Cabinet above that's the wrong width or depth
A standard over-the-range microwave expects a cabinet bottom about as wide as the unit to bolt into. If the cabinet is narrower, shallower or uneven, we add a filler or adjust it.
Serving Glen Ellyn & nearby Wheaton, Lombard
Microwave Installation in Glen Ellyn, IL
Over-the-range, drawer and built-in microwaves installed in Glen Ellyn: anchored into the wall, bolted to the cabinet and vented the right way.
- Installers working in Glen Ellyn ZIP 60137
- Hookups by licensed trades where the code calls for it
- Old unit hauled away on request
Microwave installs we take on in Glen Ellyn
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 Glen Ellyn installers handle all of it and haul the old unit away.
Over-the-range microwave replacing a range hood
When the old range hood comes down, we cap its wiring, have a plug-in outlet put in the cabinet above and connect the microwave's exhaust to the existing vent where it lines up.
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.
Not enough height above the range
We measure from the burners to the cabinet bottom before you buy. Too little space means heat on the microwave and a hard reach over the pots.
Old microwave swap where the holes don't line up
Even same-width models use different mounting points. The old plate comes off, the new template goes up and fresh holes are drilled into the studs and cabinet.
Moving the microwave off the counter
Getting the microwave off the counter usually means an over-the-range unit or a drawer model in a base cabinet. We tell you what each needs before you pick.
No outlet in the cabinet above
Makers usually call for a dedicated circuit and an outlet in the upper cabinet. Where the kitchen lacks it, the wiring is added first and the microwave goes up after.
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.
What the install includes
- Pre-install checkWe compare the model's guide with your cabinet width, cooktop clearance, outlet location and duct.
- Old unit or hood removedThe old microwave or range hood is taken down, its wiring made safe and the bracket removed.
- Outlet and circuitPower where the new unit needs it, with any new circuit wired by a licensed electrician.
- Studs located and wall plate mountedThe mounting plate is leveled and screwed into studs per the template.
- Blower set and duct connectedWe orient the blower for your vent path and seal the connection to the duct.
- Unit hung and boltedTwo installers lift the microwave onto the plate and draw it tight to the cabinet with the top bolts.
- Drawer and built-in cutoutsCutouts framed for drawer and trim-kit models so they sit flush.
Options to choose from
Over-the-range microwavesThe most common type: a microwave and a vent fan in one unit over the cooktop.
Convection and air-fry combosMulti-mode microwaves that can stand in for a second oven.
Microwave drawersUnder-counter microwaves that open like a drawer, often in an island.
Low-profile over-the-range modelsSlimmer microwaves for kitchens with limited space over the range.
Built-in and trim-kit microwavesMicrowaves set into a wall or pantry cabinet with a finishing trim.
What the work looks like in Glen Ellyn homes
Before
Installed
DetailMicrowave Installation in a two-story colonial from the 1990s, Glen Ellyn
A two-story colonial from the 1990s in Glen Ellyn, a typical kitchen for Glen Ellyn. Before: almond appliances. What bothered the owners most: 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 old unit or hood removed, outlet and circuit, plus unit hung and bolted.
Before
AfterMicrowave Installation in a 1990s two-story colonial, Wheaton
A 1990s two-story colonial near Downtown Wheaton, a typical kitchen for Wheaton. The kitchen as it was: white appliances. The reason for the call: an old hood and a countertop microwave eating prep space. Finished kitchen: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. The job covered pre-install check, old unit or hood removed, plus blower set and duct connected.
Microwave Installation in Wheaton →
Before
AfterA Lombard suburban townhome: before and after
A suburban townhome in Lombard, a typical kitchen for Lombard. Before: white appliances. The reason for the call: a weak hood and a microwave stuck on the counter. The result: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. Work included blower set and duct connected, unit hung and bolted, plus drawer and built-in cutouts.
Microwave Installation in Lombard →
Before
AfterKitchen Remodeling in a postwar Cape Cod, Glen Ellyn
What changed: cabinets in light butter yellow with polished nickel pulls, black honed granite counters, a gray beveled subway tile backsplash, light oak hardwood flooring and two glass pendants and recessed lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Glen Ellyn →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar bi-level in Glen Ellyn
The same doors sprayed in creamy white uppers and navy lowers, new brushed nickel bar pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Glen Ellyn →Install day
- 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 estimateA clear written price with electrical or cabinet changes listed separately.
- Install and testOld unit down, new one mounted and vented, everything tested and the old microwave hauled off.
Microwave Installation questions from Glen Ellyn homeowners
Will you take the old microwave or hood away?
We do. Removal and haul-away are part of the job.
What size over-the-range microwave fits my kitchen?
Width usually matches a standard range; what changes is height, depth and the cabinet above. Send us the model and photos before ordering.
How long does microwave installation take?
A replacement over the range often takes a couple of hours. Jobs with a new outlet, new duct or cabinet cutout take longer.
Does the wall plate have to go into studs?
It should. Drywall anchors alone are why some microwaves start to sag.
Can an over-the-range microwave vent outside?
Most models can vent outdoors through the top or back. Whether yours can depends on the duct path, which we check.
Do I need a Glen Ellyn-registered contractor for microwave installation?
Contractors must register with the Village and meet license and insurance requirements (Village Code 4-1-11); work that does not need a building permit is exempt. We take care of that before work starts.
Do you work in my part of Glen Ellyn?
Yes. Our crews work across Glen Ellyn — ZIP 60137 — and nearby Wheaton, Lombard, Glendale Heights.
Working in Glen Ellyn
- A lot of Glen Ellyn kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Glen Ellyn homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Older paint is treated with lead-safe practices: containment, HEPA cleanup and a clean hand-over.
ZIP 60137
Microwave Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Glen Ellyn
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.