Convection or air-fry microwave on an old circuit
Combination microwaves with convection or air-fry modes are heavier and can draw more power. We check the circuit rating against the model before it goes up.
Serving Aurora & nearby Batavia, Warrenville
Microwave Installation in Aurora, IL
Over-the-range, drawer and built-in microwaves installed in Aurora: anchored into the wall, bolted to the cabinet and vented the right way.
- Serving Aurora ZIP 60506, 60502, 60505, 60504, 60503
- Installed level, sealed and tested before we leave
- Clear price for the install before the visit
Microwave installs we take on in Aurora
An over-the-range microwave is heavy, hangs in front of a hot cooktop and doubles as the exhaust fan, so how it's hung matters. In Aurora we fasten the wall plate into studs, bolt the top through the cabinet, set the blower for your vent path and check the outlet before the unit goes up.
Not enough height above the range
Low cabinets above the stove are common in older layouts. We check the clearance against the installation guide and suggest a low-profile unit or a hood when it falls short.
Moving the microwave off the counter
Many owners want the counter clear. We look at the range wall, the base cabinets and the wall cabinets to see where a mounted microwave fits best.
Microwave above a pro-style or high-output range
Over a large pro range, a real hood usually does the job better than a microwave. If the specs allow a microwave, we install it with the required clearance.
Microwave that sags, wobbles or pulls away from the wall
Gaps behind a microwave or a door that drops when opened usually mean the original install missed the studs. We take it down and fasten it properly.
Cabinet above that's the wrong width or depth
Some cabinets over the range are too deep or have a recessed bottom. We shim or modify them so the top bolts pull the unit snug and level.
Microwave drawer in an island or base cabinet
Putting a microwave drawer in the island keeps it within reach for kids and away from the cooktop. We build the cutout to the maker's spec and run power to it.
Over-the-range microwave replacing a range hood
A hood is usually hardwired and has no outlet above it, while an over-the-range microwave plugs into a receptacle in the cabinet. We add the outlet, reuse or adapt the duct and hang the new unit.
What we hook up and check
- Pre-install checkMeasurements, power and venting are checked against the installation instructions.
- Old unit or hood removedWe unplug or disconnect the old unit and clear the wall and cabinet for the new one.
- Outlet and circuitPower where the new unit needs it, with any new circuit wired by a licensed electrician.
- Cabinet drilled to the templateHoles for the top bolts, the power cord and a top vent cut through the cabinet bottom.
- Unit hung and boltedThe unit is hooked on the bracket, bolted from above and checked for level.
- Drawer and built-in cutoutsBase or wall cabinet openings sized to the maker's spec, with support and trim kits fitted.
- Testing and haul-awayHeating, exhaust and light tested, old appliance and boxes removed.
What to pick before the install
Built-in and trim-kit microwavesUnits framed into cabinetry so they look part of the kitchen.
Low-profile over-the-range modelsSlimmer microwaves for kitchens with limited space over the range.
Convection and air-fry combosMulti-mode microwaves that can stand in for a second oven.
Microwave drawersDrawer units set in a base cabinet, reachable without lifting dishes overhead.
Over-the-range microwavesMicrowaves with a built-in exhaust fan and light that mount above the range.
Microwave Installation before and after — Aurora homes
Before
Installed
DetailBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in Aurora
A 1980s two-story near West Side, a typical kitchen for Aurora. The kitchen as it was: black appliances. The reason for the call: a microwave that had stopped working over the range. After: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. The job covered cabinet drilled to the template, drawer and built-in cutouts, plus testing and haul-away.
Before
AfterBatavia kitchen, 1980s two-story: microwave installation
A 1980s two-story in Batavia, a typical kitchen for Batavia. The kitchen as it was: almond appliances. The main complaint was an old range hood that barely moved any air. After: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. The job covered outlet and circuit, cabinet drilled to the template, plus unit hung and bolted.
Microwave Installation in Batavia →
Before
AfterA Warrenville two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after
A two-story colonial from the 1990s near Fox Hollow, a typical kitchen for Warrenville. Before: white appliances. What bothered the owners most: an old hood and a countertop microwave eating prep space. The result: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. Work included pre-install check, outlet and circuit, plus testing and haul-away.
Microwave Installation in Warrenville →
Before
AfterAn Aurora two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after
What changed: cabinets in white uppers and deep green lowers with unlacquered brass knobs and cup pulls, warm walnut butcher block counters, a green zellige-look tile backsplash, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Remodeling in Aurora →
Before
AfterAn Aurora two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after
The same doors sprayed in creamy white uppers and navy lowers, new matte black pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Aurora →How the install goes
- Send the model and photosTell us which microwave you bought and show us where it goes.
- Fit and power checkWe confirm clearance, cabinet size, outlet and vent path, and list anything that must change first.
- Written estimateA clear written price with electrical or cabinet changes listed separately.
- Install and testWe hang it, connect it, run it and take the old one away.
Microwave Installation questions from Aurora homeowners
Will you take the old microwave or hood away?
Yes, along with all the packaging.
How high should an over-the-range microwave be above the stove?
Each maker sets a minimum distance from the cooktop to the bottom of the microwave. We follow that number, which also depends on the cabinet height.
Does the wall plate have to go into studs?
Yes. Makers require the bracket to be fastened into framing because the microwave is heavy and hangs over heat.
Is a microwave enough ventilation over a gas range?
It depends on how you cook. An over-the-range microwave clears light steam; a dedicated hood does more.
What size over-the-range microwave fits my kitchen?
Standard models fit most ranges. Low cabinets or a wider pro range may call for a low-profile unit or a hood instead.
What happens to the old appliance in Aurora?
Appliances (refrigerators, stoves, water heaters) must be scheduled with hauler Groot, 630-892-9294, and carry one sticker; bulk items need stickers ($2.75 each) and bundles max 2 ft x 4 ft x 50 lb. If you'd rather not deal with it, we haul old units and debris away.
Does Aurora require a licensed electrician for microwave installation?
City tests electrical contractors (ICC Standard Residential/Master Electrician accepted in lieu of testing). Electrical work over $500 requires a licensed Electrical Contractor, even for owner-occupants. New circuits and wiring are done by licensed electricians.
What is the Aurora building department phone number?
Permits go through Division of Building and Permits, City of Aurora, phone (630) 256-3130. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Aurora contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
Contractors must be registered/licensed with the City (application, required testing if applicable, proof of insurance naming the City as additional insured). Homeowners may act as own contractor if owner-occupied 6+ months with a Homeowner Liability Waiver. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for microwave installation in Aurora?
It depends on the scope. Aurora's rule in short: Interior remodels, structural changes and interior plumbing always need a permit; electrical/mechanical may. We handle the permit when one is needed with Division of Building and Permits, City of Aurora.
Do you work in my part of Aurora?
Yes. Our crews work across Aurora, including Near Eastside, Tanner, Riddle Highlands, Palace Street — ZIP 60506, 60502, 60505, 60504, 60503 — and nearby Batavia, Warrenville, Naperville.
Working in Aurora
- A lot of Aurora kitchens date from the 1990s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Aurora homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Live in a historic district? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
Near EastsideTannerRiddle HighlandsPalace StreetWest SideFar East Side
ZIP 60506ZIP 60502ZIP 60505ZIP 60504ZIP 60503
Microwave Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Aurora
Dishwasher InstallationOld unit out, new dishwasher connected, leveled and leak-tested.
Oven, Range & Cooktop InstallationGas and electric ranges, wall ovens and cooktops, safely connected.
Built-In Refrigerator InstallationBuilt-in and panel-ready fridges fitted flush, anchored and connected.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.