Condo kitchens with no outside vent
In a Lombard condo, venting outside usually depends on an existing duct and the association's rules. We check with management and install recirculating when needed.
Serving Lombard & nearby Villa Park, Glen Ellyn
Microwave Installation in Lombard, IL
Over-the-range, drawer and built-in microwaves installed in Lombard: anchored into the wall, bolted to the cabinet and vented the right way.
- Installers working in Lombard ZIP 60148
- Hookups by licensed trades where the code calls for it
- Old unit hauled away on request
Microwave installs we take on in Lombard
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 Lombard installers handle all of it and haul the old unit away.
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.
Duct that doesn't line up with the new unit
The exhaust opening on a new microwave may sit inches away from the old hood duct. We fit a transition piece or adjust the opening so air moves without leaks.
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.
Microwave above a pro-style or high-output range
Some makers don't allow an over-the-range microwave above high-output gas burners, and a microwave fan moves less air than a hood. We check the range's guide first.
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.
Microwave drawer in an island or base cabinet
Drawer models need an exact opening, support underneath and a receptacle where the drawer won't hit it. We set all three before sliding the unit in.
Old microwave swap where the holes don't line up
A new unit almost never matches the old bracket. We take down the old plate, install the new one from its own template and fill the old screw holes.
Included with the install
- 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.
- Studs located and wall plate mountedThe mounting plate is leveled and screwed into studs per the template.
- Cabinet drilled to the templateThe upper cabinet is marked and drilled so the bolts and cord line up.
- Blower set and duct connectedThe fan is set for outside venting through the wall or roof, or for recirculation with a filter.
- 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 cutoutsBase or wall cabinet openings sized to the maker's spec, with support and trim kits fitted.
Models, parts and fittings
Convection and air-fry combosMulti-mode microwaves that can stand in for a second oven.
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.
Venting partsDamper, duct transitions, charcoal filters and wall or roof caps.
Over-the-range microwavesMicrowaves with a built-in exhaust fan and light that mount above the range.
Before and after: kitchens near Lombard
Before
Installed
DetailA Lombard 1980s condo: before and after
This one is a 1980s condo in Lombard. What we started with: white appliances. The reason for the call: a weak hood and a microwave stuck on the counter. After: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. On site this meant old unit or hood removed, blower set and duct connected, plus drawer and built-in cutouts.
Before
AfterBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Villa Park
A two-story colonial from the 1990s in Villa Park, a typical kitchen for Villa Park. The kitchen as it was: almond appliances. What bothered the owners most: a decades-old hood and a microwave crowding the counter. After: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. Work included pre-install check, cabinet drilled to the template, plus blower set and duct connected.
Microwave Installation in Villa Park →
Before
AfterAddison kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: microwave installation
This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Addison. What we started with: white appliances. The reason for the call: a weak hood and a microwave stuck on the counter. Finished kitchen: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. Work included studs located and wall plate mounted, blower set and duct connected, plus unit hung and bolted.
Microwave Installation in Addison →
Before
AfterLombard kitchen, 1950s ranch: kitchen remodeling
Cabinets in dark teal with brushed nickel bar pulls, charcoal concrete-look quartz counters, a white 2x8 tile in a vertical stack backsplash, hickory luxury vinyl plank flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Remodeling in Lombard →
Before
AfterLombard kitchen, 1950s ranch: kitchen cabinet painting
The same doors sprayed in powder blue, new satin brass pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Lombard →Install day
- Send the model and photosShare the model number and photos of the range wall, the cabinet above and the old unit.
- Fit and power checkWe confirm clearance, cabinet size, outlet and vent path, and list anything that must change first.
- Written estimateAn itemized estimate covering removal, mounting, venting and any outlet or cabinet work.
- Install and testOld unit down, new one mounted and vented, everything tested and the old microwave hauled off.
Microwave Installation questions from Lombard homeowners
Can an over-the-range microwave vent outside in a Lombard condo?
It depends on the building. We check the duct and the rules, and recirculation is the fallback.
Does the wall plate have to go into studs?
It should. Drywall anchors alone are why some microwaves start to sag.
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 put a microwave drawer in my island?
Usually, if there's a base cabinet of the right width and power can reach it. We cut the opening and add the outlet.
Do I need an electrician to install an over-the-range microwave?
Only when the power isn't ready. We check for the outlet and circuit before install day and arrange the wiring if needed.
Do Lombard condo associations need to approve microwave installation?
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 Lombard-registered contractor for microwave installation?
Contractors must register with the Village: $100 fee, valid 1 year, online or via Building Division; insurance certificate with at least $300,000 liability coverage. We take care of that before work starts.
Can Lombard bulk pickup take my old appliance or cabinets?
Hauler Waste Management. Large items under 100 lbs collected with one refuse sticker per 50 lbs. If you'd rather not deal with it, we haul old units and debris away.
Does Lombard require a licensed electrician for microwave installation?
Registration requires a copy of a current electrician license from a testing municipality plus a certificate of insurance. New circuits and wiring are done by licensed electricians.
Does microwave installation need a Lombard building permit, and who files it?
Permits go through Building Division, Community Development and Building, phone (630) 620-5750. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a permit for microwave installation in Lombard?
It depends on the scope. Lombard's rule in short: Village requires a building permit for new structures and updates to existing structures; replacing interior doors and fixtures at the same size with no structural change needs no permit. We handle the permit when one is needed with Building Division, Community Development and Building.
Do you work in my part of Lombard?
Yes. Our crews work across Lombard — ZIP 60148 — and nearby Villa Park, Glen Ellyn, Addison.
Working in Lombard
- A lot of Lombard kitchens date from the 1960s. 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.
- We know how Building Division, Community Development and Building handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60148
Microwave Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Lombard
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.