1970s openings sized for old appliances
Appliance openings from the 1970s rarely match current models. We adjust the cabinets around them and keep the rest intact.
Serving Itasca & nearby Wood Dale, Elk Grove Village
Kitchen Cabinet Modification in Itasca, IL
We cut, resize and rebuild the cabinets you already have in Itasca so a new fridge, range or dishwasher fits and the kitchen works better.
- Installers working in Itasca ZIP 60143
- Hookups by licensed trades where the code calls for it
- Old unit hauled away on request
Cabinet changes Itasca owners ask us for
Most kitchens in Itasca were built around appliances that are smaller than what stores sell today. We modify the existing cabinets so a taller fridge, a wider range or a panel-ready dishwasher fits, and we finish the cut edges so the change looks original.
Condo kitchens with tight appliance spaces
Small condo kitchens leave little margin. We measure the new appliance and the building's constraints before we cut anything.
Panel-ready dishwasher or fridge
If you want the dishwasher to disappear into the cabinets, we make a matching front and attach it so it lines up with the drawers beside it.
Flat doors that look plain
Simple slab doors can take applied trim to create a Shaker-style frame. We cut, glue and fill the molding, then the doors are painted to match.
Fridge opening too narrow
Width usually comes from the fillers and panels beside the fridge. We find where the space can be taken and rebuild a clean finished edge.
Adding a dishwasher to an older kitchen
An opening for a dishwasher is usually made by removing one base cabinet beside the sink. We reinforce the counter edge and close up the exposed cabinet sides.
Removing an upper for open shelves
If you want open shelves by the window or range, we remove the upper, close up the sides of the remaining cabinets and hang shelves into the studs.
Want a counter-depth or built-in look
If the fridge looks like it is floating in front of the cabinets, a surround of panels and a deeper upper cabinet frames it properly.
Included with the install
- Measuring the appliance and openingBefore any cut, we compare the manufacturer's cutout dimensions with what the cabinets really measure.
- Cutting and rebuilding the boxesBoxes are cut to the new size and rebuilt with new sides, bottoms or face frame pieces as needed.
- Panels, fillers and trimNew end panels, fillers, scribe and toe-kick are fitted where the cabinets were changed.
- Drawers and shelvesNew drawer boxes, slides and fronts or a fixed microwave shelf are installed in the modified cabinet.
- Matching the finishNew parts are painted or stained to match the existing cabinets as closely as the old finish allows.
- Hardware and soft-close partsHinges, slides and pulls on changed cabinets are replaced or reset to match the rest.
- Coordinating other tradesIf an outlet, water line or gas line has to move, we schedule a licensed trade around our work.
What to pick before the install
Paint and stain for new partsCabinet-grade paint or stain mixed to your existing finish, sprayed for a smooth surface.
Cabinet-grade plywoodUsed for rebuilt sides, bottoms and shelves because it holds screws well and resists sagging.
Appliance panels and trim kitsCustom fronts for panel-ready appliances and trim kits for built-in microwaves.
Matching face frame stockHardwood strips milled to match the existing face frames in width and species.
Finished end and refrigerator panelsPanels come in paint-grade or stain-grade versions to suit your cabinets.
Before and after: kitchens near Itasca
Before
Installed
DetailAn Itasca 1980s two-story: before and after
The site: a 1980s two-story near Walnut Street downtown. Before: honey-oak cathedral raised-panel cabinets with worn finish near the handles, brass knobs and almond appliances. What bothered the owners most: a new refrigerator that would not fit the old opening. The result: the opening widened and the upper cabinet raised, a panel added, a new refrigerator fitting flush. On site this meant panels, fillers and trim, matching the finish, plus coordinating other trades.
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in Wood Dale
The site: a 1980s two-story in Wood Dale. What we started with: white thermofoil cabinets peeling at the edges, oak trim and white appliances. What bothered the owners most: cabinets built around appliances that no longer exist. 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, panels, fillers and trim, plus drawers and shelves.
Kitchen Cabinet Modification in Wood Dale →
Before
AfterAccessible Kitchen Remodeling in a 1990s two-story colonial, Itasca
What changed: a lowered warm walnut butcher block counter section with knee space under the sink, cabinets in pale mint green 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 two glass pendants and recessed lights.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Itasca →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in Itasca
Cabinets in light butter yellow with satin brass pulls, warm walnut butcher block counters, a gray beveled subway tile backsplash, black-and-white checkerboard tile flooring and two glass pendants and recessed lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Itasca →
Before
AfterAn Itasca two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after
The same doors sprayed in deep navy, new brushed nickel bar pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Itasca →How the install goes
- Visit and measureAt the visit we measure the openings and check how the cabinets are built.
- Plan and estimateWe explain the approach, any limits on finish matching and the price in writing.
- Parts preparedAnything custom is built ahead so the on-site time stays short.
- 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 Itasca homeowners
Is a small cabinet job worth calling about?
Yes. Many of our jobs are one or two cabinets, done in a day.
What is the cheapest way to upgrade kitchen cabinets?
Keep the boxes and change what bothers you most, such as adding drawers or a microwave shelf. Paint or new doors can follow later.
Can my cabinets be cut for a bigger fridge?
In many kitchens it can be done. We check the new fridge's height, width and clearance needs against your opening first.
Do I need new countertops if you resize a cabinet?
Only when the base cabinet under the counter changes size. Upper-cabinet work leaves countertops alone.
Will the new parts match my cabinets?
Painted cabinets match well. With older stained cabinets we test the finish on a sample piece first.
Can you do cabinet modification in an Itasca condo?
Associations usually set rules for work hours, elevators, deliveries and insurance, and many require approval for plumbing, electrical or structural changes. We provide the certificate of insurance and follow the building's rules.
Do I need a Itasca-registered contractor for cabinet modification?
Contractors must register with the Village and be bonded before a permit is issued; Certificate of Insurance naming the Village required. We take care of that before work starts.
Do you work in my part of Itasca?
Yes. Our crews work across Itasca, including North Side, South Side, Nordic Park, The Ranchettes — ZIP 60143 — and nearby Wood Dale, Elk Grove Village, Addison.
Working in Itasca
- A lot of Itasca kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Condo or townhome? We follow association rules on work hours and elevators and bring the insurance certificate your board asks for.
- Live in the Itasca Historic District? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
North SideSouth SideNordic ParkThe RanchettesItasca Historical DistrictWalnut Street downtown
ZIP 60143
Kitchen Cabinet Modification nearby
Other kitchen services in Itasca
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.