No outlet in the cabinet above
Running an extension cord through the cabinet isn't an option. We have a proper outlet installed above the microwave before we mount it.
Serving Des Plaines & nearby Mount Prospect, Park Ridge
Microwave Installation in Des Plaines, IL
Over-the-range, drawer and built-in microwaves installed in Des Plaines: anchored into the wall, bolted to the cabinet and vented the right way.
- Serving Des Plaines ZIP 60016, 60018
- Installed level, sealed and tested before we leave
- Clear price for the install before the visit
Microwave installs we take on in Des Plaines
Lifting a microwave onto a wall plate is a two-person job, but the real work is around it: finding solid framing, drilling the cabinet to the template, routing the cord to an outlet above and lining up the duct. Our Des Plaines installers handle all of it and haul the old unit away.
Should it vent outside or recirculate?
If there's a duct through the wall or roof, we set the blower to exhaust outside, which clears steam and cooking smells better. With no duct, the unit recirculates through a charcoal filter.
Cabinet above that's the wrong width or depth
Microwaves are bolted up through the cabinet bottom, so that panel has to be sound and placed where the template says. We reinforce or rework it when it isn't.
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
If the front of the microwave dips or the unit moves when you open the door, the wall plate is probably held by drywall anchors instead of studs. We remount it into framing.
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.
Not enough height above the range
Every maker lists a minimum distance from the cooktop to the bottom of the microwave. If the cabinet is too low, a low-profile model or a cabinet change may be the answer.
What we hook up and check
- Pre-install checkWe compare the model's guide with your cabinet width, cooktop clearance, outlet location and duct.
- Old unit or hood removedWe unplug or disconnect the old unit and clear the wall and cabinet for the new one.
- Outlet and circuitA receptacle in the cabinet above or behind the drawer, on a dedicated circuit when the maker calls for one, added by a licensed electrician.
- Studs located and wall plate mountedWe find the framing and fasten the bracket to solid wood.
- Cabinet drilled to the templateHoles for the top bolts, the power cord and a top vent cut through the cabinet bottom.
- Blower set and duct connectedThe fan is set for outside venting through the wall or roof, or for recirculation with a filter.
- Drawer and built-in cutoutsBase or wall cabinet openings sized to the maker's spec, with support and trim kits fitted.
Options to choose from
Venting partsDamper, duct transitions, charcoal filters and wall or roof caps.
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 microwavesThe most common type: a microwave and a vent fan in one unit over the cooktop.
Before and after: kitchens near Des Plaines
Before
Installed
DetailDes Plaines kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: microwave installation
A 1990s two-story colonial in Des Plaines, a typical kitchen for Des Plaines. The kitchen as it was: white appliances. What bothered the owners most: an old hood and a countertop microwave eating prep space. After: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. The job covered pre-install check, cabinet drilled to the template, plus drawer and built-in cutouts.
Before
AfterMount Prospect kitchen, 1980s condo: microwave installation
A 1980s condo in Mount Prospect, a typical kitchen for Mount Prospect. Before: white appliances. What bothered the owners most: an old hood and a countertop microwave eating prep space. After: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. On site this meant studs located and wall plate mounted, cabinet drilled to the template, plus blower set and duct connected.
Microwave Installation in Mount Prospect →
Before
AfterPark Ridge kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: microwave installation
This one is a 1990s two-story colonial in Park Ridge. What we started with: almond appliances. The reason for the call: an old range hood that barely moved any air. Finished kitchen: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. On site this meant pre-install check, old unit or hood removed, plus drawer and built-in cutouts.
Microwave Installation in Park Ridge →
Before
AfterKitchen Remodeling in a 1960s ranch, Des Plaines
What changed: cabinets in light butter yellow with satin brass pulls, creamy quartzite-look quartz counters, a green zellige-look tile backsplash, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Des Plaines →
Before
AfterKitchen Cabinet Painting in a postwar Cape Cod, Des Plaines
What changed: the same doors sprayed in pale sage, new polished nickel pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Des Plaines →From the old unit to the new one
- Send the model and photosTell us which microwave you bought and show us where it goes.
- Fit and power checkClearances, power and duct are checked against the installation guide.
- Written estimateAn itemized estimate covering removal, mounting, venting and any outlet or cabinet work.
- Install and testWe hang it, connect it, run it and take the old one away.
Microwave Installation questions from Des Plaines homeowners
How much does microwave installation cost?
It depends on the type of microwave, whether a hood or old unit comes down, and any outlet, venting or cabinet changes. We give a written, itemized estimate after looking at your setup.
Can you install a microwave I bought at a big-box store or online?
Yes. Many of our microwave jobs are units owners bought themselves.
How long does microwave installation take?
Most swaps are done in one visit; built-in and drawer units with cabinet work may need more time.
What size over-the-range microwave fits my kitchen?
Most are made for a standard range opening, but height and depth vary. We measure the space under the cabinet and the cooktop clearance.
Can you put a microwave drawer in my island?
Yes in most cases. The island cabinet is adjusted to the maker's cutout and a receptacle is installed behind the drawer.
What does Des Plaines ask for on electrical work?
Electricians need a City contractor license and fees plus an Electrical Test Certificate. New circuits and wiring are done by licensed electricians.
Des Plaines contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
Contractors must register with the City (via the online portal); registrations expire Dec 31. We take care of that before work starts.
What is the Des Plaines building department phone number?
Permits go through Community and Economic Development Department - Building Division, phone 847-391-5380. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Can Des Plaines bulk pickup take my old appliance or cabinets?
Hauler is LRS: one bulk item per week at no extra charge; extra items may incur a charge. If you'd rather not deal with it, we haul old units and debris away.
Do I need a permit for microwave installation in Des Plaines?
It depends on the scope. Des Plaines's rule in short: A building permit is required for any residential kitchen remodel; non-structural work uses the Kitchen/Bath Non-Structural permit ($150 fee, rough and final inspections). We handle the permit when one is needed with Community and Economic Development Department - Building Division.
Do you work in my part of Des Plaines?
Yes. Our crews work across Des Plaines — ZIP 60016, 60018 — and nearby Mount Prospect, Park Ridge, Elk Grove Village.
Working in Des Plaines
- A lot of Des Plaines kitchens date from the 1960s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Des Plaines homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community and Economic Development Department - Building Division handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60016ZIP 60018
Microwave Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Des Plaines
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.