1990s openings sized for old appliances
Appliance openings from the 1990s rarely match current models. We adjust the cabinets around them and keep the rest intact.
Serving Bartlett & nearby Hanover Park, Carol Stream
Kitchen Cabinet Modification in Bartlett, IL
We cut, resize and rebuild the cabinets you already have in Bartlett so a new fridge, range or dishwasher fits and the kitchen works better.
- Serving Bartlett ZIP 60103, 60120
- Installed level, sealed and tested before we leave
- Clear price for the install before the visit
Cabinet changes Bartlett owners ask us for
We are cabinet carpenters who handle the small structural changes a kitchen needs between remodels. In Bartlett that usually means making room for a new appliance, adding a microwave shelf or swapping base doors for drawers, without disturbing the rest of the cabinets.
No place for the microwave
A microwave taking up counter space can move into a shelf built into an upper or base cabinet, with a trim kit or a finished opening.
Flat doors that look plain
If you like your cabinets but the doors are too plain, applied trim changes the profile without new doors.
Switching to a wider range
Upgrading to a bigger range is mostly carpentry: narrowing a neighboring base cabinet, reframing the opening and arranging the counter work.
Unfinished or damaged end panels
We add decorative end panels to cabinet runs and islands so bare sides no longer show.
Base cabinets with doors instead of drawers
We rebuild door-style base cabinets into two or three deep drawers, with fronts made to match the rest of the kitchen.
Panel-ready dishwasher or fridge
Integrated appliances need a custom front cut to exact size. We match the style and finish, then fit it with even gaps.
Wasted space at fillers and corners
Some fillers are there for door clearance and must stay. Others can be turned into narrow storage, and we tell you which is which.
What we hook up and check
- Measuring the appliance and openingBefore any cut, we compare the manufacturer's cutout dimensions with what the cabinets really measure.
- Removing doors, fillers or a cabinetDoors, fillers or a whole cabinet come out carefully so the neighbors are not damaged.
- Cutting and rebuilding the boxesWe resize each cabinet and reinforce it so it is as solid as before.
- Raising or shortening uppersWe reset wall cabinets at the new height and fasten them securely into studs.
- Panels, fillers and trimFinished panels and trim cover every cut edge and new side.
- Drawers and shelvesNew drawer boxes, slides and fronts or a fixed microwave shelf are installed in the modified cabinet.
- Hardware and soft-close partsAny door or drawer we touch gets its hinges and pulls aligned with the neighboring cabinets.
Models, parts and fittings
Appliance panels and trim kitsFronts and trim for integrated dishwashers, fridges and microwaves, sized to the maker's template.
Moldings and fillersTrim pieces that cover cuts and gaps and tie modified cabinets into the rest.
Matching face frame stockHardwood strips milled to match the existing face frames in width and species.
Microwave and spice pull-out insertsShelf kits, pull-out spice racks and tray dividers that fit modified openings.
Finished end and refrigerator panelsFlat, Shaker or raised panels sized for fridge surrounds, cabinet ends and island sides.
Before and after: kitchens near Bartlett
Before
Installed
DetailKitchen Cabinet Modification in a two-story colonial from the 1990s, Bartlett
A two-story colonial from the 1990s in Bartlett, a typical kitchen for Bartlett. Before: golden-oak cabinets with oak soffits above and black appliances. The main complaint was an appliance upgrade the old cabinets could not take. Finished kitchen: the opening widened and the upper cabinet raised, a panel added, a new refrigerator fitting flush. The job covered cutting and rebuilding the boxes, raising or shortening uppers, plus hardware and soft-close parts.
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in Bloomingdale
This one is a 1980s two-story near Old Town Bloomingdale. Before: white thermofoil cabinets peeling at the edges, oak trim and white appliances. The reason for the call: cabinets built around appliances that no longer exist. After: the opening widened and the upper cabinet raised, a panel added, a new refrigerator fitting flush. The job covered removing doors, fillers or a cabinet, cutting and rebuilding the boxes, plus hardware and soft-close parts.
Kitchen Cabinet Modification in Bloomingdale →
Before
AfterRoselle kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: kitchen cabinet modification
This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Roselle. What we started with: honey-oak cathedral raised-panel cabinets with worn finish near the handles, brass knobs and almond appliances. The main complaint was an appliance upgrade the old cabinets could not take. The result: the opening widened and the upper cabinet raised, a panel added, a new refrigerator fitting flush. Work included measuring the appliance and opening, cutting and rebuilding the boxes, plus raising or shortening uppers.
Kitchen Cabinet Modification in Roselle →
Before
AfterBartlett kitchen, 1980s two-story: accessible kitchen remodeling
What changed: a lowered charcoal concrete-look quartz counter section with knee space under the sink, cabinets in light greige with brushed nickel bar pulls, pull-down shelves in the uppers, drawers instead of base doors, a side-opening wall oven, a lever faucet and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Bartlett →
Before
AfterBartlett kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: kitchen remodeling
What changed: cabinets in warm taupe with satin brass pulls, warm walnut butcher block counters, a gray beveled subway tile backsplash, light beige 18x18 porcelain tile flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Remodeling in Bartlett →From the old unit to the new one
- Visit and measureAt the visit we measure the openings and check how the cabinets are built.
- Plan and estimateYou get a plan of what will be cut and rebuilt and a written estimate.
- Parts preparedPanels, fronts and drawer boxes are made or ordered to size.
- On-site workCutting, rebuilding and fitting usually take a day or two, depending on the change.
- Fit checkWe check clearances and door swings with you before we leave.
Kitchen Cabinet Modification questions from Bartlett homeowners
Can you modify existing kitchen cabinets?
Yes. Cabinets can be cut down, widened, raised or rebuilt inside as long as the boxes are sound. We look first and tell you what is realistic.
Will the new parts match my cabinets?
Painted cabinets match well. With older stained cabinets we test the finish on a sample piece first.
What is the cheapest way to upgrade kitchen cabinets?
Small changes often give the most: new hardware, soft-close hinges, a few drawers and finished panels on bare ends.
Can you add a microwave shelf to my cabinets?
We can. A lower shelf in a base or pantry cabinet keeps it within reach and off the counter.
Do I need new countertops if you resize a cabinet?
It depends. Making room for a wider range often means cutting the counter; raising an upper cabinet does not touch it.
Bartlett contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
All contractors must be licensed by the Village of Bartlett (per trade); licensing questions via Main Office 630-837-0800. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for cabinet modification in Bartlett?
It depends on the scope. Bartlett's rule in short: Building permits are required for all construction and home improvement projects, whether done by homeowner or contractor; Remodel is a listed permit type. We handle the permit when one is needed with Building Division (Planning & Development Services).
Do you work in my part of Bartlett?
Yes. Our crews work across Bartlett — ZIP 60103, 60120 — and nearby Hanover Park, Carol Stream, Bloomingdale.
Working in Bartlett
- A lot of Bartlett kitchens date from the 1990s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Bartlett homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Building Division (Planning & Development Services) handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60103ZIP 60120
Kitchen Cabinet Modification nearby
Other kitchen services in Bartlett
Kitchen Cabinet & Drawer RepairHinges, drawer slides and water-damaged sink bases fixed.
Pull-Out Shelves & Cabinet OrganizersRoll-out shelves and organizers built to fit your existing cabinets.
Accessible Kitchen RemodelingKitchens that work for every age and ability.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.