Soffit above the uppers
Many 1980s kitchens have a boxed soffit over the wall cabinets. During replacement we check what is inside and, where possible, run the new uppers higher.
Serving Buffalo Grove & nearby Arlington Heights, Palatine
Kitchen Cabinet Installation & Replacement in Buffalo Grove, IL
We tear out worn-out kitchen cabinets in Buffalo Grove and install new ones level, square and anchored to the studs.
- Local crews working in Buffalo Grove ZIP 60089
- Design, permits and every trade on one schedule
- A written, itemized estimate before any work
Cabinet problems we replace and fix in Buffalo Grove
When cabinet boxes are swollen, sagging or simply in the wrong places, paint and new doors only hide the problem. We remove the old cabinets in your Buffalo Grove kitchen and install new ones level, square and fastened into the framing, so doors line up and counters sit flat.
Cabinets bought, no one to install them
Plenty of homeowners buy their own cabinets and hire us just for the install. We handle assembly, leveling, fillers and hardware so the job looks professional.
Doors that won't line up
Crooked reveals rarely come from the hinges alone. When the cabinets were never set level, we reinstall them so every door hangs even.
Wall cabinets pulling off the wall
A gap opening between an upper cabinet and the wall is a warning sign — it may be hung on drywall anchors instead of studs. We remove it and fasten new cabinets into the framing.
Swollen sink base from an old leak
Sink cabinets take the most water of any box in the kitchen. When the floor of yours is swollen or stained, we replace it and make sure the plumbing above is dry.
Boxes are falling apart
Drawer bottoms that drop out, face frames pulling loose and hinges that won't hold a screw mean the boxes are finished. New cabinets with sturdier construction are the lasting fix.
Wasted space in the corner
Corners are where old kitchens lose the most room. We plan the replacement with a corner unit you can actually reach.
Peeling thermofoil or failing edges
Thermofoil that bubbles from heat and laminate edges that peel are hard to repair. If the cabinets are tired underneath as well, we replace the whole set.
What's included
- Measuring and site checkWe measure walls, ceiling height and appliance openings and check floor level before anything is ordered.
- Wall and floor prepStuds located and marked, high spots found, drywall patched where old cabinets came off.
- Base cabinets set levelBase cabinets shimmed level from the high spot, screwed together and fastened to the wall.
- Fillers, panels and scribingFillers and end panels cut and scribed to uneven walls so doors clear walls and appliances.
- Trim and toe kicksFinish trim at the top and bottom of the run, matched to the cabinet color.
- Doors, drawers and hardwareEvery door and drawer adjusted for even gaps, with knobs and pulls drilled from a jig.
- Ready for countertopsThe base run is left level and solid for the countertop template, with sink and appliance openings checked.
Finishes and options
Stock, semi-custom and custom linesWe install all three tiers: ready-made stock, semi-custom with more options, and fully custom when the room needs it.
Ready-to-assemble cabinetsWe assemble and install RTA cabinets you bought yourself and check every box for damage first.
Soft-close hinges and dovetail drawersSoft-close hinges and full-extension slides are standard on most lines today; dovetail drawer boxes are a sign of solid construction.
Plywood vs. particleboard boxesPlywood boxes hold screws better and handle moisture better than particleboard, which matters most at the sink.
Door stylesShaker, slab, raised-panel or inset — the door style sets the look, and we install any of them.
Before and after: kitchens near Buffalo Grove
Before
In progress
AfterBuffalo Grove kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: kitchen cabinet installation & replacement
The site: a two-story colonial from the 1990s near The Highlands. What we started with: golden-oak cabinets with oak soffits above and white Corian-style solid surface with a yellowed seam. The main complaint was too little storage under an old soffit. The result: new cabinets in light greige uppers and muted blue lowers with satin brass pulls, installed level and ready for charcoal concrete-look quartz counters. Work included wall and floor prep, base cabinets set level, plus ready for countertops.
Before
AfterArlington Heights kitchen, 1960s ranch: kitchen cabinet installation & replacement
The site: a 1960s ranch in Arlington Heights. The kitchen as it was: original birch cabinets painted white decades ago, sagging doors, chrome pulls and laminate with an aluminum edge band. What bothered the owners most: worn-out cabinets that no longer closed properly. Finished kitchen: new cabinets in warm taupe with brushed nickel bar pulls, installed level and ready for charcoal concrete-look quartz counters. The job covered measuring and site check, wall and floor prep, plus fillers, panels and scribing.
