kitchen looks, functions, and lasts well.
Final walkthrough with you: check that doors/drawers operate smoothly, finishes are clean, everything is level, appliances work as expected.
Address punch‑list items: small adjustments, caulking, touch‑ups, minor cosmetic issues.
Cleaning: new surfaces may have protective coatings or residue from install; thorough cleaning recommended.
Care tips: proper cleaning for chosen countertop materials, avoiding harsh cleaners. For wood cabinet surfaces, avoid excessive moisture; hardware maintenance.
Warranty and maintenance: Kitchens Direct will explain any warranties on cabinets, countertops, hardware. Keep documentation; some warranties require proper care and cleaning.
10. Key Questions to Ask Before & During the Installation
To ensure you’re getting what you want, here are questions you should ask your installer / design team (such as Kitchens Direct):
“Is my layout finalized? Are plumbing/electrical/gas locations fixed and correct?”
“Do the cabinets align with my appliance openings, sink and range placements?”
“What is the lead time for my countertop material? Is it in stock? Do I need to choose from in‑stock material or order custom?”
“What warranties are included on cabinetry, hardware, countertop materials?”
“How will you protect my existing flooring, nearby rooms, and clean up debris?”
“How will you manage unexpected issues (hidden damage, uneven walls, moisture)? What is the process and cost if those arise?”
Summary
A full kitchen installation with Kitchens Direct is a multi‑phase process involving design, material selection, demolition, cabinetry and countertop installation, appliance integration, flooring, finishing touches, and final care. Knowing what to expect at each stage helps you plan your time, budget, and expectations. With Kitchens Direct, you get the advantages of factory‑direct pricing, expert design guidance, certified installation crews, and quality oversight from start to finish. Your kitchen is more than just a room—it’s the heart of your home. When done well, it serves your lifestyle, adds value to your property, and brings daily joy.