Kitchen Cabinet Installation & Replacement in Arlington Heights →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Palatine
This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Palatine. The kitchen as it was: honey-oak cathedral raised-panel cabinets with worn finish near the handles, brass knobs and almond laminate with a backsplash lip. The reason for the call: worn-out cabinets that no longer closed properly. After: new cabinets in light terracotta with brushed nickel bar pulls, installed level and ready for black honed granite counters. The job covered measuring and site check, wall and floor prep, plus base cabinets set level.
Kitchen Cabinet Installation & Replacement in Palatine →
Before
AfterBuffalo Grove kitchen, 1980s two-story: custom kitchen cabinets
Built-to-fit cabinetry to the ceiling in charcoal gray with polished nickel pulls and dark soapstone-look quartz counters.
Custom Kitchen Cabinets in Buffalo Grove →
Before
AfterCountertop Fabrication & Installation in a two-story colonial from the 1990s, Buffalo Grove
Finished: black honed granite countertops with a tight seam, an undermount sink and a new faucet.
Countertop Fabrication & Installation in Buffalo Grove →How your cabinet replacement goes
- Visit and measurementsWe look at the old cabinets, measure the room and talk through what you want to change.
- Cabinet plan and written estimateA drawn layout with cabinet sizes and an itemized estimate for removal, install and trim.
- Ordering and deliveryWe place the order and check the delivery against the plan so nothing is missing on install day.
- Tear-out and installationOld cabinets out, walls prepped, new boxes set level, hung on studs and trimmed.
- Adjustment and walk-throughWe fine-tune every door, clean up and walk the kitchen with you.
Kitchen Cabinet Installation & Replacement questions from Buffalo Grove homeowners
How long does kitchen cabinet installation take?
Removing the old cabinets and installing a typical kitchen usually takes a few working days once the cabinets are on site. Countertops follow after templating.
What's the difference between stock, semi-custom and custom cabinets?
Stock means set sizes filled in with fillers; semi-custom offers more widths and depths; custom matches the room to the inch and takes longer to build.
Can you replace cabinets without removing the countertop?
Uppers can be swapped while the counters stay. For lowers, the top has to come off, and whether it can go back on depends on the material and its condition.
Do I need a permit to replace kitchen cabinets?
It depends on the scope. Swapping cabinets in place is often permit-free; relocating the sink or adding outlets typically is not. We handle the permit when it's required.
Should I replace or reface my cabinets?
Sound boxes and a good layout point to refacing. Water damage, sagging or a layout you dislike point to new cabinets.
What does Buffalo Grove ask for on electrical work?
Electrical contractors provide a copy of current electrical registration/license; Village honors registrations from Illinois municipalities that require a written exam. New circuits and wiring are done by licensed electricians.
Buffalo Grove contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
All contractors working in the Village must register annually; $75 per trade, no fee for state-licensed contractors. We take care of that before work starts.
Which Buffalo Grove homes do you most often see for cabinet replacement?
In Buffalo Grove we see Early post-Korean War single-family homes, some about 1,000 sq ft. Each comes with its own walls, wiring and plumbing, and we plan the job around them.
Does cabinet replacement need a Buffalo Grove building permit, and who files it?
Permits go through Community Development Services, Building & Zoning Services (BS&A Online), phone 847-459-2530. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a permit for cabinet replacement in Buffalo Grove?
It depends on the scope. Buffalo Grove's rule in short: Permit required to replace or modify a kitchen, including replacing cabinetry; replacing a sink or faucet needs a plumbing permit even in the same location; electrical must meet the 2017 NEC. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Services, Building & Zoning Services.
Do you work in my part of Buffalo Grove?
Yes. Our crews work across Buffalo Grove, including The Highlands, Green Knolls, Windfield, Didier Farms — ZIP 60089 — and nearby Arlington Heights, Palatine, Lake Zurich.
Working in Buffalo Grove
- A lot of Buffalo Grove kitchens date from the 1980s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Buffalo Grove homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community Development Services, Building & Zoning Services handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
The HighlandsGreen KnollsWindfieldDidier Farms
ZIP 60089
Kitchen Cabinet Installation & Replacement nearby
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Other kitchen services in Buffalo Grove
Custom Kitchen CabinetsBuilt-to-fit cabinetry up to the ceiling.
Kitchen Cabinet ModificationCabinets resized for new appliances, panels and fillers.
Countertop Fabrication & InstallationQuartz, granite and butcher block, templated and installed.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.